659,880
vehicles were reported stolen nationwide
The National Insurance Crime Bureau reported 659,880 thefts in the United States during 2025.
Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau, 2025 vehicle theft data, published July 2026Reference page, updated August 15, 2026
Car theft statistics in the U.S. and Los Angeles.
Current figures for vehicle theft in the United States, California and Los Angeles County. Every number below comes from a named public source and is based on 2025 data, the latest complete year available.
At a glance
Theft fell in 2025, but Los Angeles remains a major part of the picture.
Reported thefts declined nationally and across California in 2025. Los Angeles County still recorded 47,191 thefts, making practical vehicle security a relevant conversation for drivers, families and businesses that depend on their vehicles.
2025 vehicle theft statistics
Numbers worth knowing.
23.2%
national decline from 2024
That was 190,828 fewer reported thefts than 2024, continuing a sharp national decline.
Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau, 2025 vehicle theft data, published July 2026133,372
vehicles were stolen in California
California recorded 133,372 vehicle thefts in 2025, down 24.3% from the prior year.
Source: California Highway Patrol, 2025 Vehicle Theft Fact Sheet47,191
thefts were reported in Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County had the highest theft total in the state during 2025.
Source: California Highway Patrol, 2025 Vehicle Theft Fact Sheet18.6%
decline in Los Angeles County thefts
The county total fell year over year, but Los Angeles County still accounted for more than three out of five Southern California thefts.
Source: California Highway Patrol, 2025 Vehicle Theft Fact Sheet55.8%
of California thefts occurred in Southern California
Southern California remained the largest regional concentration of reported thefts in the state.
Source: California Highway Patrol, 2025 Vehicle Theft Fact Sheet84%
of stolen California vehicles were recovered
The California Highway Patrol reported an 84% recovery rate statewide in 2025.
Source: California Highway Patrol, 2025 Vehicle Theft Fact Sheet55.2%
were recovered intact and driveable
More than half of recovered California vehicles were reported intact and driveable.
Source: California Highway Patrol, 2025 Vehicle Theft Fact Sheet43.2%
of California thefts involved personal trucks or SUVs
Personal trucks and SUVs were the most commonly stolen vehicle category, followed by automobiles at 37.3%.
Source: California Highway Patrol, 2025 Vehicle Theft Fact SheetLos Angeles context
What the local numbers do, and do not, say.
These figures describe reported theft, not the likelihood of any individual vehicle being stolen. Risk can vary by vehicle, neighborhood, parking routine and the security already in place. The California Highway Patrol fact sheet also identifies 2013 Hyundai Elantra, 2015 Kia Optima and 2013 Hyundai Sonata models as the three most-stolen vehicles in the state during 2025.
For a driver, the useful takeaway is simple: a security plan should fit the vehicle and how it is used. That may mean an alarm, remote start, tracking, a dash camera with parking mode or a combination chosen around a real daily concern.
Explore vehicle security options at Elite Audio →Methodology and sources
How this page is kept useful.
This is a reference page, not a prediction tool. It uses the most recent complete calendar-year figures published by the National Insurance Crime Bureau and the California Highway Patrol. Each statistic links to the source that supports it.
The page was last checked on August 15, 2026. It will be refreshed when the next complete annual theft data is published, or sooner if a key source corrects or replaces a figure.
Cite this page
Elite Audio Hollywood, “Car Theft Statistics in the U.S. and Los Angeles (2026),” updated August 15, 2026. Cite the linked public source alongside any individual statistic.
Plan around your vehicle