What Is the Most Stolen Item From a Car?

The catalytic converter is the most stolen item from cars today, targeted because it contains valuable precious metals that can be quickly resold for cash. Thieves favor converters for their high resale value, the speed of removal—often in a few minutes—and the relatively low risk compared to breaking into a locked cabin.

Why Catalytic Converters Top the List

Converters contain platinum, palladium, and rhodium—metals whose prices surged during recent supply-chain shocks. Even as commodity prices cooled, theft remains attractive: a cordless saw and a jack are often all that’s needed, and converters can be fenced to unscrupulous scrap buyers. The result is a crime that’s fast, noisy, and still widespread, with many police departments reporting peaks in 2021–2022 and continued incidents despite tighter laws in 2023–2025.

The Economics and Trendlines

Converter theft spiked across North America and parts of Europe during 2020–2022 when rhodium and palladium prices soared, and supply chains squeezed. Since then, a patchwork of state laws requiring documentation for scrap sales, targeted enforcement, and public awareness have helped tamp down numbers in many areas. Still, theft persists at meaningful levels because older vehicles, high-clearance trucks and SUVs, and popular hybrids remain attractive targets, and resale channels, though more constrained, still exist.

Vehicles Most Targeted

While any vehicle with a catalytic converter can be hit, thieves tend to favor models that are easy to access, have high-value converters, or are extremely common on the road.

• Hybrids with high precious-metal loads: Toyota Prius (especially older models), Lexus hybrid variants.
• Popular sedans: Honda Accord, Toyota Camry.
• Full-size pickups and work trucks: Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado, Ram 1500—higher ground clearance speeds removal.
• Compact trucks and SUVs: Toyota Tacoma, Ford Explorer, Honda CR‑V, Chevrolet Equinox and similar models.

Patterns vary by region—what’s most common on local roads shapes what thieves target—but hybrids and high-clearance vehicles consistently feature on police and insurer lists.

How Thieves Do It and Where It Happens

Most thefts occur curbside, in apartment lots, driveways, and even workplace parking areas. With a jack and a battery-powered reciprocating saw, removal can take 1–3 minutes. Some crews hit multiple vehicles on the same block. Victims typically discover a loud, roaring exhaust on startup, along with visible cut pipes under the car.

Prevention: What Actually Helps

No single tactic guarantees safety, but layering defenses reduces risk and can push opportunistic thieves to move on. Consider the following measures based on your vehicle, parking habits, and local risk.

• Install a catalytic converter shield/cage or have a shop weld additional security bars to complicate removal.
• Etch or engrave your VIN and paint the converter with high-heat, brightly colored paint; this aids tracing and can deter resale.
• Add an alarm with tilt/impact sensors or a dedicated converter alarm that triggers on cutting vibration.
• Park in garages or well-lit, camera-covered areas; position low-clearance sides near walls to limit access.
• Avoid long warm-ups or leaving vehicles idling unattended—noise and heat can draw attention.
• Check with your dealer or trusted shop for OEM or approved aftermarket shields specific to your model (common for Prius, trucks, and popular SUVs).
• Confirm comprehensive insurance coverage; theft of parts isn’t covered by liability-only policies.
• Coordinate with neighbors or building management for lighting, cameras, and signage; repeated hits often cluster geographically.

While these steps can’t eliminate risk, they increase time, effort, and visibility for thieves—key factors that lower the chance your car is chosen.

What Else Thieves Commonly Steal From Cars

Catalytic converters lead recent trends, but theft from the cabin and exterior remains common—often crimes of opportunity driven by visible valuables and quick resale items.

• Bags, wallets, and IDs—especially when left visible on seats or floors.
• Laptops, tablets, and smartphones, often snagged in seconds after a window smash.
• Firearms (in the U.S.), which are frequently stolen from unlocked vehicles.
• Airbags and steering wheels in certain models, resold into the gray market.
• Wheels and tires from vehicles left on blocks, as well as hubcaps on older models.
• License plates and registration stickers, used to mask stolen cars or dodge tolls.
• Exterior cameras, mirrors with integrated sensors, and engine control modules in newer vehicles.
• Third-row SUV seats (a recurring niche theft for some models).

Simple habits—locking doors, clearing the cabin of valuables, and using visible deterrents—still matter and can significantly cut the likelihood of a break-in.

Costs, Insurance, and Recovery

Replacing a catalytic converter typically ranges from about $1,000 to $3,000, and can exceed that for hybrids. Comprehensive auto insurance generally covers converter theft, minus your deductible; liability-only policies do not. File a police report promptly, document damage with photos, and provide any VIN-etching details. If your converter was marked or painted, police and scrap inspections have a better chance of tracing it. For interior thefts, serial numbers, device tracking, and quick reporting improve recovery odds.

The Bottom Line

The catalytic converter is the most stolen item from cars, driven by the value of the metals inside and the speed of theft. While recent crackdowns have curbed some activity, the crime persists. Layered prevention, smart parking, and proper insurance coverage remain your best defenses.

Summary

Most stolen item from a car: the catalytic converter, prized for its precious metals and ease of removal. Theft surged in 2020–2022 and, despite declines in some regions after new laws and enforcement, remains common. Hybrids and high-clearance trucks/SUVs are frequent targets. Practical protections include shields, VIN etching, alarms with tilt/impact sensors, careful parking, and comprehensive insurance. Inside-car thefts still occur—bags, electronics, airbags, and plates—so keep cabins clear and vehicles locked.

What’s the thing people steal from cars?

People steal car parts like catalytic converters (for precious metals), wheels and tires (for resale), airbags, headlights, and car batteries due to their high resale value and ease of removal. Thieves also steal the entire vehicle to sell it overseas, use it for another crime, or for a chop shop to be stripped for parts. Additionally, personal belongings such as electronics, purses, laptops, and money, as well as license plates to be used on other cars, are commonly stolen from vehicles.
 
Stolen Car Parts

• Catalytic Converters: These are stolen for the valuable precious metals (platinum, palladium, and rhodium) they contain. 
• Wheels and Tires: Due to their high cost and ease of resale, especially high-end or custom tires, these are a frequent target. 
• Airbags: These can be stolen and resold. 
• Headlights and Taillights: Similar to other components, these parts are valuable and easy to remove. 
• Car Batteries: Their cost and simple removal process make them a frequent target for thieves. 
• Third-Row Seats: On the rise, these are valuable and easy to remove from certain SUVs. 
• Emblems and Badges: Especially from luxury vehicles, these have high resale value. 

Entire Vehicles

• For Chop Shops: Cars are stolen to be stripped down for their various components, which are then sold to repair shops. 
• For Export: Vehicles are sometimes stolen to be sold to buyers in other countries. 
• For Other Crimes: A stolen vehicle can be used to commit further crimes. 

Personal Items and Accessories

• Electronics: Laptops, GPS systems, and other electronic devices left in a car are attractive targets. 
• Personal Information: Thieves may also steal personal items to gain access to sensitive information. 
• Loose Change and Valuables: Any money or valuable items left in plain sight, in the glove box, or center console are at risk. 
• License Plates: Thieves steal plates to use on their own unregistered vehicles. 

What is the most stolen item on a car?

9 Commonly Stolen Car Parts & Items: How to Theft-Proof Your Vehicle

1. Tires and Wheels. If you’ve bought new tires and/or wheels recently, you know they can get expensive.
2. Tailgates.
3. Batteries.
4. Catalytic Converters.
5. Airbags.
6. Third Row Seats.
7. Registration.
8. Garage Door Openers.

What car is hardest to steal?

Cars that are hardest to steal typically possess advanced electronic security systems like GPS tracking, digital immobilizers, and remote disabling features, making them difficult for thieves to hot-wire or bypass. Examples of models with these advanced features include the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, the Volvo XC60 and XC90, and various recent Lexus and Subaru models. Electric vehicles (EVs) in general tend to have lower theft rates due to integrated tracking systems and parking habits that often involve secure charging areas. 
Key Features That Make a Car Hard to Steal

• GPS Tracking: Allows owners and authorities to locate a stolen vehicle precisely, significantly increasing the chance of recovery. 
• Digital Immobilizers: Prevent the engine from starting without the correct key or fob, rendering traditional hot-wiring methods useless. 
• Sentry Mode (Tesla): Uses sensors and cameras to deter and detect potential theft, displaying a message on the car’s screen. 
• PIN to Drive/Biometric Authentication: A security PIN or biometric authentication is required to drive the vehicle, preventing unauthorized use. 
• Remote Disabling/Over-the-Air Updates: Manufacturers can remotely disable the car’s functionality or push software updates to enhance security. 
• Lower Market Desirability: Cars that are not highly sought after by thieves for resale or parts have naturally lower theft rates. 

Examples of Least Stolen Vehicles

• Tesla Models (3, S, X, Y): These EVs feature integrated GPS tracking, Sentry Mode, and PIN-to-Drive, making them nearly impossible to steal and highly recoverable. 
• Volvo Models (XC60, XC90): Known for their advanced security, they often include features like GPS tracking and high-tech security systems. 
• Lexus and Subaru Models: These brands incorporate advanced digital systems and immobilizers that make theft extremely difficult. 
• Jaguar and Land Rover Models: Utilize high-spec GPS tracking and keyless entry security to deter thieves. 

Why EVs Are Often Harder to Steal
Electric vehicles often have lower theft rates because they are frequently parked in secure, well-lit locations for charging, which reduces opportunities for thieves. Additionally, their advanced digital systems and integrated tracking make them more challenging to steal and easier to trace if they are.

What is the #1 stolen car in the US?

What is America’s most stolen car? According to the latest report, the Hyundai Elantra is the most stolen car in the U.S., with 48,445 thefts in 2023. This shift breaks the long-standing trend of full-size pickups holding the top spot among most stolen vehicles.