Which of the following describes an instance where a vehicle has been illegally taken without the owner's consent?

A stolen vehicle refers specifically to a situation in which a vehicle has been taken unlawfully, without the owner's permission. This encompasses a range of activities, from outright theft to more organized forms of vehicle acquisition. The key aspect here is the absence of consent from the owner, which differentiates it from other scenarios involving vehicles.

In contrast, car tampering involves unauthorized modifications or alterations to a vehicle rather than taking it away. Reckless driving describes erratic or irresponsible operation of a vehicle but does not inherently involve theft or unauthorized use. Illegal parking pertains to placing a vehicle in a location that violates parking regulations, which does not imply any theft or lack of consent regarding the vehicle's operation. Therefore, "stolen vehicle" is the most accurate term for the situation described.