10 Most Stolen Vehicles in America (2022) Results

 A Concise Overview

• After several years of decline, car theft is on the rise again due to economic hardship
• The most stolen cars tend to be popular with American drivers, like the Ford F-series, Honda Civic, and Chevy Silverado
• Some cars, like the Honda CR-V, are gaining popularity among car thieves, while others remain steady targets, such as the Honda Accord

With car theft on the rise, even the most well-protected vehicle has a chance of being stolen. While the exact cause of the rise isn’t certain, most experts agree that stress from the COVID-19 pandemic and rising economic strain are to blame.

Although it’s practically impossible to keep a determined thief away from your car, there are steps you can take to discourage them. Everything from parking in a safe location to installing anti-theft devices could be the key to keeping your car safe.

You can also add comprehensive insurance coverage to your car insurance policy. Comprehensive insurance covers car theft so that if the worst happens, you won’t have to worry about replacing your car.

Some cars are more popular with thieves than others, and you’ll see higher rates for comprehensive insurance if you drive one. Read on to learn which cars are the most frequent targets of theft, then compare quotes to find the best coverage for your vehicle.

If it’s getting time to shop for car insurance, feel free to use our quote comparison tool above.

The Most Stolen Cars in America

The National Insurance Crime Bureau reports a dramatic increase in car thefts in 2020 compared to 2019. According to the report, the main reasons for the increased growth are police realignment, owner complacency, and economic hardships.

There are steps you can take to discourage thieves, such as removing your keys from your car when parked, keeping the windows up, and parking in a safe, well-lit place. You can also make use of anti-theft devices to minimize risk, including:

• Audible alarms
• Brake or wheel locks
• GPS tracking
• Kill switches
• Identification markers for your car
• Vehicle identification number (VIN) etching
• Smart keys
• Steering column collars
• Microdot marking

Read more: 15 Cities with the Most Car Theft [Study: Trends & Totals]

Not only does adding anti-theft devices help keep your car safe, but it might also make you eligible for an anti-theft discount on your insurance.

Every car is a potential target for theft, but some are more popular than others. Here are the 10 most stolen cars in America in 2020.

Number 10: Dodge Pick-Up

While Dodge pick-ups barely make this list, RAM trucks are the second most-purchased vehicles in America.

• Trucks stolen in 2020: 11,991

• Most stolen model: 2001

• Base price: $21,150

Dodge’s best-selling full-sized RAM 1500 pick-up truck saw a 6.2% increase in theft from 2019. The increased presence of the RAM on the street could explain why thieves are snagging more. In 2020, thieves stole 4.6 of every 1,000 Dodge trucks.

Number 9: Honda CR-V

Smaller SUVs are increasingly popular in the American market, with the CR-V seeing increased sales. Unfortunately, the CR-V is gaining popularity with thieves, as well.

• Cars stolen in 2020: 12,309

• Most stolen model: 2000

• Base price: $18,650

Honda’s CR-V is known for its reliability and affordability, so it’s no wonder drivers are choosing this smaller SUV. Unfortunately, car thieves are also choosing this vehicle in higher numbers.

The CR-V doesn’t take the number one spot for most stolen cars in any state, but its popularity made it the ninth most stolen car in America.

Number 8: Toyota Corolla

As a cheaper alternative to the Camry, the Toyota Corolla is well-known for its reliability and safety.

• Cars stolen in 2020: 12,515

• Most stolen model: 2020

• Base price: $19,600

Although thieves stole more Corollas than the CR-V and Dodge pick-ups, more Corollas get sold per year. The overall theft rate of Corollas is 2.2 per 1,000 cars on the road.

Interestingly, the Corolla is one of the only newer model cars popular with thieves. Usually, thieves target older cars with fewer anti-theft devices, but it seems they make an exception for the Corolla.

Number 7: GMC Pick-Up

Although this pick-up has solid engineering and impressive tech options, GMC’s Sierra pick-up never reaches the same popularity as other truck models in America.

• Trucks stolen in 2020: 13,016

• Most stolen model: 2005

• Base price: $18,190

Ford, Dodge, and Chevy sell better than GMC, but thieves don’t mind. The Sierra takes the seventh spot on this list, but it has the second-highest theft rate. Of every 1,000 Sierras on the street, 8.3 get taken by thieves. Read our article here for information on how to find cheap GMC Sierra insurance quotes.

Number 6: Nissan Altima

The Nissan Altima has the most expensive base model on this list. It also has a significant car theft increase of nearly 10% since 2019.

• Cars stolen in 2020: 14,668

• Most stolen model: 2020

• Base price: $24,300

Although the Altima is the sixth most stolen car in America, it has a relatively low theft rate of 2.1 cars of every 1,000. The Altima is a strong seller in America, which may explain why thieves take so many — there’s simply more available.

Number 5: Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry consistently tops the list of America’s best-selling cars, and for good reasons: it’s famous for its reliability, affordability, and functionality.

• Cars stolen in 2020: 16,915

• Most stolen model: 2019

• Base price: $24,095

Like the Altima, the sheer number of Camrys on the road makes it more likely to fall prey to thieves. There was an increase in thefts of 8% from 2019 to 2020, so it’s a safe bet that the Camry will continue to be a popular target.

Number 4: Honda Accord

The Honda Accord doesn’t sell as well as the Camry, but it does well enough due to a smaller price tag and solid safety ratings. The Accord has been one of the top choices for sedans globally since the 1980s.

• Cars stolen in 2020: 30,814

• Most stolen model: 1997

• Base price: $15,100

The Accord represents a big jump in the number of cars stolen — over 13,000 more Accords got stolen than Camrys in 2020. It’s also the oldest car on this list by three years.

Although most cars saw increased car thefts in 2020, the Accord’s rate stayed about the same. Most cars on this list see high levels of theft from coast to coast, but the Accord mostly gets targeted on the east coast.

Number 3: Honda Civic

The Honda Civic is one of the most popular cars to drive in America — take a look around you next time you’re at a traffic light, and you’re bound to see one. It doesn’t sell as many as the Camry, but the Civic is more often the target of thieves.

• Cars stolen in 2020: 34,144

• Most stolen model: 2000

• Base price: $10,750

2000 was one of the last years before Honda added more security to the Civic. The Civic is also the cheapest car on this list.

Despite the low cost, the Honda Civic is the number one car in America for theft.

Number 2: Chevrolet Pick-Up

Chevrolet redesigned much of the Silverado, and it seemed to work — it was the second-most purchased overall vehicle in 2021. At 25.7%, it also saw the highest increase in car thefts.

• Trucks stolen in 2020: 40,968

• Most stolen model: 2004

• Base price: $19,545

Although the Silverado didn’t take the top spot, it had the highest theft rate. Nearly 1% — or 10 of every 1,000 — Silverados fell into the hands of thieves.

Number 1: Ford F-Series Pick-Up

There’s no denying that America loves Ford trucks — the F-Series is the best-selling vehicle in America and the most stolen truck.

• Trucks stolen in 2020: 44,014

• Most stolen model: 2006

• Base price: $18,930

The Ford F-series has topped America’s best-selling truck list for 44 years and is usually the best-selling vehicle. Thieves are not exempt from the love of Ford — theft increased by 13% from 2019.

Read more: Pickup Truck History

Are most stolen cars recovered?

About 50% of locally stolen vehicles get recovered. However, a recovered car doesn’t always go back to its owner.

Only one in five stolen cars makes it back into their owner’s hands with less than $1,000 of damage done to it. One in three vehicles gets so severely damaged that they must be declared a total loss.

Car theft usually results in severe damage, and vehicles rarely return unharmed. Insurance agents recommend adding comprehensive coverage to your policy to protect you against car theft. Comprehensive coverage will help repair damages or replace the car if declared a total loss.

Read more: What To Do if Your Car Is Stolen

Protect Your Car from Theft

Whether you have a car that made this list or not, you should always strive to protect your vehicle. Thieves tend to pick easy targets, so keeping your car locked, removing the keys, and parking in a safe spot will help keep your vehicle safe.

If you’re worried about car theft, you should consider adding comprehensive coverage to your car insurance policy. To find the best rates for car insurance with comprehensive coverage, compare quotes from as many companies as possible.

If you’re in the market for affordable auto insurance, feel free to enter your ZIP code into our free quote tool below.