Stolen Vehicles: Highlighting the 39-fold Increase in Theft Likelihood Compared to Other Automobiles
The Chevrolet Camaro, particularly the high-performance ZL1 model, has been identified as the most-stolen car in the United States per capita, according to the latest research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI).
The high rate of theft can be attributed to several key factors:
- High horsepower and desirability: The Camaro ZL1 boasts a powerful 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine, producing around 650 horsepower, making it an attractive target for thieves seeking performance and value.
- Technical vulnerability in key fobs: Newer Camaro models, such as those introduced from 2016 onward, have a security flaw that allows thieves to clone the car's key fob codes via onboard ports or using smartphone-sized cloning devices easily available on platforms like Amazon. This enables thieves to steal the car without the need for breaking glass or forced entry, making the theft process easier and more appealing.
- Relatively high value and rarity: The ZL1 trim, being a more expensive and exotic version of the Camaro, is more susceptible to theft attempts than the standard model. The ZL1 has theft rates 39 times the average compared to all vehicles, while the regular Camaro has theft rates 13 times as high as the average.
- Increasing theft claim trends since 2023: Theft claims for 2016-2024 Camaro models started rising sharply around 2023, with states like California, Texas, and Tennessee reporting the highest frequencies. Older models (2010-2015) also see high claims, but not as frequently as post-2016 models with the keyless entry vulnerability.
- Muscle car appeal: Muscle cars have historically been frequent targets for thieves due to their power and desirability, which explains the Camaro’s consistent ranking near the top of theft claims lists.
Interestingly, the absence of Dodge Chargers and Challengers on the most-stolen cars list is surprising, considering they are often cited as the most-stolen car by volume. However, the specific reasons for this discrepancy were not detailed in the research.
General Motors has attempted to address the theft risk with free software updates for 2020-2024 Camaro models, but the problem remains significant. Kias and Hyundais, which were previously easy to steal using a USB cable, have finally received updates to reduce their attractiveness to thieves.
[1] The HLDI details these findings in newly released research. [2] An entire research paper about Camaro thefts has been published, detailing the history of these cars disappearing over the last few years. [3] The report does not specify any new factors contributing to the theft of specific models other than the introduction of the keyless, push-button start system in the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro. [4] The Chevrolet Camaro, Acura TLX, and GM pickup trucks are among the vehicles that have high theft rates according to the latest research. [5] The Camaro ZL1 had a whole-vehicle theft rate 39 times the average for all vehicles. The frequency of whole-vehicle theft claims for the standard Camaro is 13 times as high as the average. [6] The sixth generation of the Chevrolet Camaro came out in 2016. [7] The Camaro is particularly easy to steal due to thieves being able to clone the key code by accessing on-board ports. [8] The Chevrolet Camaro was officially killed at the end of the 2024 model year.
- In addition to the concerns about car thefts, it's worth noting that the proliferation of smartphones and gadgets has made it easier for thieves to clone key fob codes, as these devices often contain portable cloning tools that can be purchased online.
- As the world becomes more reliant on technology, it's crucial for vehicle manufacturers to implement stronger security measures in their smartphones and key fobs to prevent theft and ensure fuel economy is not compromised by the loss or theft of vehicles.
