Toronto’s Massive Car Theft Problem, Explained

The number of car thefts in Toronto has more than tripled since 2014, and more than 12,000 vehicles were stolen in the GTA last year. 

“That’s one every 40 minutes,” said Toronto Police Chief, Myron Demkiw, on Monday while providing updates to the Toronto Police Services Board. 

So how did car theft become such a pressing issue in Toronto? 

Here’s everything you need to know about Toronto’s rise in car theft – from why it’s happening, to noteworthy trends and how to prevent car theft from happening to you. 

Why are more cars being stolen right now? 

Recently, there’s been more demand for exported stolen cars overseas, said Peter Edwards, a crime reporter for the Toronto Star and an expert on autotheft in the GTA. This demand grew during the pandemic, when auto production slowed down, Edwards said. 

Vehicles in Toronto are particularly vulnerable because the city is so populous and close to the Port of Montreal, where many cars are being shipped out, said Edwards.

Car thieves have also become more technologically advanced than vehicle producers with their security system-hacking capabilities. Edwards said this means vehicles that are more internationally in demand and have poorer built-in security systems are more likely to be stolen.

Noteworthy car theft trends

Most stolen vehicles 

According to the most stolen vehicles in Ontario list from Équité, an organization that fights insurance crime, the Honda CR-V is the most stolen vehicle in Ontario by number of car thefts while the Land Rover Range Rover is the most stolen vehicle in Ontario by theft frequency. 

Recovery rates 

It’s less likely that you’ll recover a stolen car in Toronto than in western provinces because stolen vehicles in Ontario are more likely to be exported overseas, said Bryan Gast, vice president of investigative services at Équité, on The Big Story. 

How can you protect your car from theft? 

Edwards recommends a layered approach to protect your car from theft. He said it helps to have a kill switch, which only allows you to start your car with a complicated code. It’s also a good idea to use tracking devices, he said. Chief Demkiw also recommends reading the auto crime prevention web page provided by the Toronto Police Service, which includes more detailed tips on reducing the risk of vehicle theft.