Are you the proud owner of either a Hyundai or a Kia? There’s a chance you might be at higher risk than most from vehicle theft.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), Kias and Hyundais had the most stolen cards in 2023—by far!
Of course, this thieving spree has affected only certain models from both car manufacturers. For Hyundai, the Elantra and the Sonata were the most stolen models, while the Optima appeared to be the most desirable model from Kia.
Reportedly, the Hyundai Elantra model was stolen over a staggering 48,000 different times in 2023, the Sonata around a shocking 43,000 times, and the Kia Optima fell into rogues’ hands over 30,000 times.
Bear in mind, of course, that these are only the police-reported thefts, so the numbers for each model are likely to be higher, although no one can determine by how much. Regardless, these are jaw-dropping numbers.
By comparison, the fourth model on that list was the celebrated and clearly highly desirable Chevrolet Silverado, which was stolen around 24,000 times last year. While that number is still high, it is nothing compared to the top three!
What’s really interesting is that none of these models are on the manufacturer’s top-selling lists. So, we can assume that buyers have seen the potential for theft with these cars and just aren’t buying them. That’s a huge blow for the manufacturers.
But, what is it about these cars that the thieves seemed to like so much?
Above all, it seems that these models had some serious design flaws that quickly caught on with would-be carjackers.
For example, the cars listed don’t have engine immobilizers – meaning you can start them without a key.
While most modern vehicles have immobilizers (for obvious reasons), somehow, Kia and Hyundai missed the mark and opted out of that particular safety feature. Clearly, that was not the wisest move!
In fact, aside from both companies being inundated with customer complaints, bad reviews, and general marks on their reputations, Kia and Hyundai have also both come to agree to pay out a settlement fee in class-action lawsuits over the various flaws that have led to this shocking crime wave.
Both companies have agreed to pay up to a staggering $145 million – not a cheap settlement. This summer, a presiding judge will finalize the settlement, so only time will tell what the companies actually end up paying out.
Believe it or not, six out of the ten most stolen vehicles in America for 2023 were either Hyundai or Kia. Aside from holding the top three spots, both companies still have a lot at stake with some of their other models, including the Kia Soul, Forte, and Sportage.
So, if you happen to own any of the models mentioned above, it might be wise to invest in some protective gear for your vehicle – or, dare we say it, hop to a different manufacturer altogether…