You may already know that car theft rates spiked dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, the numbers are finally starting to cool off. Auto theft rates peaked in 2023, fell during 2024, and dropped another 23% in the first half of 2025. However, as we roll into 2026, vehicle thieves clearly still have their preferences, and certain makes and models remain prime targets.
The latest data is in, and the most stolen cars for 2026 fit neatly into two categories: vehicles that became trendy to steal because of glaring security vulnerabilities, and cars and trucks that are targeted simply because they have been wildly popular volume-sellers for decades. You can’t throw a set of lock picks without hitting one.
Total Volume vs. Per Capita Thefts
There are a number of ways to measure car thefts.
If you look at theft rates per capita (or per 100,000 drivers) according to groups like Compare Market, the top three most targeted vehicles heading into 2026 are the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Honda Civic.
However, when looking at raw total theft numbers collected by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) in their most recent mid-year report, Hyundai and Kia models completely dominate the top of the list due to the lingering effects of social media trends. Here is the full breakdown of the 10 most stolen vehicles by raw volume right now.
1. Hyundai Elantra (11,329 Thefts)
According to the NICB, thieves nabbed 11,329 Hyundai Elantras in a six-month period. It was the only model to surpass 10,000 thefts during that timeframe. As Autoblog explains, “Early versions without immobilizers were easy targets, and even though Hyundai has since fixed that issue and rolled out free security upgrades, thefts remain stubbornly high.”
As a result, insuring an Elantra currently costs about 23% more than the average vehicle. On the bright side, overall Elantra thefts are finally on track to fall by about 30%.
2. Hyundai Sonata (9,154 Thefts)
During the same timeframe, thieves stole 9,154 Hyundai Sonatas, pushing its insurance rates roughly 21% above average. The Sonata got swept up in the same theft wave as the Elantra. In late 2022, car thieves took to TikTok to demonstrate how to steal certain base-trim Hyundais and Kias.
They called themselves the “Kia boys” and launched the “Kia Challenge,” filming reckless stunts before abandoning the cars. Unfortunately, Hyundai and Kia owners are still paying for that trend.
3. Honda Accord (8,531 Thefts)
The simplest explanation for the Accord’s high theft rate is sheer volume. It ranks as the third best-selling vehicle of the past 40 years, with roughly 13 million units sold.
While newer models are well-secured, many older Accords still on the road lack modern theft protection, making them incredibly appealing and easy targets.
4. Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (8,006 Thefts)
Thieves stole 8,006 Chevrolet Silverados, making it the most stolen pickup truck in the U.S. (a title the F-150 held for years). The Silverado is heavily targeted because of its vulnerabilities. Keyfobs and keyless entry systems on these trucks can easily be hacked using signal cloning to quickly unlock doors and start engines.
Because these trucks haven’t benefited from updated security tech in years, a newer Silverado could be just as vulnerable to a relay attack as an older model.
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5. Honda Civic (6,396 Thefts)
Civic thefts averaged over 1,000 per month. This car is both wildly popular and highly vulnerable. Thieves easily sell replacement parts like wheels and airbags, or sell the vehicles whole. Honda did not add engine immobilizers to the Civic until 2001, meaning criminals can easily break into older models, start the engine, and take off and never be seen again.
6. Kia Optima (6,011 Thefts)
The Kia Optima was one of the cars involved in the Kia Challenge. Not only were these sedans vulnerable, but thieves preferred them for joyrides and street takeovers. Kia has responded with free steering wheel locks and a software patch, and according to the IIHS, updated vehicles are now about 53% less likely to be stolen.
7. Ford F-150 (4,996 Thefts)
The Ford F-150 is heavily desired by thieves because it provides massive aftermarket value as America’s best-selling vehicle. These trucks are often parted out, with thieves making a lot of money off of high-demand features like tires, bumpers, and LED headlights.
However, Ford recently introduced a security app that allows owners to immobilize their trucks remotely, which appears to be actively driving down its raw theft numbers.
8. Toyota Camry (4,986 Thefts)
Nearly 5,000 Camrys were reported stolen in the latest data set. The issue here is purely volume; Toyota has sold nearly 12 million Camrys over the past 40 years. Insuring a Camry currently costs about 24% more than average, the highest markup on this list.
9. Honda CR-V (4,889 Thefts)
The CR-V ranks as the most stolen crossover currently on the market. Because most CR-Vs on the road are newer models, thieves generally bypass brute force methods and rely on advanced tech like key-fob cloning rather than breaking windows.
10. Kia Soul (4,380 Thefts)
Rounding out the top 10 is the Kia Soul. Despite being less popular overall than the CR-V or Toyota RAV4, its appearance on this list reflects the lingering trend of thieves explicitly targeting Kia and Hyundai ignition cylinders rather than pure sales volume.
The Specific Trims Thieves Target Most
What raw theft totals miss are the vehicles most commonly targeted relative to exactly how many exist on the road. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tracks theft by measuring insurance claims for total losses. When you drill down into claim frequency (where a score of 100 equals the national average), high-end trims and specialty muscle cars suddenly dominate the data.
For example, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is stolen at roughly 39 times the rate of the average vehicle, largely due to its high desirability and keyless entry vulnerabilities. Here are the most targeted specific trims based on IIHS claim frequency:
- Chevrolet Camaro ZL1: 3,949 (Nearly 40x the national average)
- Acura TLX 4WD: 2,138
- Chevrolet Camaro: 1,287
- GMC Sierra 2500 Crew Cab 4WD: 1,023
- Acura TLX 2WD: 805
- GMC Sierra 3500 Crew Cab 4WD: 742
- Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Crew Cab 4WD: 662
- Dodge Durango 4WD: 592
- Land Rover Range Rover 4WD: 540
- Ram 1500 Crew Cab Short-Wheelbase 4WD: 524
