New Cars With The Highest Theft Rates

Autos continue to be hot properties among thieves, with 379,677 of them pilfered last year according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Fortunately, NHTSA says increased use of parts marking, anti-theft devices and technology like coded keys, along with heighted public awareness and improved law enforcement have helped reduce this number steadily since 2001, with vehicle thefts now at their lowest rate since 1967.

Still, the FBI figures one car was pinched last year for every 555 members of the U.S. population, to the tune of around $4.5 billion in annual losses.

Ironically, your car might actually be less of a target if your tastes and budget run large, as NHTSA’s data shows thieves have become more practical in their vehicular tastes. While 2009’s most-stolen new-car list (based on the number of thefts reported per 1,000 vehicles built) was well populated with top-shelf luxury models and sports cars like the Audi S8, Ford Mustang GT, BMW M5, Honda S2000 and the Mercedes-Benz CL, the 2010 rogues’ gallery is comprised mainly of more-affordable rides.

Along with the aforementioned Charger, the top-10 list of most-stolen cars built and sold during 2010 (relative to their production) include the full-size Chevrolet Impala and Chrysler 300 sedans, Infiniti FX crossover SUV, Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger midsize models, and the Kia Rio subcompact, along with the since-discontinued Pontiac G6 and Mitsubishi Galant sedans. One anomaly among the top 10 is the likewise out-of-production Lexus SC luxury convertible sports car, of which just one was stolen among a mere 335 produced in 2010.

NHTSA’s list is based on vehicle theft data provided by the FBI’s National Crime Information Center, which is compiled from approximately 23,000 criminal justice agencies and other law enforcement authorities throughout the U.S. We’ve culled a list of the 20 most-stolen new cars, along with their theft rates relative to production, in the accompanying slide show.

Of course the most-stolen cars each year in terms of sheer numbers still tend to be older mainstream models like mid-to-late 1990’s Honda Accords and Civics, Toyota Camrys and Ford F-150 pickups that are typically dismantled and sold off for parts by unscrupulous vendors. On the other hand, it’s more of a popularity contest when it comes to brand-new vehicles, which are usually pilfered with the intention of being re-sold intact, albeit with phony identification numbers and/or laundered titles.

It could be that crooks believed affordable new cars would be more easily fenced during 2010 than costly exotics and top-shelf luxury models, given the then-flaccid state of the economy, as only two high-end cars – the Mercedes-Benz CL and BMW 7 Series – were ranked among NHTSA’s top 20.

In fact, many of the costliest factory-fresh models enjoyed zero thefts during 2010 according to NHTSA’s report. These include highly desirable (and, obviously, well-secured) rides like the Bentley Azure and Brooklands, Bugatti Veyron, BMW M3, M5 and M6, Dodge Viper, Porsche Boxster or Cayman and the entire Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Rolls-Royce lineups.

Curiously, NHTSA’s data shows that nobody bothered to steal a brand new Smart ForTwo during 2010 either, but we’d chalk that one up to thieves inadvertently overlooking these bite-sized coupes on crowded city streets.

Clearly, whether one drives a lavish luxury car or the most humble subcompact, nobody wants to be a victim of car theft. Even with full-coverage auto insurance, you’ll likely take a serious financial hit if your car is stolen, as most auto policies only cover the depreciated value of a car, and not its full sticker price when new, and are usually subject to deductibles of $500-$1,000 on top of that. If you owe more than the car is worth you’ll have to dig deep in your pocket to make up the difference to the lender.

So what can you do to help ensure crooks won’t target your vehicular pride and joy? NHTSA offers the following theft-prevention checklist:

• Remove your keys from the ignition and take your keys with you.
• Lock your vehicle.
• Never hide a second set of keys in your vehicle.
• Park in attended lots.
• If you park in an attended lot, leave only the ignition/door key.
• Park in well-lighted areas.
• Never leave your vehicle running, even if you will only be gone for a minute.
• Completely close all vehicle windows when parking.
• Do not leave valuables in plain sight.
• Park with your wheels turned towards the curb to make your vehicle more difficult to tow away.
• If your vehicle is rear-wheel drive, backing into your driveway will also make it more difficult for a thief to tow it away.
• Garage your vehicle if you have one and always remember to lock the garage door.
• Do not leave the registration or title in your vehicle.
• Always use your emergency brake when parking, which ensures safety and makes it difficult for a thief to tow your vehicle away.
• Etch your vehicle identification number on car windows and major parts. This procedure makes vehicles and parts more easily traceable when stolen.
• Disable your vehicle when leaving it unattended for an extended period.
• Engrave expensive accessories like car stereos, cellular phones, compact disc changers, external speakers, etc., so that the thief will have difficulty disposing of them.
• Drop business cards, address labels or other documentation inside a vehicle’s doors for identification purposes.
• Replace easily accessible door lock assemblies.
• Install an antitheft device or system on your vehicle as an extra deterrent measure.