Guide
Car theft and car keys in DC
MPD recorded 2,896 vehicle thefts in 2015, 6,789 in 2023 and 3,935 in 2025. That is down 42% from the peak, still above the 2,189 of 2019. Here is what the numbers mean for your keys.
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Motor vehicle thefts reported in DC, 2015 to 2025
Where it happens
In 2025, Ward 5 recorded the most vehicle thefts, 903. Thefts from cars, things taken out of a vehicle, were highest in Ward 5 at 1,133, and totaled 5,363 citywide. All wards.
Motor vehicle thefts by ward, 2025
What this means for keys
- Lost a key? Erase it. When you replace a lost key or fob, ask the locksmith or dealer to remove it from the car's memory, so the old one can't start the car.
- Keep the spare out of the car. A spare in the glove box helps whoever gets in.
- Don't tag keys with your address. A key ring with a car key and a house tag is two problems.
- Make a spare while you still have one. Copying a working key costs far less than starting from zero.
We don't sell security devices and can't say which car models were targeted; the MPD data counts thefts, not makes.
Questions people in DC ask
My car was stolen and found. Do I need new keys?
If any key was in the car or is unaccounted for, have the lost keys erased from the car and the ignition checked. A locksmith or the dealer can do it.