News report

Reported vehicle thefts in the United States fell 23 percent in 2025 compared with 2024, according to a National Insurance Crime Bureau analysis released March 18, 2026. The nonprofit counted 659,880 vehicles reported stolen nationwide.

The decline followed a 17 percent reduction in 2024, the bureau said. Washington recorded the largest percentage decrease among states in the 2025 analysis, at 39 percent, followed by Colorado at 35 percent. These are changes in reported theft counts, rather than a measure of every owner's individual risk.

The bureau's report also showed geographic concentration. More than one-third of reported thefts occurred in the ten metropolitan areas with the highest totals. That pattern helps explain why a national improvement and continuing local prevention work can exist at the same time.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's public information similarly records more than 650,000 thefts in 2025 and provides guidance on vehicle security. Its basic measures include taking keys, locking doors and windows, parking in well-lit areas and keeping valuables out of view.

The national figures establish a substantial year-to-year decline. They do not isolate the effect of a particular manufacturer update, policing strategy or owner habit. The bureau discusses prevention efforts, but several factors may influence a reported trend. Publishing the totals alongside practical information gives readers a factual picture of progress while leaving room for local data and further analysis of what contributed to the change.

Sources