These 10 vehicles are stolen the most in KY, report says. Did yours make the list?
Although vehicle theft rates have recently declined in Kentucky, the commonwealth is still reporting thousands stolen each year, and certain models may be more at risk, according to new data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
A “pandemic-fueled surge” in vehicle thefts peaked in 2023, the NICB reports, and the U.S. is now seeing a decline.
As part of that surge, a 2022 viral TikTok challenge showed viewers how to steal certain Kia and Hyundai models using common tools, and police departments reported increased theft rates of those models as a result of the trend.
Hyundais still topped the list for most stolen vehicles in the U.S. for the first half of 2025. The top 10 most commonly stolen vehicles in the nation so far this year are the Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Sonata, Honda Accord, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Honda Civic, Kia Optima, Ford F150, Toyota Camry, Honda CR-V and Kia Soul, according to NICB data.
In the first half of the year, Kentucky reported 3,398 vehicle thefts, with 8,595 reported in 2024. The Bluegrass State ranked 28th in the nation for thefts by volume for the first half of 2025, NICB reports.
The number of thefts is declining year over year, with Kentucky seeing a 22% drop from the first half of 2024 compared to the first half of this year.
Washington, D.C., California and Nevada reported the highest vehicle theft rates per 100,000 residents so far this year, according to the report. From the first half of 2024 to the first half of 2025, Alaska was the only state to report an increased theft rate. The state saw a 26% increase, “largely driven by theft trends in the Anchorage metropolitan area.”
Most commonly stolen vehicles in Kentucky this year
Here’s how the most commonly stolen vehicles compared in the first half of 2025 for Kentucky, according to NICB:
1. Hyundai Sonata: 145 reported thefts
2. Dodge Charger: 128
3. Hyundai Elantra: 108
4. Kia Optima: 74
5. Ford F150 Series: 59
6. Chrysler 300 Series: 58
7. Toyota Camry: 57
8. Jeep Grand Cherokee and Kia Sportage: tied at 54
9. Chevrolet Silverado 1500: 50
10. Chevrolet Malibu and Dodge Challenger: tied at 49
Some of these models were also among the most commonly stolen last year. The top 10 vehicles most subject to theft in the commonwealth last year include the Hyundai Sonata (419 reported thefts), Hyundai Elantra (354), Kia Optima (221), Kia Soul (218), Dodge Charger (169), Ford F150 Series (167), Toyota Camry (135), Kia Sportage (133), Kia Forte (130) and Kia Rio (127).
How to protect your vehicle from theft
More than 850,000 vehicles across the U.S. were stolen last year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports.
The simplest way to help decrease the risk of your car being stolen is to make sure to lock it and take your key with you, according to the NHTSA. You should also close and lock all windows and doors when you park, and park in well-lit areas when possible.
Along with cars themselves and vehicle parts, items such as purses, laptops, cell phones and other valuables are also common targets, so it’s a good idea to avoid leaving important items in your vehicle, especially if they’re visible.
You may also consider installing an anti-theft device, such as alarms, steering wheel locks, immobilizing devices or vehicle recovery systems.
If your vehicle is stolen, the NHTSA advises taking the following steps:
- File a stolen-vehicle report to your local police department and be sure to keep a copy of the report and/or case number. You may be asked for your vehicle’s license plate number, make, model, color, vehicle identification number and any other identifying characteristics.
- Within 24 hours, file a claim with your insurance company.
- If you find your vehicle, immediately contact the police department and your insurance company.
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