Vehicle Thefts Decline Nationally and in Texas
Vehicle thefts saw a significant decrease across the United States in 2024, with statistics from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) showing a 17% drop compared to the previous year. The total number of stolen vehicles nationwide fell from approximately 1.02 million in 2023 to 850,708 in 2024, marking the largest decrease in the past 40 years.
Texas followed a similar trend, with a 16% reduction in vehicle thefts. According to NICB data obtained by the San Antonio Express-News, the number of stolen vehicles statewide decreased from 116,214 in 2023 to 97,246 in 2024. The San Antonio area, including New Braunfels, reported 12,581 vehicle thefts last year, representing a 27% decline from the 17,151 thefts recorded in 2023.
Most Stolen Vehicles in Texas
The NICB report highlighted that pickup trucks remain the most commonly stolen vehicles in Texas. The top five most stolen vehicles in the state were:
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- GMC Sierra 1500
- Hyundai Elantra
- Ford F150 Series
- Ford F250 Series
In the United States, Hyundai models were among the most stolen cars, with the Hyundai Elantra topping the list. The surge in Hyundai and Kia thefts began in 2020 after TikTok videos exposed vulnerabilities in these vehicles due to the lack of engine immobilizers. However, with Hyundai making engine immobilizers standard on all vehicles produced since November 2021 and providing anti-theft software upgrades, the number of thefts for these models decreased in 2024.
Regional Variations in Vehicle Theft Rates
The NICB data also revealed that certain regions have higher vehicle theft rates. Washington, D.C., California, New Mexico, Colorado, and Nevada were identified as having the highest vehicle theft rates in the nation. In Texas, major cities like Houston and Dallas reported over 29,000 vehicle thefts combined, while Austin saw 7,342 stolen vehicles.
“The overall decrease in stolen vehicles nationwide is a testament to the hard work and collaboration between law enforcement, multi-jurisdictional auto theft task forces, governing bodies, vehicle manufacturers, and NICB,” said David J. Glawe, President and CEO of NICB. “Collectively, these groups used data and intelligence to develop actionable strategies to help local authorities investigate and prosecute offenders and to prevent vehicle theft from occurring in the first place.”
The decline in vehicle thefts is attributed to the combined efforts of law enforcement agencies, vehicle manufacturers, and organizations like the NICB. Their collaborative approach to addressing vehicle theft has led to a significant reduction in stolen vehicles across the country.
