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For years, thieves had a favorite truck: the Ford F-150. It topped the stolen vehicle list in 2019 and 2020, suffering over 30,000 thefts annually for nearly a decade. Even in 2022, when the Chevrolet Silverado took the top spot, Ford’s full-size trucks still racked up 48,175 thefts.

Then, in 2023, everything changed. A new target emerged. And for once, it wasn’t a pickup.

The Ford F-150 was a theft magnet

Thieves loved the F-150 for the same reason buyers did—it was everywhere. Millions of units on the road meant easy access to parts, and older models were still driving around without modern anti-theft tech.

Between 2015 and 2022, full-size Ford pickups suffered at least 30,000 thefts every year. In 2020, they hit a peak of 44,014 stolen trucks.

Then came 2023. Ford truck thefts plummeted to 15,852. Not necessarily because trucks became safer—but because car thieves had a new obsession.

TikTok turned Hyundai and Kia into easy targets

A social media trend exposed a shocking security flaw in Hyundai and Kia models. Videos showed how to steal them with nothing but a USB cable. Cars that once barely appeared on theft reports suddenly dominated them.

By 2023, Hyundai and Kia made up six of the top ten most stolen vehicles. The Hyundai Elantra was number one with 48,445 thefts. The Sonata followed with 42,813.

Hyundai and Kia responded with software updates and free steering wheel locks. It didn’t work.

“My Kia was stolen twice in two months,” said one Kansas City owner. “I got the security update, but it made no difference. Now, I only drive it in broad daylight and never in the city.”

She’s not alone. Another customer at her body shop had their Kia broken into three times in one summer. Insurance companies have started refusing to cover some Hyundai and Kia models.

The owner summed it all up: “It’s been a bad year for Kia owners.”

Trucks are still valuable, but not the easiest target

The Ford F-150 is still a high-value truck. But with better security on newer models, thieves appear to have moved on—for now. Meanwhile, Hyundai and Kia owners are still scrambling for solutions. Until automakers find a real fix, these brands will remain the top targets for car thieves.

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.