Probability of Having Your Car Stolen

Motor vehicle theft affected approximately 1,020,729 vehicles in 2023, according to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting data, giving roughly a 1 in 358 chance per registered vehicle per year. This represents a significant increase from about 750,000 thefts per year in 2019, with much of the surge attributed to a viral social media trend showing how to steal certain Hyundai and Kia models lacking engine immobilizers.

The most commonly stolen vehicles include full-size pickup trucks (Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150), Honda Civics and Accords, and Hyundai/Kia models manufactured from 2015-2021. California, Texas, and Colorado have the highest total theft numbers, while the District of Columbia, Colorado, and New Mexico have the highest per capita rates.

Vehicle theft recovery rates average about 56%, though recovered vehicles are often damaged or stripped of parts. Prevention measures include always locking doors and closing windows, parking in well-lit areas, never leaving keys in the vehicle, using a steering wheel lock, installing a GPS tracking device, and keeping the vehicle in a garage when possible. Most comprehensive auto insurance policies cover theft, typically with a deductible.