Motor Vehicle Theft Rates by City (2023)

Three factors converged. First, online tutorials demonstrated method-specific vulnerabilities in certain vehicle models (Hyundai and Kia models without engine immobilizers from model years roughly 2011–2021 were the most-cited example). Second, social media amplification spread method knowledge rapidly. Third, post-pandemic court and probation system disruption affected enforcement and deterrence patterns. The Bureau of Justice Statistics has documented sharp post-2021 increases in vehicle theft rates in many U.S. metros, with partial reversal in 2024 as manufacturers issued software fixes and law-enforcement responses scaled. Among the top 50 cities here, the average rate is 339.7 per 100,000 — about 1.1x the national average of 318.3.

Yes, and this is well-documented. Insurance loss data published by the Highway Loss Data Institute showed certain Hyundai and Kia models from approximately 2011–2021 had theft claim rates several times the industry average, traceable to the absence of an engine immobilizer. The manufacturers issued software updates and steering-lock replacements; some cities sued or sought settlement, and class action settlements were reached. If you drive a vehicle from those years and models, the manufacturer-issued software update materially reduces theft probability. Always check your VIN against current recall and update lists.

Yes. Auto insurance carriers responded to the post-2021 surge by raising comprehensive premiums in affected metros and by declining to write new comprehensive coverage on the most-targeted Hyundai and Kia model years. The effect is primarily on comprehensive coverage (which covers theft and non-collision damage); collision and liability premiums were less affected. Insurance pricing data from the Insurance Information Institute documents the regional premium impact. For consumers in high-rate cities, parking choices, after-market security devices, and steering wheel locks all measurably reduce theft probability.

The 2024 data has shown partial reversal in many metros that had peaked in 2022–2023. Manufacturer software updates, public-awareness campaigns about steering wheel locks, and law-enforcement focus on the specific theft methods all contribute. Whether reversal is durable depends on factors that vary city by city. Trend direction for any specific city is on its individual profile and on the cities-getting-safer or cities-getting-worse pages. Of the top 50 here, 0 cities currently run more than 2x the national average and 0 run more than 3x.

All motor vehicle theft rates come from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, accessed via the FBI Crime Data Explorer (CDE). Annual counts of motor vehicle thefts (a Part I property offense category) are reported by local police agencies and aggregated by the FBI; rates per 100,000 residents are computed using U.S. Census population estimates. The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) publishes complementary methodological notes. All sources are U.S. government public domain.