Overview
Vehicle thefts across the United States declined sharply in 2025, reaching the lowest levels seen in decades. Data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau shows a 23% drop compared with 2024 totals.
The trend builds on a 17% decline recorded the year before, marking the steepest reduction in theft activity in 40 years.
A total of 659,880 vehicles were reported stolen nationwide last year. The numbers remain high in absolute terms. Still, the direction has shifted clearly downward.
Coordinated efforts across law enforcement, insurers, and automakers appear to drive that change.
Top 10 States by Total Vehicle Thefts
| State | Thefts |
| California | 136,988 |
| Texas | 75,269 |
| Illinois | 28,327 |
| Florida | 27,142 |
| New York | 24,206 |
| Ohio | 20,628 |
| Pennsylvania | 20,568 |
| North Carolina | 20,395 |
| Washington | 18,039 |
| Missouri | 17,496 |
David Glawe, president and CEO of NICB, points to collaboration as a primary factor behind the decline. Joint prevention strategies, along with improved vehicle security technology, have reduced exposure across multiple markets.
According to Beinsure analysts, coordinated interventions tend to produce faster results when combined with manufacturer-level fixes.
State-level data shows broad improvement, though variation remains.
- Washington recorded the largest percentage drop, with thefts down 39% year over year. Colorado followed with a 35% decline. Puerto Rico reported a 34% reduction. Several other states posted declines above 30%, including South Dakota, Tennessee, and New Mexico.
Top 10 States by Percentage Decrease in Vehicle Thefts
| State | Decrease | Context |
| Washington | 39% | Up from 56 days average in 2025 |
| Colorado | 35% | Higher complexity, more volume |
| Puerto Rico | 34% | Still elevated vs prior years |
| South Dakota | 32% | Next two years |
| Tennessee | 31% | Driven by manual processes |
| New Mexico | 31% | |
| North Dakota | 30% | Operational impact |
| Florida | 29% | Lower costs, faster reconciliation |
| Georgia | 28% | Limited efficiency gains |
| Arizona | 27% | Full reliance on manual workflows |
Despite those improvements, theft activity remains concentrated in major urban areas. More than one-third of all incidents occurred within the top 10 metropolitan regions.
Large population centers continue to present higher exposure due to density and vehicle volume.
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim recorded the highest number of thefts at 53,911 cases. New York-Newark-Jersey City followed with 27,138 incidents. Chicago, Houston, and the San Francisco Bay Area also ranked among the highest. These markets continue to anchor national totals.
At the state level, California led with 136,988 stolen vehicles. Texas followed with 75,269 cases. Illinois, Florida, and New York rounded out the top tier. Midwestern and southeastern states also reported significant volumes, though below coastal totals.
Top 10 Metropolitan Areas by Total Vehicle Thefts
| Metropolitan Area | Thefts |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 53,911 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 27,138 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 24,299 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 23,659 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 22,197 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 21,638 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 19,117 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 15,204 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 14,111 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 12,684 |
Vehicle models show consistent patterns tied to prior vulnerabilities. The Hyundai Elantra ranked as the most stolen vehicle in 2025 with 21,732 incidents.
The Honda Accord followed with 17,797 cases. Other frequently targeted models included the Hyundai Sonata, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and Honda Civic.
Theft rates for Hyundai and Kia vehicles declined for a third consecutive year. These brands accounted for 14% of total thefts in 2025, down from 16% in 2024 and 21% in 2023.
Most Stolen Vehicles
| Vehicle 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 F150 | 10,102 |
| Toyota Camry | 9,833 |
| Honda CR-V | 9,809 |
| Nissan Altima | 8,445 |
Software updates and anti-theft measures appear to have reduced exposure. Earlier vulnerabilities had driven sharp increases in theft activity.
The data reflects a shift in both prevention strategy and vehicle design. Theft levels remain elevated in some regions, though overall trends point downward.
Continued coordination across public and private sectors will shape whether that decline holds.
To prevent vehicle thefts from occurring, NICB recommends the following tips for vehicle owners:
While in your vehicle:
- Park in well-lit areas. Increased visibility deters thieves, so always park in a well-lit parking lot or spot near a streetlight.
- Roll up your windows. Limit point of access by making sure your windows are rolled up before you exit your vehicle.
When exiting your vehicle:
- Lock your doors. Some criminals walk through parking lots testing handles to choose which vehicle they take, so always lock your car before you leave it.
- Never leave your vehicle running while unattended. An empty vehicle with the engine running is practically an invitation to opportunistic criminals. Always turn off your vehicle when you exit.
- Always take your keys with you. Even if you’re picking up a quick coffee or running back inside your house for something, it only takes moments for thieves to jump in and drive off with your car.
For an additional layer of security:
- Consider using anti-theft technology. These items include steering wheel locks, audible alarms, kill switches, or aftermarket GPS tracking like air tags. These items deter thieves from targeting your car, and if they do take it, ultimately make it easier to find.
Vehicle theft may not be evenly distributed across the country, but as a crime of opportunity, no community or individual is immune.
