Quebec recorded 7,742 vehicle thefts in 2025 – a 25% drop from the previous year. While this is a notable decline, the province remains one of the hardest-hit areas in the country. The proximity of the Port of Montreal plays a central role: stolen vehicles are shipped there for export, which partly explains why so many stolen cars are never found.

The Équité Association’s 2026 report suggests that prevention efforts are paying off, but losses still run into the millions. Prevention starts with simple actions, like using the right anti-theft devices and having car insurance coverage that protects you if your vehicle is stolen.

How many vehicles are stolen each year in Canada?

Vehicle thefts in Canada have been trending downward since 2023. After peaking in 2023, the numbers dropped significantly each year, falling below 50,000 in 2025.

While the Équité Association report confirms this downward trend, the national decline masks very different regional realities, with Quebec remaining one of the most affected provinces.

Most stolen vehicles in Canada and Quebec

SUVs and pickup trucks make up the vast majority of stolen vehicles in Canada. Their popularity in the Canadian market, combined with their high resale value and a global demand for spare parts, makes them prime targets for theft rings. The theft rates for these categories far exceed those of compact cars or sedans.

Which models are targeted the most in the country? The Toyota Highlander tops the national rankings, according to Équité Association data compiled below of the most stolen vehicles in Canada.

Luxury SUVs like the Lexus RX and Range Rover show high theft numbers due to their value on the international market. In fact, the Range Rover has the highest theft rate of any model in the country. Compact cars like the Honda Civic also appear in the rankings, highlighting that thieves don't just target high-end vehicles.

Most stolen vehicles in Quebec

The Toyota RAV4 heavily dominates the Quebec rankings, according to Équité Association data. The picture in Quebec differs from the national list: the data shows a focus on compact SUVs and popular cars rather than luxury models. The Honda CR-V and Honda Civic round out the top three.

Regional differences across Canada are stark. In Quebec, compact SUVs dominate the auto theft charts. In Ontario, luxury SUVs are targeted more often. In Western Canada, pickup trucks top the list. But what makes certain models so attractive to thieves?

Why do thieves target certain vehicles?

Thieves don't choose their targets at random. Several factors determine a vehicle's value on the black market:

• Market popularity: Best-selling vehicles in Canada generate high demand for replacement parts, making dismantling them highly profitable.
• Overseas resale value: Canadian SUVs and trucks are often exported to regions where local demand outstrips supply, like in Africa and the Middle East.
• Parts over whole: A dismantled vehicle often yields more profit than an intact one on the black market, which is why selling spare parts remains a primary driver of auto theft.

Organized crime is central to this activity. Criminal networks use auto theft to fund other operations, and stolen vehicles are sometimes used to commit other crimes before being abandoned or exported. White vehicles are also the most targeted, partly because they blend in and are easier to resell without drawing attention. These motivations also indicate the increasingly sophisticated methods thieves use to steal vehicles.

How to prevent car theft

The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) recommends a layered approach to protect your vehicle from theft. Each prevention measure adds another barrier, and combining multiple layers makes theft much harder. The four levels of protection are:

1. Common sense and daily habits
2. Visible and audible anti-theft devices
3. Vehicle immobilizers
4. Tracking systems and Faraday boxes

No single measure is foolproof, but combining them can significantly help prevent theft attempts.

Common-sense measures to reduce theft risk

The first layer of protection relies on simple habits you can build into your daily routine, such as:

• Never leave your vehicle running unattended, even to warm it up in the winter.
• Always lock your doors and close the windows, even for a quick stop.
• Don't leave valuables visible on the seats or dashboard (such as bags, electronics, or personal documents).
• Park in well-lit areas or in a locked garage.
• Store your keys in a secure spot inside your home, away from doors and windows.

These simple actions help prevent opportunistic thefts, which still make up a significant portion of cases. Valuables left in plain sight can also attract thieves, even if your vehicle itself isn't their main target.

Visible and audible anti-theft devices

Anti-theft devices add a physical or audible barrier that makes a thief’s job harder. Several options are available to protect your vehicle, including:

• Steering wheel lock: Blocks the steering wheel from turning and serves as a highly visible deterrent.
• Alarm system: Triggers a loud alert during a break-in attempt.
• Brake or pedal lock: Prevents the pedals from being used without the key.
• Theft-deterrent marking (etching): A unique code engraved on main parts makes dismantling less profitable, as parts become traceable.
• Window etching: Engraving the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the windows helps identify a stolen vehicle.

Combining multiple devices strengthens overall security. A thief who spots a visible steering wheel lock and an alarm system is much more likely to move on to an easier target.

Immobilizers: Hidden protection against theft

An engine immobilizer is one of the most effective tools against vehicle theft. This electronic system prevents the engine from starting without the original key, blocking hotwiring or key reprogramming attempts. This device is standard in the Canadian automotive industry – it’s been mandatory on all new vehicles sold in Canada since 2007. For older or imported models, you can still have an immobilizer installed by a certified professional. This level of protection defends against relay attacks, key reprogramming and CAN bus attacks, making it an excellent security layer alongside visible devices.

Tracking systems and Faraday boxes

A Faraday box is a simple, inexpensive defense against relay attacks. This metallic container blocks the signals emitted by wireless key fobs, stopping the remote signal amplification thieves use to steal vehicles. Simply store your keys in the Faraday box when your car is parked to prevent this type of attack.

While GPS tracking systems don't prevent theft directly, they help you locate your vehicle quickly and increase your chances of recovering it. Before installing a tracking system, we recommend checking with your insurer to see if your chosen device qualifies for a premium discount.

Despite these precautions, thefts can still happen. Knowing how to react quickly can make all the difference.

What to do if your vehicle is stolen

Acting quickly in the first few hours after a theft can significantly improve your changes of recovering your vehicle. These four steps can help speed up the process:

• Report the theft to the police: Call your local police department immediately and get a copy of the report. You'll need this document to file an insurance claim.
• Contact your insurer: Provide them with the police report and follow your insurer's instructions to file your claim. The faster you act, the quicker the process will go.
• Wait out the verification period: In most cases, insurers wait a few days (usually 72 hours) to see if the vehicle is recovered before processing the claim. During this window, the police report helps authorities focus their search.
• Check your coverage: Review your insurance policy to understand your options for a replacement vehicle and expected processing times.

Your insurer can also help you understand the next steps based on the type of coverage you have. Having the right car insurance can protect you from the financial impact of a theft.

Car insurance coverage for theft

Several types of car insurance coverage protect against vehicle theft. Your level of protection depends on the options you choose in your policy. The three main coverages that include theft are:

• Specified perils: Covers theft as part of a specific list of perils defined in your policy.
• Comprehensive: Covers theft as well as other non-collision risks.
• All perils: The most complete coverage, which includes theft in addition to collision and other risks.

Each policy has its own conditions, limits and exclusions. For example, personal items stolen from inside the vehicle are typically covered by your home insurance rather than car insurance. It’s important to know exactly what your policy covers before a theft occurs.

Do anti-theft devices lower your car insurance premium?

Some insurers offer a discount on your car insurance premium when your vehicle is equipped with approved anti-theft devices. GPS tracking systems, VIN etching and certified alarm systems are among the devices that may qualify you for a reduction. Your premium price reflects the level of risk associated with your vehicle. Frequently stolen models generally cost more to insure, and the protection offered by an anti-theft device can help offset this increase.

Protect your vehicle from theft with Sonnet

Between prevention practices, anti-theft devices and the right insurance coverage, there are several ways you can reduce theft risks. Sonnet offers affordable car insurance that’s simple to quote, buy and manage fully online. Get a quote in minutes for coverage that’s tailored to your vehicle and your confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions about vehicle theft

Which vehicle models are most at risk of theft?

SUVs and pickup trucks dominate the rankings in Canada and Quebec, with the Toyota Highlander leading nationally and the Toyota RAV4 in first place in Quebec. The Honda CR-V, Honda Civic, and Dodge Ram 1500 round out the top positions, according to Équité Association data.
Does a Faraday box protect against vehicle theft?

Yes, a Faraday box blocks the signals emitted by your wireless key fob, preventing the remote signal amplification used in relay attacks. It is a simple, inexpensive measure that works alongside other layers of protection.

What does car insurance cover if a vehicle is stolen?

Specified perils, comprehensive, and all perils coverages protect against theft under different conditions. Check your insurance policy to understand your coverage details, applicable deductibles and exclusions.

How do I report a stolen vehicle in Quebec?

Contact the police immediately to report the theft and get a report. Then, contact your insurer as soon as possible to provide them with the police report and start your claim process.

Is vehicle theft covered by basic insurance in Quebec?

Theft protection is not included in Quebec's mandatory basic third-party liability coverage. You must add specified perils, comprehensive, or all perils coverage to protect against vehicle theft.

Which regions in Quebec are most affected by vehicle theft?

Montreal's Center and East regions show the highest theft frequencies in the province, followed by Montreal West and Laval.