Car Thefts Keep Falling, but a Quarter-Million Stolen Vehicles in Six Months Is Still a Lot

According to a new analysis from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, vehicle thefts fell 21 percent in the first half of 2026 compared with the same stretch of 2025.

Law enforcement agencies reported 268,415 stolen vehicles between January and June, a rate of roughly 77.81 thefts per 100,000 people.

“Vehicle thefts continue to decrease across the country, and it’s encouraging to see that every state experienced a decline,” said NICB Chief Operating Officer Tim Slater.

A Shifting Criminal Landscape The NICB cautioned against reading the data as a sign that vehicle crime is fading away.

Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau analysis released September 30, 2026.