New Report: This Is the Most Stolen Car in the U.S.

When I lived in Seattle, I came out of work one day to find my Honda Accord stripped. Car thieves had taken everything that wasn’t bolted down—including my entire Broadway musical DVD collection (I’m still devastated by that loss)—and even some things that were bolted down. In a weird plot twist, they left two rocks of cocaine on the front seat like some kind of consolation prize. When I called the police to report both the theft and the drugs that definitely weren’t mine, the officer’s response? “Well, at least your car wasn’t stolen.” Apparently, Honda Accords were one of the most commonly stolen cars at the time.

There are plenty of people who walk out of work to a crime scene, like I did, except their car is just … gone. And they don’t even get a consolation prize. They just get the frustration of dealing with the aftermath of a car theft. It’s a nightmare scenario that happens more often than you’d think—and according to a new report from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), certain vehicles are way more likely to be targeted by car thieves.

“Car thieves tend to go for the easiest targets,” says Matt Brannon, a data journalist who specializes in auto theft analysis for Insurify. “Popular cars are targeted due to how available they are. Additionally, common cars are easier for thieves to hide from law enforcement, and their parts have a better chance at being sold due to high demand.”

So which vehicle tops the list of the most commonly stolen cars? The good news: It’s probably not what you’re driving (unless you’re living your best Fast and the Furious life). The bad news: Car theft can happen to anyone, and there are 19 other cars on that Top 20 list you might be driving right now. Read on to find out which is the most stolen car in the U.S., what other cars are at risk and what advice Brannon and fellow car-theft expert Melanie Musson have for keeping your ride secure.

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What is the most stolen car in America?

Drumroll, please! The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 takes the unfortunate crown as the most stolen car in America, according to the HLDI’s latest data.

And when I say it dominates this list, I mean it absolutely obliterates the competition. The HLDI report shows the Camaro ZL1 is stolen at nearly 40 times the rate of an average vehicle. That rate is so high, it makes every other vehicle on the list look safe by comparison. The second-place car—the four-wheel drive Acura TLX—doesn’t even come close. To put it in perspective, if car theft were the Olympics, the Camaro ZL1 would be Simone Biles.

How did the HLDI determine this? The nonprofit research organization analyzed whole-vehicle theft claims for 2022–2024 model year vehicles insured during 2024. It measured “relative claim frequency”—how often each model gets stolen compared with the average vehicle—which has a baseline score of 100. The Camaro ZL1’s score of 3,949 means its theft rate is almost 40 times higher than the average vehicle.

The HLDI uses this relative frequency metric because it analyzes insurance claim data rather than total theft numbers. The metric accounts for the number of each vehicle that’s actually on the road, giving a more accurate picture of which cars are most at risk.

What makes this car so attractive to thieves?

According to Musson, an auto industry expert who analyzes theft claims for AutoInsurance.org, a perfect storm of factors has made the Camaro ZL1 a hot commodity for car thieves. “First, the Camaro ZL1 is popular, so there’s a market for stolen ones,” she explains. “Second, it has many parts that are easy to strip from the vehicle and resell, making it harder to track the stolen vehicle but still lucrative for criminals.”

But here’s where it gets really interesting. “Third, the Camaro ZL1 stands out. It’s not your average sedan. It’s easy to spot, and when would-be thieves are looking for a target, the ZL1 makes an impression,” says Musson. In other words, this car is so cool that it practically waves a flag saying “steal me!” to anyone with criminal intentions and an appreciation for American muscle.

However, the real issue may be technology—or rather, a flaw in it. “Fourth, and maybe most significant, is that the key fobs for the past few years have been extremely easy to clone, making the theft process streamlined,” she says. “A recent update will hopefully remedy this major issue.”

That’s right: Thieves aren’t even breaking windows and hot-wiring these bad boys like in the movies. They’re essentially using the digital equivalent of a copied key. Thankfully, General Motors is aware of the issue and launched a service campaign in March 2025 that urged owners of 2020–24 Camaro models to bring their vehicles to dealerships for a free software update to fix the problem.

What are the other most commonly stolen cars?

Turns out, the Camaro ZL1 isn’t an outlier. The list of cars most likely to be stolen reveals some interesting patterns. “Many of the most stolen cars share a common trait: They’re sports cars,” Musson points out. “There’s another Camaro model in the top five most stolen vehicles, in fact. Muscle cars are desirable and expensive. It doesn’t make sense to steal a car that won’t sell for a high price.”

But sports cars aren’t the only target. The list reveals that American pickup trucks—specifically, GMC Sierras, Chevy Silverados and Rams—are incredibly popular with thieves. In fact, trucks dominate the middle of this list, with various configurations of heavy-duty pickups appearing repeatedly. Turns out thieves love both speed and utility even more than they love cocaine.

American manufacturers make up a whopping 70% of the most commonly stolen cars, with General Motors brands (Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac) and Stellantis brands (Dodge, Ram, Jeep) leading the pack. If you’re driving an American car—especially if it’s fast or a work truck—pay attention.

Here are the top 20 most commonly stolen cars, along with their relative claim frequency:

Which cars are the least likely to be stolen?

Good news for anyone who drives an electric vehicle: Your car is basically theft-proof. “EVs are the least likely to be stolen,” Musson confirms. “EVs tend to have the latest technology, including whole-vehicle anti-theft systems that use cameras and tracking.”

But the real reason thieves avoid EVs? There’s no market for them. “People who own EVs are also not often looking for second-hand parts. They’d prefer to work with dealerships and OEM [original equipment manufacturer] parts straight from the manufacturer,” Musson says. Turns out that criminals can’t sell hot Tesla parts on the black market because EV owners are too bougie for shady back-alley transactions.

The least stolen list is dominated by EVs and hybrids, with multiple Teslas, Volvos and other electrified vehicles making the cut. American manufacturers—Tesla and Ford—represent only 30% of the least stolen vehicles, showing a dramatic flip from the most stolen list.

Here are the 20 vehicles least likely to be stolen, along with their relative claim frequency:

Notice a pattern? The top of the list is basically a Tesla showroom, with the four-wheel drive Model 3 recording just a single theft. That’s not a typo—out of thousands of insured vehicles, only one got stolen. The contrast with the Camaro ZL1’s 2,189 thefts is absolutely staggering.

How can you reduce the likelihood that your car will be stolen?

Whether you’re driving a theft-prone muscle car or a statistically safer EV, there are steps you can take to protect your vehicle. Both experts emphasized that prevention is key.

“Making sure their doors and windows are locked and keeping valuables out of sight are two of the easiest (and most important) tactics,” Brannon says. It sounds obvious, but you’d be amazed at how many thefts happen simply because someone left their car unlocked or their laptop visible on the backseat.

Here are the top strategies to keep your ride where you left it:

Park smart

“The safest option is to park in your garage, and parking in your driveway is the second-best option,” Musson says. The more visible and secure the location, the less likely a thief will take the risk. If a garage isn’t available, Brannon adds that “parking in well-lit, highly visible areas is good practice,” especially when you’re out and about.

Protect your key fob

Remember that whole key-cloning issue? “If the car has keyless entry, it’s smart to keep the fob in a Faraday pouch or metal tin to block hackers from tricking the keyless entry system,” Brannon explains.

Musson agrees: “Keep your key fob in a signal-blocking pouch to reduce the risk of cloning.” This isn’t paranoia, it’s reality. Thieves can use relay devices to capture your key fob’s signal even when it’s sitting on your kitchen counter near an exterior wall or window, then amplify that signal to unlock and start your car from your driveway. Storing your fob in a Faraday pouch or even a metal tin (like an old cookie tin) blocks the signal completely and prevents this type of “relay attack.”

Use visible deterrents

“Drivers should consider using visual deterrents, like a steering-wheel lock or security decal,” Brannon says. Sometimes, just the appearance of extra security is enough to send thieves searching for an easier target. Think of it as the car equivalent of a “Beware of Dog” sign—even if your “dog” is a tiny Yorkie, the sign alone might do the trick.

Add tracking technology

“Install a GPS tracker on your vehicle so it’s easier to find when stolen,” Musson says.

Brannon agrees: “Drivers in high-theft areas should consider putting an Apple AirTag or another GPS device in their vehicle to track it in the event that it is stolen.” While this won’t prevent the theft, it dramatically increases your chances of recovery.

Check with your insurance company

Here’s a money-saving tip: “Some insurance companies offer discounts for anti-theft devices,” Brannon notes. It’s worth calling your insurer to see what devices might qualify you for lower premiums—the discount could even pay for the security device itself.

What kind of insurance do you need if your car is stolen?

Here’s something many drivers don’t realize until it’s too late: Your insurance policy might not cover theft. “Drivers also need to know that bare-bones, liability-only car insurance will not cover theft,” Brannon warns. “Instead, drivers should consider full-coverage car insurance, which would generally pay for the vehicle’s cash value minus the deductible.”

If you’re driving one of the most stolen cars in America—especially a high-value vehicle like a Camaro ZL1 or Charger Hellcat—comprehensive coverage isn’t just a good idea; it’s essential. Yes, it costs more than liability-only coverage, but try explaining to your spouse that your $50,000 car is gone and insurance won’t cover it because you were trying to save $50 a month. (Pro tip: That conversation doesn’t go well.)

The bottom line

The most commonly stolen cars in America tell an interesting story about what thieves want: fast, flashy and easy-to-steal vehicles. The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is all of those things. But no matter which model you drive, taking basic precautions can dramatically reduce your risk of having your car lifted or broken into. Your car is probably the second-most expensive thing you own after your home—so protect it like it is.

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At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Highway Loss Data Institute: “Camaro ZL1 Tops Chart of Most Stolen Vehicles”
• Matt Brannon, data journalist at Insurify; phone interview, Oct. 19, 2025
• Melanie Musson, auto industry expert at AutoInsurance.org; email interview, Oct. 18, 2025

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