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ILLINOIS – Car thefts have surged across Illinois, with over 13,000 vehicles reported stolen in the first half of 2025, as reported by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).
Across the United States, the NICB indicates that more than 334,000 vehicles were stolen during the same period. Illinois currently ranks as the fourth-highest state for vehicle thefts, with 13,374 incidents, following California (70,193), Texas (38,746), and Florida (14,266) halfway through the year.
The NICB has released its annual mid-year vehicle theft report, which includes additional insights shared with FOX 2 about the specific vehicles most frequently targeted by thieves in Illinois.
According to the NICB, the Top 10 most stolen vehicles in Illinois for the year, up to June 30, 2025, have been outlined.
- Hyundai Elantra (540 thefts)
- Jeep Grand Cherokee (526)
- Hyundai Sonata (439)
- Kia Optima (260)
- Nissan Maxima (248)
- Chevrolet Malibu (234)
- Dodge Charger (211)
- Toyota Camry (203)
- Kia Sportage (199)
- Dodge Durango (195)
Notably, four of the most targeted models belong to Hyundai and Kia. These brands have become more vulnerable to theft in recent years due to a widespread ignition defect that allows certain models to be easily started without a key.
The NICB notes, while vehicle thefts peaked in 2023 and may have fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic, vehicle thefts are now returning to pre-pandemic levels and are on track to decrease nationwide for a second straight year.
“While vehicle theft continues to impact communities across the country, NICB will continue fostering strong partnerships and the use of advanced data analytics to make meaningful progress in protecting consumers, holding criminals accountable and bringing peace of mind to American communities,” said David J. Glawe, President and CEO of NICB.
The NICB reports, the St. Louis metropolitan area, which includes both Missouri and Illinois, reported around 4,716 vehicle thefts midway through this year.
Additionally, NICB found Illinois with a vehicle theft rate at around 105 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents, just outside the Top 10 highest-rated states in that measure.
