Old Hondas Most-Stolen Cars

Who could blame owners of racy sports cars and flashy luxury vehicles for worrying that thieves are targeting their rides? True, anyone who’s parking a $300,000 Bentley or Ferrari in the garage has probably invested some serious money on security, but the latest data shows that owners of older cars and pickup trucks are actually the motorists who should be on high alert. According to the latest “Hot Wheels” list compiled by the National Insurance Crime Bureau in Des Plaines, Ill., the most popular vehicles among car thieves in 2015 was the 1996 Honda Accord with 52,244 units stolen, followed by the 1998 Honda Civic, 2006 Ford F-Series pickups and 2004 Chevrolet Silverado full-size pickups. What’s noteworthy is that this year’s Hot Wheels list includes some more-recent models that include computer-chip-coded keys and built-in engine immobilizers to safeguard against theft. “While older vehicles still dominate our Hot Wheels most-stolen list, the number of late-model vehicles with anti-theft protection on the list goes to show that technology isn’t foolproof,” says NICB President and CEO Joe Wehrle. “Criminals are doing their best to defeat anti-theft technology through hacking and other means while, at the same time, manufacturers and others are working to improve security.” Older cars are stolen far more often than brand-new cars, largely because they’re typically taken to so-called “chop shops” where they’re quickly dissected into components that are subsequently marketed on internet sites or sold to unscrupulous parts dealers. Some cars are even stripped of big-money components like flashy wheels, catalytic converters, and airbags right where they’re parked. The list of the most frequently pilfered new models last year largely corresponds with the used-car list. Here, the 2015 Nissan Altima, with 1,104 units stolen, leads all comers. Along with the Chevrolet Impala, Dodge Caravan, Toyota Camry and Toyota Corolla, Altimas are as so sought after by crooks that they appear on both the most-stolen new and used car lists (see the accompanying box). New cars are more often taken and resold intact, usually with doctored paperwork. Cunning crooks create and install on a bogus vehicle identification number (VIN) on a stolen car, then create false new documentation that shows it has a clear title. Though they’re taken in far fewer numbers, higher-end sports cars and luxury models are typically driven off and shipped abroad for resale. While it certainly pays to have a security device installed in one’s car - a hidden “kill switch” that disables the ignition system unless it’s activated generally affords the most bang for the buck in this regard - basic common sense is anyone’s first line of defense against car crooks. “Far too often, drivers leave their vehicles unlocked or with the keys inside, making it too easy for an opportunistic thief,” says Wehrle. “We’ve noticed a trend among those owning cars with a push-button entry and start function too often are leaving the associated proximity key fobs in their cupholders or gloveboxes when parked in their driveways or at the convenience store these days and that’s an irresistible recipe for robbery.” Likewise, never leave packages, bags, mobile phones, or other portable devices within a car while parked. Always secure valuables in the trunk or hide them under seats or in the glove box to avoid catching a smash-and-grab artist’s eye. [sidebar] Most-Stolen Used Cars 1. 1996 Honda Accord 2. 1998 Honda Civic 3. 2006 Ford F-Series 4. 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 5. 2014 Toyota Camry 6. 2001 Dodge Ram 7. 2014 Toyota Corolla 8. 2015 Nissan Altima 9. 2002 Dodge Caravan 10. 2008 Chevrolet Impala Most-Stolen New Cars 1. Nissan Altima 2. Chrysler 200 3. Toyota Camry 4. Toyota Corolla 5. GMC Sierra 6. Dodge Charger 7. Hyundai Sonata 8. Chevrolet Malibu 9. Chevrolet Impala 10. Chevrolet Cruze Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau, based on 2015 vehicle theft data submitted by local law enforcement agencies to the National Crime Information Center. [sidebar