The Hyundai Elantra topped the latest U.S. ranking of stolen vehicle models, with 21,732 reported thefts in 2025. That makes it the model with the highest reported theft count—not necessarily the car with the highest chance of being stolen. The ranking counts reports, while an individual vehicle’s risk also depends on factors such as how many of that model are on the road, its model year, security equipment and location.
Which cars were stolen most in 2025?
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) ranked these models by the number of reported U.S. thefts during 2025. The organization published the figures on March 18, 2026.
| Rank | Vehicle model | Reported thefts in 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hyundai Elantra | 21,732 |
| 2 | Honda Accord | 17,797 |
| 3 | Hyundai Sonata | 17,687 |
| 4 | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 16,764 |
| 5 | Honda Civic | 12,725 |
| 6 | Kia Optima | 11,521 |
| 7 | Ford F-150 | 10,102 |
| 8 | Toyota Camry | 9,833 |
| 9 | Honda CR-V | 9,809 |
| 10 | Nissan Altima | 8,445 |
These are nationwide counts across model years, not theft rates adjusted for how many vehicles of each model are in use. Source: NICB, “U.S. Vehicle Thefts Experience Historic Decline,” March 18, 2026.
Does the ranking mean your car is more likely to be stolen?
Not by itself. A high count means many thefts of that model were reported; it does not show the odds that a particular owner’s car will be stolen. A widely owned model could have more theft reports simply because more examples are on the road. A fair comparison of likelihood needs thefts relative to the number of vehicles exposed to risk, with model year and other relevant differences considered.
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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides a separate theft-rate search organized by vehicle model year and theft year. Its data come from the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC), which receives information from approximately 18,000 criminal-justice agencies and other law-enforcement authorities. NHTSA notes the data also include reports for self-insured and uninsured vehicles that may not appear in other sources. The NICB’s top-ten list does not provide a current, exposure-adjusted model-by-model ranking, so it cannot establish which car has the highest individual theft probability.
NHTSA’s page cites a median theft rate of 3.5826 per 1,000 vehicles produced for passenger motor vehicles from model years 2004 through 2014. That is a historical median for those model years—not a current average for all cars. See NHTSA’s vehicle theft prevention and theft-rate information.
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What the national trend says—and what it does not
NICB counted 659,880 reported vehicle thefts across the United States in 2025, a 23% decline from 2024. NHTSA’s public guidance describes a vehicle being stolen every 48 seconds in the United States in 2025. These national figures put the model ranking in context, but neither tells an owner the probability of theft for a specific vehicle or in a specific area.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to lower your vehicle’s theft risk
Start with habits that make an opportunistic theft harder:
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- Take your key or key fob with you, even during a quick stop, and never leave the vehicle running unattended.
- Lock the doors and close the windows when you leave.
- Choose a well-lit parking place when possible.
- Keep valuables out of sight.
NHTSA also describes several kinds of anti-theft devices. Audible or visible devices, such as a steering-wheel lock, can attract attention or provide a visible deterrent. Immobilizing devices impede ignition bypass or hot-wiring. Recovery systems use electronic transmission technology to help law enforcement locate a stolen vehicle. These are different layers of protection, not guarantees; no effectiveness percentage is established in the cited guidance. Check that any device fits your vehicle and consider it alongside basic precautions. Sources: NHTSA theft-prevention guidance and NICB vehicle-theft prevention tips.
Hyundai and Kia owners: check your exact vehicle
In a July 2024 consumer alert, NHTSA said Hyundai and Kia had offered free anti-theft software updates beginning in early 2023 for millions of vehicles without immobilizers, and later unveiled ignition-cylinder protectors for vehicles ineligible for the software update. That alert is not a current eligibility lookup and does not mean every Hyundai or Kia qualifies. Contact the manufacturer or an authorized dealer with your vehicle’s details to confirm what, if anything, is available for your specific vehicle. Read NHTSA’s consumer alert.
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What to do if your car is stolen
- Contact the police immediately to report the theft.
- Have your license plate number, vehicle make and model, color, VIN and any identifying features ready.
- Contact your insurance company to file a claim within 24 hours.
NHTSA’s steps are at Vehicle Theft Prevention.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
