NICB Names Most Stolen Trucks of 2025: Overland Favorites Top the List

 9 min read

Why This 4wdTalk News Report Matters

One overland-popular pickup gets stolen at 10.23 times the rate of the average American passenger vehicle. The most stolen trucks in 2025 are also some of the most popular platforms for overlanding, according to fresh data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, also known as the NICB 2025 report. For instance, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ranked fourth on the national list with 16,764 thefts. The Ford F-150 placed seventh with 10,102 thefts. Both rigs are featured in our 2026 overland vehicles roundup, which means a meaningful share of 4wdTalk readers drive a truck on the theft radar.

Vehicle theft 2025 numbers fell sharply nationwide. In total, the NICB reported 659,880 stolen vehicles, down 23% from 2024 and the lowest count in several decades. However, one vehicle is still stolen every 48 seconds in America. Pickup trucks remain disproportionately targeted compared with the overall mix.

This news report cross-references the NICB 2025 list with the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) Insurance Report WT-24, which standardizes theft rates by insured vehicle years. As a result, the picture for overlanders is sharper than a raw count alone. Three of the eight rigs covered below are stolen at multiples of the all-vehicle average, even though some are not on the national top-10 list at all.

The 2025 NICB Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles

The NICB 2025 report dropped in March 2026. Hyundai and Honda sedans dominate the overall ranking. Looking at the most stolen pickup trucks specifically, two make the top 10. Both are common overland platforms, so the data is directly relevant to our audience. Beyond the national top 10, several more of the most stolen trucks are heavy overland favorites by HLDI’s per-vehicle frequency measure.

Rank	Vehicle	2025 Thefts
1	Hyundai Elantra	21,732
2	Honda Accord	17,797
3	Hyundai Sonata	17,687
4	Chevrolet Silverado 1500	16,764
5	Honda Civic	12,725
6	Kia Optima	11,521
7	Ford F-150	10,102
8	Toyota Camry	9,833
9	Honda CR-V	9,809
10	Nissan Altima	8,445

Source: NICB 2025 release, reported by CarPro and Ford Authority.

8 Overland-Popular Rigs on the 2025 Most Stolen Trucks List

For the picks below, we leaned on HLDI per-vehicle theft frequency for relative risk and NICB raw counts for total volume. The HLDI scale uses 100 as the all-passenger-vehicle average, so a frequency of 500 means the vehicle is stolen at five times the average rate.

1. GMC Sierra 2500 HD: The Most Targeted Pickup in America

The Sierra 2500 HD crew cab 4WD posted a relative theft claim frequency of 1,023 in the HLDI WT-24 report. In other words, it gets stolen at 10.23 times the rate of the average passenger vehicle. Additionally, HLDI logged 768 theft claims against 167,970 insured vehicle years, making it the highest-theft pickup of any size in the study. Heavy-duty overlanders running diesel Sierras for camper-pulling duty sit at the top of the risk table.

2. RAM 1500: Five Times the Average Theft Rate

The RAM 1500 crew cab short-bed 4WD landed at 524 in the HLDI report, or about five times the national average. The data covers 1,074 claims across 459,140 insured vehicle years. Notably, 2018 to 2022 RAM trucks had a key-fob duplication vulnerability, exploited at scale by thieves, according to secondary reporting from Jalopnik. The RAM 1500 is a common overland tow rig and crew-cab daily driver, so the risk hits hard.

3. GMC Sierra 1500: Roughly Triple the Average

Same nameplate as the Sierra 2500, smaller scale, still well above average. The Sierra 1500 crew cab 4WD posted a 292 theft claim frequency, or nearly three times the average passenger vehicle. Additionally, the two-wheel-drive version came in higher at 324. Overlanders eyeing a Sierra 1500 AT4X for an expedition build should price in extra security gear.

4. Jeep Gladiator: The Only Overland-Platform Rig in HLDI’s Top 20

The Jeep Gladiator crew cab 4WD posted a 264 theft claim frequency in HLDI WT-24, with 236 claims on 200,081 insured vehicle years. As a result, it ranks 19th out of 282 vehicles in the study. Among modern overland-platform trucks, the Gladiator is the only one in HLDI’s published top 20 for theft frequency. Its desirability for builds, removable doors and tops, and shared parts ecosystem with the Wrangler all contribute to the risk profile. See our review of the midsize overland trucks for how the Gladiator stacks up on payload and trail geometry.

5. Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Top 5 by Volume, Above Average by Frequency

Ford’s blue oval rival ranks higher than the F-150 in raw thefts. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 holds the fourth slot on the NICB 2025 list with 16,764 reported thefts. On the HLDI scale, the crew cab 4WD registers a 155 theft claim frequency, while the two-wheel-drive crew cab sits at 165. In other words, both versions land above the national average but well below the Sierra 1500. High fleet volume drives Silverado’s top-five NICB ranking more than per-vehicle risk does.

6. Ford F-150: High Volume, Below-Average Per-Vehicle Frequency

The Ford F-150 placed seventh on the NICB 2025 list with 10,102 thefts. However, per-vehicle frequency tells a different story. The SuperCrew 4WD posted a 68 theft claim frequency on HLDI’s scale, below the all-passenger-vehicle average. The hybrid SuperCrew sat at 67, and the F-150 Lightning electric crew cab dropped to 41. Therefore, the F-150’s volume on theft lists reflects fleet size, not unusual per-truck risk.

7. Toyota Tundra: Below-Average Whole-Vehicle Theft, High Catalytic Converter Risk

The Tundra CrewMax 4WD posted a 74 theft claim frequency on HLDI’s scale, below the average. The hybrid version came in higher at 120. However, the bigger Tundra story is parts theft. V8 Tundra catalytic converters carry up to four units per truck, and full replacement costs run from $6,000 to $7,000, according to MotorBiscuit reporting. Therefore, overlanders running pre-2022 V8 Tundras should plan for a converter shield before plate theft, not whole-vehicle theft.

8. Toyota 4Runner: Low Whole-Vehicle Theft, High Parts Theft

First, the good news: the 4Runner is hard to grab. Specifically, the Toyota 4Runner four-door registered a 26 theft claim frequency, well below the national average for whole-vehicle theft. However, the 4Runner is repeatedly cited among the most-targeted vehicles for catalytic converter theft alongside the Tacoma, Tundra, and Prius. Carfax and Smart Locks Guide both flag the 4Runner in the most-targeted lists. For more on the rig itself, see our Tacoma vs 4Runner for overlanding comparison.

Why These Most Stolen Trucks Top the NICB Report

Pickups face roughly twice the whole-vehicle theft claim frequency of the average passenger vehicle, according to HLDI WT-24. The pickup class averages 0.91 claims per 1,000 insured vehicle years versus 0.45 for all passenger vehicles. Severity also runs higher at $66,984 per stolen pickup. Eight of the 20 vehicles with the highest theft claim frequency in HLDI’s 2022 to 2024 study are pickups.

Three drivers stand out. First, parts demand is high. Tailgates with backup cameras, sensors, and step assists resell for hundreds to thousands of dollars. Second, the catalytic converter market keeps targeting Toyota truck and SUV converters for their rhodium, platinum, and palladium content. Third, electronic vulnerabilities affect specific model years. For example, 2018 to 2022 RAM trucks had a documented key-fob duplication exploit per Jalopnik. Meanwhile, GMC Sierras get hit with relay attacks and OBD-II port reprogramming per Pedal Commander and GM Authority.

How Thieves Strike: Methods Used in 2025

Modern truck theft is mostly electronic, and vehicle theft 2025 trends show hotwiring is rare. Notably, the most stolen trucks on the list all share one thing in common: thieves target them with technology, not crowbars. Instead, two methods dominate the high-frequency pickup category. Both work fast.

Relay attacks are the most common method. Specifically, two thieves work together with signal amplifiers. One stands near the home or office where the key fob is stored, while the other waits at the vehicle. The amplifier extends the fob’s signal far enough to open and start the truck. Push-button start vehicles are the primary targets, and the whole sequence finishes in under three minutes.

OBD-II port reprogramming is the second method. Thieves break a window, plug a programmer into the diagnostic port, and pair a blank fob to the vehicle. Subsequently, the new fob starts the truck like a factory key. Reports from Pedal Commander and GM Authority both flag GMC Sierras as common OBD attack targets.

Outside of whole-vehicle theft, parts crimes hit overlanders hardest. Tailgate removal on a modern Silverado, F-150, or RAM takes under 60 seconds for an experienced thief, per RealTruck and Ford-Trucks.com reporting. Similarly, catalytic converter cuts run a few minutes with a battery-powered saw, per Carfax and Smart Locks Guide reporting.

How to Protect Your Overland Rig From Theft

Effective truck theft prevention starts with the basics. The NICB publishes a baseline checklist. Park in well-lit areas, lock all windows and doors, hide valuables out of sight, and never leave keys in the vehicle or run it unattended. For overland-built rigs, a few additional layers make sense. Our guide on protecting your overlanding gear covers the basics in more depth, while the picks below address truck theft prevention and mounted equipment together.

GPS trackers are a high-value addition. A hardwired tracker or an Apple AirTag hidden deep in the chassis lets you and law enforcement locate a stolen rig fast. NICB data shows 34% of stolen vehicles get recovered the same day and 45% within two days. Tracker-equipped vehicles tend toward the faster end.

A Faraday pouch for the key fob blocks relay attacks. Likewise, an OBD-II port lock blocks the diagnostic-port reprogramming attack. Steering wheel locks and battery or ignition kill switches add visible deterrence and a delay long enough to send thieves elsewhere.

For built rigs specifically, three add-ons cover the highest-frequency parts crimes. Use mechanical tailgate locks from McGard, hood locks (Mopar or aftermarket), and catalytic converter shields from CatStrap, CatShield, or MillerCAT. Additionally, security nuts and bolts on rooftop tents, awnings, recovery boards, and roof racks deter quick-grab thefts at trailheads and campgrounds. Tepui sells a Security Nut System, and BOLT Locks pair to the vehicle’s existing ignition key.

Final Word

The NICB 2025 report carries good news at the national level. Specifically, vehicle theft 2025 numbers fell 23% year over year and hit a multi-decade low. However, the overland-popular pickup category did not benefit equally. The Chevy Silverado 1500 and Ford F-150 hold top-10 NICB slots by volume. Meanwhile, the GMC Sierra 2500, RAM 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, and Jeep Gladiator post HLDI theft claim frequencies at roughly 2.6 to 10 times the average passenger vehicle.

Toyota 4Runner and Tundra owners face a different exposure profile. Whole-vehicle theft is low for these rigs, but catalytic converter and parts theft remain high. As a result, the right defense depends on which rig sits in your driveway. A Sierra 2500 owner needs an OBD port lock and a tracker. A 4Runner owner needs a converter shield.

Across all eight rigs, the same three layers add up to most of the protection: a tracker, a relay-attack defense, and a visible deterrent. Each of these layers runs from $20 for a Faraday pouch to a few hundred dollars for a wired tracker. Any one of them shifts most thieves to a softer target.

Frequently Asked Questions

What trucks are stolen the most in 2025?

Among the most stolen pickup trucks, the NICB 2025 list ranks the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 fourth overall with 16,764 thefts and the Ford F-150 seventh with 10,102 thefts. Both are common overland platforms. By per-vehicle frequency in the HLDI WT-24 report, the GMC Sierra 2500 HD crew cab 4WD is the most-stolen pickup of any size, at 10.23 times the all-vehicle average.

Why are pickup trucks stolen so often?

Pickup trucks face roughly twice the whole-vehicle theft claim frequency of the average passenger vehicle, according to HLDI WT-24. High parts demand for tailgates and catalytic converters drives much of the volume. Electronic vulnerabilities on specific model years, including the 2018 to 2022 RAM key-fob exploit and the GMC Sierra OBD reprogramming attack, also contribute to elevated theft rates.

How do thieves steal pickups in under three minutes?

Most modern pickup thefts use one of two methods. Relay attacks rely on signal amplifiers to extend the key fob’s range from inside a house to the driveway, opening push-button vehicles. Alternatively, OBD-II port reprogramming pairs a blank fob to the truck through the diagnostic port. Both methods finish in under three minutes.

How do you protect a truck from theft?

Effective truck theft prevention uses multiple layers. Start with a hidden GPS tracker, a Faraday pouch or relay-blocking key case, and an OBD-II port lock. Add a visible deterrent like a steering wheel lock or kill switch. For overland-built rigs, add a mechanical tailgate lock, a hood lock, and a catalytic converter shield. Security nuts on rooftop tents, awnings, and recovery boards block quick-grab thefts at trailheads.

Is the Toyota 4Runner on the most stolen vehicles list?

The Toyota 4Runner is not on the NICB 2025 top 10, and its HLDI per-vehicle theft frequency is well below average at 26. However, the 4Runner is repeatedly cited among the most-targeted vehicles for catalytic converter theft, alongside the Tacoma, Tundra, and Prius. Therefore, parts theft is the bigger concern for 4Runner owners.