Vehicle and Auto Theft Laws in Arizona

Vehicle thefts and related crimes have been on the rise. Many states, including Arizona, impose stiff penalties on defendants convicted of auto theft, carjacking, breaking into vehicles, and stealing parts off of vehicles (including tires and catalytic converters). Below are some of the charges a defendant could face in Arizona for these vehicle theft-related crimes.

Arizona's Vehicle Theft Crimes

You'll find vehicle theft and related crimes under the following sections of Arizona's criminal code:

• theft of a vehicle (means of transportation) (§ 13-1814)
• joyriding (unlawful use of means of transportation) (§ 13-1803), and
• general theft for stealing an engine or transmission (§ 13-1802).

"Means of transportation" refers to any vehicle that can be used on a highway, waterway, or airway, such as a car, truck, motorcycle, or boat.

Stealing a vehicle by force or threat of force—commonly known as carjacking—falls under Arizona's robbery laws. Breaking into a car is considered burglary. These crimes all carry felony penalties. (More on penalties below.)

(Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-105, 13-1902 (2025).)

What Are the Penalties for Stealing a Vehicle in Arizona?

Stealing a car carries felony penalties in Arizona. It's considered theft when a person unlawfully takes another's vehicle intending to permanently deprive the owner of their car. Permanent deprivation can include taking the vehicle intending to sell it to a chop shop, ditch it miles away, or strip it for parts. It's also theft to obtain or buy a vehicle knowing it's stolen.

A person who steals another's vehicle commits a class 3 felony. The presumptive prison sentence for a first-time felon is 3½ years. The maximum sentence is 25 years.

(Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1814 (2025).)

A person commits the crime of "unlawful use of means of transportation" (often called joyriding) by taking a vehicle without authorization. Unlike theft, the person doesn't intend to permanently deprive the owner of their vehicle.

Taking a vehicle for a joyride is a felony for both the driver and any passengers. The driver or person who took control of the vehicle commits a class 5 felony. A passenger who knowingly participates in a joyride can be punished for a class 6 felony.

A person convicted of a class 5 felony faces a presumptive sentence of one and a half years for a first offense and a maximum sentence of 7½ years. A class 6 felony carries a presumptive sentence of one year for a first offense and a maximum sentence of 5 years and 9 months.

(Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1803 (2025).)

What Are the Penalties for Stealing Vehicle Parts in Arizona?

Many defendants steal vehicles for their parts, and some don't waste time stealing the whole vehicle. They grab the tires, pull out the engine or controls, or saw off the catalytic converter from underneath in a matter of minutes. Stealing vehicle parts can result in charges for theft, property damage charges, or illegal possession of a catalytic converter in Arizona.

Theft of a Vehicle Transmission or Engine

Arizona law carves out felony penalties specific to stealing a vehicle transmission or engine. Under the general theft law, it's a class 4 felony to steal a vehicle engine or transmission, regardless of its value. A class 4 felony in Arizona carries a presumptive sentence of 2½ years for a first felony and a maximum sentence of 15 years. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1802 (2025).)

Stealing Other Vehicle Parts

Stealing other vehicle parts can result in a conviction for theft based on the value of the item stolen, plus the cost of the repair or replacement value of the part. It's a felony anytime this monetary threshold hits $1,000 or more. When a defendant engages in a theft spree, the prosecutor can add up all the thefts and base the charges on the total amount carried out in the scheme (even when the property was taken from several persons).

Thefts involving the following amounts carry these felony penalties:

• $1,000 to $1,999—Class 6 felony
• $2,000 to $2,999—Class 5 felony
• $3,000 to $3,999—Class 4 felony
• $4,000 to $24,999—Class 3 felony

If the theft results in damage to the vehicle, the prosecution might also file charges for criminal damage to property. Similar to theft, damage amounting to more than $1,000 is a felony. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-1602, 13-1802 (2025).)

Illegal Possession of a Catalytic Converter

Arizona also allows prosecutors to bring charges against a defendant who unlawfully possesses a detached, used catalytic converter or any nonferrous parts of one. These laws offer prosecutors the ability to file criminal charges even if the catalytic converters can't be tied to a specific theft crime (because the identifying number is often altered or removed).

Illegal possession of a catalytic converter starts as a class 1 misdemeanor. If a defendant possesses 10 or more catalytic converters, the penalty increases to a class 6 felony. (If the prosecution can tie possession to a theft, harsher theft penalties will apply.) (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3728 (2025).)

What Are the Penalties for Breaking Into a Vehicle?

Breaking into a vehicle falls under Arizona's burglary laws. It's third-degree burglary to unlawfully enter a vehicle with the intent of stealing something. A smash-and-grab would fall under this crime. Even if the car door is unlocked, it's still burglary to open the door hoping to grab a cellphone or other item sitting inside. Using a manipulation or master key also counts as an unlawful entry. A conviction carries class 4 felony penalties.

Recklessly damaging the vehicle can result in felony charges if the defendant causes $1,000 or more in damages to the car. Criminal damage to property penalties increase as the amount of damage increases.

(Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-1506, 13-1602 (2025).)

What Are the Penalties for Carjacking in Arizona?

Arizona doesn't have a law specific to carjacking. This offense falls under the state's robbery laws. A person commits robbery by taking another's property against their will by use or threat of force, intending to coerce their surrender or prevent resistance.

Robbery carries class 4 felony penalties unless the defendant is armed or threatens to use a deadly weapon against the victim. Armed robbery is a class 2 felony. A class 4 felony in Arizona carries a presumptive sentence of 2½ years for a first felony and a maximum sentence of 15 years. Class 2 felonies have a 5-year presumptive sentence for a first felony and a maximum 35-year sentence.

(Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-1902, 13-1904 (2025).)

Getting Legal Help

A conviction for any of Arizona's motor vehicle crimes is a felony conviction and becomes part of your permanent criminal record. If you're convicted later of another crime, the court can consider your prior conviction and impose a harsher sentence in the new case. A felony conviction can hurt you when you are looking for a job or applying to rent a house or apartment. A convicted felon also loses the right to vote and carry firearms and can lose certain professional licenses. If you face charges for vehicle theft, talk to an experienced criminal defense attorney or ask for a public defender right away.