The Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat has been named the most stolen vehicle in the United States for model years 2020-2022, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS’ Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) recently released its latest most-stolen vehicle list, which is based on insurance claims for whole vehicle theft. The data revealed that claims for the Charger Hellcat sedan were more than 60 times more frequent than the average for all 2020-2022 models, relative to their numbers on the road.
Interestingly, it’s not just the Hellcat version of the Charger that is targeted for theft in high numbers. Non-Hellcat models equipped with Hemi V-8 engines were the second-most stolen, with claims 20 times higher than the average. The related Dodge Challenger coupe also had the fourth-highest frequency of theft claims.
It’s worth noting that performance versions of the Charger and Challenger have consistently been among the top five most-stolen vehicles since the 2011 model year. However, the IIHS reported that the frequency of theft claims for these vehicles has grown at a stunning rate. For example, theft claims for Charger Hellcats increased from about 18 per 1,000 insured vehicles for model years 2019-2021 to 25 for model years 2020-2022.
Aside from the Charger and Challenger, other frequently-stolen 2020-2022 models included Ford F-Series Super Duty and Ram 3500 pickup trucks, as well as various BMW, Infiniti, and Land Rover models. The IIHS also observed an increase in thefts of Hyundai and Kia models due to an online trend that exposed their lack of engine immobilizers.
Interestingly, the IIHS noted that electric vehicles (EVs) tend to be stolen less frequently. This could be attributed to the fact that EVs are often parked in well-lit and relatively secure areas for charging. Among the EVs, dual-motor versions of the Tesla Model 3 had the lowest frequency of whole vehicle theft claims, followed by the Tesla Model Y. Other EVs, such as the single-motor Model 3 variants, as well as the Tesla Model S, Model X, and Nissan Leaf, were also among the 20 least-stolen vehicles for model years 2020-2022. Additionally, six other General Motors vehicles made the list of least-stolen vehicles.
Looking ahead, if the trend of low EV theft rates continues, future Dodge owners might not have to worry as much about theft. The current gasoline-powered Charger and Challenger are on their way out, and their replacements will be electric muscle cars. This has been previewed by the Charger Daytona SRT concept.
In conclusion, the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is the most stolen vehicle in the U.S. for model years 2020-2022, based on insurance claims for whole vehicle theft. The frequency of theft claims for both the Hellcat and non-Hellcat versions of the Charger, as well as the Dodge Challenger, has been increasing rapidly. However, EVs, including Tesla and Nissan models, tend to be stolen less frequently. As the automotive industry shifts towards electric vehicles, the future of Dodge’s lineup may be less prone to theft.