Top 10 Most Commonly Stolen Car Models Across America (Updated for 2020)
the camry and civic both make the list
In movies we usually see car thieves depicted as ultra-sophisticated and suave individuals with a penchant for snagging only top dollar vehicles. But in real life, car theft is much less glamorous. It’s usually not the Maseratis and Bentley that are targeted, because for the most part car thieves are looking for a vehicle that can be easily disassembled and sold for parts. Sometimes they even sell their car to a car buyer who then sells it again for scrap.
Anyway, this means that it’s mass market, often unassuming vehicles that get targeted most often. Family sedans and pickup trucks that, when brand new, were considered best sellers. Car thieves know that the more popular and common a vehicle is, the more likely they will be able to sell the stolen parts on the black market or to unsuspecting owners who are looking for deals online.
Unfortunately, here in Dallas and across the country, there’s another reason these types of cars are stolen regularly. Typically criminals are looking to use inconspicuous vehicles to commit other crimes like store and house robbery. They use the stolen car to commit the crime and then quickly get rid of it through parts sales to make their movements less easily traceable.
The following is a list of the most stolen vehicles in the United States:
Honda Civic
This should come as no surprise given the popularity of this sedan. Naturally the number of Civics on the road gives car thieves the opportunity to cash in on parts sales. With more than 325,000 units sold in 2018, The NICB reports that 38,426 Honda Civics (including all model years) were stolen that same year.
Honda Accord
Another Honda lands near the top of this list, of course. According to the NCIB, 36,815 Honda Accords were stolen in 2018 across all model years.
Ford Trucks
The Ford F-150 is most likely to be stolen of all the Ford trucks, simply because of its popularity and high volume sales in the U.S. But all Ford trucks seem to be appealing to thieves. In fact, trucks in general are quite frequently targeted due to the higher likelihood of there being tools, gear and guns stored in the truck-bed or cabin. Unfortunately the number of Ford trucks stolen has risen from 2017 to 2018.
Chevrolet Trucks
Much like Ford Trucks, Chevys are frequently targeted due to the likelihood of there being other attractive goods contained in the truck. Of all Chevys, the Silverado is the most commonly stolen. Chevys advertisements are usually highlighting the long lasting durability of their trucks and this is appealing to thieves. It’s also of note that Chevys were the top vehicle stolen in 13 states.
Toyota Camry
Though the number of Camrys stolen has dropped slightly between 2017 and 2018, it remains a top choice for thieves. This is due to the fact that the Toyota Camry has been one of the best-selling cars in the U.S. for decades. The car is known for its reliability, and yet, newer models with modern anti-theft systems are still commonly targeted and stolen by car thieves.
Nissan Altima
The Altima is another newer model car that gets frequently stolen despite modern anti-theft and keyless entry. Apparently car thieves have a certain type of device that acts as a transmitter. This device can amplify and transmit code from the keyfob to the device. So if a criminal stands near the house door, the device can pick up on the keyfob if its near enough, copy the transmission and then allow the thief to use the copied fob transmission to unlock the car door. Though the number of stolen Altimas has dropped between 2017 and 2018, only by 0.6%.
Toyota Corolla
The Corolla is another popular compact car that is often targeted for theft. Of course this is in large part due to the popularity of the car. The number of thefts have remained fairly stable over the past couple years only dropping very slightly by 0.4%. Areas where the Corolla ranks highest in thefts include Washington D.C. and Florida.
GMC Trucks
Once again, an entire line of trucks gets mentioned as a top pick for thieves. Another reason trucks are easily targeted is that they are more often parked at job sites that lack cameras or surveillance. Of all GMC models, the Sierra has proven to be the most likely to be stolen. Unfortunately, the number of GMC trucks has recently risen by 7.8%.
Dodge Trucks
There is no need to state once again why trucks are so preferred among car thieves. So of course with the popularity of Dodge and the number of vehicles on the road, this make of pickup easily makes it onto this list. The most common of the group to be stolen is the Dodge Ram. There has been a very slight decrease in stolen Dodge trucks over the past few years.
Jeep Cherokee
The Chevy Impala previously held the number 10 spot on this list, but has been recently replaced by the Jeep Cherokee and the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Clearly this is another case of a popular car well known for its dependability and longevity. As a favorite among Jeep owners and car enthusiasts, the Cherokee is known to last past the 300,000 mile marker. Perhaps that’s why it's the only SUV to make the list.
So there you have it car fans, the most updated list of frequently stolen cars based on data from 2018 and 2019. Hopefully this gives you enough information to keep your car safe from thieves but won’t prevent you from purchasing the car of your dreams. Try not to store anything that might be of value in your vehicle and store your key fob in a place as far away from any doors or windows in your home. Lock up and stay safe! And if you are looking for a cash for cars business to buy your (legally obtained) old junk car, look no further. We can help! For additional info, check out our list of the ten worst used cars to own.