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“Hot” Wheels: Most Stolen Cars in U.S.

© ColourboxAmerica’s Most Wanted — By Car Thieves
The National Insurance Crime Bureau has released its annual findings on the most stolen cars in America. The “Hot Wheels” report analyzes vehicle theft data submitted to the National Crime Information Center by law enforcement agencies around the country. According to the FBI, during 2018 there were more than 748,841 vehicles stolen in the U.S. — a 3 percent decline in theft when compared to 2017. After a bump up in theft numbers over the last two years, the 2018 data once again reflects the general downward trend in vehicle thefts since 2000. Here’s a closer look at the 10 most stolen cars during calendar year 2018, as well as the most commonly stolen model year.

© FCA US10. Jeep Cherokee / Grand Cherokee
9,818 stolen in 2018
Most stolen model year: 2000
The Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee are very different vehicles; however, the NICB groups these two SUVs together. The second-generation Grand Cherokee was introduced in 1999 with updated styling and a completely new chassis and powertrain. Sales bumped up as a result of this update, so there are clearly plenty of 2000 Grand Cherokees on the road. At the same time, the Cherokee was at the end of its run (it returned in 2014), so the combination of these two milestones makes these iconic Jeeps desirable targets for thieves.

© FCA US9. Dodge Pickup (Full Size)
11,226 stolen in 2018
Most stolen model year: 2001
The fourth-most-popular truck among thieves, Dodge pickups have continued to gain favor over time. In 2002 Dodge introduced its first redesigned pickup in eight years with bold styling that laid the foundation for what we now see on the road, but the previous generation — selling around 400,000 units each year — created the pool that truck thieves are dipping into the most today. The current-generation Ram will likely start experiencing increased thefts, since the big truck’s sales are regularly surpassing 400,000 units each year.

© General Motors8. GMC Pickup (Full Size)
11,708 stolen in 2018
Most stolen model year: 2018
Call it a simple law of averages — the more copies of a vehicle that are on the road, the more likely it is to be stolen. The GMC fullsize pickup — also known as the Sierra — has had impressive sales over the last few years, and last year more were stolen than in any other year. Along with those high numbers, there are a plethora of configurations available to thieves, with many choices of bodystyles, drivetrains and features, including the luxurious Sierra Denali.

© Toyota Motor Sales USA7. Toyota Corolla
12,388 stolen in 2018
Most stolen model year: 2017
The Corolla is a perennial favorite among those who don’t pay for their cars. Toyota claims more than 40 million Corollas have been sold since its introduction in 1966. Sales have steadily increased over the last several years, making Corolla the best-selling compact car in the U.S. The Corolla’s ubiquity means there are plenty available for thieves to get their hands on, and considerable demand for parts.

© Nissan North America6. Nissan Altima
13,284 stolen in 2018
Most stolen model year: 2017
The Altima received a major face-lift for the 2016 model year, incorporating the Nissan “Energetic Flow” design language from the 2015 Murano SUV and 2016 Maxima sport sedan. The interior also received major upgrades that included a larger display screen and a range of new features. Sales peaked in 2016, which could explain the bump in popularity among car thieves the following year.

© Toyota Motor Sales USA5. Toyota Camry
16,906 stolen in 2018
Most stolen model year: 2017
Camry has held the title of best-selling passenger car in America for more than 15 years, and with a roomy interior and fuel-efficient, reliable engines, this popular Toyota sells in huge numbers annually. A completely redesigned version hit showrooms in 2017, and it seems like the new features and styling have been appealing to more than simply buyers — the new Camry is clearly a hit with thieves as well.

© General Motors4. Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)
31,566 stolen in 2018
Most stolen model year: 2004
The full-size Chevy Silverado is another popular choice among truck-jackers. Although the 2004 model year seems to be the most sought after, Silverado was basically unchanged from 2003 to 2007 and thus the number of stolen Chevy trucks has remained consistent for those model years. Available with a variety of engines and configurations, Silverado sales have been on the rise, which may result in increased thefts in years to come.

© Ford Motor Company3. Ford Pickup (Full Size)
36,355 stolen in 2018
Most stolen model year: 2006
Not only are Ford F-Series trucks the best-selling vehicles in America, they outsell every other vehicle on the market by a considerable margin. With so many Ford trucks on the road — the company commonly sells more than 700,000 per year — it’s no surprise to see the F-Series consistently near the top of this most stolen cars list. In 2005 more than 900,000 Ford pickups were sold, creating a plethora of new models to pilfer in 2006.

© American Honda Motors2. Honda Accord
36,815 stolen in 2018
Most stolen model years: 1997
After years of sitting atop this list of the most stolen cars in the United States, the Honda Accord is no longer the most popular model among thieves. However, the numbers are still quite high — a direct result of its popularity with drivers everywhere as economical, reliable transportation that retains its resale value. And the sheer number of Accords on the road provides thieves with easy choices and access. Smartkeys were introduced on Accord in 1998, so most of the stolen models come from years prior — since that time the number of Accords stolen each year has dropped considerably.

© American Honda Motors1. Honda Civic
38,426 stolen in 2018
Most stolen model year: 2000
One of the most widespread compact cars throughout the. U.S, the Civic now ranks highest among the most stolen cars in America. The model started its life as a subcompact and has grown in size over the years; however, it’s those original, smaller models that remain big targets among car thieves. Most purloined Civics are from model years 2000 and prior, before smartkeys became prevalent. This underscores the effectiveness of the more modern keys, since Civic has remained one of the best-selling cars in America.

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Published on: November 18, 2019

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