Jeep Thefts Fall in Chicago After 2024 Peak
Chicago police data shows Jeep thefts dropped to 1,180 in 2025 from 1,702 the year before, as thieves shift to key cloning.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Car Types
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Jeep thefts in Chicago fell to 1,180 in 2025 from 1,702 in 2024, according to Chicago Police Department data, though the vehicles remain among the city's most stolen. Thieves are increasingly cloning or programming keys rather than hotwiring vehicles.
Why it matters
Jeep and Dodge vehicles were the first manufacturers where key cloning trends were observed, making their owners in Chicago a particular focus for auto theft prevention. Stellantis states its vehicles meet or exceed all applicable federal safety and security standards.
Chicago Jeep thefts rose from 427 in 2019 to 1,702 in 2024 before falling to 1,180 in 2025. The Grand Cherokee was the most stolen Jeep model in 2026, with just under 400 taken year-to-date.
The players
Chicago Police Department
The Chicago Police Department is the city's primary law enforcement agency and the source of the vehicle theft statistics cited in this report.
Stellantis
Stellantis is the multinational automaker that owns the Jeep and Dodge brands and issued a statement responding to the key cloning and theft reports.
The details
Thieves now clone or program keys rather than hotwire vehicles, and SUVs have been used to crash through glass windows or doors to break into businesses. The Durango is the most targeted Dodge model by car thieves in Chicago.
Timeline
Jeep thefts rose each year from 2019 through 2024, reaching 1,702.
Jeep thefts dropped to 1,180 in 2025.
Year-to-date Jeep thefts reached 659 as of August 1, 2026.
Roadmap
Jeep thefts in Chicago climbed for six straight years in the CPD data before reversing in 2025, marking the first annual decline in the series. The shift from hotwiring to key cloning reflects a broader change in how vehicle thefts are carried out.
Chicago Jeep owners face a continuing risk of key cloning and theft, even as annual counts fall. Owners may want to review anti-theft precautions for their keys and vehicles.
The takeaway
Jeep thefts in Chicago fell in 2025, but the 2026 year-to-date count of 659 shows the threat has not disappeared. Owners should keep key fobs secured and consider added anti-theft measures.
Further reading
For more on the vehicles at the center of this trend, explore Car Types coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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