Vehicle thefts in the United States declined by 17% in 2024, with reported cases dropping to 850,708, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).
This marks the first time since 2021 that thefts have fallen below one million and represents the largest annual decrease in four decades.
After four consecutive years of increasing thefts, the 2024 decline follows a peak of 1,020,729 stolen vehicles in 2023.
NICB president and CEO David J. Glawe attributed the drop to coordinated efforts among law enforcement agencies, task forces, government officials, and vehicle manufacturers.
"Collectively, these groups used data and intelligence to develop actionable strategies to help local authorities investigate and prosecute offenders and to prevent vehicle theft from occurring in the first place," said Glawe.
NICB collaborated with thousands of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies throughout 2024, aiding in the identification of organized theft rings and the recovery of stolen vehicles.
The decline in vehicle thefts varied across states, with Washington, Nevada, and Oregon reporting the largest reductions. Washington recorded a 32% decrease, followed by Nevada at 31% and Oregon at 30%. Nebraska and Colorado also saw significant declines, with thefts dropping by 29% and 26%, respectively.
Maine was the only state to report an increase, with thefts rising by 2% from the previous year.
Despite an 18% decline, the District of Columbia had the highest vehicle theft rate in the country, with 842.4 thefts per 100,000 residents, more than three times the national average of 250.2 per 100,000. Other states with high theft rates included California at 463.2 per 100,000 residents, New Mexico at 458.2, Colorado at 430.0, and Nevada at 394.4.
Certain vehicle models were targeted more often than others in 2024. The Hyundai Elantra was the most stolen vehicle, with 31,712 reported thefts, followed by the Hyundai Sonata at 26,720. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was the third most stolen vehicle, with 21,666 cases, while the Honda Accord and Kia Optima rounded out the top five, with 18,539 and 17,493 thefts, respectively.
NICB advises vehicle owners to take precautions to reduce the risk of theft. Avoiding leaving keys in the vehicle, never leaving a running car unattended, and parking in well-lit areas can help deter criminals. Locking all windows and doors when parked and keeping valuables out of sight are also recommended measures.
If a vehicle is stolen, NICB recommends reporting it to law enforcement and the insurer as soon as possible to improve the likelihood of recovery.
What additional steps should authorities, manufacturers, and vehicle owners take to sustain this trend? Share your thoughts in the comments.
