Is Car Theft On The Rise?

Issue #170

Great news! Car theft has gone down in the US!

However, we can't let our guards down. Today, we explain why, especially if you own a Hyundai. 

Market News

• Pop-up ads are appearing on this automaker's screens again. Isn't that the most annoying thing ever?

• The Cadillac Escalade IQ is the SUV of the year, according to MotorTrend. What do you think?

• Spy photos finally reveal what the baby G-wagon looks like. Here they are. 

• Ford copies the Slate truck, but supersizes the idea. Here's why it could be a game-changer. 

• Dealers are asking for $60,000 for a Honda Prelude. This article explains the crazy pricing and why it won't stop happening. 

Safety and Recalls

• Hyundai expands its fuel tank recall to include the Sonata. Here's more. 

• GMC recalls the Hummer EV due to an airbag issue.

Car Culture

• Most old cars aren't classics. This article explains the uncomfortable truth. 

• This Opel GT is a beautiful tribute to a father. 

• These are the most American-made cars you can buy in 2025. Do you notice a trend?

• Someone paid $20 million for this car. There's a catch: the car has not even been produced yet. 

• Hyundai's concept car, the CRATER, caught the attention of many. What are your thoughts?

Video Of The Week

TFL drives a brand-new Volkswagen from 1980!

In The Know

Car Theft Is Decreasing, But Not Everywhere

Reports started in Milwaukee some months back. Then, almost immediately, others came from Philadelphia and now Los Angeles. These were car theft hotspots, and they all shared one common factor: the cars were high-tech. 

In states like California, the situation has gotten so bad that authorities are constantly sending out warnings. It's not only a problem in public places: it can happen in your driveway. 

That's not to say that public spaces are safer. One hotspot for car theft is the airport, and it makes perfect sense. Some vehicles spend days or weeks parked there, becoming prime targets for thieves. This article explains the problems LAX is facing. 

As we welcomed 2025, a major report surfaced about a crime ring targeting cars at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. The toll was an astounding $4.9 million. Here's more on the story. 

Does this mean that car theft is getting worse in the US? Strangely, no. Statistics show that car theft has decreased considerably since 2023, which was a peak year for such crimes. In 2024, car theft decreased 17%, as this article explains. 

Fascinatingly, 2025 has even fewer car theft incidents. The National Insurance Crime Bureau reports that the national average has decreased by 23%. You can read the full article here. 

It's been a collective effort. Since car theft was so common in many states, authorities have worked together to dismantle complex rings such as those mentioned above.

The same article also highlights the states where theft has shown the most decrease. Puerto Rico has seen a reduction of almost half, followed closely by Washington. 

Of course, that's not to say that all states have seen a decrease in car theft, or that it's safe everywhere. For example, Washington state might have shown a reduction. However, it still ranks tenth in the country, with 115.20 vehicles stolen per 100,000 residents.

This article shows the 10 states with the most car theft. Number two didn't surprise us, but number one did. 

If you want to look at the glass half-full, there's a positive light on this situation. Given the extensive statistical analysis behind car theft, we can understand what's going on in more detail. 

One of the biggest takeaways is the type of car that thieves love. Hyundai leads the list with the Elantra and Sonata, indicating that the Korean automaker remains a prime target, even though it has worked to fix the problem, as this article explains. 

If you want to check out the top ten most stolen cars, you can read about them here. It's so varied that it shows no one is safe.