Kansas reported 5K vehicle thefts last year. See the top 10 most stolen cars
National vehicle theft rates have recently seen a “historic decline,” according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, but Kansas still reported thousands of motor vehicle thefts last year, and certain models may be more at risk.
Kansas reported 5,973 stolen vehicles in 2025, NICB data shows.
“Nearly all U.S. states, counties and metro areas experienced significant declines in vehicle thefts from 2024 to 2025,” NICB spokesperson Nicholas Zeitlinger told the Eagle in a recent email.
Across the U.S., vehicle theft rates declined by 23% from 2024 to 2025, and Kansas’ rate also saw a 23% decline.
Wichita’s vehicle theft rate didn’t see quite the same decline as the state and national figures, with 2,497 vehicles reported stolen in 2025, down 20% from the previous year. All seven Kansas metropolitan areas with local-specific NICB data, including three that extend into Missouri, saw declines in the theft rate. The Kansas City, Missouri-Kansas metro area saw the greatest decline at 30%, while the smallest decline was the Joplin, Missouri-Kansas area, at 10%.
“Coordinated prevention efforts by law enforcement, auto manufacturers, insurance companies, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau are having a major impact on vehicle thefts nationwide,” NICB President and CEO David J. Glawe said in a March 18 press release. “But with several hundreds of thousands of vehicles stolen in a single year, vigilance and prevention efforts remain key to protecting families, businesses and communities nationwide.”
Here’s what to know about the vehicle models most often stolen in Kansas, plus tips on how to protect your car.
10 most commonly stolen vehicles in Kansas last year
Here’s how the most commonly stolen vehicles compared in 2025 for Kansas, according to NICB:
- Hyundai Elantra: 225 reported stolen
- Hyundai Sonata: 166
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500: 152
- Ford F250 Series: 135
- Ford F150 Series: 132
- Kia Optima: 128
- Dodge Ram Pickup: 113
- Kia Soul: 88
- Honda Civic: 86
- Honda Accord: 83
Some of these models were also among the most commonly stolen last year. The top 10 vehicles most subject to theft in the state last year include the Hyundai Elantra (253 reported thefts), Hyundai Sonata (223), Ford F150 Series (213), Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (202), Ford F250 Series (172), Dodge Ram Pickup (161), Kia Soul (154), Kia Optima (148), Dodge Charger (116) and Ford F350 Series (93).
How to protect your vehicle from theft
More than 850,000 vehicles across the U.S. were stolen in 2024, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports, and summer is the “worst season” for vehicle theft.
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.
