Walking back to your driveway or parking space and finding your car is a nightmare for many unfortunate car owners.
According to data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), auto thefts have gone up a whole percentage in the time period from 2022 to 2023; from 1,008,756 in 2022 to 1,020,729 in 2023, rising steadily from 2019. However, new data shows that the kind of vehicles that are getting jacked have changed from last year — and emerging social media trends could be the blame for them.
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Hyundai
According to a new list published by the NICB, the most frequently stolen car in the United States is not a pickup truck, but Hyundai's Elantra compact car, as it was being reported stolen 48,445 times in 2023. Coming in at second is the Elantra's midsize stablemate; the Hyundai Sonata, with 42,813 theft reports within the same year.
However, the third most stolen car in 2023 is not a Hyundai; rather Kia's midsize Optima sedan, with 30,208 stolen vehicle reports made over the course of 2023.
According to the data by the NICB, Kia vehicles in general were the sizable target amongst car thieves in 2023, with a total of six models: the boxy Soul compact at No. 5 with 21,001 reports, the compact Kia Forte sedan at No. 8 with 16,209 reports, and the Kia Sportage crossover SUV at No. 10 with 15,749 reports in 2023.
The NICB largely blames "social media trends" such as those by the infamous "Kia Boyz" on Tiktok, for the rise in Hyundai and Kia vehicles having a significant presence on the list.
In videos that have gone viral on social media, brazen and careless thieves and joyriders exposed various security vulnerabilities in these cars and demonstrating the uncomplicated nature of stealing Kia and Hyundai vehicles with simple tools such as a screwdriver and a USB cable to an impressionable public. In one video that went viral on social media, a thief filmed himself stealing a Kia vehicle in 35 seconds.
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On Jan. 3, Kia offered a fix to owners in the form of a "deterrent device," which protected vital components from the methods of the "Kia Boyz."
“Vehicle security is a top priority for Kia and we continue to take action to support our customers by helping to protect their vehicles from thefts, which have been encouraged by content spread across social media,” Kia America service operations Greg Silvestri said in a statement in January.
Other vehicles on the list included the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 at No. 4, with 23,721 theft reports, the Honda Accord and Civic sedans at Nos. 6 and 7 with 20,895 and 19,858 reports, respectively, and Ford's F-150 series pickup truck at No. 9 with 15,852 reports.
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According to the NICB, 34% of stolen cars were recovered on the same day as the theft, while 45% were recovered within two days. NICB President and CEO David J. Glawe maintains that though some vehicles make it back, the list highlights "the persistent threat of vehicle theft across the country."
"Even as we work to deter crime, it is crucial for owners to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to protect their vehicles," Glawe said.
To avoid being a victim of car theft, the NICB recommends owners to park in well-lit areas, close and lock all windows and doors when parking, hide valuables out of sight, including in the glove box or trunk. They also advise owners to not leave their keys in their vehicles and to not leave the area while their vehicle is running.
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