If you own a Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat or Dodge Charger HEMI, you probably already know what we're about to tell you. You own one of the two most stolen vehicles in America, according to the Highway Loss Data Institute (HDLI). The two Dodge muscle cars once again top the HDLI's list of the most-stolen vehicles for model years 2020-22. Also making the top 20 list: four Kia models, following a viral video trend that targeted Kia-Hyundai vehicles. According to the HLDI’s latest whole-vehicle theft report: Researchers say that Charger and Challenger models have long been a top target of thieves, featured among the top five most-stolen vehicles since model year 2011. This year researchers say the frequency of claims has increased at a stunning rate. For 2020-22 Charger SRT Hellcat models, there were 25 whole-vehicle theft claims per 1,000 insured vehicle years, up from about 18 for 2019-21 models. For comparison, the most-stolen 2017-19 model, the INFINITI Q60, had only 2 thefts per 1,000 insured vehicle years. “If you own a Hellcat, you better check your driveway,” said HLDI Senior Vice President Matt Moore. “These numbers are unbelievable.” Other frequently stolen 2020-22 models include luxury vehicles made by BMW, INFINITI and Land Rover and three large pickups with powerful engines. Two variants of the Infiniti Q50 appear among the most-stolen vehicles. Researcher say the Q50 has been a perennial feature on the most-stolen vehicle list since model year 2014 for reasons that remain a mystery. The three large pickups on the list are the Ford F-250, Ford F-350 and Ram 3500. Relatively inexpensive models from Honda, Kia and Nissan round out the list. As we've reported previously, Hyundai and Kia thefts have spiked in recent years after car thieves learned how easy they were to steal since many of them lacked electronic immobilizers. (In August, a federal judge denied to approve a proposed class-action settlement in the case.) Electric vehicles are typically stolen less frequently than other models, researchers say, something that's mirrored in the rankings. Six of the 20 models with the fewest claims for whole vehicle theft are electric vehicles. Researchers suggest they may be less likely to be stolen since they're often parked overnight in well-lit and comparatively secure areas for charging. General Motors also has another six of the 20 models with the fewest claims. Several high-end Volvo models also rank among the least-often stolen 2020-22 models. Make/Model Vehicle size/type Relative claim frequency Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Large car 6,128 Dodge Charger HEMI Large car 2,197 INFINITI Q50 Midsize luxury car 878 Dodge Challenger Large car 766 Land Rover Range Rover 4WD Large luxury SUV 611 Kia Sportage Small SUV 479 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 4WD Large luxury SUV 460 Kia Sportage 4WD Small SUV 415 Honda CR-V 4WD Small SUV 409 BMW X6 4WD Midsize luxury SUV 361 Kia Rio Minicar 359 Kia Forte Small car 357 Ford F-350 SuperCrew 4WD Very large pickup 349 BMW X7 4WD Large luxury SUV 338 Ford F-250 SuperCrew 4WD Very large pickup 337 Honda Accord Midsize car 306 Ram 3500 crew cab long-wheelbase 4WD Very large pickup 306 INFINITI Q50 4WD Midsize luxury car 287 Nissan Maxima Midsize car 284 Honda CR-V Small SUV 270 Make/Model Vehicle size/type Relative claim frequency Tesla Model 3 4WD Midsize luxury car (EV) 3 Tesla Model Y 4WD Midsize luxury SUV (EV) 3 Volvo XC90 4WD Midsize luxury SUV 6 GMC Acadia 4WD Midsize SUV 7 Tesla Model X 4WD Large luxury SUV (electric) 8 Volvo XC40 4WD Small luxury SUV 8 Tesla Model 3 Midsize luxury car (EV) 9 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4WD Small SUV 10 Lexus UX 250 hybrid 4WD Small luxury SUV 10 Volvo XC60 4WD Midsize luxury SUV 10 Buick Envision 4WD Midsize luxury SUV 11 Cadillac XT5 Midsize luxury SUV 11 Chevrolet Traverse 4WD Midsize SUV 12 Land Rover Defender 4WD Midsize luxury SUV 13 Buick Encore GX 4WD Small luxury SUV 14 Nissan LEAF Small car (electric) 14 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Midsize luxury SUV 15 Subaru Ascent 4WD Midsize SUV 15 Tesla Model S 4WD Large luxury car (electric) 15 Volvo XC60 Midsize luxury SUV 15 The HLDI says its whole-vehicle theft report differs from its standard theft report, which looks at all theft claims, including those for stolen vehicle parts or for items taken from a vehicle. To isolate whole-vehicle claims, HLDI says it compared the amounts paid for total losses under collision coverage, which is generally the residual value of the vehicle, to payments associated with each theft claim. Theft claims were considered to represent whole-vehicle thefts when the amount was around the same as would be expected for a total loss under collision coverage for the same vehicle of the same age. As with all HLDI analyses, the results in the whole-vehicle theft report are adjusted to account for the effect of demographic and geographic factors. HDLI says the benefit of looking at claims per insured vehicle year is that is allows consumers to compare the relative risk of each vehicle. Other lists report raw numbers of thefts which HDLI researchers say results in a list dominated by the most common vehicles on the road.Most-Stolen Vehicles
Charger/Challenger
Other Frequently Stolen 2020-2022 Models
Luxury vehicles: BMW, INFINITI, Land Rover, Ford/Ram Pickups
Non-Luxury vehicles: Honda, Kia, Nissan
Least-Stolen Vehicles
Electric Vehicles
GM
Volvo
Vehicles with the highest claim frequencies for whole-vehicle theft
2020-22 model years
(100 = average)Vehicles with the lowest claim frequencies for whole-vehicle theft
2020-22 model years
(100 = average)HDLI Theft Report
To read the full theft report click here →
FAQs
What is the most stolen vehicles in the United States? ›
Chevrolet Full-Size Pickup
Chevrolet's full-size pickup retains its title as the most stolen car in America for 2022. From 49,903 reported thefts in 2021, numbers for this full-size pickup truck increased by 3.5% in 2022, putting it at 49,903 reported thefts. Most incidents still involve the 2004 model.
Ranking | Make/model | Type |
---|---|---|
1 | Honda CR-V | SUV |
2 | Lexus RX Series | SUV |
3 | Dodge RAM 1500 Series | Truck |
4 | Toyota Highlander | SUV |
Most Stolen Car in the USA During 2024 | Odds | Probability |
---|---|---|
Chevrolet Full-Size Pickup | 1/1 | 50.0% |
Ford Full-Size Pickup | 6/4 | 40.0% |
GMC Full-Size Pickup | 18/1 | 5.3% |
Honda Civic | 22/1 | 4.3% |
- Chevrolet Traverse (AWD)
- Land Rover Defender (4WD)
- Buick Encore GX (AWD)
- Nissan Leaf.
- Mercedes-Benz GLE.
- Subaru Ascent (AWD)
- Tesla Model S (AWD)
- Volvo XC60.
- Audi A6. ...
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class. ...
- Lexus RX. ...
- Chevrolet Equinox. ...
- Ford F-150. ...
- Toyota Camry. ...
- Subaru Legacy. ...
- Honda Civic. Honda Civics often come with advanced security technology, including engine immobilization and keyless entry.
Using those parameters, a total of 21,711 SUVs/CUVs were reported stolen during the period. The top five makes and models stolen during the period were: Ford Escape (1,421), Ford Edge (1,140), Ford Explorer (958), Jeep Grand Cherokee (912) and the Kia Sorento (725).
What is the most stolen car in the world? ›Interestingly, the Highway Loss Data Institute reported in 2021 that on a per capita basis, the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat tops the list of most stolen cars.
What is the #1 stolen car in America? ›Full-size Chevrolet pickups are the most commonly stolen vehicle in the U.S., with 49,903 total thefts in 2022. Car thieves in California and Texas accounted for nearly 53% of all stolen Chevy pickups.
What color cars get stolen the most? ›Neutral colors are popular among thieves.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) and MotorBiscuit, black, silver and white are the colors most frequently associated with vehicle thefts.
Toyota's reputation for crafting durable vehicles means there's a significant number of older models still in use, often lacking advanced security features, making them easier targets for theft. Additionally, the black market for reselling parts from these stolen vehicles adds to the appeal for thieves.
Do Kias still get stolen 2024? ›
In the meantime, that downward trend appears to have continued for, at least, the first two weeks of January 2024. A total of 972 cars were stolen, of which 413 – or 45% – were Kias and Hyundais. That compares to 1,657 vehicles – including 1,002 Kias and Hyundais – stolen the first two the year before.
Why are Hellcats stolen so much? ›The Hellcat — which retails for between $90,000 and $150,000 depending on options — is sought after primarily because of its vast power reserves. It produces as much as 717 horsepower in the Hellcat and 797 in the Hellcat Redeye, thanks to a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine.
Why are Kias being stolen? ›Why Are Thieves Targeting Hyundais and Kias? Many modern Hyundais and Kias lack a useful anti-theft device called an immobilizer, which prevents a vehicle from starting when someone attempts to use a key or key fob that doesn't match the car.
What state has the highest stolen car rate? ›Motor vehicle theft key findings
Preliminary 2022 data shows the states with the most motor vehicle thefts were California (202,685), Texas (105,015) and Washington (46,939). 31 states saw a year-over-year increase in motor vehicle thefts in 2021 — the latest year for which data from every state is available.