- A record-breaking 1,020,729 vehicles were stolen in 2023, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).
- Stolen vehicles cost Americans roughly $8 billion annually, according to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA).
- California had the highest number of vehicles stolen (208,668) among all states in 2023, per the NICB.
- The Hyundai Elantra and Sonata and the Kia Optima were the top three most stolen vehicles, according to the NICB.
In less than five years, the number of cars stolen annually in the United States has skyrocketed to surpass one million, according to the NICB. That’s a problem for drivers who only carry cheap car insurance, which may not cover auto theft if you don’t have the right coverage selected.
The MarketWatch Guides team analyzed data from the NICB and NHTSA to uncover trends in recent car theft statistics. We also spoke to experts about factors that contribute to car theft and methods you can use to prevent thieves from stealing your vehicle.
Motor Vehicle Theft National Trends
More than one million vehicles were reported stolen in 2023, according to the NICB. The record-breaking 1,020,729 stolen vehicles — up from 1,008,756 cars stolen in 2022 — continued a significant uptick in car thefts since 2019. The graph below indicates the number of national car thefts since 2015:
There were 298,844 more car thefts in 2023 than in 2019, and 307,666 more vehicles stolen in 2023 than in 2015. From 2019 to 2023, car thefts increased by over 41%. Motor vehicle thefts increased by a little over 23% from 2019 to 2020 alone.
Car Theft Statistics by State
California ranked highest among the top 10 states with the most vehicle thefts, with 208,668 stolen vehicles reported in 2023, per the NICB. The rankings on this top 10 list remain unchanged throughout the year. Here are the top 10 states with the most car thefts in 2023:
| State | Number of Stolen Vehicles |
|---|---|
| California | 208,668 |
| Texas | 115,013 |
| Florida | 46,213 |
| Washington | 43,160 |
| Illinois | 41,528 |
| Colorado | 34,068 |
| New York | 32,715 |
| Ohio | 31,647 |
| Georgia | 28,171 |
| Missouri | 27,279 |
The NICB identifies Vehicle Theft Hotspots, characterized as densely populated areas. Of these, Washington, D.C. and Maryland saw a significant increase (64% and 63%, respectively) of vehicle thefts in 2023 from the year prior. The nation’s capital was also home to the most vehicle thefts per 100,000 people, as outlined by the chart below:
| State | 2023 Vehicle Thefts (Per 100,000 People) |
|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | 1,149.71 |
| Colorado | 583.25 |
| Nevada | 572.70 |
| Washington | 554.44 |
| California | 534.49 |
| New Mexico | 489.67 |
| Missouri | 441.61 |
| Maryland | 427.99 |
| Oregon | 394.14 |
| Texas | 383 |
At 1,149.71 cars stolen per 100,000 people, Washington, D.C.’s auto theft rate was over three times the national rate. Other states — including California, Colorado, Missouri, Texas and Washington — appeared on both lists for the most cars stolen per volume and rate.
Motor Vehicle Theft Trends in Major U.S. Cities
Among all Core-Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs), which are major urban areas and their surrounding integrated communities, the Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, California area saw the most cars stolen in 2023, per the NICB, but that was a decrease from the year prior. The following table includes the top 10 CBSAs for motor vehicle theft and corresponding year-over-year percent change:
| Core-Based Statistical Area | Thefts in 2023 | YoY Percent Change |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 72,460 | -0.5% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkely, CA | 40,977 | 28% |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 36,272 | 9% |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 35,119 | 7% |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 34,135 | 13% |
| New York-Newark-New Jersey, NY-NJ-PA | 33,596 | 6% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 31,328 | 2% |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | 24,489 | -22% |
| Washington, D.C.-Arlington-Alexandria-VA-MD-WV | 24,119 | 52% |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 23,339 | 19% |
The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area saw an equally minimal year over year (YoY) change, at only 2%. However, the Washington, D.C.-Arlington-Alexandria-VA-MD-WV area experienced a 52% increase in vehicle thefts from 2022 to 2023. The number of stolen vehicles fell 22% in the Denver–Aurora–Lakewood, CO area YoY.
Top 10 Stolen Vehicles
A total of 254,837 vehicles comprise the top 10 most popular makes and models stolen in 2023, per the NICB. Among the list are two half-ton pickups, two SUVs and six sedans, all from five different automotive manufacturers.
| Most Stolen Vehicles (Make and Model) | 2023 Thefts |
|---|---|
| Hyundai Elantra | 48,445 |
| Hyundai Sonata | 42,813 |
| Kia Optima | 30,204 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 23,721 |
| Kia Soul | 21,001 |
| Honda Accord | 20,985 |
| Honda Civic | 19,858 |
| Kia Forte | 16,209 |
| Ford F-150 Series Pickup | 15,852 |
| Kia Sportage | 15,749 |
Hyundai and Kia models occupy six of the top 10 spots, with a combined 174,421 stolen vehicles between the two brands. This could be due to a lack of engine immobilizers in model years 2011 to 2022, which resulted in the thefts of 3.8 million Hyundais and 4.5 million Kias, according to the NHTSA. Because of these issues, the car manufacturers have released free theft deterrent software and have partnered with law enforcement agencies to provide steering wheel locks to owners. However, the rash of thefts could make insuring your Kia or Hyundai more challenging as it represents a higher risk in the eyes of insurance companies.
Common Factors of Car Theft
Narrowing down the individual factors that trigger a car thief to steal a particular vehicle requires careful study. However, car owners can minimize the odds of having their vehicle stolen by taking on the burglar’s perspective. What features make a car prime bait, and how does stealing that vehicle benefit the lawbreaker?
A quick, high-value payout often ranks high among the many reasons thieves resort to stealing vehicles: “Cars are more desirable than other forms of property for some criminals because it’s often not about the value of the vehicle as much as the mobility it provides,” Dr. Jeffery Walsh, professor of criminal justice at Illinois State University, said. “Put another way, vehicles are relatively high value and easily mobile and in some markets relatively easy to convert to cash.”
Unfortunately, car owners’ negligence is often all thieves need to commit grand theft auto. “Thieves have found ways to start vehicles without key fobs or car owners simply leave the fobs inside the car, so all the thief needs to do is open the door and push the start button and drive away,” Dr. Christopher Herrmann, associate professor in the Department of Law and Police Science at the City University of New York, said.
Factors that lead to car theft can also coincide with what criminals might call a perfect storm. “Car theft, like other crimes, is most likely to occur when three conditions are present: close proximity to motivated offenders, an attractive target and a lack of guardianship,” Dr. Aki Roberts, associate professor of sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, said. Dr. Walsh added that some makes and models are more attractive to car thieves because of the value of their parts. Indeed, it’s often easier to steal the entire car and separate parts in a secluded location than to dismantle the vehicle at the scene of the crime.
Does Car Insurance Cover Theft?
Comprehensive car insurance provides coverage for your vehicle in the event of theft. With this coverage, you receive compensation for your stolen vehicle — otherwise known as the actual cash value (ACV) — regardless of whether the police recover your car or it remains an open investigation. Comprehensive insurance can also pay to repair your car if vandals damage your vehicle but are unsuccessful in stealing it.
No state requires drivers to carry comprehensive insurance. However, it’s often part of a full-coverage policy required by lenders if you financed your vehicle. Although a full-coverage car insurance policy can cost more, comprehensive coverage also protects your vehicle against animal collisions, fires, thunderstorms and other non-traffic-related incidents.
If you don’t have comprehensive car insurance coverage when your financed car gets stolen, you could be out more than just a set of wheels. Gap insurance can help cover the difference between what your car insurance company pays out and what you owe on a financed vehicle. Without comprehensive and gap coverage, you could be liable for your remaining balance and still be left with covering the cost of a replacement vehicle.
Beyond selecting car insurance coverage to reduce the financial impact car accidents can have on your emergency fund, you should compare car insurance carriers based on policies that include comprehensive coverage. Although it can strain your insurance budget, the return on investment is often worth the cost should your car get stolen. Factor in car theft rates in your city to make the best decision based on your priorities.
How To Prevent Car Theft
Stolen vehicles cost Americans roughly $8 billion annually, according to the NHTSA. Since 2019, car thefts have increased by 41%, resulting in a car being stolen every 31 seconds in 2023. Here are a few tips you can implement if you’re concerned about having your car stolen:
- Choose your parking spot wisely to leverage well-lit areas, surveillance cameras and proximity to your destination.
- Refrain from leaving valuables in your vehicle — especially in plain sight — on the dash, seats, center console or floorboards.
- Before you walk away from your car, ensure all windows are rolled up and doors are locked.
- Never leave your car keys in the vehicle. Take them with you, even if it’s less convenient.
- Avoid parking and leaving your vehicle unattended in high-crime areas.
- Report any suspicious activity in your area, even if your car isn’t targeted.
Most cars are stolen during the summer, when drivers are potentially more focused on engaging in recreational activities or rolling down their windows to air out their cars and beat the heat. As you go about your business, regardless of time of year, take a few extra moments to deter car thieves and prevent your vehicle from being stolen.
How the Experts Say To Prevent Theft
Don’t just rely on your car’s anti-theft features to keep it from getting stolen. Here’s what experts say you can do to prevent vehicle theft:
- Dr. Walsh: “I would recommend people be aware of their surroundings and where they are parking their cars. Never leave your car running unattended really for any amount of time.” He goes on to add, “Some other basic tips include parking cars in enclosed areas or areas with forms of surveillance such as cameras or people around. Street lighting at night can also provide some deterrence and, of course, make sure your windows are up.”
- Dr. Roberts: “Eliminating crime-inducing conditions as much as possible is important. The easiest way to do this for owners is by increasing guardianship through common-sense precautions such as locking the car, not leaving a key inside, not running the vehicle unattended and parking in well-lit and secured areas. Additionally, one can install anti-theft technology and immobilizers.”
- Dr. Herrmann: “The easiest thing to do is always lock your car. Next, if you have a garage at your home, put the car in the garage. Almost all cars come with alarms, but any additional theft-deterrent devices can further deter potential thieves.”
Our Experts
Dr. Jeffrey A. Walsh is the author/co-author of more than 20 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters appearing in top-tier outlets with broad international and national exposure, including Applied Psychology in Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Studies, Violence and Victims, Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, Homicide Studies, Journal of Family Violence, Journal of Interpersonal Violence and Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency.
Dr. Aki Roberts specializes in criminology and criminal justice. One of her most recent works was on the impact of police diversity on solving crimes involving Black and Hispanic victims, and it appeared in the journal Criminology & Public Policy.
Dr. Christopher Herrmann earned his Ph.D. at the CUNY Graduate Center in New York City, specializing in crime analysis and crime mapping. Dr. Herrmann is a former crime analyst supervisor with the New York City Police Department where he supervised citywide shooting and homicide analyses, crime prevention and control strategies, officer and resource allocation, and research of longitudinal crime trends throughout New York City. His current research interests include the study of crime at micro-levels using GIS and spatiotemporal relationships between businesses, neighborhood socioeconomic factors and crime. He is currently working on violence prevention initiatives with several research teams at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, concentrating on gun violence, homicide and carjacking.
Dr. Jeffrey A. Walsh is the author/co-author of more than 20 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters appearing in top-tier outlets with broad international and national exposure, including Applied Psychology in Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Studies, Violence and Victims, Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, Homicide Studies, Journal of Family Violence, Journal of Interpersonal Violence and Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency.
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