Car Theft Alert: The Top 10 U.S. Cities with Highest Rates Include 3 from California

There has been a significant rise in car thefts throughout the United States in recent years. Your vehicle’s specific make and model greatly influence your risk of it being stolen.

A recent study by The Zebra revealed that your location also plays a part, with some U.S. cities being home to a higher-than-average number of car thefts. 

Three California cities have ultra-high rates of car theft in America. Can you name them?

Methodology

To create their top ten list, The Zebra looked at the 50 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. by population.

Using statistics from the National Institute on Crime Bureau, analysts studied the number of thefts per 100,000 residents and the change in thefts from 2020 to 2021. 

These were the results, starting with the city with the highest car theft rate.

1: Bakersfield, California

Bakersfield is home to less than half a million people but has more car thefts than any other U.S. city.

In 2021, the central California municipality had 1,023 thefts per 100,000 residents. 

2: Denver, Colorado

Denver experienced 934 car thefts per 100,000 residents in 2021, a 37% increase over the prior year.

CBS News reporting revealed that Denver police are often able to return stolen vehicles to owners. However, the thieves are rarely caught or prosecuted. 

3: Pueblo, Colorado

Pueblo sits just south of Denver and has a population of only 111,456, making it one of the smaller metropolitan areas on this list.

The city experiences an auto theft rate of 891 per 100,000 residents, far too high for comfort.

4: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque is the largest metropolitan area in New Mexico, and car thefts are rampant.

The auto theft rate is 710 per 100,000 residents. Notably, it also saw a 12.4% increase in thefts year over year. 

5: Portland, Oregon

According to The Zebra’s analysis, Portland had 680 car thefts per 100,000 residents. Portland law enforcement returned 93% of the stolen vehicles within a year.

Thanks to recent arrests, the city is hopeful it’s past the peak of its auto theft problem. 

6: San Francisco, California

San Francisco experienced 675 car thefts per 100,000 residents in 2021.

Though the rate of auto thefts is large, the Golden Gate city saw a similar number in 2020, which means there hasn’t been a significant increase that other cities experienced. 

7: Billings, Montana

There were 611 auto thefts per 100,000 residents in Billings.

The city saw an 8% increase from 2020 to 2021 alone and has been consistently climbing the car theft list since 2017. 

8: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee experienced a massive 73% jump in the number of car thefts between 2020 and 2021.

Though the rate decreased in 2022 and 2023, Milwaukee’s numbers are concerning. The auto theft rate in 2021 was 597 thefts per 100,000 residents. 

9: Seattle, Washington

Seattle saw 582 car thefts per 100,000 residents in 2021. Notably, the city experienced a 73% increase in car thefts from 2019 to 2022.

Major auto insurance providers, like Progressive, have recently opted not to cover the most vulnerable makes and models in Washington. 

10: Yuba City, California

In 2021, Yuba City experienced 578 car thefts per 100,000 residents.

This smaller Northern California city actually saw a decrease in the number of auto thefts by about 20% year over year. 

Cars Most Likely To Be Stolen 

Kia and Hyundai account for most of the auto thefts in many cities from The Zebra’s list.

According to CNN, Kia and Hyundai models from 2015 to 2019 are particularly susceptible to theft and have seen a 1000% increase since 2020. 

A TikTok Problem

Many blame the rise in Kia and Hyundai thefts on a recent TikTok trend. The “Kia Challenge” involved viral videos that exposed security vulnerabilities in certain Kia and Hyundai models.

The videos often featured juveniles joyriding in vehicles that they’d stolen using little more than a screwdriver and a USB charger. 

The Kia Boyz

A group of teenagers known as the “Kia Boyz” initially gained attention by stealing Kias for social media clout. However, what started as reckless joyrides has escalated into more serious criminal activity.

Law enforcement has apprehended juveniles involved in stolen vehicles linked to fatal accidents and armed robberies.

No Arrest, No Prosecution 

In some cities, few of the so-called “Kia Boyz” are arrested or prosecuted.

In Milwaukee, for example, only 11% of 2021 stolen vehicle cases ended in an arrest, and only 5% of those arrests were prosecuted. Some believe the lack of consequences is fueling the problem. 

Ineffective Fix 

While some people are focused on catching and prosecuting the juveniles responsible for the rise in vehicle thefts, others are calling on Kia and Hyundai to rectify their security flaws.

In early 2023, the companies released software designed to thwart thieves, but according to the Associated Press, the fix appears to be ineffective so far.  

No Recall Option 

Multiple State Attorney Generals have called on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to recall the Kia and Hyundai models with security vulnerabilities.

However, the NHTSA recently issued a response stating that the issue doesn’t constitute either “a safety defect or noncompliance requiring a recall.” 

Insurance Issues

Major insurance providers like State Farm and Progressive have stopped offering comprehensive coverage for certain Kia and Hyundai models in states with high rates of theft.

While Kia and Hyundai have partnered with AAA to offer drivers insurance, AAA is not available in every state. 

Problems Getting Parts

Kia and Hyundai owners may rejoice when their vehicles are recovered after a theft, but that happiness is often short-lived. Returned cars often require repairs, and parts are in short supply. 

Some drivers report having to wait over thirty days to receive parts necessary to make their cars drivable. 

Avoiding Car Theft

If you drive a Kia or Hyundai, there are things you can do to deter theft. If you qualify for the free security upgrade offered by these manufacturers, you should take advantage of it.

You should also ask about complimentary steering locks that Hyundai and Kia are providing some owners. 

Smart Parking

To deter car thieves, try to park in secure areas.

At night, park directly under street lamps when possible or opt only to park in secure garages. 

Aftermarket engine immobilizers and alarm systems are good options for vehicle owners concerned about theft. Hyundai has announced plans to reimburse vehicle owners for alarm kits and other anti-theft devices. 

Visual Deterrents

A small blinking dashboard light or window sticker that suggests an alarm may be enough to deter a thief.

If you get the software update, Hyundai and Kia will provide a sticker to place on your window, but you can also purchase a fake one online if needed. 

Car Tracking