HOW TO KEEP YOUR CAR FROM GETTING STOLEN
The most-stolen cars, and expert tips to keep yours from being taken
By Jeff S. Bartlett
Dodge muscle cars are hot among car thieves, according to a new report from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). The insurance data organization released its list of the cars with the highest theft claim frequency, adjusting for sales and other factors, revealing that the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is stolen more than 60 times as often as the average car (.41 claims per 1,000 insured vehicle years) from model years 2020-2022. The Dodge Charger with regular V8 is second at 22 times the average, and the Dodge Challenger is taken at almost 8 times the average. Car theft is a growing concern, even among more mainstream models.
About 1 million cars were stolen in 2022, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), an industry membership organization. That exceeds pre-pandemic numbers by about 100,000 vehicles. The continuing crime wave is fueled in part by economic stress, strained public resources, and social media posts, according to industry officials.
Major metropolitan areas such as Minneapolis, New York, and Philadelphia saw increases ranging from 230 percent to well over 500 percent since 2019, reported NICB last year.
Lt. Bruce Hosea, an auto theft specialist with the Los Angeles Police Department, tells CR that much of the increase in thefts they’ve seen involves cars deemed easy marks by criminals—older models without anti-theft technology and cars with keys or fobs left inside. At the same time, police say some thieves have become more tech-savvy, using electronic tools to steal vehicles without damaging windows, locks, or steering columns.
Hyundai and Kia models, in particular, have been a key factor in the recent trend, as online videos expose how to steal models without engine immobilizers, which would prevent them from starting without a key. HLDI’s latest analysis shows three Kia models (Sportage, Rio, and Forte) among the top 20 most stolen models from 2020 to 2022. The organization found that among 2015-2019 model-year vehicles, theft claims were nearly twice as common for Hyundai and Kia vehicles as a group as for all other manufacturers, according to an HLDI report in 2022. Those older models were sometime sold without engine immobilizers, which are now standard on current models from those Korean brands.
“Car theft spiked during the pandemic,” said HLDI Senior Vice President Matt Moore. “These numbers tell us that some vehicles may be targeted because they’re fast or worth a lot of money, and others because they’re easy to steal.”
IIHS explains that "many 2015-19 Hyundai and Kia vehicles lack electronic immobilizers that prevent thieves from simply breaking in and bypassing the ignition. The feature is standard equipment on nearly all vehicles of that vintage made by other manufacturers."
A Kia spokesman told CR, “All of our vehicles meet or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. While no car can be made theft-proof, criminals are seeking vehicles solely equipped with a steel key and ‘turn-to-start’ ignition system.”
Kia models from the 2022 model year forward, and Hyundai vehicles built after Nov. 1, 2022, have engine immobilizers. Representatives told us that the automakers are providing steering wheel locks, at no cost, to police departments that are hard hit by these crimes. Further, Hyundai offers a security kit through its dealerships that can be added to at-risk models.
Hyundai now offers a free anti-theft software upgrade, available for more than 1 million model-year 2017-2020 Elantra, 2015-2019 Sonata, and 2020-2021 Venue vehicles. Kia developed similar software, and the automaker has reached out to over 1 million Optima, Sorento, and Sportage owners for the free upgrade. Other Kia owners will be able to get the update "over the next few months," according to the automaker.
The software enables the keyless remote to activate an ignition "kill" function when the car is locked remotely. Some 2011-2022 model-year vehicles without engine immobilizers cannot accommodate the software upgrade. For these customers, Hyundai is finalizing a program to reimburse them for their purchase of steering wheel locks. (Owners can check the eligibility for their car at hyundaiantitheft.com.)
The software update expands in June 2023 to cover many more models, including Accent, Elantra, Santa Fe, Sonata, Tucson, and Veloster from specific years. (Learn more about the Hyundai software updates.)
The most stolen vehicles in America, according to NICB, are the Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150, Honda Civic, Honda Accord, and Toyota Camry. Popularity and availability play a key role in these rankings.
No matter what brand of car you own, the tips below show how to keep your car from becoming a target and how to save on car insurance in the process.
Remember: The key is to deter theft by making your car seem like more trouble than it’s worth.
Cars With the Highest Theft Frequency
These are the vehicles that had the greatest whole-vehicle theft rate, according to HLDI, for the 2020-2022 model years.
| Make and Model | Relative Claim Frequency* |
| Dodge Charger Hellcat | 6,128 |
| Dodge Charger V8 | 2,197 |
| Infiniti Q50 | 878 |
| Dodge Challenger | 766 |
| Land Rover Range Rover | 611 |
| Kia Sportage | 479 |
| Land Rover Range Rover Sport | 460 |
| Kia Sportage AWD | 415 |
| Honda CR-V AWD | 409 |
| BMW X6 AWD | 361 |
Source: Highway Loss Data Institute. *100 is the average. So a frequency of 6,128 is 61 times greater than the average.
Cars With the Lowest Theft Frequency
| Make and Model | Relative Claim Frequency* |
| Tesla Model 3 AWD | 3 |
| Tesla Model Y AWD | 3 |
| Volvo XC90 AWD | 6 |
| GMC Acadia AWD | 7 |
| Tesla Model X AWD | 8 |
| Volvo XC40 AWD | 8 |
| Tesla Model 3 | 9 |
| Chevrolet Trailblazer AWD | 10 |
| Lexus UX 250 AWD | 10 |
| Volvo XC60 AWD | 10 |
Source: Highway Loss Data Institute. *100 is the average. So a frequency of 3 is just 3 percent of the average rate.
Tips to Protect Your Car
Practice Smart ParkingSimple habits can make a big difference. Never leave your unattended vehicle unlocked or running, and try to park in busy, well-lit areas. “The overwhelming majority of vehicle thefts and burglaries are a result of unlocked vehicle doors,” says Crystal Clark, a spokesperson for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. Double-check that you have the key or fob with you, and stow valuables out of sight to discourage smash-and-grab thefts.
Add a Lock and an Alarm SystemPolice say visible steering wheel locks, such as The Club and Disklok, work well as deterrents, and adding an aftermarket alarm system, which often includes a visible blinking red light, can be a good idea for older vehicles without a built-in system.
Auto security company Voxx Electronics Corp. says an alarm usually costs $300 to $700, plus $200 to $600 for professional installation, depending on features and the system. An alarm can also be added to a new car.
Install Lights at HomeLighting can be an effective theft deterrent, especially if you park in your driveway, says Captain Martin Rodriguez of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He recommends motion detection lights, which can startle a would-be thief and alert those at home.
Doorbell cameras, such as Google Nest Hello and Ring, can help police identify suspects. Also remember to store keys in the house. Never leave them in the car or garage. (See the best video doorbells of the year.)
Track Your Car
Aftermarket tracking systems won’t prevent theft, but they can help find your car after the fact. Some basic GPS devices plug into your vehicle’s computer port, but they can also be easily removed. More complex, integrated systems, such as LoJack, require professional installation. Some recent car models provide tracking through subscription-based services. For example, GM’s OnStar offers a plan that costs $30 per month with stolen vehicle assistance.
Save on Insurance
Some insurance companies offer discounts for cars with anti-theft devices, usually up to 15 percent off comprehensive coverage. The discount can vary based on where you live and the insurer, says Loretta Worters, vice president at the Insurance Information Institution. Worters says outfitting your vehicle with an alarm, GPS tracking, and a hidden ignition kill switch that prevents the car from starting, even with a key, can often qualify you for a discount. (Find out which are the best car insurance companies from CR’s exclusive ratings.)
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated since it originally appeared in the September 2021 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2023, Consumer Reports, Inc.
2022-08-16T18:33:31Z