The 7 Most Stolen Cars in the US and the 7 Least Stolen Vehicles
Last month, my neighbor’s Honda Civic vanished from his driveway overnight, joining thousands of vehicles that disappear annually across America. Car theft isn’t random – thieves target specific models based on value, ease of theft, and parts demand.
Understanding which cars are hot targets and which fly under the radar can influence your purchasing decisions and insurance rates.
1. Honda Civic: Thief Magnet
Topping the charts year after year, Honda Civics disappear faster than free donuts at an office meeting. Their ubiquity makes parts valuable on the black market, while older models lack sophisticated anti-theft technology.
Thieves can strip a Civic in hours, selling components for substantial profit. The car’s longevity ironically makes it more vulnerable – parts remain in demand for decades.
2. Honda Accord: Runner-Up in the Wrong Race
Following closely behind its smaller sibling, the Accord has maintained an unwanted position near the top of theft charts for decades. Reliable engineering creates lasting demand for engines and transmissions that can be swapped into numerous vehicles.
Pre-1997 models lack engine immobilizers, making them particularly vulnerable. A skilled thief can be gone with your Accord in under 60 seconds!
3. Ford F-150: America’s Favorite Truck (For Everyone)
America’s bestselling vehicle is also a prime target for thieves nationwide. Rural areas see especially high F-150 theft rates, where these workhorses disappear from farms, construction sites, and driveways. Valuable tools often left inside create a double payday for criminals.
The truck’s popularity means parts command premium prices, while some thieves target them for export to countries where American trucks fetch top dollar.
4. Chevrolet Silverado: Heavy-Duty Target
Rugged, reliable, and remarkably theft-prone, the Silverado ranks high on thieves’ wish lists nationwide. Criminals particularly favor models with aftermarket upgrades like premium wheels, lift kits, and custom accessories.
Unlike sedans that might be stolen for joyriding, Silverados often vanish into chop shops where they’re dismantled within hours. Their popularity in Texas makes the Lone Star State a particular hotspot for Silverado theft.
5. Toyota Camry: Reliability Attracts the Wrong Crowd
Famous for running forever, the humble Camry paradoxically becomes a target because of its quality. Engines and transmissions routinely last 300,000+ miles, creating steady demand for replacement parts when originals finally wear out.
Older Camrys lack sophisticated anti-theft systems, making them vulnerable to experienced thieves. The car’s anonymous styling helps stolen Camrys blend into traffic, reducing recovery chances compared to more distinctive vehicles.
6. Dodge Charger/Challenger: Muscle Cars Muscled Away
Powerful engines and eye-catching styling make these muscle cars irresistible to both enthusiasts and thieves. High-performance Hellcat and Scat Pack variants are particularly targeted for their valuable powertrains and limited production numbers. Some disappear into underground racing scenes.
Others are quickly stripped for parts that command premium prices. The distinctive exhaust note makes these cars challenging to steal quietly, yet they still rank among America’s most frequently stolen vehicles.
7. Kia Forte: Social Media’s Stolen Star
Compact and unassuming, the Kia Forte has surged onto thieves’ hit lists, fueled by a viral TikTok trend exposing its security flaws. Models from 2011 to 2021 often lack engine immobilizers, allowing thieves to hot-wire them in seconds using a simple USB cable.
Urban hotspots see Fortes vanish into chop shops, where their affordable parts fetch quick profits. This sedan’s newfound notoriety makes it a cautionary tale for owners neglecting anti-theft precautions.
8. Tesla Model 3: Electric Security Champion
Shifting gears to rarely-stolen vehicles, Tesla’s popular sedan boasts impressively low theft rates thanks to cutting-edge technology. GPS tracking comes standard, allowing precise location tracking even if the vehicle moves.
Sentry Mode continuously records surroundings when parked, deterring potential thieves. The car’s unique parts have limited black market value since they’re traceable and vehicle-specific, while software lockouts render stolen Teslas virtually unusable without proper authentication.
9. BMW i3: Electrifying Anti-Theft Innovation
Quirky styling and limited production numbers help keep this electric BMW off thieves’ radar. The distinctive appearance makes stolen i3s immediately recognizable – not exactly what criminals want when trying to remain inconspicuous.
Advanced key encryption technology prevents electronic theft methods. Specialized components have minimal value outside legitimate repair channels, while BMW’s connected drive features allow remote tracking and disabling if theft occurs.
10. Volvo XC90: Swedish Safety Extends to Security
Renowned for crash protection, Volvo’s flagship SUV proves equally adept at theft prevention. Advanced electronic immobilizers come standard across all trim levels, making hot-wiring virtually impossible without factory keys.
Limited parts interchangeability with non-Volvo vehicles reduces black market appeal. The vehicle’s substantial weight and size make it impractical for quick theft operations.
Volvo’s On Call system enables remote tracking and engine disabling if unauthorized movement is detected.
11. Audi A7: Technological Fortress on Wheels
Sleek, sophisticated, and surprisingly theft-resistant, the A7 incorporates multiple layers of security that deter even determined criminals. Keyless entry systems feature rolling codes that prevent relay attack methods common with other luxury vehicles.
Audi’s proprietary parts marking system makes components traceable if stolen. The car’s complex electronics architecture requires specialized diagnostic equipment to start without proper keys, while GPS tracking comes standard on most trim levels.
12. Subaru Outback: Adventure-Ready, Theft-Resistant
Popular among outdoor enthusiasts but overlooked by thieves, the Outback combines practical design with effective security. Standard all-wheel drive makes impromptu towing difficult without specialized equipment – a common theft method for disabling immobilizer systems.
Subaru’s engine design requires substantial work to remove, deterring parts thieves. The vehicle’s popularity in rural areas with lower crime rates contributes to overall theft statistics.
Newer models feature enhanced key encryption that prevents electronic bypass techniques.
13. Acura ILX: Luxury with Low-Profile Security
Entry-level luxury doesn’t always translate to entry-level security, as proven by the theft-resistant ILX. Despite sharing some components with Honda models, the ILX incorporates enhanced security features absent from its mainstream cousins.
Advanced immobilizer technology comes standard across all trim levels. Limited production numbers make stolen examples more noticeable than ubiquitous Civics or Accords.
Acura’s connected services enable remote tracking and disabling if unauthorized movement occurs.
14. Lexus ES: Quietly Conquering Theft Prevention
Toyota reliability meets luxury-grade security in this consistently low-theft sedan. The ES incorporates multiple layers of protection absent from its Toyota Camry platform-mate, helping explain their dramatically different theft statistics.
Lexus’ proprietary vehicle security system includes motion sensors that detect towing attempts. Advanced key encryption prevents electronic bypass methods.
Distinctive styling makes stolen examples more recognizable than mainstream sedans, while Lexus Enform includes GPS tracking for quick recovery.