Car theft in Toronto and Canada in general is off the charts!
High-end rides, pick-up trucks, SUVs, and luxury cars are still prime targets, but now the thieves are getting even pickier.
In the past, they mostly went after models from 2016 to 2021. But now, they’re managing to swipe even the newest cars, causing even more headaches for car owners.
Why? Because car thieves have stepped up their game. They’re using sneakier and more daring methods, from quietly boosting key fob signals to outright violent carjackings.
There’s a huge international demand for these cars, and organized crime groups are jumping at the chance to cash in. They’ve gotten good at cramming stolen cars into cargo containers and shipping them out through ports in Toronto and Montreal.
Peel Police say auto theft is fast becoming one of the biggest moneymakers for organized crime. Crazy, right?
Curious About the Most Stolen Cars in Toronto?
In 2022, the Toronto Police Service reported a whopping 9,771 auto thefts in the city. That’s a big jump from the 6,572 reported in 2021. If you’re wondering which neighborhood experiences the most impact, it’s West Humber-Clairville.
It is estimated that auto theft claims in 2023 touched $1.5 billion out of which $1 billion was in Ontario as reported by the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
Out of the major cities in Ontario, Toronto, had the highest number of auto theft claims costs of $371,815,072 in 2023 compared to $56,223,067 in 2018, a staggering 561% increase.
CityNews mentioned that the York Regional Police kicked off an auto theft prevention campaign called “Operation Auto Guard” in September 2023. Since then, vehicle thefts have shot up by almost 50% compared to the previous year. Crazy, right?
To put it in perspective, compared to 2019, York Region is on track for a jaw-dropping 200% increase in auto thefts. The top five vehicles on the hit list in the York Region are the Toyota Highlander, Lexus RX350, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Ram 1500, and GMC Yukon.
According to Police Chief McSween, nearly 3,300 cars have been stolen in York Region just this year. These rising thefts could drive up car insurance costs in Toronto.
So, what are the top 10 most stolen vehicles in Toronto, according to the CityNews Data Portal? Here’s the list:
| No. | Make/Model | Most Often Stolen Model Year | # of Vehicles Insured | # of Thefts | Theft Rate/Frequency (%) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota Highlander | 2021 | 123,532 | 3,414 | 2.76% | SUV |
| 2 | Dodge Ram 1500 Series | 2022 | 524,837 | 3,078 | 0.59% | Truck |
| 3 | Lexus RX Series | 2022 | 96,400 | 3,037 | 3.15% | SUV |
| 4 | Honda CR-V | 2021 | 487,962 | 2,988 | 0.61% | SUV |
| 5 | Toyota RAV4 | 2021 | 507,451 | 2,690 | 0.53% | SUV |
| 6 | Honda Civic | 2019 | 697,143 | 1,654 | 0.24% | Car |
| 7 | Jeep Wrangler | 2021 | 141,379 | 1,641 | 1.16% | SUV |
| 8 | Land Rover Range Rover Series | 2020 | 34,615 | 1,533 | 4.43% | SUV |
| 9 | Chevrolet/GMC Suburban/Yukon/Tahoe Series | 2023 | 62,877 | 1,488 | 2.37% | SUV |
| 10 | Chevrolet/GMC Silverado/Sierra 1500 Series | 2006 | 595,765 | 1,383 | 0.23% | Truck |
Car Thefts in Ontario and Alberta
So, data from the IBC every year to put together a list of the most stolen cars in Ontario and Alberta. But, you know, there are differences depending on the region.
According to the Équité Association, a car is stolen every five minutes, adding up to a whopping 105,000 cars snatched across the country. In Ontario, thefts have skyrocketed by nearly 50% from 2021 to 2023.
The cars that get stolen the most in Ontario and Alberta aren’t the same as the ones that top the national list.
Most Stolen Cars in Ontario
In 2022, a whopping 55% of all car thefts involved luxurious rides. We can see that the Honda CR-V Series is the most stolen car in Ontario, which indicates how big of a problem that is.
When it comes to the type of vehicle the most stolen cars in Ontario are high-end SUVs, according to a CBC report.
It seems that local thieves have a thing for this type of vehicle.
Here is the table recreated for clarity:
| Rank | Make/Model | Year | Type | Thefts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Land Rover Range Rover Series | 2022 | SUV | 1,411 |
| 2 | Land Rover Defender Series | 2022 | SUV | 112 |
| 3 | Cadillac Escalade Series | 2021 | SUV | 430 |
| 4 | Lexus RX Series | 2021 | SUV | 2,852 |
| 5 | Chevrolet/GMC Suburban/Yukon/Tahoe Series | 2022 | SUV | 1,136 |
| 6 | Toyota Highlander | 2022 | SUV | 2,838 |
| 7 | Jeep Gladiator | 2023 | Truck | 175 |
| 8 | Lexus GX Series | 2022 | SUV | 92 |
| 9 | Jaguar F-PACE | 2020 | SUV | 141 |
| 10 | Mercedes-Benz G-Class | 2019 | SUV | 58 |
Auto Thefts Spike in Ontario in 2023
Toronto, being a major export hub, has seen a surge in car thefts. Ontario led the country with over 30,000 thefts in 2023, according to Équité’s latest Auto Theft Trend Report.
In Toronto alone, police reported more than 12,000 stolen vehicles in 2023. That’s up from 28,131 in 2022 to 20,134, marking an over 7% increase.
The situation has become so dire that the Ontario government, in its 2024 budget, promised $49 million to help police specifically tackle car theft.
They’re also spending another $46 million to buy four helicopters to boost patrols.
What Happens if Your Car Is Recovered?
Not all stolen cars vanish forever. In 2023, the national recovery rate for stolen vehicles was 54%. However, the chances of getting your car back vary by region.
Ontario and Quebec recover the fewest stolen cars, with rates of 44% and 37%, likely because thieves quickly ship the cars overseas.
As Canada experiences rapid population growth, the largest in the past 67 years, Western Canada recovers 77% of stolen cars, while the Atlantic provinces recover 67%.
So, what happens if authorities recover your stolen car after you’ve filed a claim?
- Claim Filed but Not Settled: If your claim is still in process, you can update it with your insurance company. Essentially, you get your car back. If it comes back damaged, you can file a claim for the repair costs.
- Claim Filed and Settled: If the insurance company settles your claim, deeming your car a write-off and paying you its actual cash value (minus the deductible), there’s not much you can do. The insurer takes ownership of the car. However, they will return any personal items left in the vehicle to you.
Methodology
We compiled the information regarding car theft in Toronto and across Canada by conducting a comprehensive review of multiple reports, data sets, and insights from reputable sources, including the Équité Association, police departments, and government statements.
First, we gathered crime statistics from local police reports, such as those from the Toronto Police Service and York Regional Police, which provided concrete figures for recent auto thefts. This data clearly represented the rising trends in car thefts across various neighborhoods and regions.
In addition to official crime reports, we sourced information from the latest studies on car theft conducted by insurance associations like the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), which regularly publishes lists of the most stolen vehicles.
These reports highlighted the types of cars targeted and identified patterns across different regions, such as Ontario and Alberta. To gain deeper insights into the international aspect of car theft, we analyzed reports from news outlets like CBC and CityNews, which detailed how organized crime groups smuggle stolen cars out of the country.
We also drew from government actions, including budget allocations to combat rising thefts, from official provincial statements and budget reports, particularly those from the Ontario government in 2024. Finally, I reviewed police strategies, such as Operation Auto Guard, to understand the preventive measures being implemented to address the growing threat.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, the list of the top most stolen vehicles in Toronto for 2024 highlights some clear trends in vehicle theft patterns.
SUVs, particularly models like the Honda CR-V and Lexus RX Series, dominate the rankings, reflecting their popularity and desirability on the black market.
With all of this in mind, it is clear that car owners should be vigilant, taking precautions such as installing advanced security systems, parking in well-lit areas, and considering anti-theft devices. Staying informed about theft trends can help mitigate risks and reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim.
References:
- CityNews – Which Vehicles Are Most Targeted in Auto Thefts in York Region?
- CTV News – Police Launch New Campaign After Vehicle Thefts Almost Double in York Region
- Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) – End Auto Theft
- Équité Association – 2023 Auto Theft Trend Report
- CBC – Most Stolen Cars in Canada
- Newswire – Équité Association’s 2023 Auto Theft Trend Report
- Toronto Police Service – Auto Theft Data
