The landscape of auto theft in Canada is rapidly changing, with the Toyota RAV4 surpassing the Highlander and Honda CR-V to become Canada's latest most stolen vehicle.
Despite a 19% drop in the number of vehicles stolen across Canada last year, Équité estimates that auto thefts still cost Canadians over $1 billion in annual insurance claims.
This high cost is driven by criminal networks that prioritize big payouts, as evidenced by a 47.5% spike in the theft of high-value luxury vehicles and a tactical shift towards re-VINing cars for sale or disassembling them in illegal chop shops.
This blog post reveals the top models on Canada's list of most stolen vehicles, examining the reasons behind their vulnerability and providing practical advice to help you protect your vehicle. From popular SUVs to coveted trucks, we'll uncover the trends and give tips to reduce your risk of becoming an auto theft victim.
The latest data on vehicle theft across Canada reveals the 2021 Toyota RAV4 has earned the title of the most stolen vehicle in the country. This popular compact SUV has seen a significant number of incidents, with a total of 2,080 thefts reported nationwide in the current reporting period.
The 2021 Toyota RAV4's calculated theft rate is 0.38%, a substantial number indicating its high vulnerability to organized crime.
Its appeal on the black market for domestic resale and overseas shipping drives this surge, which affects owners, increases insurance costs, and raises public safety concerns.
The Toyota RAV4 takes the top spot as the most stolen vehicle in Canada, with 2,080 thefts reported for the 2021 model year. The Toyota RAV4 was stolen over 2,000 times in 2024. Its high demand, global serviceability, and high resale value maximize criminal profits from illegal sales.
Here are the top 10 most stolen vehicles in Canada, by number of thefts:
| Make/Model | Most Often Stolen Model Year | # of Thefts* | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota RAV4 | 2021 | 2,080 | SUV |
| Dodge Ram 1500 Series | 2022 | 2,018 | Truck |
| Honda CR-V | 2020 | 1,911 | SUV |
| Ford F150 Series | 2023 | 1,833 | Truck |
| Honda Civic | 2020 | 1,797 | Car |
| Jeep Wrangler | 2023 | 1,491 | SUV |
| Chevrolet/GMC Silverado/Sierra 1500 Series | 2006 | 1,192 | Truck |
| Toyota Highlander | 2022 | 1,141 | SUV |
| Toyota Tundra | 2024 | 1,129 | Truck |
| Lexus RX Series | 2023 | 1,124 | SUV |
The most stolen vehicles in Ontario are SUVs, trucks, and specific car models, which are highly targeted. The list is led by the Honda CR-V (2024), which registered 1,309 thefts to claim the top spot in the province.
The remaining two spots in the top three are held by high-volume vehicles: the Dodge Ram 1500 Series and the Honda Civic. These three models alone account for over one-third of the total thefts on the entire list.
Ontario drivers should be cautious if they have any of these SUVs, pickups, or cars. These models are the most stolen in the province and can come with a higher price tag for car insurance in Ontario.
| Make/Model | Most Often Stolen Model Year | # of Thefts* | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CR-V | 2024 | 1,309 | SUV |
| Dodge Ram 1500 Series | 2022 | 1,159 | Truck |
| Honda Civic | 2019 | 1,113 | Car |
| Jeep Wrangler | 2023 | 1,094 | SUV |
| Ford F150 Series | 2023 | 1,093 | Truck |
| Toyota Tundra | 2024 | 987 | Truck |
| Lexus RX Series | 2023 | 966 | SUV |
| Toyota RAV4 | 2021 | 904 | SUV |
| Toyota Highlander | 2022 | 815 | SUV |
| Land Rover Range Rover Series | 2019 | 708 | SUV |
The latest trends highlight a regional focus on trucks, with the province's top ten list showing a distinct pattern compared to national averages.
The Dodge Ram 1500 Series (2023) ranks as the most stolen vehicle in Alberta, with 383 thefts. In total, the 10 most-targeted models accounted for 1,978 thefts, with trucks dominating the top five spots.
The least stolen model on the list, the Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Escape Series, still registered 97 thefts, underscoring that while certain vehicles are at higher risk, a significant number of vehicles are being targeted.
| Make/Model | Most Often Stolen Model Year | # of Thefts* | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Ram 1500 Series | 2023 | 383 | Truck |
| Chevrolet/GMC Silverado/Sierra 1500 Series | 2006 | 312 | Truck |
| Chevrolet/GMC Silverado/Sierra 2500 Series | 2007 | 290 | Truck |
| Ford F150 Series | 2023 | 249 | Truck |
| Ford F350 Series | 2006 | 207 | Truck |
| Toyota RAV4 | 2022 | 119 | SUV |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | 2023 | 115 | SUV |
| Honda CR-V | 2022 | 105 | SUV |
| Chevrolet/GMC/Pontiac Equinox/Terrain/Torrent Series | 2017 | 101 | SUV |
| Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Escape/Corsair/MKC/Mariner Series | 2017 | 97 | SUV |
Auto theft trends in Quebec reveal a clear preference for SUVs, which are the primary target for thieves in the province. With 921 incidents, the Toyota RAV4 (2021) is the most stolen vehicle in Quebec.
The 10 most-targeted models on this list account for a total of 2,993 thefts. This ranking includes a variety of SUVs, with the Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson being specific to the top vehicles in this region. The Toyota C-HR completes the list of the 10 most stolen, with 113 thefts reported.
| Make/Model | Most Often Stolen Model Year | # of Thefts* | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota RAV4 | 2021 | 921 | SUV |
| Honda CR-V | 2020 | 398 | SUV |
| Honda Civic | 2016 | 392 | Car |
| Jeep Wrangler | 2024 | 267 | SUV |
| Toyota Highlander | 2021 | 215 | SUV |
| Mazda CX-5 | 2021 | 214 | SUV |
| Hyundai Tuscon | 2020 | 158 | SUV |
| Dodge Ram 1500 Series | 2022 | 158 | Truck |
| Ford F150 Series | 2023 | 157 | Truck |
| Toyota C-HR | 2021 | 113 | SUV |
The East Coast's most targeted vehicles for theft are trucks, such as Dodge Ram 1500 Series, Chevrolet/GMC Silverado/Sierra 1500 Series, and Ford F150 Series. Only two cars appear on the list - the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla.
All of the Atlantic provinces have been grouped to meet the minimum data collection threshold.
| Make/Model | Most Often Stolen Model Year | # of Thefts* | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Ram 1500 Series | 2022 | 106 | Truck |
| Chevrolet/GMC Silverado/Sierra 1500 Series | 2017 | 105 | Truck |
| Ford F150 Series | 2013 | 82 | Truck |
| Honda Civic | 2012 | 78 | Car |
| Toyota RAV4 | 2021 | 61 | SUV |
| Hyundai Elantra | 2017 | 49 | Car |
| Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Escape/Corsair/MKC/Mariner Series | 2018 | 41 | SUV |
| Toyota Corolla | 2017 | 36 | Car |
| Hyundai Santa Fe | 2017 | 35 | SUV |
| Honda CR-V | 2019 | 34 | SUV |
New vehicles with keyless fobs are a common target because thieves use radio frequency amplifiers to capture the fob signal and extend it to the vehicle. Avoid leaving keyless fobs near front doors and park in a garage when possible.
Criminals target vehicles for many reasons, including:
IBC reports that Toronto, Brampton, and Mississauga have experienced the highest costs related to auto theft claims:
| City | 2023 Auto Theft Claims Costs | Increase in Auto Theft Claims Costs (2018-2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto | $371,815,072 | 561% |
| Brampton | $93,186,518 | 719% |
| Mississauga | $89,980,735 | 533% |
According to IBC, Whitby, Pickering, and Milton have seen the highest increase of auto theft claims between 2018 and 2023:
| City | Increase in Theft Claims Costs (2018-2023) | 2023 Auto Theft Claims Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Whitby | 2269% | $12,145,932 |
| Pickering | 1228% | $10,653,759 |
| Milton | 1010% | $11,976,316 |
In Canada, a vehicle is involved in theft every three minutes, according to the IBC. Lower the risk of having your vehicle stolen with these six tips:
It only takes 30 seconds for a thief to steal your vehicle. By following these tips, you can reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of theft. It is also recommended to consider anti-theft devices, which can qualify you for insurance discounts.
The Toyota RAV4 (2021 model year) is the most stolen vehicle nationally by volume, leading the list with over 2,000 thefts in the most recent national data. However, the Dodge Ram 1500 Series and Honda CR-V are very close seconds.
Thieves overwhelmingly target larger, high-value vehicles, with SUVs and trucks making up 9 of the top 10 lists*.
The Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V are targeted due to their high demand, global serviceability, and vulnerabilities in their keyless entry systems.
Heavy-duty Trucks, led by the Dodge Ram 1500 Series and Ford F150 Series, are highly sought after, especially in Western Canada. These vehicles can result in higher auto insurance rates.
Yes. Insurers view models on the "most stolen" list as higher risk. Your coverage premium may increase as a result. However, installing approved anti-theft devices (like tracking systems) can often qualify you for a discount that offsets the higher cost.
Theft volume refers to the total number of vehicles reported stolen. In contrast, theft frequency (or rate) is the calculated risk - the percentage chance your specific model will be stolen, based on the number of thefts versus the number of that model insured.
Yes - while the Toyota RAV4 is the national and Quebec leader, the provincial lists reveal different preferences: Ontario has been led by the Honda CR-V. Alberta is heavily dominated by large pickup trucks, such as the Dodge Ram 1500 and various Chevrolet/GMC Silverado Series models.
The majority of thefts are driven by organized crime for export. SUVs and Trucks are stolen because they hold a higher resale value internationally (in places like Africa, the Middle East, and Europe) and are in great demand, maximizing profit for criminal organizations.
A re-VINned vehicle is a stolen car whose original Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) has been fraudulently replaced with the VIN from a legally salvaged or wrecked vehicle. Criminals do this to make the stolen car appear legitimate for an illegal resale to an unsuspecting customer.
It’s estimated that about one-sixth of lost vehicles are never recovered. Many of these vehicles are shipped overseas or sent to chop shops to be dismantled for parts.
You can reduce the risk by taking steps to prevent your vehicle from being stolen. Install an alarm, park in the garage, and always lock your doors. If you own an automobile that is frequently targeted for theft, it will impact your auto insurance quotes in Canada. If you have any questions, give us a call.
Sources:
*Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles — Ranking by Theft Frequency and Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles by Equite
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