On the Dash:
- Nationwide vehicle thefts declined by 23% during the first half of 2025.
- The states with the highest theft rates are the District of Columbia, California and Nevada.
- Hyundai, Honda and Kia remain the most frequently targeted brands by thieves.
Nationwide vehicle thefts continue to decline after a sharp surge during the pandemic, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). During the first half of 2025, auto thefts fell by 23% compared to the same period in 2024. These figures align more closely with pre-pandemic levels, and if the trend continues, it will mark the second consecutive year of improvement. During the first six months of 2025, a total of 334,114 vehicles were reported stolen nationwide.Â
Forty-nine states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico reported fewer vehicle thefts during this period. Puerto Rico led the way with a 43% year-over-year decline, followed closely by Washington State at 42% and North Dakota at 32%.Â
Alaska was the sole state to report an increase in vehicle thefts during the first half of 2025. Thefts increased by 26% and occurred primarily within the Anchorage metro area.
The national theft rate dropped to 97.33 per 100,000 residents, representing a significant decrease from last year’s rate of 126.62. Despite the overall decline, several states are trending far above the national average. The District of Columbia’s rate is nearly four times higher than the national average, hovering around 373, followed by California at 178.01 and Nevada at 167.68.
The most frequently stolen vehicles came from three Asian automakers: Hyundai, Honda and Kia. These brands were targeted after social media videos went viral in 2022, showing how to steal particular Hyundai and Kia models. The two brands have issued several theft deterrents, such as software updates and free steering wheel locks for vehicle owners, and settled in a class action lawsuit in 2024. However, the problem persists and continues to spread across the country.
The top three stolen models in the first six months of 2025 were the Hyundai Elantra (11,329 thefts), the Hyundai Sonata (9,154 thefts) and the Honda Accord (8,531 thefts). The Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150 and Toyota Camry were also common targets.Â
To help prevent theft, the NICB recommends parking in well-lit areas, locking all windows and doors, avoiding leaving the vehicle running unattended, taking the keys and utilizing anti-theft technology.
A commonly downplayed risk is leaving the vehicle running unattended, particularly during the winter months. Even a few minutes can be enough for a thief to make a getaway. Stolen cars can also pose serious dangers in the wrong hands, as seen in several tragic events this year, including the deadly New Year’s Eve attack in New Orleans, where a rented pickup truck was deliberately crashed into a crowd celebrating the New Year.
