NICB’s Hot Wheels: America’s 10 Most Stolen Vehicles (2018 Data)

1. Honda Civic
1. Honda Civic 18
1. Honda Civic 18

1. Honda Civic | 2018 Total Model Thefts: 38,426

Model Year Most Stolen: 2000 | Thefts: 5,290

2. Honda Accord
2. Honda Accord 17
2. Honda Accord 17

2. Honda Accord | 2018 Total Model Thefts: 36,815

Model Year Most Stolen: 1997 | Thefts: 5,029

3. Ford Pickup (Full Size)
3. Ford Pickup 17
3. Ford Pickup 17

3. Ford Pickup (Full Size) | 2018 Total Model Thefts: 36,355

Model Year Most Stolen: 2006 | Thefts: 3,173

4. Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)
4. Chevrolet Pickup 17
4. Chevrolet Pickup 17

4. Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size) | 2018 Total Model Thefts: 31,566

Model Year Most Stolen: 2004 | Thefts: 2,097

5. Toyota Camry
5. Toyota Camry 17
5. Toyota Camry 17

5. Toyota Camry | 2018 Total Model Thefts: 16,906

Model Year Most Stolen: 2017 | Thefts: 1,144

6. Nissan Altima
6. Nissan Altima 17
6. Nissan Altima 17

6. Nissan Altima | 2018 Total Model Thefts: 13,284

Model Year Most Stolen: 2017 | Thefts: 1,451

7. Toyota Corolla
7. Toyota Corolla 17
7. Toyota Corolla 17

7. Toyota Corolla | 2018 Total Model Thefts: 12,388

Model Year Most Stolen: 2018 | Thefts: 1,034

8. GMC Pickup (Full Size)
9. GMC Pickup 17
9. GMC Pickup 17

8. GMC Pickup (Full Size) | 2018 Total Model Thefts: 11,708

Model Year Most Stolen: 2018 | Thefts: 1,170

9. Dodge/Ram Pickup (Full Size)
8. Dodge Pickup 17
8. Dodge Pickup 17

9. Dodge/Ram Pickup (Full Size) | 2018 Total Model Thefts: 11,226

Model Year Most Stolen: 2001 | Thefts: 1,155

10. Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
Jeep Cherokee
Jeep Cherokee

10. Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee | 2018 Total Model Thefts: 9,818

Model Year Most Stolen: 2000 | Thefts: 646

DES PLAINES, Ill., Nov. 19, 2019  — The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) today released its annual Hot Wheels report, which identifies the 10 most stolen vehicles in the United States. The report examines vehicle theft data submitted by law enforcement to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and determines the vehicle make, model, and model year most reported stolen in 2018.

Release Resources:  National Report | State Report | Infographic | 2018 Models
Video: Tips to Prevent Auto TheftVideo 1 (0:43 interview) | Video 2 (0:30 interview) | Video 3 (0:24 interview)

2018 Hot Wheels Thumbnail

According to the FBI, in 2018, a total of 748,841 vehicles were stolen in the United States, a 3% decline, and a return to the dominant downward trend we’ve experienced since entering the 21st century.

Included with today’s release is a list of the top 25, 2018 vehicle makes and models that were reported stolen in 2018.

For 2018, the most stolen vehicles* in the nation were:

Rank Made/Model Model Year Most Stolen/(# Thefts) Total Model Thefts
1 Honda Civic 2000  (5,290) 38,426
2 Honda Accord 1997  (5,029) 36,815
3 Ford Pickup (Full Size) 2006  (3,173) 36,355
4 Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size) 2004  (2,097) 31,566
5 Toyota Camry 2017  (1,144) 16,906
6 Nissan Altima 2017  (1,451) 13,284
7 Toyota Corolla 2017  (1,034) 12,388
8 GMC Pickup (Full Size) 2018  (1,170) 11,708
9 Dodge Pickup (Full Size) 2001     (1,155) 11,226
10 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee 2000     (646) 9,818

 

The following are the top 10 2018 model year vehicles stolen during calendar year 2018:

Rank Make/Model Total Thefts
1 GMC Pickup (Full Size) 1,170
2 Ford Pickup (Full Size) 1,017
3 Toyota Camry    976
4 Nissan Altima    912
5 Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)    790
6 Hyundai Elantra    775
7 Ford Transit    723
8 Dodge Charger    719
9 Toyota Corolla    699
10 Chevrolet Malibu    698

 

NICB recommends that drivers follow our four “layers of protection” to guard against vehicle theft:

Common Sense — the common sense approach to protection is the easiest and most cost-effective way to thwart would-be thieves. You should always:

  • Remove your keys from the ignition
  • Lock your doors/close your windows
  • Park in a well-lit area

Warning Device — the second layer of protection is a visible or audible device which alerts thieves that your vehicle is protected. Popular devices include:

  • Audible alarms
  • Steering column collars
  • Steering wheel/brake pedal lock
  • Brake locks
  • Wheel locks
  • Theft deterrent decals
  • Identification markers in or on vehicle
  • VIN etching
  • Micro dot marking

Immobilizing Device — the third layer of protection is a device which prevents thieves from bypassing your ignition and hot-wiring the vehicle. Some electronic devices have computer chips in ignition keys. Other devices inhibit the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine until a hidden switch or button is activated. Some examples are:

  • Smart keys
  • Fuse cut-offs
  • Kill switches
  • Starter, ignition, and fuel pump disablers
  • Wireless ignition authentication

Tracking Device — the final layer of protection is a tracking device which emits a signal to police or a monitoring station when the vehicle is stolen. Tracking devices are very effective in helping authorities recover stolen vehicles. Some systems employ “telematics” which combine GPS and wireless technologies to allow remote monitoring of a vehicle. If the vehicle is moved, the system will alert the owner and the vehicle can be tracked via computer.

Media Contact

If you have a question, want further information on the NICB, or to discuss insurance fraud or vehicle crime, please contact:

Joe Brenckle
Director, Public Affairs
jbrenckle@nicb.org

Chris Stroisch
Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications
cstroisch@nicb.org

If you are a reporter and have a request or question, please complete the Media Request Form.

Anyone with information concerning insurance fraud or vehicle theft can report it anonymously by calling toll-free 800.TEL.NICB (800.835.6422) or submitting a form on our website.

About the National Insurance Crime Bureau: Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., the NICB is the nation's leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to combatting and preventing insurance crime through Intelligence, Analytics, and Operations; Education and Crime Prevention; and Strategy, Policy, and Advocacy. The NICB is supported by more than 1,200 property and casualty insurance companies and self-insured organizations. NICB member companies wrote over $582 billion in insurance premiums in 2021, or more than 82% of the nation's property-casualty insurance. That includes more than 96% of the nation's personal auto insurance. To learn more, visit www.nicb.org.