Vehicle thefts across the United States dropped 23% in 2025 to 659,880 total, the lowest level in several decades, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). Washington State led the decline at 39%, and Hyundai/Kia thefts fell to 14% of the national total after software updates reached millions of vehicles.
- NICB recorded 659,880 vehicle thefts in 2025, down 23% from 2024 and the lowest total in decades
- Washington (-39%), Colorado (-35%), and Puerto Rico (-34%) posted the largest state-level declines
- Hyundai Elantra topped the most-stolen list with 21,732 thefts; Honda Accord followed at 17,797
- California accounted for 136,988 thefts, more than 20% of the entire nation's total
- Comprehensive insurance ($140 to $170/year nationally) is the only auto policy type that covers theft
Nationwide Vehicle Theft Drops to Historic Low
NICB released its annual theft report on March 18, 2026, confirming that 659,880 vehicles were stolen across the U.S. in 2025. That 23% year-over-year decline follows a 17% drop in 2024, which at the time was the largest single-year decrease in four decades. Combined, the two-year reduction erased most of the pandemic-era surge that peaked above 1 million thefts in 2023.
Despite the progress, one vehicle is still stolen every 48 seconds in the United States, according to NICB. Urban areas remain disproportionately affected, with more than one-third of all 2025 thefts concentrated in just 10 metropolitan areas.
"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," said NICB President and CEO David J. Glawe.
States With the Biggest Theft Declines
Overall, 49 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico reported fewer thefts in 2025 than in 2024, according to NICB. Alaska was the only state to report an increase, posting a 26% rise driven largely by theft trends in the Anchorage metro area.
| Rank | State | 2025 vs. 2024 Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | -39% |
| 2 | Colorado | -35% |
| 3 | Puerto Rico | -34% |
| 4 | South Dakota | -32% |
| 5 | Tennessee | -31% |
| 6 | New Mexico | -31% |
| 7 | North Dakota | -30% |
| 8 | Florida | -29% |
| 9 | Georgia | -28% |
| 10 | Arizona | -27% |
Source: NICB, March 2026. Percentage change compares full-year 2025 reported thefts to full-year 2024 reported thefts.
Washington's 39% decline is notable because the state ranked among the top 10 for total theft volume in prior years. NICB credited law enforcement task forces and manufacturer software updates for the turnaround. Florida drivers also benefited, with thefts falling 29% statewide.
States With the Highest Theft Volume
California led the nation with 136,988 vehicles stolen in 2025, contributing more than 20% of the national total, according to NICB. Texas came in second at 75,269, followed by Illinois (28,327), Florida (27,142), and New York (24,206).
| Rank | State | 2025 Total Thefts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 136,988 |
| 2 | Texas | 75,269 |
| 3 | Illinois | 28,327 |
| 4 | Florida | 27,142 |
| 5 | New York | 24,206 |
| 6 | Ohio | 20,628 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 20,568 |
| 8 | North Carolina | 20,395 |
| 9 | Washington | 18,039 |
| 10 | Missouri | 17,496 |
Source: NICB, March 2026.
The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metro area recorded 477.51 thefts per 100,000 residents, the highest per-capita rate among metros with more than 1,000 thefts. Bakersfield-Delano followed closely at 477.27 per 100,000. Memphis, Tennessee, which held the top spot in prior years, dropped to third at 427.75 per 100,000, according to NICB.
Top 10 Metro Areas for Vehicle Theft
NICB's metro-level data shows that more than one-third of all 659,880 thefts in 2025 occurred in just 10 Census-defined metropolitan statistical areas. Los Angeles alone accounted for 53,911 thefts, nearly 8.2% of the national total.
| Rank | Metro Area | 2025 Total Thefts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 53,911 |
| 2 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 27,138 |
| 3 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 24,299 |
| 4 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 23,659 |
| 5 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 22,197 |
| 6 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 21,638 |
| 7 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 19,117 |
| 8 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 15,204 |
| 9 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 14,111 |
| 10 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 12,684 |
Source: NICB, March 2026. Metropolitan areas defined by Census Bureau statistical areas (CBSAs).
Three of the top 10 metros are in California, which helps explain why the state's comprehensive insurance premiums run 25% to 40% above the national average, according to Insurify rate data. Drivers in Houston and Dallas combined for 45,297 thefts, making Texas the second most theft-heavy state for metro-area concentration.
Most Stolen Vehicles in 2025
The Hyundai Elantra topped the NICB's most-stolen list for 2025 with 21,732 thefts. Honda Accord placed second at 17,797, and Hyundai Sonata was third at 17,687. Pickup trucks also made the top 10: the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 had 16,764 thefts and the Ford F-150 had 10,102.
| Rank | Make/Model | 2025 Thefts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hyundai Elantra | 21,732 |
| 2 | Honda Accord | 17,797 |
| 3 | Hyundai Sonata | 17,687 |
| 4 | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 16,764 |
| 5 | Honda Civic | 12,725 |
| 6 | Kia Optima | 11,521 |
| 7 | Ford F-150 | 10,102 |
| 8 | Toyota Camry | 9,833 |
| 9 | Honda CR-V | 9,809 |
| 10 | Nissan Altima | 8,445 |
Source: NICB, March 2026.
Hyundai-Kia Theft Crisis: Software Fix Progress
Hyundai and Kia vehicles accounted for 14% of all U.S. vehicle thefts in 2025, according to NICB. That share dropped from 16% in 2024 and 21% in 2023, when the "Kia Boys" social media trend fueled a surge targeting models without engine immobilizers.
Both manufacturers launched free anti-theft software updates in early 2023, covering approximately 3.8 million Hyundais and 4.5 million Kias (8.3 million total), according to NHTSA. The update extends the alarm from 30 seconds to one minute and requires a key in the ignition to start the engine. Owners of 2011 to 2022 model-year vehicles with turn-key ignitions can check eligibility at hyundaiantitheft.com or through any authorized dealership.
Hyundai and Kia owners with 2011 to 2022 model-year vehicles should verify their VIN at hyundaiantitheft.com or call their local dealership. Both manufacturers also began offering free ignition cylinder reinforcement hardware in early 2026, with installation available through March 2027 at authorized service centers.
A multistate attorney general settlement in 2024 required Hyundai and Kia to pay $145 million in restitution and fund additional anti-theft measures. Washington State, which led the 2025 decline at 39%, was among the most active states in pursuing enforcement.
What This Means for Your Insurance Rates
Theft claims fall under comprehensive insurance coverage, which costs an average of $140 to $170 per year nationally in 2026, according to industry data. Only drivers who carry comprehensive coverage receive payouts for stolen vehicles; liability-only policies cover nothing in a theft scenario.
A 23% decline in theft volume should reduce insurer loss ratios on comprehensive claims over the next 12 to 24 months, according to Triple-I analysis. Drivers in states with the sharpest declines (Washington at 39%, Colorado at 35%) could see comprehensive premium adjustments sooner. Insurers in high-theft metro areas like Los Angeles (53,911 thefts) and Houston (23,659 thefts) will likely be slower to cut rates because absolute volumes remain high.
Triple-I noted that the cost to repair and replace stolen vehicles continues to rise, which partially offsets the frequency decline. Rising labor and parts costs added upward pressure on comprehensive rates even as theft counts dropped, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
What You Should Do Now
Check If Your Vehicle Is on the Most-Stolen List
NICB's top 10 includes the Hyundai Elantra (21,732 thefts), Honda Accord (17,797), and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (16,764). Owners of these models should verify they carry comprehensive coverage with a deductible of $500 or less.
Ask Your Insurer About Anti-Theft Discounts
Many carriers offer 5% to 15% comprehensive discounts for vehicles with approved anti-theft devices, GPS trackers, or VIN etching. Call your agent and ask specifically about these savings.
Compare Comprehensive Rates in Your State
If your state posted a major theft decline (Washington -39%, Colorado -35%, Florida -29%), compare quotes from at least 3 carriers to see whether your current rate reflects the improved theft environment.
Hyundai/Kia Owners: Get the Free Software Update
Visit hyundaiantitheft.com to check your VIN. The free software patch covers 8.3 million vehicles from model years 2011 to 2022, and a new ignition cylinder reinforcement program runs through March 2027 at dealerships.
The Bigger Picture: Pandemic-Era Theft Surge Is Over
Vehicle thefts surged in 2020 to roughly one car stolen every 36 seconds, according to NICB's historical data. COVID-19 shutdowns left vehicles unattended in parking lots and streets for extended periods, and economic disruption fueled opportunistic crime. Thefts climbed above 1 million in 2023, the worst year on record in recent decades.
Three factors drove the 2024-2025 reversal, according to NICB and Triple-I analysis. Manufacturer software updates (particularly from Hyundai and Kia) addressed the most exploited vulnerability. Law enforcement task forces in high-theft metro areas like Seattle (-39% statewide for Washington), Denver, and Memphis stepped up coordinated responses. The cooling of the used-parts black market also reduced the financial incentive for organized theft rings.
For consumers, the two-year decline is the strongest signal since 2019 that the theft crisis is receding. Drivers who dropped comprehensive coverage during the high-theft years to cut costs should reconsider adding it back, since average annual premiums run just $140 to $170 nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Washington State led the nation with a 39% decline in vehicle thefts from 2024 to 2025, according to NICB. Colorado (-35%) and Puerto Rico (-34%) followed closely.
The Hyundai Elantra was the most stolen vehicle in 2025 with 21,732 reported thefts, according to NICB. The Honda Accord ranked second at 17,797 thefts, and the Hyundai Sonata was third at 17,687.
Only comprehensive auto insurance covers vehicle theft. Liability-only and collision-only policies do not pay out if your car is stolen. Comprehensive coverage averages $140 to $170 per year nationally in 2026.
A sustained decline in theft frequency typically reduces comprehensive insurance claim costs, which can lead to lower premiums over 12 to 24 months. Drivers in states with the sharpest declines (Washington, Colorado, Florida) may see adjustments sooner.
Yes. Hyundai and Kia offer free anti-theft software updates for approximately 8.3 million vehicles from model years 2011 to 2022 with turn-key ignitions. Check eligibility at hyundaiantitheft.com or contact an authorized dealership. A newer ignition cylinder reinforcement program also runs through March 2027.
- NICB - U.S. Vehicle Thefts Experience Historic Decline (March 18, 2026)
- Triple-I Blog - U.S. Vehicle Thefts Hit Lowest Level in Decades (April 3, 2026)
- NHTSA - Hyundai, Kia Provide Anti-Theft Software Update
- Washington State Attorney General - Multistate Hyundai/Kia Settlement
- SAN.com - Car Thieves Hit the Brakes in 2025
- The Auto Channel - U.S. Vehicle Thefts Experience Historic Decline