The latest theft report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) just dropped, and Camaro fans might want to double-check the locks tonight. The sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 has been crowned America’s most stolen car per capita—and by a staggering margin.
How staggering? Try 39 times more likely to be stolen than the average vehicle on the road. Even the standard Camaro ranks third, coming in at 13 times the theft rate of the national average.
This ranking isn’t about sheer numbers—it’s about how often a given model gets swiped compared to how many are out there. Sure, Dodge Chargers and Challengers rack up big theft totals, but with so many on the road, their per-capita numbers look tame compared to the Camaro ZL1’s.
Why the ZL1’s a Thief Magnet
The ZL1 is no ordinary Camaro. It’s a 650-horsepower, 6.2-liter supercharged V8 monster, capable of shredding tires and quarter miles in equal measure. That makes it a joyride dream, a lucrative target for chop shops, and a head-turner for overseas buyers willing to pay big for American muscle.
But raw power isn’t the only reason. IIHS/HLDI research shows that 2016 and newer Camaros—the start of the sixth generation—are particularly easy prey thanks to a vulnerability in the push-button start system. Thieves have been able to clone key codes by plugging into the car’s onboard diagnostic port (the same one mechanics use to scan for trouble codes). Once the code is cloned, stealing the car can take just minutes.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
The HLDI’s detailed theft analysis shows theft claims for 2016+ Camaros peaking in March 2024 at 18.3 claims per 1,000 insured vehicle years. For comparison, 2010–2015 models saw about 1.3 claims per 1,000—meaning the newer cars are 14 times more likely to vanish.
Top Five Most Stolen Cars (Per Capita, 2025):
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Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 – 3,949% of average theft rate
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Acura TLX 4WD – 2,138%
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Chevrolet Camaro (non-ZL1) – 1,287%
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GMC Sierra 2500 Crew Cab 4WD – 1,023%
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Acura TLX 2WD – 805%
What Owners Can Do
With Camaro production officially ending in 2024, surviving examples—especially ZL1s—will only get more desirable. If you’ve got one in the garage, consider:
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OBD Port Locks: Physical covers to prevent access to the diagnostic port.
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Secondary Immobilizers: Aftermarket systems requiring a hidden switch or fob.
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Garage Parking: Still one of the best theft deterrents.
Bottom line: the Camaro ZL1 isn’t just a modern muscle legend—it’s a top target. If you own one, treat it like the rock star’s guitar backstage: locked, guarded, and never out of sight.
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Tags: Camaro ZL1, car theft, muscle cars, IIHS, HLDI, Chevrolet, stolen cars 2025
