The 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in the US

From the mighty Ford F-150 pickup to the ever-popular Honda Civic, some cars are magnets for thieves. Here are the 10 most stolen vehicles in the US.
Written by Michelle Ballestrasse
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The 10 most stolen vehicles in the US include popular models like the Ford F-150, Honda Civic, Nissan Altima, and Honda CR-V.
Car theft is a massive—and often expensive—inconvenience. While any car is susceptible to theft, some are particularly susceptible.
Popularity, street value, and lackluster or non-existent anti-theft measures are common denominators among the cars that topped the list this year.
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The National Insurance Crime Bureau has released their results for the most stolen cars of 2021—and while not much has changed as far as this year’s contenders, there are a few new ones that may surprise you. Here are the top 10 most stolen vehicles in the US.
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1. Chevrolet full-size pickup

Thefts: 48,206
What is the most stolen car?
Full-sized Chevrolet pickups—particularly the
Chevy Silverado
—top the list as the most stolen vehicle in the country.
Chevrolet pickups are sought after for their longevity and durability, so they make a great target for thieves. But they’re also often stolen for parts, which can have a higher value individually than the truck does as a whole.
Because trucks frequently wind up in chop-shops, alerting authorities as soon as possible is key to getting your truck back in one piece.
The 2004 models of Chevrolet pickups are stolen most frequently because they predate modern anti-theft devices and are quite easy to hotwire. Newer models, however, are still at risk because their OnStar applications are reportedly very easy to hack.

2. Ford full-size pickup

Thefts: 47,999
For the first time in a while, the
Ford F-150
is not the most stolen vehicle in America: just the second most stolen.
Full-size Ford pickups are a tempting target for thieves because of their lackluster anti-theft devices. Many owners also tend to be complacent with the anti-theft systems, which only compounds the situation.
F-150s are highly coveted because of their popularity. They’re consistently ranked among the best-selling vehicles in the United States—which means that there’s an increased black-market demand for parts. The 2006 F-150 is a particularly common target.

3. Honda Civic

Thefts: 31,673
The former reigning champion of lifted wheels has gone down to third place this year, but still retains its reputation as an easily stealable car.
Honda Civics
are targeted by thieves because of their
high resale value
, both as a whole and as parts. Stolen Civics more often than not end up in chop-shops.
Older Civics—particularly the 2000 model—are especially vulnerable thanks to substandard anti-theft devices. Consider after-market anti-theft devices to help protect your 2000 Honda Civic.
Key Takeaway Substandard factory anti-theft devices make vehicles especially vulnerable to theft, so it may be wise to install an after-market device.

4. Honda Accord

Thefts: 30,274
Honda Accords
are targeted not only for their popularity and reputation as dependable cars, but also because they hold their resale value. Thieves covet the vehicle both as a whole and for its parts.
While all Accords are popular targets, 1997 models are particularly susceptible. This is due in large part to a critical flaw in the car’s ignition. Over time, the ignition wears down to the point that the car can be started with literally almost anything that fits in it.
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5. Toyota Camry

Thefts: 17,270
The humble
Toyota Camry
might seem like a surprising entry at first glance, considering it boasts a fair bit of anti-theft technology. But similarly to Civics, Camrys are popular cars with strong resale value. While Camrys are often equipped to deal with would-be thieves, they’re still frequently stolen.

6. GMC full-size pickup

Thefts: 15,599
Thieves love pickup trucks because of their durability and reliability—and GMC trucks are easy targets since they’re often found at unmonitored construction or work sites. Of GMC’s extensive lineup, the
2005 Sierra
is the most commonly stolen model.

7. Nissan Altima

Thefts: 14,108
Nissan Altimas
are veterans of "most stolen" lists, despite not being especially popular or valuable as far as the black market is concerned.
Altimas are frequently stolen due to a weakness in their keyless entry system that is easily exploited by crafty thieves.
A "relay attack" is a common tactic used by thieves to manipulate the Altima’s keyless entry/start system without the actual key fob. Unfortunately, this means that a feature intended to mitigate theft actually helps thieves lift Altimas at an unchanging rate.
This is especially true of the 2015 and 2020 models, which are the most frequently stolen out of the Altima lineup.
Key Takeaway Keyless fob systems, especially older ones, can be easily exploited by thieves.

8. Honda CR-V

Thefts: 13,308
Honda CR-Vs
have only been on the top-ten list for a few years, but they've already moved up to #8. Their popularity among car thieves is partially owed to their classic and attractive styling. This means that CR-Vs are less likely to wind up in chop-shops since they’re more coveted as a whole.
Thieves particularly like 2000 CR-Vs because of an easily exploited error in the ignition switch cylinder. To safeguard your vehicle, you may be able to swap out the original cylinder for a new one.

9. Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee

Thefts: 13,210
As rugged SUVs gain ground in Americans' hearts, more and more thieves are going after
Jeep's most popular models
. 2021 marks the
Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee's
first appearance on the top ten list, but it's already in ninth place!

10. Toyota Corolla

Thefts: 12,927
Toyotas are renowned for their reliability and styling, and the
Corolla
is no different. Like its contemporary, the Camry, Corollas are especially popular among thieves both as whole cars and as a source for black-market parts.
The most frequently stolen 2020 Corollas also boast excellent fuel economy and high resale value. As a result, many stolen Corollas can be recovered whole, which should come as small consolation to their distraught owners.
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Car insurance that will protect you from theft

Common sense and preparation can go a long way towards helping deter or prevent theft—but even the most careful driver can find themselves a victim to theft.
Comprehensive insurance
is the only coverage that protects you in the event of a car theft. So if your car ranks on this list, you live in an area with a high theft rate, or you just want to protect your car against the unforeseeable,
Jerry
can help!
Jerry is your ultra-talented car insurance broker for life. No need to sit across from him at a desk—Jerry is an app! It takes less than a minute to sign up and you’ll be presented with competitive rates from up to 45 top providers.
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FAQs

What do I do if my car is stolen?

If your car is stolen, immediately contact the police to file a report. Then, contact your insurance company to let them know. This will protect you from liability in the event that your stolen vehicle is used to commit a crime while it’s out of your possession.

Do I have to pay my deductible for a stolen car claim?

Yes, your deductible will be subtracted from any payout that you receive from your insurance company after a car theft claim.
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