Hyundai, Kia's Anti-Theft Measures Fuel Steep Dip in US Vehicle Thefts

Vehicle thefts in the United States recorded their biggest yearly drop in four decades as automakers, mainly Hyundai and Kia, bolstered anti-theft measures, while easing supply chain constraints made stealing vehicles for parts less lucrative.

Hyundai and Kia cars topped the list of the most stolen vehicles in 2021 and 2023 as their lack of immobilizers made them easy targets for stealing, fuelling viral social media trends such as the "Kia Boys".

Although cars made by Hyundai and Kia were among the top five models that were stolen last year, their thefts fell by about 37.5%, data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau showed.

Hyundai Motor America said it implemented measures to combat thefts of certain entry-level models lacking immobilizers by including free software upgrades, ignition cylinder protectors and reimbursement programs.

The automaker, whose Korean parent owns a third of Kia and shares platforms and components, said 68% of vulnerable vehicles had already received the anti-theft update.

Vehicle thefts across the U.S. fell 16.6% to 850,708 units in 2024 from a year earlier, according to the NICB data. They hit a record high of 1.02 million vehicles in 2023.