DC had the nation's worst theft rate.
It's falling fast.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, motor vehicle theft (data as of Sep 15, 2026)
Washington, DC had the highest vehicle theft rate in the country in 2023: 1,150 per 100,000 residents, according to NICB. The same year carjackings reached 959, up from 425 in 2021. FBI data still puts DC's 2025 rate at 698 per 100,000, more than twice California's.
The trend has turned hard. MPD counted 3,945 motor vehicle thefts in 2025, down 23% from 5,134, and 1,892 in 2026 through October 9, down 43% on the same point last year. Thefts from vehicles fell too, from 6,700 to 5,372.
A carjacking is the theft no device can stop at gunpoint, and no one should resist. What Titan stops is the far more common theft: the car taken from the curb overnight. When it's armed, it won't start or move.
- Washington, DC698.3
- Nevada400.9
- New Mexico334.3
- California317.4
- Washington258.8
- Texas250.9
- Arizona183.3
- Idaho53.8
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, motor vehicle theft (data as of Sep 15, 2026)
What theft looks like in Washington, DC.
MPD recorded 3,945 motor vehicle thefts in 2025, down 23% from 5,134 in 2024, and 1,892 in 2026 through October 9, down 43%.
DC's vehicle theft rate was 1,149.71 per 100,000 in 2023, the highest in the U.S., and 842.4 in 2024.
Carjackings in DC rose from 425 in 2021 and 484 in 2022 to 959 in 2023.
Source: MPD, carjacking counts
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro ranked 8th nationally for vehicle theft in 2025, with 15,204 thefts.
Is your car a likely target?
Four questions, checked against the most-stolen vehicle list for the U.S. and the theft methods we see most.
Most-stolen list: NICB, 2025 U.S. vehicle theft report
Answer the four questions to see which known theft risk factors apply to your vehicle. Nothing is stored or sent.
What one theft costs you.
Insurance rarely makes you whole. Put in your own numbers to see the out-of-pocket cost of a single theft.
Starting values are examples. Replace them with your own; check your policy for rental reimbursement and personal-property limits.
Your cost of one theft
Before any premium change at renewal, which varies by insurer and state.
Washington, DC rules worth knowing.
Carjacking carries a mandatory minimum of 7 years in DC, and armed carjacking 15 years (D.C. Code 22-2803).
Source: D.C. Code 22-2803
Using a vehicle without the owner's consent is a separate offense under D.C. Code 22-3215.
Source: D.C. Code 22-3215
Prevention for every kind of owner.
Dealerships
Dealers serving the District and its suburbs can arm inventory after hours and sell Titan with the car.
Titan for dealersDrivers & owners
Street parking on a DC block overnight is where most thefts happen. Titan keeps the car from being driven away.
How drivers get TitanFleets & equipment
Government contractor and delivery fleets park on DC streets daily. Titan stops unauthorized starts and alerts on tamper.
Titan for fleetsRental operators
Car-share and rental units across the District sit unattended. Titan arms them between trips.
Titan for rentalLocal help in Washington, DC.
Report a stolen vehicle to local police right away; your insurer will ask for the report number.
- MPD carjacking information What to do during and after a carjacking in DC.
- MPD crime data District crime statistics, updated daily.
- DC free steering wheel locks The District's 2023 program for 2011–2021 Kia and Hyundai owners.
- NICB VINCheck Free check of whether a VIN has been reported stolen or salvaged before you buy.
Vehicle theft in Washington, DC: your questions.
Does DC have a high car theft rate?
It has, historically. NICB ranked DC's 2023 rate the highest in the country at 1,150 per 100,000. FBI data for 2025 shows 698 per 100,000, still the highest of the areas we serve.
Is car theft going down in DC?
Yes. MPD counted 3,945 motor vehicle thefts in 2025, down 23%, and 1,892 in 2026 through October 9, down 43% on last year.
What is the penalty for carjacking in DC?
D.C. Code 22-2803 sets a 7-year mandatory minimum for carjacking and 15 years for armed carjacking.
Can Titan stop a carjacking?
No device should be used to resist a carjacking: give up the car. Titan stops the far more common theft from a parked vehicle, and its alerts help you and police respond afterward.
Further reading.
Your Car Can Be Stolen in Under 60 Seconds — Here’s How to Stop It
Car thieves are faster and more sophisticated than ever—many can steal a vehicle in under 60 seconds using high-tech tools and relay attacks. Standard…
GPS Tracking Is Useless If Your Car’s Already Gone
Relying on GPS tracking alone to recover stolen vehicles? Think again. By the time thieves disable the system or move your car to a hidden location, it’s…
The Hidden Price of Auto Theft
Every 32 seconds, a vehicle is stolen in the U.S. While insurance might cover the headline loss, what most drivers don’t realize is how deeply auto theft…
They got the car back… but what happened in it?
When a vehicle is stolen, it’s not just property that goes missing. It’s peace of mind. It’s the comfort of knowing your loved ones are safe when they’re…
Stop theft in Washington, DC before it starts.
Titan keeps the vehicle from moving, key or no key, and alerts you when someone tries. Tell us what you protect and we'll take it from there.