The top 10 most stolen vehicles in Canada for 2023

With files from James Battiston.

This post was originally published on January 5, 2022, and was updated on November 26, 2024.

Have you ever considered the possibility of waking up one day to find your car missing? It's a common concern among car owners. Imagine the immediate shock followed by the daunting task of reshuffling your daily schedule. From arranging alternative transportation for your family to the often tedious process of filing insurance claims, the repercussions of car theft extend far beyond the initial loss.

Unfortunately, auto thefts continued their record breaking trends in Canada by breaking the 2022 record and reaching new highs in 2023. This resulted in $1.5 billion in auto theft related claims last year, making it the second year in a row to top the $1 billion mark. What really makes this an astonishing level of theft, is the sobering reality that between 2018 to 2021 auto theft claims costs averaged $556 million annually. We're now basically seeing a billion dollar increase a year in claims. With this data point, it becomes increasingly clearer to see why the cost of auto insurance in Canada is on the rise.

Every year, certain makes and models of vehicles are targeted for theft more frequently than others. Équité Association, the Canadian non-profit organization that works to combat insurance fraud, has released their list of the top 10 stolen cars in Canada for 2023, as well as the top 10 list for each province (where vehicle insurance is private). The 2024 list will be revealed at a similar time next year.

Let’s take a look at their findings and consider the implications.

The 10 most stolen vehicles in Canada

These are the makes and models that were most stolen in Canada in 2022.

The top 10 stolen vehicles by province

You’ve probably noticed the same makes and models appearing on this list year over year. For instance, Dodge RAM Series and Chevrolet/GMC Silverado/Sierra Series pickups are present on all of the lists.

It's also worth calling out that there are regional differences in the make and model of vehicles being stolen - as you can imagine in Alberta the list is dominated by trucks, while in Quebec and Ontario it's mostly SUVs. We recommend viewing your regional data vs the country-wide data, both will have an impact on your insurance and should be consider during a potential vehicle purchase.

As well, the year of the vehicle may vary, the fact that certain models that are targeted more frequently is worth noting – so let’s dig a little deeper.

Why criminals target high-end SUVs and pick-up trucks? 

You may be wondering why there are so many high-end SUVs and pickup trucks on these lists. The reason is simple – these are extremely popular vehicles for both regular drivers and criminals alike. They are also very popular overseas and fetch a top dollar for organized crime.

In Canada, we have seen a steady rise in demand for SUVs and trucks by Canadian drivers. Sales of SUVs and trucks now significantly eclipse the sedan market and according to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants, 86 per cent of all vehicles sold in Canada in May 2024 were classified as SUVs or pickup trucks. In fact, the top 5 best-selling vehicles in Canada as of October 2024 are all SUVs and trucks:

1. GMC Sierra/Chevrolet Silverado: 86,321 (Truck)
2. Toyota RAV4: 57,763 (SUV)
3. Ram Series: 45,534 (Truck)
4. Honda CR-V: 41,874 (SUV)
5. Nissan Rogue: 26,973 (SUV)

The best selling sedan is the Honda Civic, which ranks in 6th place so far in 2024.

The rise in popularity naturally makes them a more valuable target for thieves. More popularity means greater demand, which makes these vehicles easier for thieves to fence and they have a higher return than a sedan would fetch.

Popular vehicles are also more attractive for criminals to use while committing crimes. The more common a car is, the more difficult it is for police to identify it was used in a crime. This provides the criminals with a potential advantage by increasing their chances of getting away with the crime.

When it comes to pick-up trucks like the Dodge Ram 1500 series (number 2 on the list), part of the attraction for thieves is the fact that they are not available for purchase in many countries overseas. Based on the simple law of supply and demand, the low supply of these vehicles overseas gives them a high resale value when they are smuggled to places where they are scarce.

These high theft rates contribute to the increasing costs associated with SUV and truck insurance these days.

Also read: How to check car insurance before buying a car

Whatever the reason a vehicle is stolen, the cost to both vehicle owners and the insurance industry is immense. The Canadian Financing and Leasing Association (CFLA) says a vehicle is stolen every six minutes in Canada at a cost of over $1 billion. Organized crime is at the centre of this increase in theft and it is putting a financial drain on more than just the insurance industry.

Why is the cost so high?

Not only is auto theft expensive for auto insurance companies, but it also affects social services and other industries. A stolen car needs to be reported to the police, who will spend time and money trying to track it down. If the vehicle is found, there’s a cost for repairing or replacing the vehicle. If the thieves are apprehended, there are costs associated with the justice system. If the car is involved in a collision and individuals are injured, there are hospital and recovery costs – the list goes on and on.

Why are stolen vehicles on the rise?

According to the CFLA report, organized crime has developed a lucrative business model that is driven by stolen vehicles. Unrecovered vehicles can be given a fake vehicle identification number (VIN) and resold to unsuspecting people domestically or overseas. These organized crime groups are able to ship and sell vehicles overseas at lucrative price, which more than makes up for the risk they take at stealing vehicles. Furthermore, they are benefiting from complications when Canadian police investigations become dependent on the resolve and cooperation of foreign authorities.

Also read: What if your stolen car is actually found?

If you’re in the market to buy one of the vehicles on the list, there’s a good chance your insurance premiums will be higher than it would be if you chose a vehicle less-likely to be stolen.

Auto insurance premiums are largely determined by the level of risk that an insurer assumes when providing a policy. In simple terms, the more likely it is that an insurer will have to pay out a claim, the more they charge for the insurance coverage to offset this risk. This is why premiums are often higher for vehicles that are more likely to be stolen or why it can cost more to insure vehicles in specific cities across Canada due to theft.

When a vehicle is stolen, it costs the insurance company money. If they see a trend of one particular model being stolen more frequently than another or one specific region experiencing higher levels of theft, they’ll want to offset the risk – and they can do this by charging higher premiums. 

There are always exceptions to the rule, and there are many factors that come into play when calculating car insurance premiums. Age, gender and driving history will always affect how much you pay, but when you’re searching for cheap car insurance, remember that the type of vehicle you purchase can have an impact on your premiums.

It’s also important to know which type of coverage you need when purchasing auto insurance. In order to protect your vehicle from theft you will need comprehensive car insurance coverage. Just like collision insurance, it is an optional coverage (in most provinces) that you can seek to add to your policy at an additional cost. Comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle when it is not in use/parked from a number of named perils, such as theft. With auto thefts on the rise, having comprehensive car insurance added to your policy is worth it – especially if you have one of the vehicles we’ve listed above.

When purchasing a new vehicle, it’s always a good idea to compare car insurance quotes beforehand and budget for the costs in your monthly expenses. Buying a car is a huge investment, and you don’t want to find yourself surprised by the monthly premiums you’ll have to keep paying to keep your car on the road.

If you are in the market for one of the more commonly stolen vehicles, it’s also advisable to take additional anti-theft security steps to deter thieves. There are a number of proactive measures you can take to help mitigate your vehicles exposure to theft.

Consider the following anti-theft measures:

• Parking in a private garage versus a driveway
• Adding a steering vehicle lock can deter thieves
• Installing anti-theft devices (e.g. car alarm) and vehicle tracking systems (e.g. TAG)
• Building security bollards into your driveway (i.e. retractible or removable barricades)

Remember, every action you take to protect your vehicle reflects favourably on your insurance application as well.

Replacing a stolen vehicle isn’t cheap, and driving one that is more likely to be stolen (e.g. a 2021 Toyota Highlander) can increase the cost of your car insurance. If you’re shopping for a new ride, make sure to double-check the top 10 stolen vehicle lists in your region beforehand, so you can ensure you’re making the best decision for you and your family. But, if you do opt for one of the listed vehicles, don't forget to take proactive measures to limit your financial risk, including purchasing a comprehensive car insurance policy.

Also read

• 7 car security tips to prevent car theft
• How stolen vehicle trends can impact your auto insurance
• Auto-theft tracking devices and car insurance 
• What is car insurance fraud?