Most stolen cars in America and the steps you can take to avoid losing yours
Learn about the 10 most stolen cars and why some are stolen so often. Coverage used the Hot Wheels report to compile the most stolen models in America and steps you can take to avoid losing yours
In 2020, most newer cars have pretty strong safety features as a matter of course. But the average car on the road is a record
16 years old
, which means that every new car is balanced by at least one car that is much older. These older cars often have a long history of reliability and low cost operation. But it could also be a song and dance to start with a simple Slim Jim.
But why is it worth it for thieves to steal these much older and less valuable cars? Parties. Car owners with vehicles that are out of warranty do not go to new car dealerships for repairs; they go to repair shops or search for parts online. That fuels interest in components being recalled from older cars, bought from stores looking to cut costs, or sold online to unaware consumers who believe they are buying parts from wrecked, not stolen vehicles.
Because of this, theft is a huge concern. Which cars are thieves most looking for and why are they attracted to certain cars? Coverage.Com used 2018 data (released Nov. 19, 2019) from the National Office of Insurance Crimes Hot Wheels report to compile the 10 most stolen car models in America. Cars are ranked based on the total number of model car thefts as reported to the National Crime Information Center each year. Each slide also contains information on the states where this model has been most stolen, according to the NICB. For the sake of brevity, the top four car models only include states that list the car as the number one most stolen in the state, and the other six car models include states that list the car as one of the three most stolen.
To protect your vehicles against theft, there are common sense rules that are worth following. Keep doors closed, do not store valuables in the vehicle, park in a well-lit or heavily trafficked area, and incorporate a trace / retrieve system and / or a theft prevention product (the more visible or noisy the better) .
Keep reading to see which cars are the most stolen in the United States.
# 10. Honda CR-V
- Total car model thefts: 10,094
- Model of the year in which the most were stolen: 2001
- States with the most cars stolen: Minnesota (# 3 in state)
The Honda CR-V is a family-friendly four-door SUV that comes with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, which perhaps explains its popularity in snowy Minnesota, as well as many models that come with anti-theft systems. Although the model is decades old, its style has remained quite timeless, and pieces for older generations are in high demand right now.
# 9. GMC Pickup (full size)
- Total thefts of car models: 11164
- Model of the year in which the most were stolen: 2018
- States where cars were stolen the most: Alaska (# 3 in state), Arkansas (# 3 in state), Maine (# 2 in state)
Not surprisingly, the GMC truck is one of the most popular thefts in Alaska, Montana, and North Dakota - rugged states where many people work outdoors and haul large loads. GMC generally lags behind in pickup truck sales behind other big brands, but red states are more likely to support a traditional American car brand. Many recent models come with burglar alarm systems.
# 8. Dodge Pickup (full size)
- Total car model thefts: 11,292
- Model of the year most stolen: 2001
- States where cars were stolen the most: Missouri (# 3 in state), Montana (# 3 in state), Nebraska (# 3 in state), North Dakota (# 3 in state) state), Oklahoma (# 3 in state), Texas (# 3 in state), Wyoming (# 3 in state)
Dodge sold trucks under its Ram brand until Ram came out solo in 2010. That includes the classic Ram truck and the Dakota made through the mid-2000s. Discontinued cars and generations of vehicles can be extremely popular with thieves, because they represent a limited supply of engine parts, as well as clean body panels.
# 7. Toyota Corolla
- Total car model thefts: 12137
- Model of the year in which the most were stolen: 2018
- States where cars were stolen the most: Washington D.C. (# 3 in the state)
The compact Corolla is an entry-level Toyota, with great fuel economy along with cross-part compatibility with some other Toyota's. The most common model year to steal is 2018, which is the first year of the latest generation, a sweet spot for stealing. Due to the Corolla's popularity with thieves, vehicle owners should always use any alarm system that came with the vehicle, have the VIN number etched on the windshield and other parts of the car to avoid parts analysis, and employ a GPS tracking system for the vehicle.
# 6. Nissan Altima
- Total car model thefts: 13355
- Model of the year in which the most were stolen: 2015
- States where cars were stolen the most: Connecticut (# 3 in the state), Delaware (# 3 in the state), Florida (# 2 in the state), Louisiana (# 3 in the state) ), Mississippi (# 3 in the state), New York (# 3 in the state), North Carolina (# 3 in the state), Pennsylvania (# 3 in the state), Tennessee (# 3 in the state )
The 2015 Nissan Altima is at a sweet spot, just ahead of a 2016 facelift common to older generations. The latest generation 2018 and later Altima also have better and more up-to-date anti-theft technology.
# 5. Toyota Camry
- Total car model thefts: 15,656
- Model of the year in which the most were stolen: 2007
- States with most cars stolen: Florida (# 3 in state), Kentucky (# 3 in state), Maryland (# 2 in state), Massachusetts (# 3 in state) ), New York (# 2 in the state), Rhode Island (# 2 in the state), Virginia (# 3 in the state), Washington DC (# 2 in the state)
The Toyota Camry is a very popular mid-level family car whose parts can be expensive for owners, making it tempting to steal. The 2007 model year ranks in the Goldilocks zone between the older and newer models that are harder to steal.
# 4. Honda Accord
1 in state), Pennsylvania (# 1 in state), Rhode Island (# 1 in state)
The Honda Accord is towards the higher end of the Honda line, but the Accord still shares parts with several other Hondas, making it a high-value steal. With a 1997 model, a thief would simply have to break into Slim-Jim, no need to thwart the alarms.
# 3. Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)
- Total car model thefts: 32,583
- Model of the year in which the most were stolen: 2004
- Most car stolen states: Alabama (# 1 in state), Alaska (# 1 in state), Arizona (# 1 in state), Arkansas (# 1 in state) ), Idaho (# 1 in the state), Iowa (# 1 in the state), Maine (# 1 in the state), Montana (# 1 in the state), Nebraska (# 1 in the state), Dakota North (# 1 in state), Oklahoma (# 1 in state), South Dakota (# 1 in state), Tennessee (# 1 in state), Vermont (# 1 in state)
There is always a demand for trucks of all kinds because they are used by many different types of workers. And in the United States, while SUVs and foreign-made cars tend to be more popular than American-made models, pickup trucks remain largely an American-made phenomenon. (Toyota trucks, especially classics, are loved here too.)
# 2. Honda Civic
- Total car model thefts: 33,220
- Model of the year in which the most were stolen: 2000
- States where cars were stolen the most: California (# 1 in state), Minnesota (# 1 in state), Nevada (# 1 in state), Oregon (# 1 in state) ), Utah (# 1 in the state), Washington (# 1 in the state)
The Honda Civic has long been the most popular model to steal, because it is a very common car and it also shares parts between Honda models. The year 2000 most commonly stolen predates many anti-theft technologies.
# 1. Ford Pickup (Full Size)
- Total car model thefts: 38,938
- Model of the year in which the most were stolen: 2006
- States where cars were stolen the most: Colorado (# 1 in state), Florida (# 1 in state), Georgia (# 1 in state), Hawaii (# 1 in state) ), Indiana (# 1 in the state), Kansas (# 1 in the state), Kentucky (# 1 in the state), Louisiana (# 1 in the state), Michigan (# 1 in the state), Mississippi (# 1 in the state), Missouri (# 1 in the state), New Hampshire (# 1 in the state), New Mexico (# 1 in the state), Ohio (# 1 in the state ), South Carolina (# 1 in state), Texas (# 1 in state), Virginia (# 1 in state), West Virginia (# 1 in state), Wyoming (# 1 in state)
If you are surprised to see Ford trucks so high on this list, keep in mind that they have been the best-selling vehicle in the US for 43 years starting in 2020. A 2006 is about to arrive with more standard anti-theft technology. . , and trucks are extremely useful, especially if your job is to carry other people's things in a hurry.
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