For the 2022–2024 model years, the ZL1 posted a theft rate nearly 40 times the average across all vehicles, and its lesser-powered sibling, the standard Camaro, wasn’t far behind, with a rate over 13 times the norm. That means Camaros, especially those from recent model years, are disappearing from driveways and parking lots at a disturbing clip.
“High-performance cars have long been prime targets,” said Matt Moore, chief insurance operations officer at HLDI and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “What’s surprising is just how sharply the ZL1 is outpacing everything else.” And it’s not just horsepower that’s making the Camaro a magnet for thieves—technology vulnerabilities are also playing a key role.
Reports suggest that a software loophole may be partially responsible for the Camaro’s theft surge. Thieves aren’t just hot-wiring these modern machines; many are using sophisticated electronic tools to clone key fobs by accessing onboard diagnostic (OBD) ports—originally intended for technicians to monitor vehicle health and emissions data. Once inside, they can duplicate the digital key and drive off like they own it.
That digital Achilles’ heel is one reason why Camaro theft claims—both partial and whole-vehicle—began spiking in 2023, particularly for models built from 2016 onward. That was the year Chevy introduced a keyless push-button start system, which appears to have opened a new avenue for high-tech heists.
Digging into HLDI’s data reveals that theft rates for Camaros from 2016 to 2024 surged noticeably starting in early 2023, peaking in March 2024 at a jaw-dropping 18.3 theft claims per 1,000 insured vehicle years. In comparison, earlier Camaros from model years 2010–2015 saw rates around just 1.3 per 1,000—a dramatic difference that highlights how tech-enabled convenience can come at a cost.
Geographically, the trouble spots are also clear. California leads the nation in Camaro theft rates, followed by Tennessee, Mississippi, Maryland, and Texas—states with big car cultures, open highways, and, apparently, active black markets for stolen performance parts.
In response, General Motors launched a service campaign in March 2025 specifically targeting the 2020–2024 Camaro models. The initiative offers owners a free software update at authorized dealerships aimed at plugging the digital hole that’s allowed thieves to exploit diagnostic systems for easy access.
Whether this tech fix will have a meaningful impact remains to be seen, but HLDI plans to monitor theft claim data closely over the coming months. For now, the advice is simple: Camaro owners should get the update immediately—and maybe think twice before parking on the street.
Meanwhile, across town, Hyundai and Kia are finally seeing the upside of their own anti-theft software campaigns. Just a few years ago, certain models from both brands were among the most stolen vehicles in America, thanks in large part to the absence of electronic immobilizers in many of their lower-trim vehicles. That oversight turned into a public relations headache—and a TikTok trend—as videos of joyrides and tutorials on how to hot-wire older Hyundais and Kias flooded the internet.
In response, Hyundai and Kia launched a software upgrade initiative beginning in early 2023 that added immobilizer-like protection to vulnerable models. The results? Impressive. Vehicles that received the update saw a 46% reduction in overall theft claims and a 52% drop in whole-vehicle thefts, according to HLDI’s most recent analysis.
But not all the news is rosy. As of the end of 2024, only about 40% of eligible Hyundai and Kia vehicles had received the update, and theft claim frequencies for the unpatched models remain alarmingly high. For 2011–2022 vehicles, Hyundai and Kia theft rates are still hovering around 10–11 claims per 1,000 insured vehicle years—well above the national average of under two.
Interestingly, HLDI also reported a spike in vandalism claims for updated Hyundai and Kia vehicles, likely indicating that many theft attempts were thwarted by the new software—a good sign that the update is doing its job.
If you’re wondering which vehicles are safest from would-be thieves, HLDI’s data shows that EVs dominate the list of least-stolen vehicles. Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y are practically theft-proof, thanks to always-on connectivity, location tracking, and frequent over-the-air software updates. Eight out of the 20 least-stolen models are fully electric, and two more are plug-in hybrids.
That list includes the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volkswagen ID.4, Toyota RAV4 Prime, and Volvo’s XC90 and XC40 SUVs. These vehicles tend to be parked in garages or close to buildings for charging, making them less accessible—and less tempting—for opportunistic thieves.
Vehicles with the Highest Theft Claim Frequencies (2022–24)
| Vehicle | Type | Relative Theft Frequency (100 = avg) |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 | Large sports car | 3,949 |
| Acura TLX 4WD | Large luxury car | 2,138 |
| Chevrolet Camaro | Large sports car | 1,287 |
| GMC Sierra 2500 4WD | Very large pickup | 1,023 |
| Acura TLX 2WD | Large luxury car | 805 |
Vehicles with the Lowest Theft Claim Frequencies (2022–24)
| Vehicle | Type | Relative Theft Frequency (100 = avg) |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 4WD | Midsize luxury car (EV) | 1 |
| Tesla Model Y 4WD | Midsize luxury SUV (EV) | 2 |
| Toyota RAV4 Prime 4WD | Small SUV (PHEV) | 5 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | Midsize SUV (EV) | 8 |
| Hyundai Elantra Hybrid | Small car | 13 |
As the battle between horsepower and hack-proofing continues, it’s clear that carmakers must walk a fine line between performance and protection. For owners of flashy, fast, and now highly targeted vehicles like the Camaro ZL1, the takeaway is clear: secure your car, get the software update, and maybe invest in a wheel lock—because there’s a good chance someone out there wants to take your pride and joy for a spin.