There are ways to make it harder for thieves to break into or steal your vehicle.

Car theft remains a major concern among vehicle owners. Last year, more than 850,000 cars were reported stolen in the United States, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, which roughly equates to one car stolen every 37 seconds.

National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month in July is recognized each year by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. According to the agency, Ohio stands among the top 10 states for vehicle thefts in 2024.

Which car model is stolen most frequently in Ohio? Here's a closer look.

What car brand is the most stolen in Ohio?

The financial website FinanceBuzz analyzed 2024 data provided by the NICB and shared the most commonly stolen vehicles and models in each state.

According to the report, the most commonly stolen car in Ohio is the Hyundai Elantra. With more than 1,300 stolen in Ohio, the Elantra was also the most stolen car brand on a national scale with 21 states reporting it as the No. 1 stolen car in 2024.

Ohio had 24,597 total vehicle thefts in 2024, compared to 31,880 in 2023, according to the Canton Repository. The percentage decrease in thefts in Ohio is higher than the national one, with the state thefts falling by 23%.

Why is the Hyundai Elantra the most stolen car model in Ohio, nationwide?

The reason why Hyundai Elantra models (particularly from 2015-2021) attract thieves points to its lack of electronic immobilizers, an anti-theft measure used to prevent car thieves from breaking in and bypassing the vehicle's ignition switch.

The spike in thefts led to a federal lawsuit against the automaker, the Louisville Courier Journal reports. Companies like Kia and Hyundai then began providing free steering wheel locks to customers through law enforcement agencies.

Hyundai Motor America later added anti-theft technology to its fleet of vehicles, which led to a sharp decline in thefts, which fell by about 37.5%, the Courier Journal reports.

Ohio a top 10 state for stolen cars in the U.S. in 2024

Ohio is ranked No. 9 for states with the most car theft incidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Here's how the states rank:

  1. California
  2. Texas
  3. Florida
  4. Illinois
  5. Washington
  6. New York
  7. Colorado
  8. North Carolina
  9. Ohio
  10. Missouri

The NICB found that the most commonly stolen vehicles across the country in 2024 were the Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Sonata, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Honda Accord and Kia Optima.

How to prevent vehicle thefts

The National Insurance Crime Bureau recommends taking the following to prevent vehicle theft:

  • Do not leave your keys in your vehicle.
  • Do not leave the area while your vehicle is running.
  • Park in well-lit areas.
  • Close and lock all windows and doors when you park.
  • Hide valuables out of sight, such as in the glove box or trunk.
  • If your vehicle is stolen, call law enforcement and your insurer immediately. Reporting a vehicle as soon as possible after it is stolen increases the chance of recovery.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: This Hyundai model is the most commonly stolen car in Ohio. Here's how to prevent theft

Reporting by Alex Perry and Charles Singh , Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect