MYNORTHWEST NEWS

WA car theft stats reveal a clear favorite among thieves

Jun 13, 2025, 5:24 AM | Updated: Sep 9, 2025, 3:35 pm

car theft WA stolen cars...

A photo of a broken passenger car window. (Photo by: Brandon Bell, Getty Images)

(Photo by: Brandon Bell, Getty Images)

A study from FinanceBuzz found which car models are the most susceptible to being stolen in each state.

The most stolen car model in the U.S. last year was the Hyundai Elantra, which had 31,712 reported thefts, according to FinanceBuzz.

A trend on TikTok in 2022 challenged thieves to steal a variety of Kia and Hyundai models made between 2010 and 2021. The trend, derived from the hashtag “Kia Boyz,” involved thieves using a USB cord to hot-wire vehicles.

“With more than 31,000 stolen in the U.S. in 2024, the Hyundai Elantra was the most stolen model in the U.S. last year, and the No. 1 car stolen in 21 states,” FinanceBuzz stated.

The most stolen car model in the U.S.

More than 850,000 cars were stolen in 2024, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, which translates to one car being stolen every 37 seconds in the U.S.

The most stolen car model in Washington for 2024 was the Hyundai Elantra, with 1,379 vehicles reported.

Oregon reportedly had 435 Honda Civics stolen, making it their most common vehicle stolen in 2024, while Idaho had a measly 37 Ford F-150s stolen, making it their most common stolen car model.

The states with the highest number of stolen cars per model in 2024 were Texas, California, and Maryland.

Texas had 6,453 Chevrolet Silverados stolen; similarly, California’s No.1 vehicle model stolen was the Chevrolet Silverado, with 6,248 stolen vehicles. Maryland had 1,966 Hyundai Elantras stolen in 2024.

Hyundai landed in the top three nationally again with 26,720 thefts of their Sonata model in 2024.

The Chevrolet Silverado 150 was the third-most stolen car model in the U.S., with 21,666.

Follow Jason Sutich on X. Send news tips here

MyNorthwest News

dog shot...

James Lynch

‘The reason I lived’: Seattle woman seeks surgery for dog shot protecting her

A Seattle woman said her dog Judah, a 150-pound Cane Corso, saved her life during a 2024 shooting.

6 minutes ago

RV (1)...

Julia Dallas

Mayor Wilson vetoes RV permit program over effectiveness concerns, signs 4 other ordinances

Wilson signed four of the five RV ordinances passed by the City Council but vetoed a measure that would have created a new permit program.

28 minutes ago

King county graffiti...

Manda Factor

King County graffiti defendant ordered to pay thousands in restitution

A defendant convicted of graffiti-related property damage and a firearms offense is in jail and has been ordered to pay $12,607 in restitution.

1 hour ago

vandalism...

Julie Berg, KIRO 7 News

Vandalism causes $15,000 in damages at Irondale County Park

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating vandalism that caused an estimated $15,000 in damages at Irondale County Park on Oct. 23.

3 hours ago

des moines shooting charges...

MyNorthwest Staff

Motorcyclist killed by train in Auburn

A motorcyclist was killed by a train in Auburn.

3 hours ago

Snohomish jail death...

Jason Sutich

Inmate dies on fourth day in Snohomish County Jail after being found unresponsive in cell

A 54-year-old male inmate died on his fourth day at the Snohomish County Jail after he was found unresponsive in his cell on Sunday morning.

3 hours ago

WA car theft stats reveal a clear favorite among thieves