Car theft is a crime that never seems to slow down, and in recent years it has only gotten worse. Thieves are not just targeting flashy sports cars, they are going after everyday vehicles that are easy to resell, strip for parts, or ship overseas. Organized crime rings, social media fueled theft trends, and weak factory security have all played a role in rising thefts. Insurance agencies and police reports from both the US and Canada show surprising trends in which models are the most commonly stolen. Here is a closer look at the 14 vehicles topping the list on both sides of the border, expanded with context, common theft methods, and what makes them so appealing to criminals.
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic has long been one of the most stolen vehicles in North America. Thieves love it because of its reliability, popularity, and huge aftermarket demand for parts. Older Civics from the 1990s and early 2000s, which lack advanced immobilizers, are especially vulnerable. Some states consistently rank the Civic at number one for theft. In Canada, they are also popular among organized rings that strip them quickly for high demand components like engines and transmissions.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is another mainstay on theft reports. Its sheer sales numbers ensure that thieves can easily hide stolen examples in traffic or disguise them with minor cosmetic changes. Accords from the late 1990s through the mid 2000s are especially targeted due to weak anti theft technology. In the US, it has remained near the top of annual rankings for decades. In Canada, the Accord is also a high theft model because it is easy to resell overseas where demand for dependable sedans remains strong.
Ford F Series
The Ford F Series is America’s best selling vehicle and also one of the most stolen. Thieves target F 150s as well as Super Duty trucks because they command high resale prices and their parts are in constant demand for repairs. In Canada, these trucks are often stolen by professional rings and quickly exported through ports in Montreal or Toronto to international markets. Insurance companies consistently warn F Series owners to use steering wheel locks and tracking devices.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is right behind the Ford in theft popularity. Its strong resale value and widespread use as both a workhorse and luxury truck make it highly desirable. Older Silverados are stolen for parts while newer models, especially high trim versions, are stolen for resale or export. In Canada, Silverados are among the top three most stolen vehicles every year. Owners face some of the highest insurance premiums because of the theft risk.
Ram Pickup
The Ram Pickup is a growing favorite among thieves. The 1500 and heavy duty models are stolen in high numbers across the US and are rapidly climbing theft charts in Canada. Like other full size trucks, Rams hold value exceptionally well and their popularity ensures stolen examples or their parts sell quickly. Professional thieves have targeted newer Rams with relay attacks that amplify the signal of a key fob to unlock and start the truck in seconds.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is one of the most stolen sedans in North America. Its massive sales volume makes it a thief’s dream because stolen cars blend in on the road and are nearly impossible to track down. In addition, parts like catalytic converters, which fetch hundreds of dollars on the black market, are a prime target. Older models from the early 2000s are most often taken, though even late model Camrys are appearing on theft reports.
Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla has always been a favorite among thieves due to its reputation for durability and its massive global demand. Stolen Corollas are often exported from Canada to overseas markets where they can be resold for a premium. Engines and transmissions are highly sought after, making the Corolla one of the easiest targets for parts thieves. In Canadian theft reports, the Corolla almost always lands in the top five stolen vehicles each year.
GMC Sierra
The GMC Sierra, mechanically similar to the Chevrolet Silverado, is also a prime theft victim. High end trims like the Denali models are particularly targeted in Canada, where luxury trucks are often shipped out of the country within days of being stolen. In the US, Sierras appear frequently on NICB theft lists, especially in states like Texas where pickups dominate the roads.
Dodge Charger
The Dodge Charger has become one of the hottest theft targets in the United States, especially in performance versions such as the Scat Pack and Hellcat. Thieves steal them not only to strip for parts but also to use in street racing or high speed getaways. Police in several states have reported organized theft rings specifically targeting Chargers parked in apartment complexes and dealership lots. Insurance premiums for performance versions have skyrocketed as a result.
Dodge Challenger
The Dodge Challenger shares the Charger’s fate. Hellcat versions, with their 700 plus horsepower engines, are among the most targeted muscle cars in the world. Some thefts involve professional crews breaking into dealerships and stealing multiple cars in one night. Others involve relay thefts from residential driveways. Challengers often turn up stripped or abandoned after being used in illegal racing.
Hyundai Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra has become infamous in recent years due to viral social media trends that showed how easily certain models could be stolen using nothing more than a USB cable. Older Elantras without immobilizers were targeted at such a rate that thefts quadrupled in some US cities. In Canada, major urban areas like Toronto and Vancouver reported a surge in Hyundai thefts as well. Hyundai has since issued software updates, but the damage to its theft reputation remains.
Hyundai Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata was hit with the same problem as the Elantra. Without immobilizers, certain models were stolen in minutes, often by joyriders and amateur thieves. The so called “Kia Boys” trend made Sonatas an easy target, and insurance claims skyrocketed. In response, Hyundai began offering free steering wheel locks to owners in addition to security updates. Even so, the model still ranks high in theft statistics on both sides of the border.
Kia Optima
The Kia Optima has been a major target in the US, particularly older versions without modern anti theft systems. Like Hyundai, Kia suffered heavily from the viral theft trends that exploited the absence of immobilizers. Police forces across North America reported huge spikes in Kia thefts from 2021 onward. Some cities even filed lawsuits against Hyundai and Kia for failing to equip their vehicles with basic theft prevention technology.
Lexus RX Series
The Lexus RX Series is consistently the most stolen luxury vehicle in Canada. Professional rings target them for export to international markets where they can fetch two to three times their domestic value. Even with advanced factory security systems, thieves use sophisticated methods like key fob cloning and container shipping to move them quickly out of the country. In Ontario and Quebec, RX thefts have become so frequent that insurance rates have climbed sharply for owners.
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