2024-05-10 19:55:30
For the first time in a long time, Hyundai and Kia sedans surpassed full-size pickup trucks as the most stolen vehicles in the United States, according to an annual report released Thursday by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).
The Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima took the top three spots among the most stolen vehicles in 2023. The Chevy Silverado 1500 pickup truck took fourth place.
While the findings may be new to the NICB, they are not new in what has become an epidemic of auto theft. Last month, the NICB reported that vehicle thefts continue to increase from 2019, and that vehicle thefts increased 1% from 2022 to 2023.
The nonprofit organization funded by the insurance industry reported 1,020,729 stolen vehicles in 2023.
According to the US Department of Transportation and for reference, 278 million commercial and passenger vehicles will be registered in the US in 2022.
Pickups accounted for regarding 171 million of those registrations, which is why trucks often rank high among the most stolen vehicles. Until this year.
Why do car thieves target Hyundai and Kia models?
Hyundai and Kia sedans with key ignition instead of push-button start have been besieged by high rates of auto theft since before the pandemic, accelerated by viral social media trends demonstrating how to hack cars’ ignition systems. cars with a USB cable or similar device.
The trick allowed the thieves to flee without a key or fob. The vehicles, usually older basic models, lacked anti-theft immobilizers.
A 2021 study by the Highway Loss Data Institute, the research agency of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), found that 26% of 2015 Hyundai and Kia vehicles had these types of passive immobilizers. heist; all other brands combined had a 96% anti-theft device as standard.
For the 2021 model year, the number of Hyundais and Kias with anti-theft immobilizers increased to 78%.
During the pandemic, the “Kia Boys” viral videos in which underage teenagers appeared stealing cars in urban areas to take rides until they crashed put the issue in the national spotlight.
The viral trend had been attributed to eight vehicular deaths, partly sparking a class-action lawsuit that related brands settled for $200 million in May 2023.
According to an NPR report, at the time, auto insurance companies seemed reluctant to accept customers purchasing older Hyundai/Kia models.
The agreement covered approximately 9 million owners of 2011 through 2022 model year cars with traditional key ignitions.
In February last year, Hyundai and Kia released a free software update for cars that lack engine immobilizers.
In addition to window stickers and car alarm sirens that would sound for a minute instead of 30 seconds, the software update required the key to be in the ignition switch to start. It can be installed at dealers for free.
Brands also provided steering wheel locks or compensation for steering wheel locks to deter theft.
Car theft remains a problem across the country, the NICB reports, with the number of thefts in 2023 breaking another record. It’s not just vulnerable models like older Hyundais and Kias, either.
The 10 most stolen cars in 2023:
Hyundai Elantra (48,445)
Hyundai Sonata (42,813)
Kia Optima (30.204)
Chevrolet Silverado (23,721)
Kia Soul (21,001)
Honda Accord (20,895)
Honda Civic (19,858)
Kia Forte (16,209)
Ford F-150 (15,582)
Kia Sportage (15,749)
The reasons for the record number of vehicle thefts are multiple.
“Criminals are employing increasingly sophisticated methods to steal vehicles, including using advanced technology to bypass security systems,” David J. Glawe, president and CEO of NICB, said in a statement.
“From keyless entry attacks to key fob relay attacks, perpetrators are exploiting vulnerabilities in modern vehicle security measures with alarming success rates.”
The NICB reported that recovery rates remain high, with more than 85% of stolen vehicles recovered. The agency recommends calling the police and your insurance company immediately in the event of a theft to increase your chances of recovery.
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