The 10 Car Models That Are Stolen Most Often

If you own a Dodge vehicle with a big engine, take extra care to lock the doors tonight.

Two large Dodge vehicles with powerful engines — the Dodge Charger Hemi and the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat — are more likely to be stolen than any other vehicles in the U.S., according to a recent study by the nonprofit Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI).

In fact, the whole-vehicle theft insurance claim rates associated with these models are more than five times the average for all 2016-2018 models. That is also true of the luxury sedan Infiniti Q50.

According to the HLDI, bigger and more luxurious isn’t always better when it comes to deterring theft:

“Nearly all 20 models with the highest theft rates are either vehicles with big engines, luxury vehicles or pickups.”

The top 10 vehicles and their categories are:

1. Dodge Charger Hemi (large four-door car)
2. Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat (large two-door car)
3. Infiniti Q50, four-door (midsize luxury car)
4. Infiniti QX80 (large luxury SUV)
5. GMC Sierra 1500, crew cab (large four-door pickup)
6. Dodge Challenger (large two-door car)
7. Nissan Maxima (midsize four-door car)
8. Chevrolet Silverado 1500, crew cab (large four-door pickup)
9. Chrysler 300, four-wheel drive (large four-door car)
10. Mercedes-Benz S-Class, four-door, long-wheelbase, four-wheel drive (very large luxury car)

Not only did two Dodge Challenger models make the HLDI list, but the Challenger also made iSeeCars.com’s recent ranking of the 14 deadliest cars to drive or ride in.

In compiling its list, the HLDI looked at claims per insured vehicle year, with one insured vehicle year meaning one vehicle insured for one year. It also zeroed in on whole-vehicle thefts, separating such thefts from claims for stolen vehicle parts or items taken from a vehicle.

According to Matt Moore, HLDI senior vice president:

“The models most likely to be stolen tend to be powerful, pricey or pickups, but vehicle theft is also a crime of opportunity. Better security features on all vehicles would be the best way to address the problem.”

Finding the perfect car

It’s probably wise to purchase a vehicle that thieves are less likely to target. However, there are plenty of other factors to weigh before plunking down your cash on a new set of wheels.

For example, vehicles that are expensive to insure can slowly drain money from your wallet year after year. Fortunately, some of America’s most popular cars are relatively cheap to insure, as we detail in “Here’s What It Costs to Insure America’s Favorite Cars.”

For more tips on car shopping, check out:

• “5 Secrets Car Dealers Hope You Don’t Know“
• “It’s Cheaper to Buy These 10 Cars Online“

How do you keep your car safe from thieves? Share your tips in comments below or on our Facebook page.