Car theft is surging in cities across the United States. But some models are more popular than others. So if you own any of the vehicles on our list of the most stolen cars in the US or if you’re considering an auto loan to purchase one, you might want to make sure your doors are locked.
How Many Cars Have Been Hot-Wired?
According to report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), there were 1,001,967 vehicles that were stolen in the United States in 2022, marking a significant 7% increase over the already alarming car theft numbers from 2021.
And even though recent years haven’t been as bad as the thriving auto theft days of the 1980s, many major cities are witnessing an increased number of stolen cars.
That’s why it’s important to make sure that your vehicle is insured, protected and difficult to steal. You can’t afford to let your guard down, and investing in vehicle security is imperative. Everything from alarm systems to wheel locks is worth considering if you want peace of mind.
What Are the Most Stolen Cars in America?
Let’s take a closer look at some car brands that are commonly targeted by thieves in the US.
Chevrolet Full-Size Pickup
- Number of Thefts: 49,903
- Model Year With Most Thefts: 2004
The overall number of stolen Chevrolet Pickups has increased by 3.5% compared to 2021 data. The model that's most stolen is 2004, most likely due to the fact that older Chevy models don't have the modern anti-theft technology present in newer full-size pickups. California and Texas are the two states that lead the country in the amount of Chevrolet Pickups stolen, with 15,557 and 10,820 thefts respectively.
Ford Full-Size Pickup
- Number of Thefts: 48,175
- Model Year With Most Thefts: 2006
In 2022, the Ford F-Series sold 653,957 units, and by October 2023 has maintained its space as the No. 1 selling truck in the US with 654,877 units sold by Q3. This has been the best-selling vehicle in the US for the last four decades, but it’s also the second most stolen car in America.
In 2022, the total number of Ford F-series thefts stood at 48,175, which marked a slight increase from the year before, when 47,999 thefts were reported. The most popular model among thieves is the 2006 F-series truck.
Honda Civic
- Number of Thefts: 27,113
- Model Year With Most Thefts: 2000
In addition to being a very popular car brand, the Honda Civic 2000 model is also highly vulnerable. 27,113 units of this vehicle were stolen in 2022 alone.
Honda lacks some of the more advanced anti-theft technology found in modern cars. Moreover, there are a lot of Honda vehicles in circulation across the country, and different models use some of the same parts.
This makes Honda a lucrative grab for chop shops and certainly explains why this brand is near the top of our list of the most stolen vehicles in the US.
Honda Accord
- Number of Thefts: 27,089
- Model Year With Most Thefts: 1997
Honda Accord has long been one of the most stolen cars in the country, especially the 1997 model, which has parts that are still valuable and used in other models. Still, the number of stolen Accords has dropped by around 10% compared to the previous year.
Hyundai Sonata
- Number of Thefts: 21,707
- Model Year With Most Thefts: 2013
This car is one of the most commonly seen on US streets, but the reason for the large number of thefts also had something to do with the Kia Boyz viral trend, which led to many thieves targeting Hyundai vehicles, and even a class action lawsuit against the carmaker.
Hyundai Elantra
- Number of Thefts: 19,602
- Model Year With Most Thefts: 2017
For the same reason and the huge security oversight by Hyundai, another model, this time Elantra, has entered the list of the most stolen cars in the US by the end of 2022. With Elantra, most thieves are targeting the newer, 2017 version, showing that the safety weakenesses of Hyundai's cars stretched for years.
Kia Optima
- Number of Thefts: 18,221
- Model Year With Most Thefts: 2015
Kia has also been targeted by the same theft approach as Hyundai vehicles, which is why it's Optima model has entered this year's list of top stolen vehicles, along with the fact that consumer interest in this car model has been growing in the past years as well.
Toyota Camry
- Number of Thefts: 17,094
- Model Year With Most Thefts: 2021
The Camry is the best-selling family sedan in the US, and shifts in consumer preferences haven’t impacted its status as an efficient and safe vehicle.
For car thieves, this translates into both demand and plenty of opportunities because a lot of people own a Toyota Camry, and many of them need spare parts.
With over 17,000 units snatched in 2022, the Camry is among the most popular, newer-model stolen cars in the country.
GMC Pickup
- Number of Thefts: 16,622
- Model Year With Most Thefts: 2005
GMC is no longer associated with working-class trucks. This is now a luxury brand that produces pricey, high-end pickups with advanced features.
In other words, the car represents a big payday in the underworld. The most popular target for criminals is the 2005 model year, which can still sell for tens of thousands of dollars.
Honda CR-V
- Number of Thefts: 13,832
- Model Year With Most Thefts: 2001
Honda CR-V has long been on the list of most stolen cars, but has dropped from 8th place last year, even though the total number of these cars stolen has increased by 524 compared to last year.
US Car Thefts by State
Here you can see a detailed view of the car theft rates in the top 10 states on this unflattering list. Some places, like Illinois, Washington and New York have seen massive increase in car theft last year.
| State | 2021 Thefts | 2022 Thefts | Yearly Percentage Change |
| California | 201,034 | 202,685 | 1 % |
| Texas | 95,082 | 105,015 | 10 % |
| Washington | 35,921 | 46,939 | 31 % |
| Florida | 43,250 | 45,973 | 6 % |
| Colorado | 38,570 | 42,237 | 10 % |
| Illinois | 28,677 | 38,649 | 35 % |
| Ohio | 28,107 | 29,913 | 6 % |
| Missouri | 26,630 | 29,345 | 10 % |
| New York | 23,088 | 28,292 | 23 % |
| Georgia | 26,238 | 26,529 | 1 % |
How to Protect Your Car from Being Stolen
Regardless of what type of vehicle you have, there is a chance that it can end up being stolen. This is why it’s important to shield your car from criminal elements that are becoming increasingly sophisticated in hot-wiring some of the most secure models on the market.
Below are different steps you can take to protect your vehicle from being stolen:
- Install a tracking system so that you know where your vehicle is at all times.
- Consider getting a vehicle immobilizer system installed.
- Install an anti-theft device and an audible alarm system so that you are immediately alerted if anyone tries to break into your vehicle.
- Park in areas that are well-lit, making it more difficult for someone to steal your car.
- Close the windows - you may be surprised to hear that many people accidentally leave their car windows open, making the job for criminals that much easier.
- Do not leave your spare keys anywhere near your vehicle.
- Make sure your keys are removed from your vehicle at all times, even if you’re just running into a nearby grocery store to grab some milk.
- Always double-check that your car doors are locked. Remember, you don’t want to make life easier for the criminals.
Final Words
Armed with the knowledge about some of the most stolen cars in the US, you are now aware of both the risks to your vehicle and certain measures you can take to alleviate those risks.
Of course, at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter what kind of car you drive. It’s important to employ the different security systems to keep your vehicle out of the hands of criminals.
