Top 10 Most Stolen Cars in the U.S You Should Be Careful

Sally Polly October 04, 2021 | 08:21

Car theft is one of the most well-known crimes in the United States, with a large number of vehicles stolen each year. Is your vehicle among the top ten most stolen in the United States?

Top 10 most stolen cars in the United States

In 2020, a total of 880,595 vehicles were stolen across the country, an 11% increase from 2019, when 794,019 vehicles were stolen.

Because these vehicles lack some of the security features found in more modern vehicles, they may be a prime target for unscrupulous individuals looking to pawn off their parts. Although thieves prefer older vehicles, newer vehicles are not immune to theft; they are simply more difficult to steal.

In popular culture, car theft usually involves elaborate heists and high-speed chases in sporty roadsters or sleek sedans worth six or seven figures.

The reality is far less glamorous; professional car thieves are rarely interested in stealing the most recent McLaren or Bentley. Instead, they target well-known and long-running model lines like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.

These cars are then dismantled and sold on the black market for parts. Parts for popular models are in high demand due to the large number of owners who own the same model, and they generate more money than the car's intact value. Because of the high demand for parts, these vehicles are attractive targets for thieves.

Here are 10 most stolen cars in the United States.

How many cars have been stolen in the United States?

The FBI includes the theft or attempted theft of automobiles, trucks, buses, motorcycles, scooters, snowmobiles and other vehicles in its definition of motor vehicle theft. About $6.4 billion was lost to motor vehicle theft in 2019. The average dollar loss per theft was $8,886. Motor vehicles were stolen at a rate of 219.9 per 100,000 people in 2019, down from 230.2 in 2018. In 2019, 721,885 vehicles were stolen, down 4.0 percent from 751,885 vehicles in 2018.

Vehicle thefts have been trending downward in the 26 years since they peaked at 1.7 million in 1991, falling 43 percent to 721,885 in 2019, according to the FBI. The National Insurance Crime Bureau credits law enforcement efforts, along with the creation of specific antitheft programs, technology and insurance company-supported organizations such as the NICB for contributing to the theft reduction. However, auto theft appears to have increased considerably in 2020, compared with 2019, ending a two-year trend of decreasing auto thefts, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). The bureau released a preliminary analysis that indicates that the number of auto thefts in 2020 totaled 873,080, a 9.2 percent increase compared with 2019, when its data showed that 799,644 thefts were recorded. The NICB analyzed data from the FBI’s National Crime Information Center. It cites the pandemic, the economic downturn, the loss of juvenile outreach programs, and budgetary and resource constraints in public safety as contributing factors to the increase.

Despite the reduction in vehicle thefts over the past two decades, industry observers caution that thieves constantly devise new and sophisticated means of stealing autos. Acquiring smart keys, which eliminated hot-wiring to steal cars, switching vehicle identification numbers, and using stolen identities to secure loans for expensive vehicles are some of the tactics used. The discovery that there were 229,339 vehicle thefts with keys or fobs left in vehicles between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018 is also concerning. According to the NICB, this is a 56% increase from the 147,434 vehicles stolen in this manner between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2015. From 2016 to 2018, a total of 209 vehicles were stolen every day for three years. During this time period, the top five states with the most thefts with keys or fobs left in the vehicle were California (31,185), Florida (17,300), Texas (15,511), Ohio (12,596), and Nevada (11,391).

The NICB also reports a significant increase in thefts of catalytic converters, which convert the engine's environmentally hazardous exhaust into less harmful gasses. In 2018, there were 1,298 reported catalytic converter thefts, which more than doubled to 3,389 in 2019.

By 2020, they had more than quadrupled to 14,433 thefts, with December leading the way with 2,347 thefts, or roughly 16% of the annual total. Repairs to stolen catalytic converters could cost thousands of dollars.

The List of top 10 most stolen cars in the United States

(Last updated October, 2021)

10. Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee

9. Dodge Pickup (full size)

8. GMC Pickup (Full size)

7. Toyota Corolla

6. Nissan Altima

5. Toyota Camry

4. Chevrolet Pickup (Full-size)

3. Ford Pickup (Full-size)

2. Honda Accord

1. Honda Civic

***

Top 10 vehicles had the most reported thefts in New York

(year of 2020)

Honda Accord - 770 total thefts

Honda CR-V - 584 total thefts

Toyota Camry - 561 total thefts

Honda Civic - 488 total thefts

Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee - 486 total thefts

Nissan Altima - 475 total thefts

Ford Econoline E250 - 304 total thefts

Toyota Corolla - 288 total thefts

Ford Econoline E350 - 286 total thefts

Ford Pick-Up (Full Size) - 281 total thefts

***

What are the most stolen cars in the United States Today?

10. Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee

Photo: Edmunds

Number of thefts: 9,818

Model year most stolen: 2000 (646 thefts)

Thefts per 1,000: 3

Over the course of five generations, Jeep has produced and marketed the Cherokee series of SUVs. The Cherokee began life as a full-size SUV, was one of the first compact SUVs, and is now marketed as a crossover SUV. It was originally based on the Jeep Wagoneer. Since 1974, Jeep has used the Cherokee nameplate in some capacity. The Cherokee tribe is a group of Native Americans in North America.

It's easy to understand why thieves target the Cherokee, despite the fact that it's the only SUV to appear in the top ten most stolen cars. The Jeep Cherokee has not only been a popular car for many years, but it is also notable for its longevity, much like many other cars on the list. It is said that this car can last well over 300,000 miles if it is properly maintained.

9. Dodge Pickup (full size)

Photo: Forbes

Number of thefts: 11,226

The Ram pickup is a full-size pickup truck produced by Stellantis North America (formerly Chrysler Group LLC and FCA US LLC), which marketed it as the Dodge Ram until 2010. Starting in 2010, the Ram Trucks brand was used to market the truck. In January of that year, the current fifth-generation Ram made its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.

Ram was once a model in the Dodge lineup of light trucks. Although the company had used a ram's-head hood ornament on some trucks as early as 1933, the name Ram was first applied to Dodge Trucks in October 1980, following the retirement and rebadging of the Dodge D series pickup trucks and B-series vans. This was the 1981 model year.

Eight Ram trucks have won the Truck of the Year award from Motor Trend magazine: the second-generation Ram in 1994, the third-generation Ram heavy-duty in 2003, the fourth-generation Ram heavy-duty in 2010, the fourth-generation Ram 1500 in 2013 and 2014, and the current fifth-generation Ram pickup, which won in 2019, 2020, and 2021, is the first truck in history to win the award three times.

Because fewer of these potent vehicles have been stolen, Dodge pickups have risen from eighth to ninth place since last year. Although this decline may give Dodge pickup owners some peace of mind, pickups are still very desirable to auto thieves overall. It should go without saying that maintaining awareness is essential.

8. GMC Pickup (Full size)

Photo: GMC

Number of thefts: 11,708

Model year most stolen: 2018 (1,170 thefts)

Thefts per 1,000: 6

Part of the American automaker General Motors (GM), GMC (formerly the General Motors Truck Company, or the GMC Truck & Coach Division) is a division that specializes in trucks and utility vehicles. Currently, GMC produces light-duty trucks, vans, SUVs, and pickup trucks with an emphasis on premium vehicles. Previously, GMC manufactured transit buses, motorhomes, fire trucks, ambulances, heavy-duty trucks, and medium-duty trucks.

Compared to their mechanically identical Chevrolet counterparts, GMC pickup trucks provide a marginally more upscale ride and a little more brand cachet. Regretfully, thieves frequently steal them, particularly in Maine, Alaska, and Arkansas.

Interestingly, the most common targets aren't the older GMC pickup models. The 2018 model year is the most frequently stolen version, which is a relatively late model.

7. Toyota Corolla

Photo: Wikipedia

Number of thefts: 12,388

Model year most stolen: 2017 (1,034 thefts)

Thefts per 1,000: 1.9

The Toyota Corolla, also known as the Toyota Karōra in Japanese, is a range of subcompact and compact cars that Toyota produces and sells all over the world. The Corolla, which debuted in 1966, quickly rose to the top of the global automotive sales charts and has remained among the top models ever since. Overtaking the Volkswagen Beetle, the Corolla emerged as the world's best-selling brand in 1997. In 2021, Toyota sold 50 million Corollas across twelve generations, marking a significant milestone. Numerous significant redesigns have been made to the series.

There has only been a slight increase in Toyota Corolla thefts—0.4 percent—from the previous year. The Corolla has been a popular car among car owners for decades, so it's understandable why car thieves who prey on the black market for parts frequently rank this vehicle highly.

6. Nissan Altima

Photo: MotorTrend

Number of thefts: 13,284

Model year most stolen: 2017 (1,451 thefts)

Thefts per 1,000: 2

The Nissan Altima is a mid-size car that has been manufactured by Nissan since 1992. It is a continuation of the Nissan Bluebird line, which began in 1955.

The Altima has historically been larger, more powerful, and more luxurious than the Nissan Sentra but less so than the Nissan Maxima. The first through fourth generation cars were manufactured exclusively in the United States and officially sold in North and South America, along with the Middle East and Australia. For other markets, Nissan sold a related mid-size sedan called the Nissan Teana which was between the Altima and Maxima in terms of size. In 2013, the Teana became a rebadged version of the fifth generation Altima.

Despite being overshadowed by segment leaders such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, the Nissan Altima sedan has enjoyed strong sales. The most stolen model is the 2015 version, which is the fourth-generation Altima. That model year is one shy of Nissan giving the Altima a face lift, and four years before the sedan was completely redesigned into its current form.

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5. Toyota Camry

Photo: Toyota

Number of thefts: 16,906

Model year most stolen: 2017 (1,144 thefts)

Thefts per 1,000: 2

The Toyota Camry (/ˈkæmri/; Japanese: トヨタ・カムリ Toyota Kamuri) is an automobile sold internationally by the Japanese manufacturer Toyota since 1982, spanning multiple generations. Originally compact in size (narrow-body), the Camry has grown since the 1990s to fit the mid-size classification (wide-body)—although the two widths co-existed in that decade. Since the release of the wide-bodied versions, Camry has been extolled by Toyota as the firm's second "world car" after the Corolla. In Japan, Camry was once exclusive to Toyota Corolla Store retail dealerships. Narrow-body cars also spawned a rebadged sibling in Japan, the Toyota Vista (トヨタ・ビスタ)—also introduced in 1982 and sold at Toyota Vista Store locations. Diesel fuel versions have previously retailed at Toyota Diesel Store. The Vista Ardeo was a wagon version of the Vista V50.

Theft rates of this popular sedan have decreased by only 2.2 percent since last year, but 2017 remains the most popular car year for thieves. The Camry is the fourth car on this list wherein recent model years are desirable to thieves, which begs the question: exactly how effective are newer antitheft systems at fending off professional thieves?

4. Chevrolet Pickup (Full-size)

Photo: Chevrolet

Number of thefts: 31,566

Model year most stolen: 2004 (2,097 thefts)

Thefts per 1,000: 5

Today's Chevrolet Silverado pickup stands out for its balanced engine options and excellent towing capacity. Apparently, it's a popular choice among thieves, too. The most stolen Chevrolet pickups, however, are those from the 2004 model year.

Chevy’s marketing campaigns tend to highlight the longevity of their pickups, which attracts car buyers and thieves alike. In fact, thefts of Chevy pickups have increased 5 percent since last year, a change that is consistent with upward trends in pickup truck thefts.

3. Ford Pickup

Photo: Sherwood Ford

Number of thefts: 36,355

Model year most stolen: 2006 (3,173 thefts)

Thefts per 1,000: 5

Observing a pattern here? Popular cars are frequently targeted for theft. It should come as no surprise that the Ford F-Series, which has been the best-selling car in the country for 43 years, is also the most stolen car in America in 2019. In particular, the 2006 F-series truck is the most frequently stolen model.

Ford pickups are the ideal target for a thief because they are notoriously simple to break into and highly sought-after on the black market for parts and entire vehicles. Over the previous year, there has been a slight increase in Ford pickup theft rates of 3.6%.

2. Honda Accord

Photo: Honda

Number of thefts: 36,815

Model year most stolen: 1997 (5,029 thefts)

Thefts per 1,000: 4

Known as the Honda Inspire (Japanese: ホンダ・インスパイア, Hepburn: Honda Insupaia) in Japan and China for certain generations, the Honda Accord (Japanese: ホンダ・アコード) is a series of cars manufactured by Honda since 1976. It is best known for its four-door sedan variant, which has been among the best-selling cars in the United States since 1989. Worldwide, the Accord nameplate has been used on a wide range of automobiles, such as coupes, hatchbacks, station wagons, and a Honda Crosstour crossover.

The Accord has remained in second place since last year, but the number of thefts of America's favorite car has dramatically dropped. Despite being well over twenty years old, 1997 Accords continue to be the most stolen model year, which may surprise you. However, these cars' age appeals to some shady types. A deadly defect existed in the construction of 1997 Accords: the ignition system in these vehicles ages to the point where anything small enough to fit in the keyhole, like the handle of a spoon, can start the engine.

1. Honda Civic

Photo: Honda

Number of thefts: 38,426

Model year most stolen: 2000 (5,290 thefts)

Thefts per 1,000: 5

Honda has been producing the Civic (Japanese: ルンダ・シビック, Honda Shibikku) series of cars since 1972. The Civic was once classified as a subcompact car, but since 2000 it has been placed in the compact car class. In Honda's current vehicle lineup, the Civic is positioned in between the City and Accord.

The Civic, another Honda model, is among the top three most stolen automobiles this year. Even though the Civic is the most stolen car of the year, there is one encouraging statistic: Honda Civic thefts have dropped 14.7% from the previous year, following the Honda Accord's similar trend.

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