Car theft is up 48% in Ontario — Here are the top 10 most stolen vehicles in the province
Heads up, Ontario drivers! Car theft is on the rise in the province, with a staggering 48% increase reported over the past two years. That's right — auto thefts are hitting record highs, and if you drive an SUV, you'll want to pay extra close attention.
A recent report from Équité Association highlights the most stolen vehicles in Ontario, and the top spot belongs to a popular SUV.
The Lexus RX Series has become a prime target, not just in Ontario but across Canada, thanks to its high resale value and desirability on international black markets, according to the association. A whopping 2,852 of these luxury SUVs were stolen in Ontario alone last year.
The Toyota Highlander — the most stolen vehicle in Canada — follows closely behind with 2,838 thefts in the province, while the Dodge Ram 1500 Series rounds out the top three with 1,977 stolen. SUVs dominate the list, making up over half (55%) of Ontario's stolen vehicles last year.
Here's the full breakdown of the top 10 most stolen vehicles in Ontario in 2023:
- Lexus RX Series — 2,852 thefts
- Toyota Highlander — 2,838 thefts
- Dodge Ram 1500 Series — 1,977 thefts
- Honda CR-V — 1,488 thefts
- Land Rover Range Rover Series — 1,411 thefts
- Chevrolet/GMC Suburban/Yukon/Tahoe Series — 1,136 thefts
- Jeep Wrangler — 1,106 thefts
- Toyota RAV4 — 999 thefts
- Honda Civic — 734 thefts
- Ford F150 Series — 557 thefts
Keep in mind that these lists are based on the overall number of thefts, so the most popular vehicles tend to rank higher simply because there are so many of them on the road. When theft frequency (as a percentage of total insured vehicles in the province) is considered, the Land Rover Range Rover Series tops the chart with an alarming 6.84% theft rate, followed by the Land Rover Defender Series at 6.46%.
A national problem
Ontario isn't alone in facing a car theft crisis. While the province saw a 48.2% increase between 2021 and 2023, Quebec's rise was even worse at 58%. Meanwhile, Atlantic Canada also saw a sizeable increase, with a 34% rise over that same period, and Western Canada wasn't immune either with a 5.5% increase.
According to the Équité Association, organized crime rings are largely responsible, focusing on newer and luxury models that can be quickly shipped overseas or resold domestically. In Ontario, most stolen vehicles are newer models, with 68% from 2017 or later. Organized crime rings target these high-value cars for quick overseas sales or resale, making luxury and keyless models particularly vulnerable.
Recovery rates also remain low — just 44% in Ontario — suggesting many vehicles are disappearing into international markets or being reVINed and sold locally, never to be found by law enforcement or their owners.
How to keep your ride safe
To combat these rising theft rates, Équité Association experts recommend taking a layered approach to security:
- Park smart: Use well-lit areas or secured parking.
- Invest in technology: Use tracking devices and immobilizers.
- Be vigilant: Lock your doors and avoid leaving keys near windows or doors at home.
With thefts soaring, a little extra effort can go a long way in protecting your vehicle from becoming the next statistic.
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