Catalytic converter theft: Tips to protect your car
Catalytic converter thefts are on the rise due to the valuable metals inside. Learn effective ways to safeguard your vehicle from becoming a target.
- The National Insurance Crime Bureau reported a 23% decrease in vehicle thefts in 2025.
- Upgraded security systems and theft-prevention measures in new vehicles have helped reduce theft numbers.
Car thefts reached a 40-year low in 2025, according to the nonprofit National Insurance Crime Bureau. The NICB reported a 23% decrease in automotive thefts since 2024. Still, people reported 659,880 stolen vehicles nationwide. So which vehicles top the list of those stolen in the past year?
What are the most commonly stolen cars in the United States?
The Hyundai Elantra retained its title as the most stolen vehicle in the United States, with 21,732 thefts reported around the country. Rounding out the top three were the Honda Accord, with 17,797 thefts, and the Hyundai Sonata, with 17,687. Other commonly stolen vehicles were the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Kia Optima, Ford F-150, Nissan Altima and the Toyota Camry, along with the Honda Civic and CR-V.
How do thieves steal cars?
Criminals have too many creative ways to steal cars these days. They can steal the signal from your key fob, use it to unlock the car, start the engine and drive away with your ride. Other high-tech methods car thieves use involve hacking the Electronic Control Units (ECU), duplicating keys, using relay transmitters, jamming the GPS and various other illegal techniques. The old-fashioned way of just swiping the keys and hopping in a car to drive away is still around, despite the rise of more advanced and strategic methods.
How can I protect my car from being stolen?
There are several aftermarket security systems and products you can buy to keep your vehicle secure. Parking in a garage is one of the best ways, but not everyone has that luxury. Adding a steering wheel lock will prevent the wheel from being turned. A GPS tracking device or an Apple AirTag can provide live updates on a vehicle’s location. Some dashcams can record when a break-in is taking place and upload the video to the internet so you can share it with the police and your insurance company.
What to do if my car is stolen?
Call the police immediately. Make sure you tell them your make, model, model year and license plate number. Give them your VIN as well if you have it. Next, call your insurance company to report the vehicle as stolen. Call your local Department of Motor Vehicles, so they will update your vehicle in their records as stolen and will be notified if the registration or title is being used for fraudulent activity. If you financed your car through a bank, give them a call as well so they can monitor your accounts for potential suspicious activity from the thief.
Here’s the Top 10 most-stolen rides last year:
Clinton Mora is a reporter for Trending Insurance News. He has previously worked for the Forbes. As a contributor to Trending Insurance News, Clinton covers emerging a wide range of property and casualty insurance related stories.