In 2024, the Hyundai Elantra recorded 201 thefts, making it the second-most stolen that year.

SAN DIEGO — The Jeep Wrangler now has the dubious title of San Diego’s most stolen car, according to city police data and public records obtained by CBS 8. 

Authorities report that 225 Jeep Wranglers were stolen in 2024 — outpacing all other car models targeted by thieves in San Diego.

Data released by the San Diego Police Department and reported by CBS 8 shows the trend has continued into 2025. 


This year, police have responded to 124 Jeep Wrangler thefts in 2025, while the next highest was the Honda Civic, with 102 thefts. Other top targets include the Honda Accord (93), Toyota Tacoma (89), and Honda CR-V (72).

“The increase in thefts of Jeeps, Dodges, and Rams is due to how easy it is to reprogram the key fobs,” CHP Captain Charles Leonard told CBS 8 in July 2024 for a story about a spate of Jeep thefts.

“They have computer software to reprogram key fobs that they use to take over the brain of the vehicle,” said Leonard.

The vehicles usually end up south of the border, where they switch the VIN number, according to Leonard. Then, the cars get resold in the United States, and the fake VIN is not discovered until the new owner tries to register the stolen vehicle with the DMV.

The Wrangler’s rise comes after years when other vehicles topped the most-stolen lists. In 2024, the Hyundai Elantra recorded 201 thefts, making it the second-most stolen that year. The Honda Civic was third, at 185, followed by the Honda Accord (142) and Hyundai Sonata (129).

Looking back further, in 2023, the Honda Civic led the list with 275 thefts, followed by the Hyundai Elantra (216), Kia Optima (182), and Hyundai Sonata (178). The Jeep Wrangler registered 163 reported thefts that year, signaling the beginning of its surge in car theft trends.

San Diego Police officials urge all motorists, especially Jeep Wrangler owners, to take preventive measures such as parking in secure areas and using anti-theft devices. 

The figures highlight a changing landscape for auto theft in San Diego, with car thieves seemingly shifting preferences over recent years. Officials recommend regularly checking official public safety updates and vehicle recall information, as well as using tracking technology if possible.

CBS 8 contributed public records and reporting that helped compile these figures and trends.