Ripped-Off Rides: The Most Stolen New And Used Cars In The U.S.
Every year, over 750,000 vehicles are stolen in the U.S and of those that go missing, a mere 42% are recovered. For most of us, we depend on our vehicles for getting to and from work, taking kids to school, and running errands. They are an invaluable tool for our daily lives, and to have our car go missing is not only stressful and disruptive but also feels very personal, as we tend to get attached to our rides. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, these are the most stolen new and used vehicles in the U.S.
NEW - Nissan Altima
In the top spot is the Nissan Altima. Because it's common and parts are interchangeable with other models and years, these cars are on the top of the list for car thieves. Even with a keyless entry and start system, the Altima has been proven to be hackable. Thieves can intercept, amplify and transmit the signal from the key fob to get into and drive away in the car without much effort.
Theft Prevention Top Tip: Lock your car and take the keys with you; 60,000 cars a year are stolen because the keys are left inside.
NEW - Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry comes in at number two on the "New Cars Stolen" list. Much like the Nissan Altima, the Camry is quite common and the parts are shared with a wide variety of Toyota models, making it a prime target for chop shops. Some cars are also shipped overseas and re-sold with new VIN numbers.
Theft Prevention Top Tip: Never leave your car running and unattended, even if it's just a quick dash inside your home or a store. Unattended, running vehicles are magnets for car thieves.
NEW - Dodge Ram Pickup
Like the Ford F-150, the Ram pickup is hugely popular. Tough, good looking, well-equipped and incredibly configurable, the Ram is a great full-size pickup for work, play, and daily use. It's popularity, like the F-150 and the Sierra might be it's undoing as 835 brand new trucks yearly are reported stolen.
Car Recovery Tip: Consider installing a vehicle immobilizer. Commonly known as a "kill switch," when engaged, they work to cut-off the fuel supply or ignition circuit to ensure the vehicle can't be started.
USED - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado
Like the Ford F-150, the Chevrolet Silverado is an extremely popular pickup truck. Interchangeability of parts is usually the name of the game, with many Silverados ending up in chop shops with parts being sold to service a wide range of vehicles from SUVs to Vans to commercial trucks.
Car Buying Warning: Joy-riders favor high-performance or luxury cars. Most cars that are victims of a joy-ride theft are recovered, but usually with significant damage.
NEW - GMC Sierra
GMC's full-size pickup truck, the Sierra comes in at number 3 on the list. It's not entirely surprising that the good-looking and popular truck is a target for thieves. While they have the reputation as being tough, long-lasting, hard-working trucks, they're not impervious to theft.
Theft Prevention Top Tip: Don't leave valuables inside your vehicle, and certainly don't leave valuables or electronics in plain sight. Cellphones, laptops, backpacks, purses are all easy-pickings for thieves.
NEW - Hyundai Elantra
The number four car on our list, the Hyundai Elantra. Hyundai, like Nissan, Toyota, Honda and most major car manufacturers, uses parts that are common across a wide variety of their model range. Engines between cars are shared, running gear and electronics, along with wheels are interchangeable and create big profits for car thieves.
Theft Prevention Top Tip: Most car thieves prefer to work at night. Pay attention to where you park your car at night, and chose a well-lit spot under or near street lamps or in well-lit areas of parking lots and garages.
NEW - Ford Fusion
The handsome mid-size sedan offers a wealth of trim levels and configurations. It's a great driving car and a common choice for commuters. Thieves must be reading the car reviews as well because it's a popular choice for theft.
Car Recovery Tip: Don't leave your vehicle title in the car, many car thieves are able to get away when pulled over because they can produce the title for the vehicle. Don't make it easy for them.
NEW - Toyota Corolla
Toyota's veritable and long-lived compact sedan, the Corolla, also on the list. It's a shame; the little sedan is extremely personable and is a great little daily driver that has reliability in spades.
Theft Prevention Top Tip: Even something as simple as "The Club" can be enough to make a car thief think twice. Given the choice, a thief will always take the easier option, and if they have to work to get a Club off the car, it may be enough of a deal-breaker to keep your car from going missing.
NEW - GMC Savana
Available as a blank slate, a passenger transporter or as a conversion van, the Savana is a target. The contents of the cargo van may prove to be the real draw for thieves, as it's a popular choice for contractors and delivery drivers who keep the vans full of tools, equipment, and supplies.
Car Recovery Tip: GPS tracking systems are available for all cars and trucks. These systems allow you, and the police, to track the whereabouts of your vehicle via app or computer and give you the best chance to recover the vehicle as quickly as possible.
NEW - Hyundai Sonata
Like all the vehicles on the list, the Sonata is popular, making it common and a target for thieves. Most car thieves prefer less-exotic more popular models whose parts are interchangeable.
Theft Prevention Tip: Window etching is a technique of etching the VIN number onto the glass of the vehicle. Since the VIN number can be traced, having it etched onto the glass makes the car less attractive to thieves looking to steal a car for parts.
USED - 1998 Honda Civic
When it comes to used cars, the Honda Civic is popular for both buyers and thieves. Of all of the Civics that went missing, the 1998 model year proved to be the most popular with thieves.
Theft Prevention Top Tip: If you have aftermarket wheels, or you car is equipped with premium factory wheels, consider installing wheel locks. Available from the manufacturer or as an aftermarket part, wheel locks require a special key to allow removal of the wheels from the car.
USED - 1997 Honda Accord
Like the Civic, the Accord is another model from Honda that is proving increasingly popular with car thieves. The 1997 model year seems to attract the most amount of unwanted attention.
Helpful Neighbor Tip: Talk to your neighbors. If your car has been tampered with or if your neighbor's car has been tampered with, it's good to have a bunch of people on the look-out. Thieves will often scout an area and return over several nights.
USED - 2006 Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 pickup truck, in all its forms and models years is undeniably popular. Handsome, tough and known to be reliable for many years. Sadly, lasting a long time in your driveway may be a different story.
Safety Tip: If you are confronted by a carjacker, give the thieves the car. Your vehicle can be replaced but you can't.
USED - 2017 Toyota Camry
Despite Toyota being based in Japan, all U.S. model Camrys are designed in Michigan and built in Kentucky. Comfortable, efficient and well-equipped, the Camry also has the distinction of being the fifth most stolen used car in the U.S.
Theft Prevention Top Tip: Know the routes to where you're going. Avoid high-crime areas and areas that are prone to car thefts. Consider taking longer, alternate routes.
USED - 2016 Nissan Altima
With the Nissan Altima being the most stolen new car in the U.S. it should come as no surprise that older models are also popular targets for theft. The Altima may benefit from being one of the safest cars on the road, earning an IIHS Top Safety Pick award, but that won't benefit the many owners who reported theirs stolen.
Theft Prevention Top Tip: Carjacking can occur when thieves bump into the rear of your car and steal it when you exit to inspect the damage. Be sure to leave room to maneuver at traffic lights and if you feel threatened, call the police before exiting your car.
USED - 2016 Toyota Corolla
Toyota's Corolla is one of the best-selling cars of all-time, and it continues to be a great, fun to drive economical compact sedan. Car thieves seem to be as equally enamored with the Corolla.
Theft Prevention Top Tip: Just like making sure your car is locked, make sure all your windows are rolled up and your sunroof is closed. Open windows offer easy access to the inside of your car.
USED - 2001 Dodge/Ram Pick-up
Dodge pickups may be the sales underdogs when compared to similar offering from Ford and Chevrolet, but they're great trucks and can be bought with the legendary Cummins diesel engine. Examples that have covered over 250,000 miles are commonplace, but unfortunately for the Dodge pickup truck owners who were victims of theft, they will never get the chance to see that mileage mark for themselves.
Theft Prevention Top Tip: Look around and be aware of your surrounding, especially in garages and parking lots. If someone is lurking in the lot, park somewhere else.
USED - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
The Impala is Chevrolet's stalwart full-size sedan. The ninth generation, running from 2006 to 2016 was popular with police and fleet operators and the SS model was available with a V8 engine and 303 hp. It's somewhat ironic that a car used by police should become one of the most stolen cars in America but it's true. The 2008 model year is the most sought out by thieves.
Insurance Tip: Many insurance companies offer discounts if your vehicle is equipped with an anti-theft device or alarm. Check with your insurance company as protecting your vehicle could save you money.
