Vehicle thefts across the U.S. dropped 23% in 2025, reaching a 15-year low and signaling a sharp reversal from the surge during the pandemic years. The decline reflects prevention efforts by law enforcement, carmakers and insurers, but the problem has not gone away.
A total of 659,880 vehicles were reported stolen last year, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). One vehicle is still stolen every 48 seconds nationwide and theft remains heavily concentrated in major metropolitan areas.
The most stolen vehicles
Even as overall thefts declined, certain vehicles continued to be frequent targets, often because they are popular models with high resale value or widely available parts.
Hyundai and Kia models have been frequent targets in recent years. That said, thefts involving those vehicles have declined for the third straight year following software updates and anti-theft measures implemented by manufacturers.
The most stolen vehicles in 2025 were:
| Model | Thefts |
| Hyundai Elantra | 21,732 |
| Honda Accord | 17,797 |
| Hyundai Sonata | 17,687 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 16,764 |
| Honda Civic | 12,725 |
| Kia Optima | 11,521 |
| Ford F-150 | 10,102 |
| Toyota Camry | 9,833 |
| Honda CR-V | 9,809 |
| Nissan Altima | 8,445 |
Where thefts dropped the most
Several states saw significant improvements in 2025, with some reporting declines of 30% or more. The largest decreases were:
- Washington — down 39%
- Colorado — down 35%
- South Dakota — down 32%
- Tennessee — down 31%
- New Mexico — down 31%
- North Dakota — down 30%
- Florida — down 29%
- Georgia — down 28%
- Arizona — down 27%
These reductions point to the impact of coordinated efforts across multiple sectors, including improved vehicle security technology and targeted enforcement.
Theft still a concern; protect your vehicle
Despite the encouraging trend, vehicle theft remains a widespread issue affecting hundreds of thousands of drivers each year. Large metro areas continue to see the highest concentration of thefts and certain regions, such as parts of California, still report elevated rates.
Vehicle theft is often a crime of opportunity. Unlocked doors, visible valuables or running engines can make a car an easy target regardless of where it is parked.
The NICB emphasizes that basic precautions can reduce the risk of theft:
- Park in well-lit areas whenever possible.
- Roll up windows and secure all entry points.
- Do not leave belongings visible in the car.
- Put expensive items like laptops in your trunk or take them with you.
- Always lock your vehicle, even for short stops.
- Never leave your car running unattended.
- Take your keys with you every time you exit the vehicle.
- Consider anti-theft devices such as steering wheel locks, alarms or GPS tracking.
If you have comprehensive coverage, your auto insurance will typically cover theft or a break-in where valuables were stolen (minus any deductible you pay).
However, the stress of having your car stolen, dealing with the insurance company and being without a vehicle for a time can still be inconvenient.