The top 10 most stolen vehicles in Canada

With files from James Battiston and Samantha Kohn.

This post was originally published on January 5, 2022, and was updated on July 31,2025.

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 theft trends in Canada continued to rise in 2022 and reached new highs in 2023. This resulted in $1.5 billion in auto theft-related claims, 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 and 2021, auto theft claims costs averaged $556 million annually. 

Fast forward to the first half of 2024, and the cost of claims reached approximately $544.7 million in just six months, which would put 2024 on pace for the 3rd consecutive year, surpassing $1 billion in claims cost. With this data trend, it’s clear 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 has not yet been released as of this posting.

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

What are the 10 most stolen vehicles in Canada?

These are the makes and models that were most stolen in Canada in 2023.

Check out the top 10 stolen vehicles by province

These are the makes and models that were most stolen in each individual provincial region. All maritime provinces have been grouped under the Atlantic provinces designation. You will notice regional differences in the make/model and types of vehicles being stolen.

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 comparing your regional data with the country-wide data, as both will have an impact on your insurance and should be considered during a potential vehicle purchase.

As well, the year of the vehicle may vary, and the fact that certain models are targeted more frequently is worth noting. In addition, stolen vehicle trends often influence how insurance providers assess risk and calculate your premiums. Vehicles that are frequently a target of auto theft typically have higher insurance costs. Let’s dig a little deeper. 

Why do criminals target high-end SUVs and pickup 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 top dollar for organized crime.

In Canada, we have seen a steady rise in demand for SUVs and trucks by Canadian drivers. According to Canadian Auto Dealer, a report from DesRosiers Automotive Consultants (DAC) shows that light trucks and SUVs made up 88.1% of total new light vehicle sales in Q1 2025, a 4.7% increase compared to Q1 2024. Intermediate luxury and large luxury SUVs saw a sales boost of 18.9% and 14.9%, with small pickups up by 89.6% and large pickups up by 5%.

In fact, the top five best-selling vehicles in Canada are all SUVs and trucks: 

#1: Ford F Series (Truck)

#2: Toyota RAV-4 (SUV) 

#3: GMC Sierra (Truck) 

#4: Honda CR-V (SUV)

#5: RAM 1500 (Truck)

The best-selling sedan is the Honda Civic, which ranks in 9th place on the list. 

The rise in popularity naturally makes trucks and SUVS 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 whether it was used in a crime, providing criminals with a potential advantage.

These high theft rates contribute to the increasing costs associated with SUV insurance 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. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, Canada-wide auto theft claims total approximately $544.7 million in the first half of 2024. While these numbers are 28.8% lower compared to the same period in 2023, the financial impact remains significant and will cost the industry over a billion dollars annually. Organized crime lies at the centre of the 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.

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 they 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.

But 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.

To highlight the difference, we ranked the top 10 most stolen vehicles in Canada by their auto insurance cost:

The driver profile is based on a 35-year-old male with a clean driving record in Etobicoke, Ontario, insured with $1,000 comprehensive and collision deductible, $1,000,000 in liability coverage and no bundling or telematics. 

The cost of the premiums is largely determined by the make and model of the car. In our example, the same driver profile is paying significantly more for a 2020 Land Rover compared to a 2006 GMC Sierra. 

To put these premiums into perspective, here’s how much more you could pay in insurance if you drive a frequently stolen vehicle over a comparable, less-targeted model. 

As shown in the table, vehicles on the most stolen list can cost significantly more in insurance than a car at less risk of auto theft. In some cases, you may see over a 50% increase, depending on the vehicle model. That’s why being mindful of the car you buy is important to keeping your insurance premiums affordable.

Also read: How stolen vehicle trends impact your auto insurance

It’s worth noting that some insurance companies apply a vehicle theft surcharge to frequently stolen cars that can range from $500 to $1500. In the case of driving a GMC Yukon, while premiums are lower, drivers may be subject to the surcharge. However, some providers may waive the fees if you install theft recovery devices.

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 vehicle's 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. retractable 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?