America’s Most-Stolen Vehicles in 2025: Why the Camaro ZL1 Tops the List—And How to Protect Yours
If you drive something powerful, pricey, or pickup-shaped, thieves have their eyes on you. A fresh analysis of insurance claims data finds one model towering over the rest: Chevrolet’s track-bred Camaro ZL1. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) says the ZL1 is stolen far more often than an average vehicle—and the pattern exposes how modern car theft really works, who’s most at risk, and what actually helps.
The headline stats
HLDI’s latest look at model-year 2022–2024 vehicles puts the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in a league of its own: relative to its presence on the road, it’s 39× more likely to be stolen than the average vehicle. The standard Camaro also cracks the top five at roughly 13× the average. Pickup trucks and high-horsepower or high-value SUVs fill most of the remaining slots.
Top 10 most-stolen (2022–2024 model years, by claim frequency)
- 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.
On the flip side, the “least-stolen” list skews electric: eight of the 20 are EVs and two are plug-in hybrids, each with whole-vehicle theft rates more than 85% lower than average. Think Tesla Model 3/Y, Toyota RAV4 Prime, and Ford Mustang Mach-E. HLDI’s view: EVs are more likely to live in garages or near buildings for charging—less street time, fewer theft opportunities.
Why thieves love these cars
Two ingredients show up again and again: horsepower and price. “Muscle cars have often topped this list, as thieves are attracted to vehicles with high horsepower,” notes HLDI. That helps explain why the pricier, more powerful ZL1 outpaces the standard Camaro. Big-ticket pickups (particularly heavy-duty crew cabs) add utility and lucrative parts values, making them perennial targets.
How the thefts actually happen
Modern theft is less coat-hanger, more laptop. Since the sixth-gen Camaro (2016–2024) introduced keyless push-button start, theft claim frequencies were stable until 2023, then spiked through 2024. HLDI ties much of the rise to methods that clone or program keys by accessing the on-board diagnostic (OBD-II) port once a thief gets inside—often after simple window or lock attacks. In March 2024, theft claims for newer Camaros peaked around 18.3 per 1,000 insured vehicle-years, versus ~1.3 for older (2010–2015) models.
The Camaro-specific wrinkle—and a software fix
Media reports and HLDI both point to a technical vulnerability that opened new angles for thieves on newer Camaros. In March 2025, General Motors launched a free dealer software campaign for 2020–2024 Camaros aimed at reducing theft risk; HLDI says it plans to study how much it helps. If you own one, book the update.
EVs: harder (not impossible) to steal
EVs’ advantage isn’t just tech—it’s logistics. They’re commonly parked in garages or close to buildings for daily charging; many are “connected” and easier to locate or disable post-theft. That combination lowers exposure and raises risk for thieves, which is why EVs dominate the least-stolen list right now.
What changed with Hyundai and Kia?
Remember the TikTok-era spree? HLDI reports their anti-theft software upgrade is making a real dent: among eligible 2011–2022 models that actually got the update, the frequency of theft claims is 46% lower overall and 52% lower for whole-vehicle thefts compared with those that didn’t. Uptake still isn’t universal, but the trend shows software fixes can work.
How HLDI builds these rankings (so you know what you’re reading)
This isn’t police-report counting. HLDI analyzes insurance comprehensive coverage claims—specifically claim frequency (claims per 1,000 insured vehicle-years). For the “whole-vehicle theft” ranking, they use claim amounts to identify when the entire vehicle is likely gone versus just parts or contents. In the tables, 100 = average; a score like 3,949 means ~39× the average claim frequency.
Practical protection: what actually helps
- Get the software: If you own a 2020–2024 Camaro, ask a dealer about the March 2025 security update and confirm it’s installed.
- Layer defenses: Pair a visible device (steering-wheel lock) with a kill switch/immobilizer and a hard-wired GPS tracker. Layers force thieves to spend time—time they don’t have.
- Harden the OBD-II port: Use an OBD port lock or relocate the port with a locking cover; never leave aftermarket dongles plugged in.
- Control the keys: Store fobs away from doors/windows in Faraday pouches to blunt relay/cloning attempts; disable passive entry if your car allows it.
- Reduce exposure: Garage parking beats street parking. If you must park outside, vary parking spots/times and choose lighting and cameras over convenience.
- Mind your data: Many OEM apps allow valet mode, PIN to drive, or motion alerts—use them.
For the moment, high-power sports cars and heavy-duty pickups dominate theft claims. EVs benefit from usage patterns and connectivity. And targeted software interventions—from Hyundai/Kia’s immobilizer-style update to GM’s Camaro campaign—show that the right fix can move the needle. If your vehicle shows up on the “most-stolen” list, you don’t have to panic—but you do have to be proactive.
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