More than a million car owners in America are affected by vehicle theft each year. Although 2024 saw a 17% decrease in vehicle theft from the year before, more than 850,000 victims remained across the United States.
Vehicle theft has a real effect on Americans. It disrupts lives, exacerbates financial struggles, and dispels feelings of safety. A car is stolen from a driveway, parking lot, or curb every 37 seconds, making auto theft prevention an important measure for every American who owns a car.
Theft Data
The Highway Loss Data Institute has studied theft data per insured vehicle year rather than just looking at raw numbers. This helps to understand which vehicles are disproportionately targeted by vehicle thefts.
The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, for example, has relatively low production numbers yet is 39 times more likely to be stolen. Using this method of data, here are some of the most stolen car models in America.
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
As mentioned, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is a highly prized vehicle, not just for buyers but also for thieves. One of the car’s major vulnerabilities is the onboard diagnostic system, which allows copy keys to be made without the owner’s fob.
Organized theft rings know that the car is worth $75,000 and is a popular performance vehicle with 650 horsepower.
Acura TLX
The Acura TLX, especially its all-wheel drive model, is stolen 21 times more than the national average. With a price tag of around $46,000 and merging luxury appeal with performance, cultured thieves know their popularity and don’t hesitate to try to steal them.
The model’s advanced features and high resale value for parts contribute to its unfortunate ranking as the second most-stolen vehicle in America.
Chevrolet Camaro
While the ZL1 tops this list, its regular Camaro sibling is nearly as high. The Camaro is stolen 13 times the national average, and just like the ZL1, it has a keyless start, which can be a vulnerability for advanced thieves.
Theft claims for these models skyrocketed in 2023, with California and Texas experiencing the highest incident rates. GM’s 2025 software update aims to address these security vulnerabilities.
GMC Sierra
Moving on from high-performance sports cars to reliable, heavy-duty pickups, the GMC Sierra has become a popular target for theft, with Sierra variant vehicles taking top 20 theft positions in the United States.
Depending on the model, the vehicles can be worth anywhere from $50,000 to $80,000 and have valuable parts that can be stripped from them, including catalytic converters, tailgates, and wheels. Their popularity as work pickups makes them a prime vehicle in black markets.
Dodge Durango
The Dodge Durango and its variants have twice been in the top 20 theft positions. The Durango is a full-size SUV that balances power, space, and plenty of street cred, making it a no-brainer for thieves.
Its HEMI engine variants are particularly sought after. The vehicle’s high ground clearance also makes catalytic converter theft easier, adding to its vulnerability profile.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Silverado 1500 pickup truck is an extremely popular vehicle in America, which also means it’s prone to theft. More than 21,000 owners reported their pickups stolen in 2024, cementing the vehicle as one with a higher risk of being stolen.
High resale demand for components and their prevalence on American roads keep these trucks attractive to thieves despite enhanced security features in newer models.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord remains a high-value target for thieves, who target older models with less sophisticated theft-prevention measures.
Newer Accords aren’t stolen outright as often but suffer from parts theft, especially catalytic converters and sport model wheels. The distinctive rims of the 2018-2022 Accord Sport are particularly vulnerable to theft.
Honda Civic
The Civic recorded 15,727 thefts in 2024, with thieves targeting both whole vehicles and valuable components. Catalytic converters and airbags from Civics fetch $50-$200 on black markets.
Older pre-smart-key models remain extremely vulnerable, while newer versions face targeted parts theft. The vehicle’s popularity ensures constant demand for stolen components.
Ford F-150
Though no longer topping theft lists, 12,952 F-150s were stolen in 2024. Model years 2018-2020 are particularly vulnerable to electronic theft methods.
Older F-150s suffer from easily removable door handles and accessible ignition switches. Denver International Airport has become a hotspot for F-150 thefts, highlighting the ongoing risk for America’s best-selling truck.
Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage’s nearly 5 times average theft rate reflects the devastating impact of social media-driven crime. The viral “Kia Challenge” made these compact SUVs vulnerable to simple theft methods using USB cables and screwdrivers.
Models from 2011-2022 lacking engine immobilizers became easy targets for teenage joyriders, though most thefts result in recoveries with significant damage rather than permanent loss.
Land Rover Range Rover Sport 4WD
The Range Rover Sport 4WD faces nearly 5 times the average theft rate, sharing its sibling’s professional targeting. This sportier variant’s performance credentials and luxury appointments make it equally attractive to organized theft rings.
Professional criminals often target affluent neighborhoods where these $80,000+ SUVs are parked, using sophisticated methods to overcome advanced security systems and export vehicles to international markets.
Kia Sportage 4WD
The all-wheel-drive Sportage shows theft rates over 4 times the average, proving that drivetrain configuration affects criminal targeting patterns. These compact SUVs’ enhanced capability makes them more attractive to thieves seeking versatile stolen vehicles.
The immobilizer vulnerability affecting 2011-2022 models creates systematic security weaknesses that criminals continue exploiting despite manufacturer software updates and public awareness campaigns.
Honda CR-V 4WD
The CR-V 4WD variant experiences theft rates over 4 times the average, making it America’s most-stolen small SUV. This practical family vehicle’s popularity ensures steady parts demand and strong resale value in legitimate and illicit markets.
Thieves target newer CR-Vs for advanced features while older models face parts-harvesting theft. The model’s reliability reputation maintains consistent black market value globally.
Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Crew Cab 4WD
The Silverado 2500 crew cab 4WD has a theft rate four times above average, balancing capability with criminal appeal. These work trucks are stolen for valuable parts and commercial applications, with thieves targeting construction sites and fleet parking areas.
The model’s parts’ compatibility with other GM heavy-duty trucks creates broader black market demand and higher theft risk across the entire lineup.
Ram 3500 Crew Cab Long-Wheelbase 4WD
The Ram 3500 crew cab faces theft rates nearly 4 times the average, driven by demand for Cummins diesel engines and heavy-duty components.
These $70,000+ trucks are targeted for expensive emission control systems, turbochargers, and parts that command premium prices in black markets. Commercial and agricultural users report elevated theft risks due to remote parking locations and valuable equipment combinations.
BMW X6 4WD
The BMW X6 4WD experiences theft rates over 3.5 times the average, with professional thieves using relay attacks to bypass keyless entry systems within 30 seconds.
This $120,000 performance coupe-SUV’s distinctive styling and powerful engines make it prime export material. UK data shows similar patterns, with X6s frequently targeted in affluent areas by organized criminals using sophisticated electronic theft methods.