How to Prevent Wheel and Tire Theft

One morning in the spring of 2015, I walked outside my house to find my Ford Fusion had disappeared. Someone broke into my Fusion Titanium in the middle of the night because they wanted the specific wheels that came with that trim level. When I reported it, the Detroit Police explained how the Ford Fusion and Chrysler 200 were among the most targeted vehicles in the city at the time because demand for their factory wheels was high on the street.

That spring, I was having the garage renovated, so I parked my Fusion on the street in front of my place in New Center. Whoever stole it smashed the driver-side rear window to gain access to the car. After climbing in, they busted the shifter and moved it into neutral so they could push it forward with another vehicle (which the Detroit Police told me was most likely also stolen). They pushed my Fusion from the rear to an empty lot farther down the block and removed the wheels at about two or three in the morning.

The only things in my Fusion that night were a pair of gas station sunglasses, a couple of packs of gum, and a Detroit Lions hat. They stole the sunglasses and the gum, but left the Lions hat (insert whatever joke you would like about that!).

I would come to learn later on that the ones who stole my car were rolling through New Center for several nights in a row, looking for patterns and vulnerabilities. It would have been easy to see the remodeling work underway on my garage and the rest of the house, with the vehicles owned by my roommates and girlfriend parked between the driveway and the street for multiple nights in a row. Since I lived on a cobblestone street (some Detroit neighborhoods still have them), the thieves likely pushed my Fusion down the block at a snail's pace to avoid excessive noise.

While I eventually got my Fusion repaired, the experience led me to work with the Michigan State Police to learn more about car theft. Over the years as an automotive journalist, I have written about vehicle theft numerous times, including our RealSource™ guide to preventing airbag theft.

For this guide on preventing wheel and tire theft, I spoke with Lt. Ty Howard, Second District Public Information Officer, from the Communications & Outreach Division of the Michigan State Police. Lt. Howard shared practical advice and insights we can follow, no matter what type of vehicle we drive.

Conventional logic might suggest thieves go after fancy and exotic vehicles, as if it were a real-life variation of Gone in 60 Seconds with an Eleanor Mustang flying (literally) across the city or a Hummer pickup with a massive boa constrictor in the back and DMX blasting. Instead, reality is more mundane, with everyday vehicles preferred over the famous list of ladies in the aforementioned film.

The most stolen vehicles, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), include the Hyundai Elantra and Sonata, the Honda Accord, Civic, and CR-V, the Chevy Silverado 1500, and the Ford F-150. Because each of those models is a volume seller for its respective automaker, a stolen set of wheels and tires can fit thousands of nearly identical vehicles, giving thieves an instant black market. Lt. Howard also explained that while chopping the vehicle down for parts is common, some thieves may opt to resell it as-is and let someone else strip it.

“In most situations, it’s going to be for money, but there are multiple reasons that lead someone to steal,” Lt. Howard said, adding that some may swipe a vehicle simply for a joyride and then abandon it later.

The latest NICB data shows that vehicle thefts fell to their lowest level in several decades in 2025. In total, 659,880 vehicles were reported stolen throughout 2025, a 23% decrease from 2024. NICB President and CEO David J. Glawe attributed the drop to the combined efforts of law enforcement, automakers, and insurers, rather than any single source. 

While lower vehicle thefts are certainly good news, it doesn't mean drivers can let their guard down. Wheel and tire theft can still spike in a specific neighborhood or around a specific vehicle, as it did with the Ford Fusion and Chrysler 200 in Detroit when my wheels were stolen.

"The one thing to watch for is if there have been reports within your neighborhood of multiple cars being stolen," Lt. Howard explained. "Also, if you see multiple cars coming in and out of a house, and it's a different vehicle every day, it could raise some suspicion."

Likewise, random cars and parts strewn around a yard or garage could raise concern, though Lt. Howard cautioned that such things are not definitive proof of criminal activity. "It could be that, but it could also just be someone who enjoys working on cars in their spare time,” he said.

Ultimately, it helps to know what's normal and routine around your neighborhood and contact local law enforcement if something looks different or feels off, instead of assuming it’s nothing.  

Wheel theft usually means the entire assembly, rims and tires together, are lifted from the vehicle (think of a car on cinder blocks). Tire theft, by contrast, means only the rubber is taken, and the wheel is left. Strict tire theft, however, is harder to achieve on the street when thieves want to work quickly, since separating a tire from its rim requires a tire-changing machine that would be difficult to haul along.

It’s more likely the wheels and tires are separated after the fact, but the value of the stolen tires depends on tread depth. "There's definitely a market for both stolen wheels and tires," Lt. Howard added, clarifying that only brand-new or nearly new tires would interest thieves. 

Most wheel and tire thefts result from a mistake that has nothing to do with the wheels themselves, but with your vehicle being too easily accessible. Whether it's individual components like wheels and tires or the whole vehicle itself, most car thieves are opportunists seeking the path of least resistance. Although vehicle theft isn't 100% preventable, you can use a few common-sense tactics to deter a would-be thief.

"First and foremost, the easiest thing someone can do is make sure their vehicle is locked," Lt. Howard said. "There are far too many times vehicles are stolen, and when we do our investigation, we find out the vehicle was just unlocked."

If you grew up in a small rural town as I did, you may have thought nothing of swinging into the gas station or grocery store and parking your vehicle with the windows down, or maybe even with the engine still running. Lt. Howard advised that sometimes we need to break old habits like this.  

“You want to believe everyone has a good heart and that no one is intentionally trying to steal from you,” he said. “But when you run into the store with the keys in the ignition, you can be asking for it at that point. Just avoid that by turning your car off and locking it.”

Vehicles parked in well-lit areas or places with higher visibility, whether from security cameras or foot traffic, are less of a target than those parked in darker, more secluded areas. If you are downtown in a large city, or traveling to a place you have never been to before, look for garages or parking structures with gated entry, an attendant, or security personnel.

Other good countermeasures to prevent wheel and tire theft include parking as close to the curb as possible; and when you do, turn your steering wheel to a 45-degree angle to help obstruct the lug nuts. In my situation, when my Ford Fusion was stolen, I was already parked close to the curb (some streets in Detroit are narrow, which mine was, so you park close to the curb by default). However, my wheels were not turned at a 45-degree angle, a theft deterrent tactic I only learned after the fact. Sometimes, I wonder if turning my wheels at an angle would have been enough to make whoever stole my Fusion reconsider.    

Regardless of where you park, avoid leaving valuables where someone can easily spot them. Even though things like window tint can deter theft, never leave anything of value in plain sight.

“Far too often, we see individuals leave laptops, purses, wallets, backpacks, and cell phones on the front seat overnight, and then the windows are busted the next morning,” Lt. Howard said. “It can be easy, especially if you are in a hurry, to forget those things inside your car, but try to get in the habit of taking everything with you when you park your vehicle.”  

Several popular options exist for preventing wheel and tire theft (and vehicle theft in general), ranging from hardware-only products to more digital methods.

“At the end of the day, if someone wants to steal your vehicle and they have the time and the right tools, it's possible that nothing will stop them,” Lt. Howard said. “However, anything you can put in place to take away or minimize the opportunity for the thief will help.”

Wheel locks, also called locking lug nuts, replace one lug nut per wheel that only turns with a matching key. Four-packs from brands like McGard and Gorilla Automotive may range anywhere from $30 to about $60, at the time of this writing.

Rugged Ridge offers a set of wheel locks specifically for Jeep Gladiator and Wrangler owners, featuring a hardened steel construction with a chrome or black finish. The Rugged Ridge set also includes a fifth lock for the spare tire.

Wheel clamps, also sold as tire boots or tire claws, lock onto one wheel, usually the front tire, and stop it from turning until the clamp comes off. Some clamp around the lower portion of the rim, while other versions, like a circular or triangular style, also cover the lug nuts. In either case, their bulk and heft can serve as an excellent theft deterrent.

Vehicles that sit outside for an extended period are good candidates for wheel clamps.

GPS trackers like Bouncie and LandAirSea can report your vehicle's location via a smartphone app, giving police something to go on if it's stolen. The Bouncie device plugs into the OBD2 port, while the LandAirSea 54 tracker uses a battery, so you can stash it anywhere in the vehicle.

Tilt-detection alarms from brands like Compustar sense changes in the vehicle's angle and sound an alarm if and when one corner is lifted. Paired with an app like DroneMobile, owners can receive a push notification whether they're next door or a state away. Professional installation is recommended for tilt-detection alarms, since the sensor has to be wired into the vehicle's electrical system.

Dash cams with parking modes may help identify thieves, since the motion-activated feature triggers when someone walks up to or by your car. While most dash cams require a separate hardwire kit to enable the function, an OBD-II cable or a standalone battery pack may work too, depending on the model. Some more premium dash cameras may send a notification to your phone via a companion app and save the footage to the cloud.

“You can also mount a home security camera that can monitor your driveway or garage, just to ensure everything is covered,” Lt. Howard said.

Q: Do Theft-Deterrent Products Work?

Yes, but even the best anti-theft devices cannot provide a 100% guarantee if someone has time, the right tools, and is determined. However, items like wheel locks and wheel clamps signal to a bad actor that your vehicle is more trouble than it’s worth.

Q: Do Wheel Locks Prevent Theft?

Yes, wheel locks can prevent theft. Wheel locks replace a standard lug nut with one that only turns with a special key.

Q: What Are The Best Tire Theft Prevention Devices?

In addition to wheel locks, wheel clamps and tilt-detection alarms are among the best tire theft prevention devices.  

Q: Why Do People Steal Tires?

The Michigan State Police cite money as a motivating factor in car theft, as thieves can strip a stolen vehicle for parts to resell, including tires. However, some may steal a vehicle for other reasons, including the desire to take it for a joyride.

Q: Does Insurance Cover Stolen Wheels?

Depending on your provider, comprehensive coverage usually covers stolen wheels and tires, along with any other damages to your vehicle.  

Q: What Are the Most Stolen Wheels and Tires?

Hyundai Elantras, Honda Accords and Civics, and full-size pickups like the Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-150 topped the National Insurance Crime Bureau's current list of most-stolen vehicles. Given the popularity of these vehicles, a stolen set of wheels and tires can fit thousands of nearly identical vehicles, giving thieves an instant black market.