USA: Dodge muscle cars once again top list of most-stolen vehicles
In the recent Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) report, the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat and Dodge Charger HEMI were identified as the most-stolen vehicles for the 2020-22 model years. Theft claims for the Charger SRT Hellcat were significantly higher than average, with over 60 times the frequency of other models. The Charger HEMI also had theft claims over 20 times higher than average. The trend of powerful engine models like Charger and Challenger being among the most-stolen vehicles has persisted since 2011, and their theft claims have increased remarkably.
Hyundai-Kia vehicles faced a viral trend, leading to four Kia models entering the top 20 most-stolen vehicles. On the other hand, BMW, Infiniti, Land Rover luxury models, and three powerful pickup trucks were also frequently stolen. Thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles increased due to their lack of electronic immobilizers. The report highlighted that electric vehicles were stolen less often, possibly because they are usually parked in well-lit and secure charging areas.
The report presents data on vehicle theft claims per insured vehicle year, enabling comparisons of relative risk. This approach differs from traditional lists that report raw theft numbers and are skewed by common vehicle models. The HLDI’s whole-vehicle theft report focuses on total loss claims under collision coverage, isolating instances where the theft claim value aligns with collision coverage for the same vehicle’s age. The analysis considers demographic and geographic factors.
The Dodge dilemma
Among the least-stolen 2020-22 models, several high-end Volvo models demonstrated low theft rates, while two variations of the Infiniti Q50 remained among the most-stolen vehicles. The Infiniti Q50 has consistently appeared on the most-stolen list since 2014, with the reasons behind its high theft rate remaining a mystery. HLDI’s whole-vehicle theft report provides valuable insights into the risk associated with different vehicles, considering factors such as theft claims and demographics, setting it apart from traditional lists based solely on raw theft numbers.