The FBI merely launched particulars on crime for 2024, and the data is optimistic whole. An entire of 16,419 firms reported to the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, and based mostly totally on statistical estimates from the FBI, nationwide violent crime decreased by 4.5% compared with 2023. Amongst this data, property crime, which contains motorcar thefts, was moreover down. Property crime decreased by 8.1% whole, amounting to 5,986,400 offenses, following a 2.4% dip in 2023. Narrowing in on automobile thefts, the data is even increased.
Motor vehicle thefts decreased by a staggering 18.6% compared with 2023. For the file, that’s an important one-year drop that has ever been recorded on this class. For those who occur to solely embody automobiles, the most common type of motorcar theft, the decrease is larger than 20%. There have been 657,411 stolen cars in 2024, compared with 829,425 in 2023. Autos and buses observed a 20.2% drop, and totally different automobile thefts dropped by 9.8%. This decrease comes after various years of will improve in theft, though the numbers are nonetheless bigger than they’ve been in 2019. On frequent, a car theft was reported every 35.9 seconds in 2024.
|
US Motor Car Thefts By Yr |
|
|
2019 |
801,023 |
|
2020 |
880,595 |
|
2021 |
932,329 |
|
2022 |
1,008,756 |
|
2023 |
1,020,729 |
|
2024 |
850,708 |
Causes For Fewer {{Car}} Thefts
The FBI report wouldn’t specify any causes for the drop in motorcar thefts, nonetheless there are some anecdotal circumstances that may have impacted the data. As an example, the Kia Drawback began in late 2022, sparking an infinite number of Kia and Hyundai thefts. Every automakers have rolled out software program program updates to restore the issue, the place cars might very nicely be stolen with out the vital factor, nonetheless there are nonetheless vulnerabilities that exist in 2025.
2022 observed complete automobile thefts exceed 1,000,000 for the first time ever, hitting 1,008,756, an 8.2% improve compared with 2021. 2023 observed a smaller 1.2% improve, nonetheless thefts remained in seven-digit territory at 1,020,729. Hyundai and Kia cars topped pickup automobiles as in all probability essentially the most stolen cars in these years, breaking a several-year-long growth.
New Key Fob Factors
The knowledge displays that the Hyundai and Kia woes may be before now, nonetheless there are nonetheless notable security factors in 2025. Fundamental Motors has been involved in a lawsuit involving defective key fobs that let thieves to repeat the signal. The go nicely with claims that GM knew the vital factor alerts have been easy to clone, nonetheless the agency has executed nothing to remedy the situation and make the cars safer. 13 automakers have been wrapped up in a Canadian class-action lawsuit over the equivalent scenario, nonetheless GM is not going to be certainly one of many companies listed.
Owners who’re frightened about having their key fob copied should stay away from hanging them near a door or window the place thieves can get shut. For those who would not have entry to a locked storage, putting your keys in a Faraday subject can be a superb risk, as alerts can not get in or out, they normally solely worth about $20.
Provide: FBI