Although car security camera systems are becoming more prevalent, a motor vehicle is stolen every 44 seconds in the US, amounting to over 715,000 auto thefts in 2011 for a total loss of $4.3 billion. On a per capita basis, California dominates when it comes to motor vehicle theft with four of the top five MSAs (metropolitan statistical areas). At a state level, urban Washington D.C. has the highest rate of auto theft, with New Hampshire enjoying the least amount of vehicle theft.

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Quotable Auto Theft Stats

• A motor vehicle is stolen in the United States every 44 seconds.
• There were an estimated 715,373 thefts of motor vehicles in the US during 2011. The estimated rate of motor vehicle thefts was 229.6 per 100,000 inhabitants.
• In 2011, motor vehicle thefts declined 3.3% compared with 2010, 35.0% compared with 2007, and 42.6% compared with 2002.
• More than $4.3 billion was lost to motor vehicle thefts nationwide in 2011. The average dollar loss per stolen vehicle was $6,089.
• 73.9% of all motor vehicles reported stolen in 2011 were automobiles.

Auto Theft Rate by State in 2011

Top 10 states with the highest auto theft rates (per 100,000 people):

1. Washington D.C. – 721.0
2. California – 389.6
3. Washington – 363.6
4. Nevada – 348.3
5. Arizona – 305.9
6. Hawaii – 304.3
7. Georgia – 300.3
8. South Carolina – 292.0
9. Oklahoma – 290.9
10. Massachusetts – 275.7

Top 10 states with the lowest auto theft rates (per 100,000 people):

1. New Hampshire – 73.9
2. Vermont – 79.7
3. Maine – 81.2
4. Idaho – 84.1
5. Wyoming – 91.7
6. New York – 99.2
7. South Dakota – 114.8
8. Virginia – 120.1
9. West Virginia – 121.5
10. Iowa – 128.5

Vehicle Theft by Region: 2012 vs. 2011

1. West – 10.6% increase
2. Northeast – 7.9% decrease
3. Midwest – 3.1% decrease
4. South – 2.9% decrease

Top 10 Stolen Vehicles in 2012

1. Honda Accord
2. Honda Civic
3. Toyota Camry
4. Acura Integra
5. Toyota Corolla
6. Chevy Silverado
7. Cadillac Escalade
8. Nissan Maxima
9. Nissan Altima
10. Chevy Tahoe