Buying a new vehicle should be exciting, but some newer models attract thieves at much higher rates than others. According to Highway Loss Data Institute data covering 2022 to 2024 models insured in 2024, several vehicles recorded theft claim rates well above average.
This guide examines six of them, including the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Acura TLX 4WD, Chevrolet Camaro, GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 4WD, and Chevrolet Silverado 3500 4WD, to help buyers better understand the risks before making a purchase.
This guide explains what the figures mean, why certain models may be more attractive to thieves, and how owners can reduce their risk. Keep in mind that 100 represents the average in this dataset, so a score of 1,000 indicates a theft claim rate roughly ten times higher than average. Understanding these numbers can help you make smarter decisions and take practical steps to protect your vehicle.
1. Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 tops this list with a supplied relative theft claim frequency of 3,949. That figure places it far above the reference level used in the data, making it a model worth examining for buyers who want a high-performance sports car.
Why would thieves target a car like this? The ZL1 combines a powerful engine, performance hardware, and a market position that can make certain components valuable to unauthorized resellers.
Its distinctive styling and enthusiast appeal may also make it attractive to criminals looking for a vehicle they can sell or dismantle.
The supplied information mentions cloned key fobs as a potential theft method. However, that claim should not be treated as a confirmed explanation for the ZL1’s specific theft frequency without model-specific evidence.
Electronic theft methods vary, and a high claim rate alone cannot establish how a vehicle was stolen. Owners can still take sensible precautions.
Keep keys away from exterior doors and windows, use a signal-blocking pouch if the vehicle uses a vulnerable keyless-entry system, and park in a locked garage whenever possible.
A visible steering-wheel lock, professionally installed immobilizer, or compatible tracking device may provide another layer of protection.
Before buying a ZL1, check its security features and ask the dealer about available anti-theft updates. Insurance quotes are also worth obtaining early, since theft exposure can affect coverage costs.
2. Acura TLX 4WD
Taking second place is an unexpected entry, a luxury sedan. The Acura TLX 4WD recorded a relative theft claim frequency of 2,138, roughly 21 times the average rate. Its 2WD counterpart also ranked among the top five with a score of 805, although it is not included in this list.
Why do thieves go after it? The supplied note says high resale value and performance parts that are easy to strip and resell. That’s a plausible explanation, but HLDI’s report doesn’t state a cause for the TLX in what I found, so treat it as a theory.
What can we say for sure? The TLX is a large luxury car, and HLDI found that expensive or high-horsepower models dominate the top of its list. Whole-vehicle theft means the car itself is taken, which separates this metric from break-ins and parts theft.
What should owners do? Park in a garage or a well-lit, busy spot. Use a steering wheel lock. Consider an aftermarket tracker, and ask a dealer whether any software or security updates apply to your VIN. Keep your fob away from doors and windows, perhaps in a signal-blocking pouch.
Also check your insurance, since theft coverage depends on carrying comprehensive coverage.
3. Chevrolet Camaro (base model)
Don’t let the “base model” label fool you. The standard Chevrolet Camaro posts a relative claim frequency of 1,287, which is 13 times the average. It ranks third on HLDI’s list.
The supplied note points to sports car desirability and high-value components. HLDI offers more detail. Its analysis found claim frequency for 2016 and newer Camaros peaked in March 2024 at 18.3 claims per 1,000 insured vehicle years, compared with about 1.3 for 2010 to 2015 models.
In other words, the problem is concentrated in newer cars, and it rose sharply in 2023 and 2024.
HLDI said the vulnerability may be linked to the fob cloning flaw affecting 2016 and newer models with push-button start. That helps explain why a mainstream sports car, not just the ZL1, shows up here.
For owners, three steps matter. Get the free GM software update if your 2020 to 2024 Camaro qualifies. Add physical deterrents. And store the fob carefully at home.
If you’re shopping used, ask whether the update was installed, and ask your insurer how theft risk affects your quote.
4. GMC Sierra 2500 Crew Cab 4WD
The GMC Sierra 2500 Crew Cab with four-wheel drive has a supplied relative theft claim frequency of 1,023. Unlike the sports cars listed above, this heavy-duty pickup serves drivers who may need towing capacity, substantial hauling capability, or a roomy cabin for work and family transportation.
Those same practical features can make heavy-duty trucks attractive to thieves. Large pickups contain valuable components, and certain body panels, wheels, tailgates, and mechanical parts can be expensive to replace.
A stolen truck may also be targeted for resale or dismantling, although the supplied data does not establish which motive accounts for this model’s ranking.
A high theft claim frequency should prompt careful security planning, especially for owners who regularly park a work truck at job sites, in open driveways, or in commercial lots overnight.
Begin with simple precautions by always locking your truck, removing spare keys from the vehicle, and parking in a secure area whenever possible. For added protection, consider using a heavy-duty steering-wheel lock or having a qualified professional install an aftermarket immobilizer to make theft more difficult.
Owners who depend on their trucks for work may also consider a tracking system that can assist with locating the vehicle after a theft.
Check whether the truck’s factory security features operate properly, and ask an authorized service department about available updates. Insurance coverage deserves attention, too.
Confirm the policy’s theft protection, deductible, and treatment of permanently installed work equipment.
The Sierra 2500’s ranking is not proof that every truck is equally vulnerable. Vehicle security, parking arrangements, location, and owner habits all affect the level of exposure.
5. GMC Sierra 3500 Crew Cab 4WD
A supplied relative theft claim frequency of 742 puts the GMC Sierra 3500 Crew Cab with four-wheel drive fifth on this list. As a heavy-duty pickup, it may serve commercial operators, towing enthusiasts, contractors, and households that need more capability than a standard passenger vehicle can provide.
The truck’s market value and useful components may make it attractive to criminals seeking vehicles or parts for resale. Heavy-duty pickups can contain costly engines, driveline components, wheels, tailgates, and body panels.
However, the claim-frequency figure does not prove that organized theft rings specifically target the Sierra 3500 or that any single component drives its ranking.
For an owner, the practical question is how to protect a vehicle that may spend long periods parked away from home. Worksites, hotel lots, storage areas, and unmonitored driveways can create opportunities if basic security is neglected.
Choose well-lit parking, lock the doors, and keep keys in a secure place. If the truck is used for business, establish a consistent procedure for securing it after work.
A compatible GPS tracker, additional alarm, or professionally installed immobilizer may provide another layer of protection.
Owners should also record the vehicle identification number (VIN), photograph the truck, and keep copies of purchase documents and insurance information in a safe place.
These records can help when reporting a theft or making an insurance claim. Before purchasing, compare insurance costs and ask about approved security devices.
A truck’s performance and the proportion of domestic or imported parts do not directly determine how likely it is to be stolen. The provided index offers one useful data point, but it should be considered alongside other factors when assessing a truck’s theft risk.
6. Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Crew Cab 4WD
The Chevrolet Silverado 3500 crew cab with four-wheel drive completes the list with a supplied relative theft claim frequency of 662.
Like the GMC Sierra 3500, it belongs to the heavy-duty pickup category, where vehicle value and the cost of replacement components can make theft prevention especially important.
Large pickups may be sought for resale, dismantling, or the sale of individual parts. Tailgates, doors, wheels, engines, and other components can be costly, though the provided figure does not establish which parts or theft methods are most closely associated with this specific model.
The Silverado’s ranking is a useful reminder that a new vehicle is not automatically protected simply because it has modern locks and electronic security. No single measure can prevent every theft, so layered precautions are a sensible approach.
Park in a locked garage when possible, keep the keys secure, and avoid leaving the truck running unattended. Consider a visible steering-wheel lock or a professionally fitted tracking system, especially if the vehicle is essential to your business.
If you regularly park at a jobsite, ask whether secure overnight parking is available. Keep the VIN and recent photographs somewhere separate from the vehicle.
If the truck is stolen, contact law enforcement and your insurer promptly, and provide the identifying information they request.
Shoppers should verify the truck’s current recall status and test its security equipment before buying. Insurance premiums, deductibles, and coverage for permanently installed accessories should also be reviewed.
The supplied data places the Silverado 3500 among the vehicles with high relative theft claim frequency in the studied group. It does not mean theft is inevitable. A well-secured truck, careful parking, and appropriate insurance can help owners prepare for the risk.
