The Toyota RAV4 has become Canada’s most stolen vehicle, according to Équité Association’s annual report on auto theft. The SUV was stolen more than 2,000 times in 2024, underscoring its high demand and resale value among organized crime networks.
Despite a national decline in auto theft, losses still exceed $1 billion annually in insurance claims. Newer SUVs with keyless entry systems remain prime targets, particularly in Quebec and Ontario.
Terri O’Brien, president and CEO of Équité Association, noted that there are positive signs early on of progress when it comes to vehicle theft, it’s still a major issue that is a primary financnial resource for organized crime. Even though, she added, a 19 per cent decrease in auto theft, it still costs Canadians more than $1 billion in claims every year.
“This means that honest, hardworking Canadians still bear the true emotional and financial burden of this crime,” O’Brien said. “On behalf of our members, Équité will continue to collaborate with Public Safety Canada to leverage the momentum from the National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft on this critical Canadian safety issue and champion preventative measures, like mandating the ULC 338 anti-theft standard, to stop these thefts before they start.”
Équité Association says a multi-layered approach is needed to combat theft and is calling for Transport Canada and U.S. regulators to mandate the proposed harmonized ULC 338 standard for vehicle theft deterrent systems. The organization says adopting this modern standard will help deter criminals, provide clarity for manufacturers and protect consumers.
Regional data shows the top stolen vehicle in Alberta was the 2023 Dodge Ram 1500 Series, while Atlantic Canada’s most stolen was the 2022 Dodge Ram 1500 Series. In Ontario, the 2024 Honda CR-V led thefts, and in Quebec, the Toyota RAV4 dominated the list.
“The Toyota RAV4’s appearance at the top of the list is a clear sign that organized criminal networks are not slowing down; they are simply shifting their tactics,” explains Bryan Gast, national vice president of investigative services at Équité Association. “We’re seeing a shift towards stolen vehicles being re-VINed for sale or disassembled in illegal chop shops and sold for parts.”
With vehicle prices continuing to rise, he added that these trends can be expected to continue.
“We’ve seen a 47.5 per cent spike in thefts of high-value ($200,000-plus) luxury vehicles, which shows that criminals are focusing on maximizing their payouts as auto theft becomes riskier due to strategic law enforcement and government resourcing,” he said.
