Between 1973 and 1985, 12,228,000 motor vehicles were stolen (949,100 annually), and 7,097,000 thefts were attempted (545,900 annually). The number of thefts declined 33 percent over the study period. The thefts, whether attempted or completed, occurred most often at night, near the victim's home, in noncommercial parking lots, or on the street. A household member was present at the vehicle in 9 percent of the thefts, and in 3 percent the offender either threatened or physically attacked the victim. Compared to completed thefts, attempted thefts were more likely to occur at night, have a household member present, result in property damage, and be reported to police by someone outside the household. Vehicles were recovered in 62 percent of the incidents. Almost 9 in 10 completed thefts were reported to police. In half of completed thefts, property worth $2,455 or more was stolen. Losses from completed thefts after recoveries and reimbursements by insurance companies amounted to $16.1 billion for the study period. The most likely theft victims were blacks, Hispanics, households headed by persons under age 25, residents of multiple dwelling units, central city residents, and low-income households. 18 tables.