According to a recent research report, sports cars and SUVs manufactured by Chevrolet, Acura, and GMC are among the most frequently stolen vehicles in the United States.
In May, the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), an affiliate of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), released a report titled “Whole vehicle theft losses 2022–24 passenger cars, pickups, SUVs, and vans,” analyzing insurance claims for whole vehicle theft cases from 2022 to 2024 to reveal which vehicle models are most susceptible to theft.
The report identified the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 as the most frequently stolen model, significantly surpassing other vehicles. According to HLDI data, the theft rate of the Camaro ZL1 is 39 times higher than that of typical vehicles.
Matt Moore, Chief Operating Officer of HLDI, stated in a release on Thursday, August 7th, that “Muscle cars often rank at the top because thieves are drawn to high horsepower vehicles.” He further explained why the more expensive and powerful ZL1 variant is more prone to theft compared to the standard Camaro.
Muscle cars, known for their powerful engines and straight-line speed, are high-performance two-door sedan sports cars manufactured in the United States. Typically featuring large V8 engines, rear-wheel drive, and rugged masculine aesthetics, these mid-sized cars boast high horsepower engines and exceptional acceleration and performance.
HLDI pointed out that the Camaro’s vulnerability to theft lies not only in its overall appeal but also in a “loophole” where thieves can replicate the electronic signal of smart keys through a port inside the vehicle. Authorities have previously warned that certain devices can clone key signals by simply being placed near the car.
In 2024, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) informed Camaro owners during the arrest of a car theft suspect that these devices, similar in size to smartphones, are programming tools capable of receiving nearby key signals for duplication.
At the time, LA officers advised owners to shield electronic keys with protective sleeves or wrap them in aluminum foil. HLDI mentioned that some Camaro owners can address this loophole by updating software.
Apart from the Camaro, other frequently stolen vehicles include the Acura TLX 4WD, stolen at a rate 21 times higher than regular cars, and the standard Chevrolet Camaro, with theft rates 12 times higher than typical vehicles.
– Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
– Acura TLX 4WD
– Chevrolet Camaro
– GMC Sierra 2500 crew cab 4WD
– Acura TLX 2WD
– GMC Sierra 3500 crew cab 4WD
– Chevrolet Silverado 3500 crew cab 4WD
– Dodge Durango 4WD
– Land Rover Range Rover 4WD
– Ram 1500 crew cab short-wheelbase 4WD
– Chevrolet Silverado 2500 crew cab 4WD
– Ram 3500 crew cab long-wheelbase 4WD
– Honda CR-V hybrid 4WD
– GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab 2WD
– Dodge Durango 2WD
– GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab 4WD
– BMW X7 4WD
– Mercedes-Benz S-Class long-wheelbase 4WD
– Jeep Gladiator crew cab convertible 4WD
– Cadillac Escalade ESV 4WD
Earlier this year, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) released the list of the most frequently stolen vehicles in 2024 (regardless of model and year), with the top five being the Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Sonata, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Honda Accord, and Kia Optima. The data primarily relied on reports submitted by law enforcement agencies.