A high-performance muscle car is the most commonly stolen car in America, according to a new report.
The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 tops the list for America’s most stolen vehicle for 2022-2024 models, according to new research from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDA).
It is 39 times more commonly stolen than the national average for all vehicles. The standard Camaro was 13 times higher than average.
While vehicle theft claims don’t distinguish between full vehicle versus partial theft, the report’s methodology considered the monetary value lost as result of the theft. Aside from Camaros, trucks, high-horsepower and expensive models rank highly on the list.
“Muscle cars have often topped this list, as thieves are attracted to vehicles with high horsepower,” said Matt Moore, chief insurance operations officer at HLDI and IIHS. “That also helps explain why the more expensive, more powerful ZL1 is stolen so much more often than the standard Camaro.”
Camaro thefts declined after the introduction of push-button start systems in 2016. However, thefts began to rise again in 2023, peaking in March 2024, according to a separate analysis by HLDI. That month, there were 18.3 theft claims per 1,000 insured Camaros from models years 2016 to 2024.
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“We expect powerful and high-value vehicles to be targeted, and these models check both these boxes,” Moore said. “But it stood out to us that Camaros nearly 10 years old had such high claim frequencies.”
Last year, California ranked highest in the frequency of theft claims for these vehicles. Tennessee, Mississippi, Maryland and Texas followed.
To combat theft, in March 2025, General Motors introduced a software update for 2020 to 2024 Camaro models.
While the reports said there’s no available data on the effectiveness of the software update, a similar software worked for Hyundai and Kia. Thefts subsided 46%.
Whole vehicle theft claims were 52% less common for vehicles with the upgrade.
“This intervention showed dramatic results right off the bat, offering owners some peace of mind,” Moore said. “Owners who still haven’t gotten the software upgrade should do so immediately, as it’s the best way to protect their vehicle.”