The Most Frequently Stolen Cars

Ten Car Models Stolen Most Often in America

Lee Wright
What a horrible feeling to find an empty parking place instead of your car. It's a real nightmare when car owners go looking for their car and find it gone. You might be surprised which models are on the list of the ten most frequently stolen cars. Only three of the cars have model years after 2000. Four of the ten on the list are fourteen or more years old and the newest car on the list is the 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup. According to a preliminary report in August 2009 by the National Insurance Crime Bureau the ten most stolen cars in America are:
  1. 1994 Honda Accord

  2. 1995 Honda Civic

  3. 1989 Toyota Camry

  4. 1997 Ford F-150 Pick-up

  5. 2004 Dodge Ram Pick-up

  6. 2000 Dodge Caravan

  7. 1996 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee

  8. 1994 Acura Intergra

  9. 1999 Ford Taurus

  10. 2002 Ford Explorer
  11. One of the main reasons these cars are popular with thieves is because they lack the theft deterrent systems that come standard in many newer models. As theft deterrent technology continues to improve in the form of fuel cut-offs, kill switches, smart keys, and audible warning signals, modern cars become less attractive to car thieves. The addition and improvement of tracking technology in the last few years has made stealing newer cars more risky for thieves.

    In addition to the lack of theft deterrent, older cars are also more popular due to the value of their parts. Many of the cars on the list were extremely popular models. Companies sold millions of these cars, so not only are there a lot of them out there, but the demand for parts remains steady. Some of these models have parts that are interchangeable with several models in their company's car lines making the parts even more valuable. In addition, some of the basic materials in some car parts, such as copper, has become very valuable. Also, most of these cars have been around long enough that car thieves have perfected the technique of breaking in and stealing them very quickly.

    To prevent theft do not leave valuables in your car and always keep it locked. Also, you may wish to add your own theft deterrent devices to make them less attractive to thieves. You can easily install a car alarm and tracking device in most vehicles that will either deter thieves or at least perhaps, allow your vehicle to be tracked and recovered before it is destroyed for parts. Some of the newer models may also allow for a smart key system that is a great deterrent.

    Sources:

    http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/107656/the-cars-thieves-love-most?mod=family-autos

Published by Lee Wright

I'm a free lance writer who likes to write and read just about anything. I studied accounting, business, and history in college and developed an interest in genealogy and family history. I also have a fair...  View profile

18 Comments

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  • Jolene Munoz10/19/2009

    Interesting to know!

  • Sunshine10/15/2009

    Yikes! I have one of the cars on the list!

  • Vincent Summers10/13/2009

    Funny Honda was in there. I've never really had to replace parts - except one radiator at about 300,000 miles! While they are not the most comfortable car, nor the most prestigious, they are without a doubt the most dependable automobile...

  • Betty Malone10/13/2009

    Sometimes I wish someone would steal my old car...

  • Julie Darleen10/12/2009

    Funny-these are the cars I see the most ads for on TV

  • Vanessa Stewart10/12/2009

    Interesting, thanks!

  • Dyan Stanley10/12/2009

    It is so weird to see cars that are so old on the list!!

  • Scott Shetler10/12/2009

    I thought I was safe driving a 1994 vehicle... thanks for the info!

  • Memmay Moore10/12/2009

    :0))

  • CJ Mathis10/11/2009

    :D

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