America’s Most‑Stolen Cars: New Study Reveals The Vehicles Thieves Love

Car thieves have a type, and new national data show exactly which vehicles they’re hunting.

A fresh Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study reveals that a handful of high‑powered models are being stolen at staggering rates, with one American muscle car now topping the list as the most‑stolen vehicle in the country.​

The Highway Loss Data Institute, part of IIHS, analyzed insurance theft claims for 2022–2024 models and found that the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 now ranks as the single most‑stolen vehicle in America. When researchers looked specifically at “whole‑vehicle” thefts (cases where the entire car is stolen) the Camaro ZL1 was 39 times more likely to be stolen than the average vehicle. The standard Camaro (non‑ZL1) also landed near the top, with a theft rate about 13 times the average.​

To put that in perspective, typical vehicles see roughly one to two theft claims per 1,000 insured vehicle‑years. For sixth‑generation Camaros, theft claims spiked as high as 18.3 per 1,000 insured vehicle‑years by March 2024, more than 10 times the rate of older 2010–2015 models.​

California stands out in this trend. HLDI’s bulletin shows that in 2024, California had the highest theft claim frequency for Camaros of any state, followed by Tennessee, Mississippi, Maryland and Texas. That means owners here face some of the most elevated theft risks in the nation.​

The top five highest claim frequencies for whole-vehicle theft 2022-24 model years were:

1. Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
2. Acura TLX 4WD
3. Chevrolet Camaro
4. GMC Sierra 2500 crew cab 4WD
5. Acura TLX 2WD

On the other end, four Tesla vehicles made the top five least stolen vehicles.

1. Tesla Model 3 4WD
2. Tesla Model Y 4WD
3. Tesla Model 3 2WD
4. Toyota RAV4 Prime 4WD
5. Tesla Model S 4WD

The study points to a mix of performance, value, and technology as the drivers of this crime wave.​ First, Camaros — especially the ZL1 — are powerful, high‑value performance cars that command strong prices on the resale and parts markets. Second, theft patterns changed sharply starting with the 2016 model year, when GM introduced a keyless, push‑button ignition on Camaros.​

The study found:

• Theft losses for 2016–2024 Camaros exploded beginning in 2023, while older, key‑based models stayed relatively low.
• By March 2024, sixth‑generation Camaros had theft losses more than 10 times higher than earlier generations.
• Within that group, the ZL1 variant showed the most extreme numbers, with theft claim frequency indices above 3,900 on a scale where 100 is average.​

Researchers suspect thieves are actively exploiting vulnerabilities in newer keyless systems, using signal‑boosting “relay” attacks or other electronic methods to bypass security and drive off in seconds.​

The same IIHS/HLDI report also revisits the ongoing theft surge involving certain Hyundai and Kia models built without electronic immobilizers. After viral social media “challenges” triggered massive spikes in thefts, the automakers rolled out a theft‑deterrent software upgrade.​

HLDI’s follow‑up analysis shows promising, but incomplete, progress:

• Overall theft claims for eligible Hyundai and Kia models dropped 46% after the software upgrade.
• Whole‑vehicle theft claims fell 52% among upgraded vehicles compared with non‑upgraded ones.​

Even so, as of late 2024, these cars are still stolen far more often than comparable models from other brands, around 10 to 11 theft claims per 1,000 insured vehicle‑years, versus fewer than two per 1,000 for the average 2011–2022 vehicle.​

Vehicle theft is often viewed as a property loss problem, but for personal injury lawyers and crash victims, it’s much more. Stolen vehicles are frequently driven recklessly or at extreme speeds, used in other crimes or police pursuits, abandoned after hit‑and‑run crashes.

When a high‑powered stolen vehicle is involved in a collision, the consequences for innocent motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists can be catastrophic, and the legal landscape becomes complicated. The at‑fault driver may be uninsured, judgment‑proof, or flee the scene. Liability questions can involve multiple policies, including the vehicle owner’s coverage, the victim’s uninsured/underinsured motorist policy, and potential third‑party responsibility in rare cases (such as grossly negligent storage or security failures).

Understanding theft patterns helps victims and their attorneys anticipate where coverage may exist and how to build a strong claim.

“These theft numbers aren’t just about cars vanishing from driveways, they’re about stolen vehicles turning into two‑ton missiles on our roads,” said Chad Boyles, attorney and partner at the Law Office of Chain | Cohn | Clark.​ “If your car is on a most‑stolen list, you need to lock it down and make sure your insurance is strong enough to protect you and anyone hurt if that car ends up in the wrong hands.”

If you own a Camaro, especially a ZL1, or any vehicle topping theft lists, this data is a clear warning to tighten your defenses:

• Layer your security: Use steering‑wheel locks, wheel locks, and aftermarket immobilizers or kill switches in addition to factory systems.
• Park with intention: Prefer locked garages, fenced lots, or well‑lit, camera‑monitored areas, especially overnight.
• Protect your keys and fobs: Keep them away from doors and windows, and consider RFID‑blocking pouches to reduce “relay” attack risks.
• Stay current on updates: Check with your dealer for any anti‑theft software updates or campaigns like those rolled out by Hyundai and Kia.​
• Talk to your insurer: Ask how your vehicle’s theft risk influences your premium and whether installing extra anti‑theft devices can earn discounts.

For all drivers, not just those with high‑risk models, it’s equally important to carry robust uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage so you have protection if you’re hit by someone driving a stolen vehicle or a driver who has no insurance at all. Crashes involving stolen cars often raise complex questions about fault, coverage, and recovery.

Chain | Cohn | Clark’s attorneys regularly handle serious injury and wrongful death cases where stolen vehicles, high‑risk models, or uninsured drivers play a central role. The firm works to thoroughly investigate how the crash occurred, identify every available insurance policy (owner, driver, victim, and any applicable third parties), and pursue full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long‑term care needs.

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If you or someone you know is injured in an accident at the fault of someone else, or injured on the job no matter whose fault it is, contact the attorneys at Chain | Cohn | Clark by calling (661) 323-4000, or fill out a free consultation form, text, or chat with us at chainlaw.com.