Are You Driving the Most Stolen Type of Car in the U.S.?
There’s a price to be paid for popularity, especially if you’re driving a car that’s a favorite among crooks. The National Insurance Crime Bureau, a nonprofit group that works with the insurance industry and law enforcement to prevent fraud and theft, has released its annual “Hot Wheels” report determining just that. The study lists the most stolen cars and trucks of 2017, and Honda Accord owners, you can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
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That’s because the dubious award for being the NICB’s most stolen car in the U.S. has gone to another vehicle. The bad news for Honda owners is that, for the 20th time in 23 years, it happens to be another model: The Honda Civic is apparently now the most prized possession among car thieves, with 45,062 reported stolen last year. Of these, the 1998 model year was the most popular, with 6,707 stolen in 2017.
Next up was, you guessed it, the Accord. This popular family car was stolen 43,764 times, according to the NICB, and the 1997 model year was the chosen target in 6,301 instances.
Here is the full list of the top 10 most stolen cars in 2017:
10. Chevrolet Impala; 9,487
9. GMC full-size pickup truck; 10,865
8. Dodge full-size pickup; 12,004
7. Toyota Corolla; 12,337
6. Nissan Altima; 13,358
5. Toyota Camry; 17,278
4. Chevrolet full-size pickup; 30,058
3. Ford full-size pickup; 35,105
2. Honda Accord; 43,764
1. Honda Civic; 45,062
The “Hot Wheels” report also has a separate list of the most stolen 2017 model-year cars and trucks. This time, Honda is notably absent from the rankings; the top three include the Nissan Altima (1,153 reported stolen), Toyota Camry (1,100) and GMC full-size pickup (957).
Where you live also has a big impact regarding how likely your vehicle is to be targeted by thieves. For example, residents of California and New Jersey, your car thieves prefer the Honda Civic, albeit in two different flavors: Cali car crooks chose the 1998 Honda Civic versus Jersey’s preference for the 2000 model year. To any proud Ford truck owners living in Texas and Florida, be warned that the 2006 F-Series was last year’s most frequently stolen vehicle in both the Lone Star State and the Sunshine State. And in the tropical paradise of Hawaii, it was owners of the 2000 model-year Honda Civic that bid a tearful “aloha” to their car more than any other.
The NICB says car owners should be extra vigilant about not leaving their car running. Owners should also be careful not to forget keys or a key fob in their vehicle. If it’s stolen, having some form of tracking device fitted to your car or truck can greatly increase the chances of it being recovered.
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