Misplacing a phone after a late night ride is common, but this year Uber drivers encountered far stranger and more surprising lost-and-found items. Across countless trips, drivers have uncovered belongings that looked more like props from a surreal scavenger hunt than ordinary personal effects.
Below is a curated list of some of the strangest items drivers discovered in backseats and trunks—each entry describes what was found and, where known, whether the item was reclaimed.
Mannequin Head With Human Hair
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Drivers in several cities reported spotting a mannequin head resting in the backseat. Unlike typical display heads, this one had real human hair styled as if prepared for a salon class or theatrical rehearsal. Its presence prompted speculation—fashion student, prop for a production, or something more enigmatic—but no confirmed explanation emerged.
Ten Live Lobsters
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After a market run, a crate of live lobsters sat in the back of a car, antennae visible and claws shifting beneath the lid. The driver contacted support immediately rather than handle the cargo. The owner never returned calls, leaving the crustaceans as one of the more memorable unclaimed items.
Chainsaw
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An idle chainsaw balanced across the floorboard after a routine drop-off caused raised eyebrows. The driver left it untouched and reported it. Whether it had been used for landscaping, construction, or something stranger remains unknown.
Ghostbusters Ghost Trap
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A blinking prop—for fans of Ghostbusters—was found under a seat, its small lights still flickering. Curiosity led a driver to trigger the latch before stowing it safely. The owner never explained why they were traveling with a prop on a weekday afternoon.
Viking Drinking Horn
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A polished, hand-crafted viking-style drinking horn turned up on a backseat and sparked theories about themed parties, reenactments, or collectors. Despite its distinct appearance, it was never reclaimed.
Urinal
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A portable urinal, carefully bagged in a plastic sack, was discovered after a late ride. Drivers speculated whether it had been purchased that evening or carried for an emergency. It remained unclaimed.
Club Sign Announcing a Marriage
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A large sign reading “Annie’s married” stretched across a backseat, likely left behind after a lively celebration. Its size made it impossible to miss, but the passengers never returned to collect it—suggesting the festivities took priority over the sign.
DNA Testing Kit
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One passenger left a sealed DNA testing kit complete with instructions tucked between seats. The driver held it until the kit was returned a week later, but admitted wondering about the story behind such a personal item.
Two Mattresses
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After squeezing two rolled mattresses into a car and dropping off the passenger, the driver later discovered the mattresses still in the trunk. Recovering them required a second trip down narrow streets—a logistical challenge that ended with the bedding returned.
Aquarium
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A water-filled aquarium swayed with each turn, containing gravel and equipment but no fish. Its careful transport puzzled the driver, and Uber’s records indicate the aquarium was never retrieved.
Aviation Headset
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An aviation headset—typically owned by pilots—appeared among ordinary items. Valued and specialized, it prompted a formal recovery request but was still not reunited with its owner for some time.
Taxidermied Rabbit
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A preserved rabbit in a glass case startled one driver so much that they called support before touching it. Whether it was a collector’s piece or an educational prop was never clarified.
Hoverboard and Mini Fridge
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One passenger managed to forget both a hoverboard and a compact refrigerator in a single trip. Placed together in the back, they suggested either a busy move or an ambitious shopping spree; neither item was promptly reclaimed.
Remy the Rat Doll
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A stuffed doll resembling a beloved animated chef was found wedged under a seat. At first it looked like a generic toy, but the miniature chef’s hat revealed its identity. It was added to the lost-and-found archives.
Peacock Feather
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A single, carefully wrapped peacock feather appeared after a routine drop-off. Its vivid colors hinted at ceremonial or decorative use. Due to its fragile nature, it was kept safe but remained unclaimed.
Divorce Papers
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One driver found someone’s divorce papers on the floorboard after a midday ride. Recognizing the urgency of legal documents, the driver reported them immediately, and the documents were returned quickly before any deadlines were missed.
Shrek Ears
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A pair of unmistakable green foam Shrek ears turned up after a lively evening. Worn and slightly rumpled, they suggested a costume party; the driver joked they had “seen things,” but the owner never filed a claim.
Amethyst Crystal
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A substantial amethyst cluster glittered on a backseat after a weekend ride. Large decorative stones are common travel companions for some passengers; this one was carefully stored but never reclaimed.
DJ Mixing Board
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A compact DJ controller with dangling wires was found squeezed between backpacks. Ready for a late-night set that never happened, the controller was turned over to support and remained unclaimed for some time.
Pickleball Paddles and Ball
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The pickleball craze made an appearance when a small set of paddles and a ball rolled under a seat. The driver reached out through support but no one claimed the gear.
Harry Potter Wand
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Boxed and packaged, a themed Harry Potter wand was left behind—likely a gift or a convention purchase. The driver stored it with other items, assuming it would be reclaimed, but no retrieval was recorded.
Traffic Cone
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Yes—an actual full-sized orange traffic cone was found lodged in the trunk after a late-night ride. How it fit with luggage remains unclear. Uber’s report noted it was unclaimed but did not indicate why the passenger left it behind.
Plunger
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An industrial-size plunger—clean and still wrapped in plastic—was left on a backseat. Drivers assumed it would be reclaimed quickly, but the tool never returned to its owner.
Orthopedic Foot Insoles
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A pair of custom-molded orthopedic insoles labeled with a name was found tucked in a paper bag. Given their personal value, staff were surprised no retrieval attempt was made; the insoles remained in storage.
Chicken Sculpture
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A small wooden chicken figurine was found placed carefully as if on display. Someone clearly treasured it enough to carry it along, yet no one returned to claim the piece.
Blue Laminated Paper With Smiley Face
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A laminated blue sheet with a bright yellow smiley face—likely part of a craft or sign—was left behind with no context. It was logged as unclaimed.
A Pink Fan Labeled “Bimbo”
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A hot-pink handheld fan bearing the word “bimbo” in bold letters showed up after a festival weekend. Still functional and clearly event-related, the fan remained with support when the case closed.
100 DVD Collection
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A heavy box containing one hundred DVDs—neatly sleeved and spanning genres from comedies to obscure documentaries—was left in a backseat. Support stored the collection, puzzled at how someone could forget such a bulky personal library.
Bermuda Shorts
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A neatly folded pair of Bermuda shorts with tags still attached was found after a midafternoon airport ride. Likely forgotten in a hurry between flights, the shorts remained unclaimed for some time.
Aquatic Sea Moss
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Sealed bags of sea moss, emitting a faint salty scent, were found after a grocery run. Likely purchased for cooking or skincare, the bags were logged as unclaimed when no retrieval request followed.
Hannah Montana Merchandise
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A whole bag of Hannah Montana-themed merchandise—including keychains, stickers, and a small purse—was discovered after a weekend ride. Whether it came from a collector or a themed event, the bag was never reclaimed.
Gold Rolex
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A luxury gold Rolex was discovered hidden in a jacket pocket during a vehicle cleanup. Security protocols were followed, but despite efforts, the watch was never definitively linked back to a passenger.
Fine China
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Delicate plates and cups—a full set of fine china—were left clinking softly in a backseat. The driver noticed the noise while maneuvering a corner. Transporting fragile tableware and then forgetting it in a rideshare surprised staff and drivers alike.
Boiled Eggs and a Candle
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One morning pickup ended with an odd pairing: peeled boiled eggs bundled together and a single taper candle, both left without a container. The driver reported the items promptly due to their unusual combination.
Bucket of Feta Cheese
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A large sealed plastic bucket labeled for feta cheese suggested a recent market purchase; its size made it memorable. After logging it, support marked the bucket as never claimed.
Little Cactus
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Soil scattered across the floorboard revealed a small potted cactus wedged under a seat. Still healthy and thriving, the plant joined a long list of forgotten yet oddly resilient finds.
Unicycle
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One passenger transported a unicycle, propped against the door. By the time the driver returned for another fare, the unicycle remained forgotten—an odd oversight given its size and uniqueness.
Bouquet of 100 Red Roses
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A massive bouquet of one hundred red roses filled an entire seat, petals brushing the door frame. Still fresh when reported, the flowers were likely intended for a celebration or proposal but were never retrieved.
A Gallon of Grey Goose
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An unopened gallon bottle of premium vodka sat upright near a seatbelt latch. The driver followed standard lost-and-found procedures, but despite expectations, no one returned to claim it.
Electric Skateboard
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A foldable electric skateboard remained underfoot after a trip. Its owner likely relied on it for quick trips but somehow forgot it. Uber’s team stored it securely, though it stayed unclaimed.
Dog Noise-Canceling Earmuffs
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Padded earmuffs designed to protect dogs’ ears from loud noise were found after a weekend trip. Barely used and in good condition, they nonetheless remained unclaimed.
Ticket to the Atlanta Falcons
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A dated paper ticket for an Atlanta Falcons game was found tucked between cushions. Whether the passenger managed to enter the stadium without it is unknown; retrieval efforts went nowhere and the ticket became a small unsolved mystery.
Stuffed Alien Toy
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A well-loved green alien doll, faded from years of use, was found between cushions. Despite obvious sentimental value, the toy remained in the support archives after no claim was made.
Cornish Hens
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A chilled package of raw Cornish hens was left in a bag after an evening ride. The driver noticed the weight and cold immediately and reported them, but the passenger never called back.
Platinum Vodka
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A sealed bottle of platinum-label vodka sat upright in a backseat. Purchased for an occasion but never reclaimed, it became one of several alcoholic beverages left behind throughout the year.
DSi Handheld Console
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An older DSi handheld console, scuffed from use, was found in a seat pocket. Drivers expected a quick claim but none came, suggesting the owner either upgraded or never noticed the loss.
Black Lightsaber
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A toy lightsaber with a dark handle and glowing red blade was discovered on the floor. The driver pressed the button out of curiosity before filing the report; the prop later joined a sci-fi prop collection rather than returning to an owner.
Signed Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra Photo
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An autographed photo of two legendary performers was left in a folder. As a collectible in good condition, it should’ve been easy to trace, yet recovery efforts found no match.
Supreme Headband
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A branded Supreme headband was found folded with its label intact. Despite its value, it went unclaimed and eventually stayed with support.
Five Jars of Pickles
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Lastly, a tote bag left behind clinked with five sealed jars of pickles—fresh from a grocery run. The jars added a tangy note to a long list of eclectic discoveries and, like many others on this list, were never reclaimed.
These lost-and-found stories highlight the variety and unpredictability of items people carry with them. From everyday essentials to the wildly unexpected, rideshare drivers and support teams field an unusual assortment of belongings—and sometimes, the items remain unsolved mysteries.