By Dave Bean, FMW Associate Editor
September 6, 2023
When Dodge created their new generation of muscle cars, complete with design cues from earlier incarnations and growling engines to match, they hoped the vehicles would be a hit with auto buyers seeking to quench a particular nostalgic thirst. These updated versions have succeeded in that quest.
The problem is, once the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat and Dodge Charger HEMI are purchased and brought home, it’s a challenge to keep them there – thanks to auto thieves who have been appropriating them at a record setting pace. These two Dodge models have the dubious distinction of, once again, headlining the Highway Loss Data Institute’s (HLDI) roster of most-stolen vehicles in their whole-vehicle theft report for model years 2020 through 2022.
“If you own a Hellcat, you better check your driveway,” said HLDI Senior Vice President Matt Moore. “These numbers are unbelievable.”
How unbelievable? The Charger SRT Hellcat was stolen a remarkable 60 times greater than the average for all new models available from 2020 through 2022. The Charger HEMI’s incredible rate of theft, at 20 times greater than average, seems practically quaint by comparison. Both Dodge models have remained within the top five of this infamous list since 2011, with the rate of recurrence ascending as rapidly as the vehicles themselves.
Dodge owners aren’t the only high-frequency auto theft victims. Luxury owners of BMW, Infiniti and Land Rover find they need to be extra vigilant about maintaining possession of their vehicles, as well. Even non-luxury models from Honda, Kia and Nissan are being appropriated by car thieves at figures well above average.
For Kia, and other cars from parent company Hyundai, a very specific issue exists which does not help owners maintain possession of their cars. It seems that once word got out that many Kia and Hyundai models were manufactured without the benefit of electronic immobilizers, odds of success were tilted in favor of the bad guys. Perhaps this issue will be rectified by the time HLDI releases its next auto theft report.
Top 10 Most Frequently Stolen Vehicles
- Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat
- Dodge Charger HEMI
- Infiniti Q50
- Dodge Challenger
- Land Rover Range Rover 4WD
- Kia Sportage
- Land Rover Range Rover Sport 4WD
- Kia Sportage 4WD
- Honda CR-V 4WD
- BMW X6 4WD
Conversely, owners of various Tesla, Volvo and General Motors models can sleep well, knowing that their vehicles will likely be found safe and secure in the driveway when they wake up in the morning. These automakers manufacture some of the least stolen vehicles, as reflected in HLDI’s 2020-2022 whole-vehicle theft report.
Top 10 Least Frequently Stolen Vehicles
- Tesla Model 3 4WD
- Tesla Model Y 4WD
- Volvo XC90 4WD
- GMC Acadia 4WD
- Tesla Model X 4WD
- Volvo XC40 4WD
- Tesla Model 3
- Chevrolet Trailblazer 4WD
- Lexus UX 250 Hybrid 4WD
- Volvo XC60 4WD
For more information, please visit iihs.org
