Sunday, June 28, 2026

IoT and Stolen Cars: Thieves May Use Tech to Grab Your Ride

The 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in America in 2025


Vehicle theft declined in the United States in 2025, but several models remained frequent targets because of their popularity, availability, and persistent appeal to thieves (National Insurance Crime Bureau [NICB], 2025; Car and Driver, 2026). According to NICB data, the most stolen vehicle in America in 2025 was the Hyundai Elantra, followed by the Honda Accord and the Hyundai Sonata (NICB, 2025; Car and Driver, 2026).
Ranked Vehicles 

 

The 10 most stolen vehicles in America in 2025 were the following:

  • Hyundai Elantra (21,732)
  • Honda Accord (17,797)
  • Hyundai Sonata (17,687)
  • Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (16,764)Honda Civic (12,725)
  • Kia Optima (11,521)
  • Ford F-150 (10,102)
  • Toyota Camry (9,833)
  • Honda CR-V (9,809)
  • Nissan Altima (8,445)

 

Theft Trends

NICB reported that U.S. vehicle thefts experienced a decline in 2025, yet the same report still identified specific models that were stolen far more often than others. NICB specifically stated that the Hyundai Elantra remained the most stolen vehicle model in 2025 with 21,732 thefts, followed by the Honda Accord with 17,797 thefts and the Hyundai Sonata with 17,687 thefts (NICB, 2025).

Car and Driver’s report on the NICB figures confirms the same ranking and shows that the list included a mix of sedans, pickups, and one SUV, suggesting that theft risk in 2025 was not limited to one body style or market segment (Car and Driver, 2026). The presence of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Ford F-150 on the same list as the Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Altima shows that both high-volume passenger cars and high-demand trucks remained attractive targets (Car and Driver, 2026). 

Internet of Things

Modern connected vehicles increasingly function like Internet of Things systems because they rely on wireless connectivity, cloud services, software-driven features, and communication between in-vehicle components and outside networks (Trend Micro, 2021). Trend Micro explains that connected cars use technologies such as 5G, cloud-connected applications, over-the-air updates, and vehicle-to-network communication, all of which expand what vehicles can do while also increasing cybersecurity exposure (Trend Micro, 2021).

Trend Micro also notes that the modern connected car is becoming similar to a “smartphone-on-wheels,” with applications communicating through middleware, gateway electronic control units, and cloud services. These systems can introduce risks such as denial-of-service attacks, man-in-the-middle attacks, hijacking of services, data privacy issues, authentication and management issues, incorrect data, and misconfiguration problems (Trend Micro, 2021). As the costs and resale values for car computers, collision avoidance systems, and other tech devices increase, thieves now also disassemble vehicles to steal those items.

Radio frequency interception and transmission devices are sometimes used to capture the codes transmitted by key fobs on some vehicles. The codes are then used to reprogram devices that the thieves emply to unlock, start, and steal a vehicle. 

This means connected technology can create additional pathways that thieves or cybercriminals may try to exploit. If remote services, app connections, or cloud-linked vehicle functions are not properly secured, the same connectivity designed for convenience may also increase opportunities for unauthorized access or interference (Trend Micro, 2021). 

Prevention Methods

NICB advises vehicle owners to use layered theft-prevention practices rather than relying on a single measure. Its prevention guidance recommends removing keys or fobs from the vehicle, locking doors and windows, parking in well-lit areas, and using anti-theft technology such as steering wheel locks, audible alarms, and aftermarket tracking devices (NICB, n.d.).

These recommendations support the use of steering wheel locking devices, alarm systems, and location-tracking tools as practical deterrents. They also fit well with additional protective measures such as ignition kill switches or fuel-system shutoff devices, which are commonly used to make a stolen vehicle harder to start or move, although the verified NICB source specifically highlights locks, alarms, and tracking devices rather than detailing those other devices individually (NICB, n.d.).

For connected vehicles, owners must  recognize that digital security matters alongside physical security. Because connected cars increasingly depend on cloud services, APIs, and networked vehicle systems, keeping manufacturer software current and treating app-based vehicle access cautiously are sensible precautions consistent with the risks described by Trend Micro (Trend Micro, 2021). 

References

Car and Driver. (2026, March 23). What cars were stolen most last year? The top 10 may surprise you. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a70833130/top-10-most-stolen-cars-2025/

National Insurance Crime Bureau. (2025). U.S. vehicle thefts experience historic decline. https://www.nicb.org/news/news-releases/us-vehicle-thefts-experience-historic-decline

National Insurance Crime Bureau. (n.d.). Prevent vehicle theft. https://www.nicb.org/prevent-vehicle-theft

Trend Micro. (2021, February 15). Connected cars, 5G, the cloud: Opportunities and risks. https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/21/b/connected-cars-5g-the-cloud-opportunities-and-risks.html

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