Car theft down 18% in Canada — here's what drivers should still watch for

Chances are you know someone whose car has been stolen. A new report suggests that's becoming less common — but the problem is far from solved.

Équité Association's 2025 Auto Theft Trend Report found auto theft dropped 18 per cent year over year across Canada, suggesting that coordinated efforts among government, law enforcement, and the insurance industry are beginning to work.

Still, Canadians bear an estimated $900 million in insurance claims each year. And criminal organizations are shifting tactics. The report flagged a 72 per cent year-over-year increase in vehicle finance fraud detected at the ports of Montreal and Halifax as thieves move toward more sophisticated methods.

Canadians remain worried

Many Canadians are concerned about auto theft even if they've never been victims. A CAA Insurance public opinion survey found 49 per cent of respondents worried about their cars being broken into, and 39 per cent feared outright theft. Urban residents expressed the highest levels of concern.

More than half of those surveyed said insurance companies should lead on educating drivers about theft prevention. Another 38 per cent put that responsibility on local law enforcement.

What drivers are doing

The same survey found 81 per cent of car owners keep their vehicles locked at all times — which means one in five still does not.

Other findings: 77 per cent avoid leaving valuables in their cars, 34 per cent park in a garage, and 33 per cent rely on factory-installed anti-theft systems. About 20 per cent have added sensor lights or driveway cameras.

Canada's vehicle anti-theft regulations had not been updated since 2007. In December 2025, the federal government proposed amendments to the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations to replace the outdated standard with a new one requiring manufacturers to build stronger theft protection into new vehicles at the factory level.

Which vehicles are targeted most

Luxury models are not the only targets. Équité Association data shows the most stolen vehicles range from everyday SUVs to high-end models.

Nationally, the Honda CR-V tops the list, followed by the Lexus RX Series and the Ford F-150. Rankings shift by region — in Ontario, the Lexus RX Series leads, while in Quebec, the Honda CR-V dominates by a wide margin.

Why recovery remains low

Recovery rates remain a persistent challenge. The report found only 51 per cent of vehicles stolen in Ontario and 48 per cent in Quebec were recovered. The rest were likely exported or dismantled in chop shops.

Catalytic converters remain among the most sought-after components because of the valuable metals they contain.

Some stolen vehicles never leave the country. Thieves use a technique called re-VINning — replacing a vehicle's identification number with a fake one — to sell stolen cars locally to unsuspecting buyers. The report also flagged a sharp rise in vehicle finance fraud, in which criminals use identity theft and fraudulent identification to acquire vehicles illegally.

What the numbers show by region

Ontario and Quebec recorded the steepest declines, at 22 and 25 per cent respectively. Western Canada fell 11 per cent. Atlantic Canada saw a more modest two per cent drop.

Ontario announced $51 million over three years to help police identify and dismantle organized crime networks linked to auto theft. The province also said it was exploring partnerships with the Canada Border Services Agency, the RCMP, and shipping container and rail companies to help curb the export of stolen vehicles.

Sustained progress will depend on governments, law enforcement, insurers, and automakers continuing to work in coordination, while drivers keep basic precautions part of their daily routine.