Where to start when your car is missing
If you cannot find your car, start by checking the places you park most often: your home, workplace, or regular parking spots. Walk or drive through those areas, or ask someone to help you search. If your car is not in any of those locations, call your local police non-emergency line and report it missing — this creates an official record and lets you know whether it has been towed, impounded, or involved in an accident.
Before you assume theft, verify that you have not straightforward forgotten where you parked. Check your phone for photos or location data from the last time you drove. Ask family members or roommates whether they moved the car or borrowed it. If you use a ride-sharing service regularly, confirm you did not accidentally take a ride instead of driving yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Call your local police non-emergency line first to report the car missing and learn whether it has been towed or impounded.
- Check your city or county towing authority's website or call them directly to see if your car was towed from a specific location.
- If your car has GPS or a built-in tracking system, use the manufacturer's app to locate it remotely.
- Contact your insurance company to report the missing vehicle; they may have recovery resources or may require a police report before covering theft.
Check if your car was towed
Towing is the most common reason a car disappears. Your city or county maintains a list of authorized tow yards and keeps records of which vehicles have been towed and where they are being held. Call your local police department's non-emergency number and ask for the towing authority's contact information, or search online for "[your city] towing authority" or "[your county] impound lot."
When you call, have your license plate number and vehicle identification number (VIN) ready. The tow yard can tell you whether your car is there, why it was towed, and what you need to do to retrieve it. Towing fees and storage charges begin when ready, so the sooner you locate and retrieve your car, the lower the total cost will be.
If your car was towed from private property (a parking lot, driveway, or apartment complex), the property owner or manager arranged the tow. Call the property owner or manager first to understand why the car was removed and where it was taken.
Use your car's built-in tracking or GPS system
Many newer vehicles have a manufacturer-provided app that shows the car's location in real time. General Motors vehicles use OnStar, Ford vehicles use Ford Pass, BMW uses BMW Connected Drive, and Tesla uses the Tesla app. If you own one of these vehicles, read the app on your phone, sign in with your account, and look for a "locate vehicle" or "find my car" feature.
Some vehicles also have a panic button or SOS feature on the key fob that can set up the horn or lights to help you find the car in a parking lot. Check your owner's manual or the manufacturer's website to see what tracking features your vehicle includes.
If you do not have access to the manufacturer's app or your vehicle does not have built-in GPS, you can install an aftermarket GPS tracker. These are small devices that attach to your car and send location data to your phone. They cost between $20 and $100 and can be purchased from electronics retailers or online.
Report the car to police if you suspect theft
If you have checked parking locations, called the towing authority, and used any tracking system your car has, and the car is still missing, file a theft report with your local police department. You can do this in person at the station or online through your city's police website. Provide the officer or online form with your vehicle's make, model, color, license plate number, and VIN.
The police will enter the vehicle into the National Crime Information (NCI) database, which law enforcement agencies across the country can search. This increases the chances that the car will be found and recovered. Keep a copy of the police report number — you will need it to file an insurance claim.
Contact your insurance company
Call your auto insurance company and report the missing vehicle. Most insurers require a police report before they will cover theft, so have that report number ready. Your insurance agent can explain what your policy covers and what steps you need to take next.
If your car is recovered after you file a claim, your insurer may have a recovery process in place. Some insurance companies work with recovery services that actively search for stolen vehicles. Ask your agent whether your policy includes this service.
Check hospitals and accident reports
If your car disappeared suddenly and you have no explanation, contact local hospitals to see whether you were in an accident and taken for medical care. You can also call your city or county's accident reporting line — many police departments maintain a public database of recent accidents that you can search by vehicle description or license plate.
If your car was involved in an accident, the police report will list the location where it was towed. Call that tow yard to confirm the car is there and arrange to retrieve it.
What to do if your car is found
Once you locate your car, the next steps depend on where it is. If it is in a tow yard, you will need to pay towing and storage fees before you can take it. If it is at a police impound lot, you may need to show proof of ownership and pay impound fees. If it was recovered after a theft report, your insurance company may handle the recovery process and towing costs.
Before you drive the car away, inspect it for damage and check that all your belongings are still inside. If the car was towed or impounded, ask the facility for a written record of its condition when it arrived. If the car was stolen, document any damage with photos and report it to your insurance company.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get a car out of an impound lot?
Towing fees typically range from $75 to $300, and storage fees are usually $15 to $50 per day. The exact amount depends on your city and the tow yard. Call the impound lot directly for a quote before you go to retrieve your car.
Can I get my car back if I do not have my keys?
Yes. The tow yard or impound lot can release the car to you without the keys, though you will need to show proof of ownership (title, registration, or insurance card). You can have a locksmith meet you there to unlock the car, or call a roadside information service to help you get it started.
What if my car was towed from a private parking lot?
Contact the property owner or manager first — they can tell you which tow company removed the car and where it is being held. You will still need to pay towing and storage fees to retrieve it, even if the tow was done without your permission.
How long does it take for a stolen car to show up in the police database?
A police report is entered into the National Crime Information database when ready when you file it. However, it can take several hours or days for the information to reach all law enforcement agencies. If your car is recovered quickly, the officer who finds it may not have the updated database yet.
What should I do if I find my car but it has been damaged?
Take photos of all damage before you move the car. Report the damage to the tow yard or impound lot in writing, and ask for a written statement of the car's condition. File a claim with your insurance company and provide them with the photos and written statement.