The 5 Most Stolen Cars in America—and the 5 Models Thieves Avoid

Car theft remains a persistent problem in the United States, with over a million vehicles stolen annually. But which models are thieves most likely to target, and which ones do they tend to ignore?

Data from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) shows the vehicles at the highest and lowest theft risk.¹ Here are America’s most and least stolen vehicles and some insights into why these particular models are targeted or avoided.

The 5 Most Stolen Vehicles

The 5 Most Stolen Cars in America—and the 5 Models Thieves Avoid » Thief in uniform black jacket ss2469276565 — Image Credit: GBJSTOCK/Shutterstock

Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) identified that the most stolen cars include high-performance muscle cars and everyday sedans, highlighting car thieves’ diverse preferences.

1. Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat

The 5 Most Stolen Cars in America—and the 5 Models Thieves Avoid » 2020 Dodge Charger SR Hellcat ss2242748709 — Image Credit: Gestalt Imagery/Shutterstock

The Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat tops the list as the most stolen vehicle, with theft claims more than 60 times more frequent than the average for 2020-22 models. This high-performance muscle car’s powerful engine and popularity among enthusiasts make it an attractive target for thieves.

The Charger SRT Hellcat’s theft rate has skyrocketed recently, with 25 whole-vehicle theft claims per 1,000 insured vehicle years for 2020-22 models.

This staggering increase highlights the growing risk for owners of these sought-after vehicles.

2. Dodge Charger HEMI

The 5 Most Stolen Cars in America—and the 5 Models Thieves Avoid » Dodge Charger with a 392 Hemi ss2140422745 — Image Credit: woodsnorthphoto/Shutterstock

The Dodge Charger HEMI is the second most stolen vehicle, closely behind its more powerful sibling. Theft claims for this model are more than 20 times higher than average, indicating a clear preference among thieves for Dodge’s muscle car lineup.

The Charger HEMI’s combination of performance and relative accessibility compared to the SRT Hellcat likely contributes to its high theft rate.

Owners of these vehicles should be particularly vigilant and consider additional security measures.

3. Infiniti Q50

The 5 Most Stolen Cars in America—and the 5 Models Thieves Avoid » Infinity Q50 Luxury Sedan ss2425837291 — Image Credit: Alex Cimbal/Shutterstock

The Infiniti Q50 ranks third on the list of most stolen vehicles, with a higher theft rate than average. This midsize luxury sedan has been a perennial feature on most stolen vehicle lists since the 2014 model year.

The reasons behind the Q50’s popularity among thieves remain somewhat mysterious.

Its consistent appearance on these lists suggests that there may be specific vulnerabilities or desirable components that make it an attractive target.

4. Dodge Challenger

The 5 Most Stolen Cars in America—and the 5 Models Thieves Avoid » 2011 Dodge Challenger ss84814195 — Image Credit: Barry Blackburn/Shutterstock

The Dodge Challenger, another muscle car in the Dodge lineup, is fourth on the list of most stolen vehicles. Like its Charger counterparts, the Challenger’s powerful engine and enthusiast appeal make it a prime target for thieves.

Challenger models have featured among the top five most-stolen vehicles since the 2011 model year, indicating a long-standing trend.

These vehicles’ continued popularity among enthusiasts and thieves highlights the need for enhanced security measures.

5. Land Rover Range Rover

The 5 Most Stolen Cars in America—and the 5 Models Thieves Avoid » Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR wc — Image Credit: Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Rounding out the top five is the Land Rover Range Rover, a luxury SUV that has become increasingly popular among car thieves. The high-end nature of this vehicle likely contributes to its appeal, with thieves potentially targeting it for parts or resale value.

The Range Rover’s presence on this list underscores that even premium vehicles are not immune to theft.

Owners of these luxury SUVs should be aware of the heightened risk and take appropriate precautions to protect their investments.

The 5 Least Stolen Vehicles

The 5 Most Stolen Cars in America—and the 5 Models Thieves Avoid » Close up car thief ss2339074081 — Image Credit: Naknakhone Malaymeuang/Shutterstock

On the other end of the spectrum, HLDI identified the vehicles with the lowest theft claim rates. Many of these are electric vehicles that are stolen less frequently than gas-powered models.

1. Tesla Model 3

The 5 Most Stolen Cars in America—and the 5 Models Thieves Avoid » Tesla Model 3 ss2274122087 — Image Credit: VanderWolf Images/Shutterstock

At the other end of the spectrum, the Tesla Model 3 emerges as one of the least stolen vehicles. Electric vehicles generally have lower theft rates, possibly due to their unique charging requirements and the fact that they’re often parked in secure locations overnight.

The Model 3’s advanced security features, including GPS tracking and remote vehicle disabling, likely contribute to its low theft rate.

This demonstrates how technological advancements can serve as effective deterrents against car theft.

2. Tesla Model Y

The 5 Most Stolen Cars in America—and the 5 Models Thieves Avoid » Tesla Model Y ss2071007495 — Image Credit: Tudor Alexandru/Shuttersock

The Tesla Model Y, a midsize luxury SUV, boasts one of the lowest theft rates among 2020-22 models. It is a remarkably secure choice for car buyers, with a relative claim frequency of just 3% compared to the all-passenger-vehicle average.

Several factors contribute to the low theft rate of Model. The vehicle’s advanced security features, including GPS tracking and the ability to disable the car remotely, make it a challenging target for thieves.

Additionally, the Model Y’s electric powertrain may be less appealing to criminals, as EVs often require specific charging infrastructure and knowledge to operate effectively

3. Volvo XC90

The 5 Most Stolen Cars in America—and the 5 Models Thieves Avoid » Volvo XC90 ss2061746726 — Image Credit: rebinworkshop/Shutterstock

The Volvo XC90, a luxury SUV known for its safety features, also ranks among the vehicles least likely to be stolen. Volvo’s reputation for advanced technology and security measures likely plays a role in deterring potential thieves.

The XC90’s low theft rate is particularly noteworthy, given the general popularity of SUVs among car thieves.

4. GMC Acadia

The GMC Acadia, a midsize SUV, is fourth on the list of least stolen vehicles. Its low theft rate is somewhat surprising, given the popularity of SUVs and crossovers among car thieves.

The Acadia’s relative safety from theft could be due to a combination of factors, including its security features and perhaps a lower demand for its parts in the black market compared to other popular SUV models.

5. Tesla Model X

The 5 Most Stolen Cars in America—and the 5 Models Thieves Avoid » Tesla Model X ss1296457714 — Image Credit: Grzegorz Czapski/Shuttersock

Another Tesla model, the Model X luxury SUV, rounds out the list of the least stolen vehicles in the United States. Its relative claim frequency is just 8% compared to the average for all passenger vehicles, making it a secure choice for those in the market for a high-end electric SUV.

Like the Model Y, the Model X benefits from Tesla’s cutting-edge security features, such as GPS tracking and remote disabling capabilities.

Furthermore, with its falcon-wing doors and all-electric powertrain, the Model X’s unique design may be less familiar to thieves who typically target more conventional vehicles.

Source:

Highway Loss Data Institute