After four years of surging vehicle thefts, the number of stolen vehicles in the United States fell to pre-pandemic levels in 2024, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). There were 850,708 vehicles stolen nationwide last year, a 17% decrease from the historic peak of 1,020,729 thefts in 2023 — marking the largest annual decrease in stolen vehicles in the last 40 years.
Despite the decrease, approximately one vehicle is still stolen every 37 seconds in the U.S. according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, costing vehicle owners billions of dollars each year.
“Vehicle thefts and break-ins have been far too common in recent years, and typically spike in the summer,” said Lauren Fabrizi, spokesperson for AAA Northeast. “But by putting the proper protections in place, thieves are less likely to take off with your car or valuable items inside.”
AAA Northeast recommends the following to prevent vehicle thefts:
- Roll up your windows and lock your car when parked.
- Remove the keys and any valuables.
- Store key fobs as far away from your car as possible and consider putting them in a metal container to prevent a signal boosting attack.
- Park in well-lit areas and/or areas visible to you or protected by security cameras.
- Never leave your car running unattended.
- If your car isn’t equipped with an anti-theft system, consider purchasing security devices for further protection, including:
- Vehicle immobilizers
- Steering wheel locks
- Brake pedal locks
- Theft deterrent decals
- Audible alarms
- GPS trackers
Immediately reporting a stolen vehicle in the first 24 hours increases your chance of recovery by 34%, according to the NICB. Once you’ve filed a police report, notify your insurance company about the theft. Have information ready including your vehicle’s make and model, license plate number and vehicle identification number (VIN).
State-specific data:
In Connecticut, there were 8,725 reported motor vehicle thefts in 2024, according to Connecticut State Police. The latest FBI data shows that nearly 40% of vehicle thefts in Connecticut took place from May to August.
In New York, there were 31,865 reported motor vehicle thefts in 2024, according to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. The latest FBI data shows that nearly 39% of vehicle thefts in New York took place from May to August.
In New Jersey, there were 16,970 reported motor vehicle thefts in 2023, according to the latest FBI data. Roughly 38% of those thefts took place from May to August.
In Massachusetts, there were 7,540 reported motor vehicle thefts in 2024, according to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. The latest FBI data shows that over 38% of vehicle thefts in Massachusetts took place from May to August.
In Rhode Island, there were 1,368 reported motor vehicle thefts in 2024, according to Rhode Island State Police. The latest FBI data shows that over 35% of vehicle thefts in Rhode Island took place from June to September.
