The Muscle Car and Pickup Truck Targeted Most Often by Thieves Have Two Unfortunate Features in Common
The IIHS tracks vehicles stolen most often on a per-capita basis. In the first half of 2025, the Chevrolet Camaro—especially the ZL1 trim—rose to the top of that list. GMC’s heavy-duty Sierra 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks followed close behind. Unfortunately, the muscle car and the pickup share General Motors technologies with the same dangerous combination of vulnerabilities.
First, these high-end trims come standard with keyless entry. The idea is convenience. Keep the key fob in your pocket, and the doors unlock as you approach your Camaro or Sierra. The downside is exposure. If thieves can extend the signal from your key fob, they can unlock the vehicle.
In a car theft tactic known as a “relay attack,” one thief holds a device with an antenna near your front door. An accomplice then tries to open the vehicle. If your key fob sits near the door, the car or truck may unlock.
Second, thieves can plug an illicit electronic device into the vehicle’s onboard diagnostics port. From there, they can program a brand-new key, much like a dealership technician would. Thieves can buy blank keys, key-programming tools, and fob signal repeaters online.
How thieves exploited the system nationwide
Evidence suggests thieves in the Los Angeles area discovered these vulnerabilities early. In the first two months of 2023, seven Chevy Camaros were stolen in the city. During the same period in 2024, that number jumped to 90.
The trend then spread to Texas, Tennessee, and beyond. Theft data from the first half of 2025 shows the Chevy Camaro ZL1 is 39 times more likely to be stolen than the average vehicle. The standard Camaro is 12 times more likely. The GMC Sierra 2500 crew cab with four-wheel drive is 10 times more likely, while the 3500 is 7.4 times more likely. The Chevrolet Silverado 3500 is 6.6 times more likely.
There is some reason for optimism. In late 2021, thieves uncovered a similar set of vulnerabilities in Hyundai and Kia vehicles. The automakers responded with a software update that made those cars significantly harder to steal. Vehicles with the patch are now 53% less likely to be stolen.
Whether General Motors will follow suit remains to be seen.
