Illinois named 3rd-worst state for vehicle thefts. These 10 models are most stolen
National vehicle theft rates have recently seen a “historic decline,” according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, but Illinois reported the third-greatest number of stolen vehicles last year.
Chicagoland is where most of the state’s motor vehicle thefts occur, although the metro-east is not immune to the crime. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan area was ranked third for the number of vehicle thefts by metro area in 2025, with 24,299 reported in that area and a total of 28,327 reported statewide.
“Nearly all U.S. states, counties and metro areas experienced significant declines in vehicle thefts from 2024 to 2025,” NICB spokesperson Nicholas Zeitlinger told the News-Democrat in a recent email.
Across the U.S., vehicle theft rates declined by 23% from 2024 to 2025, and Illinois’ rate declined by 18% over the same period.
Out of nine Illinois metro areas with local-specific NICB data, the Carbondale-Marion area was the only one to see vehicle theft rates increase from 2024 to 2025, but it was a marginal change, from nine reported vehicle thefts to 10.
“Coordinated prevention efforts by law enforcement, auto manufacturers, insurance companies, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau are having a major impact on vehicle thefts nationwide,” NICB President and CEO David J. Glawe said in a March 18 press release. “But with several hundreds of thousands of vehicles stolen in a single year, vigilance and prevention efforts remain key to protecting families, businesses and communities nationwide.”
Here’s what to know about the vehicle models most often stolen in Illinois, plus tips on how to protect your car.
10 most commonly stolen vehicles in Illinois last year
Here’s how the most commonly stolen vehicles compared in 2025 for Illinois, according to NICB:
1. Hyundai Elantra: 1,125 reported thefts
2. Jeep Grand Cherokee: 1,047
3. Hyundai Sonata: 914
4. Honda Accord: 592
5. Kia Optima: 532
6. Nissan Maxima: 520
7. Chevrolet Malibu: 460
8. Toyota Camry: 450
9. Kia Sportage: 434
10. Dodge Charger: 429
Some of these models were also among the most commonly stolen in the previous year in Illinois. The top 10 vehicles most subject to theft in the state in 2024 included the Jeep Grand Cherokee (1,615 reported thefts), Hyundai Elantra (1,531), Hyundai Sonata (1,235), Dodge Durango (749), Kia Optima (737), Dodge Charger (724), Kia Soul (588), Infiniti Q50 (586), Toyota Camry (571) and Nissan Maxima (568).
How common is vehicle theft in Belleville?
Similarly to the state and national trends, Belleville has seen a decline in motor vehicle theft rates in recent years.
The Belleville Police Department reported 181 vehicle thefts in 2023, 141 in 2024, 89 in 2025 and 26 through April of this year.
You can report non-emergency vehicle thefts to the Belleville Police Department by calling 618-234-1212.
How to protect your vehicle from theft
More than 850,000 vehicles across the U.S. were stolen in 2024, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports, and summer is the “worst season” for vehicle theft.
The simplest way to help decrease the risk of your car being stolen is to make sure to lock it and take your key with you, according to the NHTSA. You should also close and lock all windows and doors when you park and park in well-lit areas when possible.
Along with cars themselves and vehicle parts, items such as purses, laptops, cell phones and other valuables are also common targets, according to the NHTSA, so it’s a good idea to avoid leaving important items in your vehicle, especially if they’re visible.
You may also consider installing an anti-theft device, such as alarms, steering wheel locks, immobilizing devices or vehicle recovery systems.
If your vehicle is stolen, the NHTSA advises taking the following steps:
- File a stolen-vehicle report to your local police department and be sure to keep a copy of the report and/or case number. You may be asked for your vehicle’s license plate number, make, model, color, vehicle identification number and any other identifying characteristics.
- Within 24 hours, file a claim with your insurance company.
- If you find your vehicle, immediately contact the police department and your insurance company.
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