While unexpected maintenance and costly repairs are inconvenient, the worst kind of car trouble is if you're the victim of theft. Unfortunately, it’s not exactly a rare occurrence, with 1,020,729 cars reported stolen in 2023 alone, according to data from the FBI’s National Crime Information Center. But while the numbers show auto theft is still a significant concern, they also reveal which cars are most likely to be stolen.
Even though it might seem like pricier, high-value vehicles would be prime targets, thieves actually seek out specific makes and models for their components, according to Luke Bishop, parts manager at GM Parts Direct. This allows the crooks to “part out” stolen cars for valuable components they can quickly sell to turn a hefty profit.
But which vehicles do thieves target the most? Read on to see the cars most likely to be stolen, according to new data from the FBI and GM Parts Direct.
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5. Toyota Camry
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Number Stolen in 2023: 17,094
This popular Toyota model is a common sight on the streets, but the high demand for parts makes them a top target for car thieves, according to Bishop. This is especially true in older vehicles not sold with modern security systems, alarms, or other protective measures.
4. Honda Accord
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Number stolen in 2023: 20,895
Similar to the Camry, Accords’ popularity on the roads makes them a prime target as demand for their parts remains high—partially due to how long they last, per Bishop. Besides using them to “part out,” this also makes them a target for a complete vehicle resale for criminals.
3. Honda Civic
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Number stolen in 2023: 19,858
The Civic has been a long-running top choice for car thieves: According to FBI data, it’s the most stolen model of the past decade. These cars also suffer from older models' susceptibility to theft due to their lack of safety measures.
2. Ford F150 Series Pickup
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Number stolen in 2023: 15,852
Popularity among car buyers often translates into popularity among car thieves, and this truck is no exception. According to Bishop, it’s the best-selling car in the U.S., with more than 40 million vehicles sold nationwide. This makes an easy target, thanks to their high resale value both for parts and entire vehicles, which retain their relatively high price on the second-hand market.
1. Kia Optima
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Number stolen in 2023: 30,204
Even though it’s not yet topping the best-seller list, data shows the Kia Optima was the car most likely to be stolen last year. The model became infamous after a TikTok challenge went viral showing how easy the vehicles were to steal thanks to a vulnerability in their design. According to Bishop, the cars are also popular due to their easily resold infotainment systems and catalytic converters that can fetch a high price at resale.
You can take some steps to protect your vehicle.
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Fortunately, no matter what type of vehicle you’re driving, there are still a few things you can do to protect your ride if you’re concerned about theft.
Anyone driving an older model should consider installing alarms and enhanced security features such as steering wheel locks and catalytic converter shields. You can also engrave your vehicle identification number (VIN) onto the most sought-after components to make them less desirable or have a GPS tracking system installed to help locate your vehicle if it’s ever taken.
There are still steps you can take that don’t require any modifications to your vehicle, according to Bishop. These include parking your car in well-lit locations, not leaving valuables exposed in your car, or using a signal-blocking pouch to protect your keyless fob from skimmers and relay devices.
