These 10 vehicles are stolen the most in IL, report says. Did yours make the list?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Illinois ranks fourth nationally for vehicle thefts by total volume stolen.
- Hyundai Elantra and Jeep Grand Cherokee topped Illinois lists in early 2025.
- Federal officials urge parking in well-lit areas and the use of locks and anti-theft devices.
Although vehicle theft rates have recently declined in Illinois, the state is still fourth in the nation for vehicle thefts by total volume, 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 in vehicle thefts.
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 2024 and the first half of 2025, Illinois ranked fourth in the nation for vehicle thefts by total volume stolen. In 2024 and Q1-Q2 2025, Illinois (like many other states) saw significant decreases in thefts,” NICB spokesperson Nicholas Zeitlinger said in a recent email to the News-Democrat. “This decline follows a nationwide pandemic-era vehicle crime surge; figures have not yet fully returned to pre-pandemic levels.”
The top three states for vehicle theft by volume for 2024 and the first half of 2025 were California, Texas and Florida, according to NICB data.
From the first half of 2024 to the first half of 2025, Alaska was the only state to report an increased theft rate, NICB reports. The state saw a 26% increase, “largely driven by theft trends in the Anchorage metropolitan area.”
Most commonly stolen vehicles in Illinois this year
Here’s how the most commonly stolen vehicles compared in the first half of 2025 for Illinois, according to NICB:
1. Hyundai Elantra: 540 reported thefts
2. Jeep Grand Cherokee: 526
3. Hyundai Sontata: 439
4. Kia Optima: 260
5. Nissan Maxima: 248
6. Chevrolet Malibu: 234
7. Dodge Charger: 211
8. Toyota Camry: 203
9. Kia Sportage: 199
10. Dodge Durango: 195
Some of these models were also among the most commonly stolen last year in Illinois. The top 10 vehicles most subject to theft in the state last year include the Jeep Grand Cherokee (1,615 reported thefts), Hyundai Elantra (1,531), Hyundai Sonata (1,235), Dodge Durango (749), Kia Optima (737), Dodge Charger (724), Kia Soul (588), Infiniti Q50 (586), Toyota Camry (571) ang Nissan Maxima (568).
How common is vehicle theft in Belleville?
In line with national and statewide trends, Belleville has seen a decrease in reported vehicle thefts since 2023.
The police department reported 176 vehicle thefts in 2023, 148 in 2024 and 67 so far in 2025, according to records obtained by the News-Democrat.
If your vehicle has been stolen, you can report it online to notify the Belleville Police Department. The online reporting form is for non-emergencies.
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, according to the NHTSA, 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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