Decrease in Vehicle Thefts in 2025: A Collaborative Success Story
Vehicle thefts in the United States saw a significant decrease in 2025 compared to 2024, according to the latest report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). NICB President and CEO, David J. Glawe, credited this decline to the collective efforts of law enforcement, automotive manufacturers, and insurance companies. "Coordinated prevention efforts by law enforcement, auto manufacturers, insurance companies, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau are having a major impact on vehicle thefts nationwide," remarked Glawe.
Automakers have implemented preventive measures, with Hyundai introducing software updates for models lacking push-button ignitions and immobilizing anti-theft devices. These initiatives have contributed to a steady reduction in thefts since 2023, dropping from over a million to approximately 850,000 in 2024, and further declining by 23% to 659,880 in 2025, the lowest figure in decades.
Despite these successes, certain car models remain frequent targets. The Hyundai Elantra topped the list of stolen vehicles in 2025, with 21,732 cases, down from 48,445 in 2023. The Honda Accord followed as the second most stolen, with 17,797 thefts in 2025, marking a reduction from 2023 figures. Additionally, the Hyundai Sonata also appeared prominently, recording 17,687 thefts. Other frequently targeted models included the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Honda Civic, reporting 16,764 and 12,725 thefts, respectively.
The Kia Optima, despite being out of production, saw 11,521 units stolen in 2025. The list of most stolen vehicles also featured the Ford F-150, Toyota Camry, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Altima, with thefts recorded at 10,102, 9,833, 9,809, and 8,445, respectively.
Regionally, California witnessed the highest number of vehicle thefts, with 136,988 incidents in 2025. Texas followed with 75,269 incidents, while Illinois and Florida recorded 28,327 and 27,142 thefts, respectively. Meanwhile, New York reported 24,206 incidents, and states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina experienced over 20,000 thefts each.
Washington State observed a significant 39% reduction in vehicle thefts from the previous year, noting 18,039 incidents, while Missouri reported 17,496 thefts. The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metropolitan area in California recorded 53,911 theft cases in 2025, the highest in the country. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont and Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario areas also reported considerable numbers, with 22,197 and 14,111 incidents, respectively.
The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area ranked second in vehicle thefts, with 27,138 incidents, followed by Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, reporting 24,299 thefts. These figures highlight regional disparities and ongoing concerns about vehicle theft, despite overall national improvements.