Top Stolen Models: Camaros, Acura LTX, GMC Sierra, and Silverado Lead List of Stolen Vehicles
The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, with its powerful 650 hp supercharged V8 engine and high-performance muscle car status, has unfortunately become a prime target for car thieves. This trend has led to a theft rate 39 times the national average, a concerning statistic for owners of this popular vehicle.
The attraction to the Camaro ZL1 lies in its desirability and resale value. Thieves often target these vehicles for their whole cars or for valuable parts like the engine, transmission, and suspension components. However, the Camaro ZL1's allure is not the only factor at play.
A technical vulnerability in the security of newer Camaro models (2016-2024) with keyless ignitions has also contributed to the high theft rate. Thieves can clone the key fob by accessing the car's on-board diagnostics (OBD) port, enabling theft even without the physical key fob. This vulnerability significantly increases the theft risk.
In response to this issue, General Motors has initiated a service campaign starting March 2025. This campaign offers a free software update for 2020-2024 Camaro models, designed to reduce the risk of theft by patching the key code cloning vulnerability.
Experts and insurers also recommend additional owner precautions such as installing steering wheel locks, GPS tracking devices, and other aftermarket anti-theft systems to deter theft and improve recovery chances.
Interestingly, Hyundai and Kia have seen the upside of their own anti-theft software campaigns. Certain models from both brands were among the most stolen vehicles in America a few years ago. However, vehicles that received the update saw a significant reduction in theft claims, with a 46% reduction in overall theft claims and a 52% drop in whole-vehicle thefts.
While the Camaro ZL1 remains the vehicle with the highest theft claim frequency among all vehicles in America for the 2022-2024 model years, other vehicles like the Toyota RAV4 Prime and the Ford Mustang Mach-E are among the least-stolen. In contrast, eight out of the 20 least-stolen models are fully electric vehicles, and two more are plug-in hybrids.
California leads the nation in Camaro theft rates, followed by Tennessee, Mississippi, Maryland, and Texas. It is hoped that the measures being taken by General Motors and the recommendations from experts will help to reduce these theft rates and provide a safer driving experience for Camaro ZL1 owners.
- The appeal of the Camaro ZL1 isn't just limited to its luxurious lifestyle and lucrative resale value; unfortunately, this popularity makes it a prime target for tech-savvy thieves who exploit the car's keyless ignition vulnerability to steal valuable parts or the whole vehicle.
- As the Camaro ZL1 struggles with high theft rates, other vehicles like the Toyota RAV4 Prime and Ford Mustang Mach-E have emerged as the least-stolen, with eight out of the 20 least-stolen models being fully electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids, signifying a potential shift in crime trends towards more technologically advanced cars.
