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.
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 and Quebec, thefts have skyrocketed by nearly 50% from 2021 to 2023.
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 really 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 gets hit the hardest, it’s West Humber-Clairville.
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? Here’s the list:
| Vehicle | 2021 Number of Thefts |
|---|---|
| Hyundai Elantra | 62 |
| Toyota Rav4 | 70 |
| Toyota Corolla | 123 |
| Honda Accord | 145 |
| Ford F150 | 176 |
| Toyota Highlander | 200 |
| Land Rover Range Rover | 225 |
| Honda Civic | 260 |
| Lexus Rx350 | 418 |
| Honda CR-V | 654 |
Thefts in Ontario and Alberta
So, data from the IBC every year to put together a list of the most stolen vehicles across the country. But, you know, there are differences depending on the region.
The cars that get stolen the most in Ontario and Alberta aren’t exactly the same as the ones that top the national list.
Most Stolen Vehicles in Ontario
In Ontario, thieves seem to have a thing for high-end SUVs. In 2022, a whopping 55% of all car thefts involved these fancy rides.
- 2020 Honda CR-V
- 2020 Lexus RX Series
- 2022 Dodge RAM 1500 Series
- 2021 Toyota Highlander
- 2020 Land Rover Range Rover
- 2020 Ford F-150 Series
- 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 2021 Jeep Wrangler
- 2019 Honda Civic
- 2021 Acura RDX
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 gotten so bad that the Ontario government, in its 2024 budget, promised $49 million to help police tackle car theft specifically. 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 have the lowest recovery rates, at 44% and 37% respectively, probably because stolen cars are quickly shipped overseas.
Amidst the rapid population growth in Canada, which saw its biggest increase in the last 67 years, Western Canada boasts a 77% recovery rate, and in the Atlantic provinces, 67% of stolen cars were found.
So, what happens if your stolen car is recovered after you’ve filed a claim?
There are two main scenarios:
- 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 your claim has been settled, meaning the insurance company has deemed your car a write-off and paid you its actual cash value (minus the deductible), you can’t do much. The car’s ownership transfers to the insurer. However, any personal items left in the car will be returned to you.
