Ford F-Series Pickups Are a “Treasured Target” for Car Thieves
Car thieves have found themselves a new favorite target, and according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NCIC) latest Hot Wheels report, Ford F-Series pickups ranked as the most stolen vehicle in 2019. Ford’s iconic full-size pickup wasn’t the only popular vehicle included in this year’s report either.
Where did the “Hot Wheels” report pull its data from?
This data isn’t just pulled out of thin air. Instead, the report takes into account vehicle theft data that’s been submitted by law enforcement to the NCIC. The NCIC then takes that data and uses it to determine the vehicle make, model, and model year that was most reported stolen in 2019.
Ford pickups were a popular target for car thieves in 2019
Ford’s lineup of F-Series pickups has landed in the number one spot on plenty of lists. Albeit this time around, Ford probably doesn’t want its iconic pickup scoring first place. Why? Because according to this year’s report from the NCIC, Ford pickups have come to be a “treasured target” for car thieves.
The NCIC reported that a whopping 38,938 Ford pickup trucks were swiped by car thieves last year. Of those trucks, the NCIC says 2006 F-Series models were among the most stolen.
While this isn’t the first time the Ford F-Series has landed on NCIC’s list of most stolen vehicles, it has climbed the list in recent years. Last year, for instance, the NCIC reported in the 2018 Hot Wheels Report that car thieves had stolen 36,355 Ford F-Series pickups.
Second place on this year’s list went to the 2000 Honda Civic
The 2000 Honda Civic found itself in second place on NCIC’s list. According to the Hot Wheels report, the 2000 Honda Civic was stolen 33,220 times in 2019. And in 2018? The 2000 Honda Civic was reported stolen by car thieves 38,426 times.
Car thieves also targeted these models in 2019
Of course, car thieves didn’t just set their sights on F-Series pickups and Honda Civic models last year. Chevrolet’s 2004 Silverado was also included in the list. According to the NCIC, there were 32,583 reported thefts of the 2004 Chevy Silverado.
Other popular cars among car thieves in 2019 included the 1997 Honda Accord (30,754 stolen), the 2007 Toyota Camry (15,656), the 2015 Nissan Altima (13,355), and the 2018 Toyota Corolla (12,137). The NCIC says that car thieves also targeted the 2001 Dodge Ram (11,292 thefts), 2018 GMC Sierra (11,164), and the 2001 Honda CR-V (10,094) in 2019.
How to prevent your car from being stolen
NCIC does have several tips to help prevent your car from being stolen. And, as thefts remain high, the NCIC recommends having multiple layers of protection against car thieves.
Per the NCIC’s tips, “The common sense approach to protection is the easiest and most cost-effective way to thwart would-be thieves.” This includes removing the key from your car’s ignition, locking your doors and closing your windows, and parking in a well-lit area.
The NCIC also recommends using a visible or audible device to alert thieves that your vehicle is protected. An immobilizing device, such as a smart key, can also help prevent car thefts.
Last but certainly not least, the NCIC suggests outfitting your car with a tracking device. That way, if your vehicle is ever stolen, authorities can (hopefully) recover your vehicle by using the tracking device.
Are car thefts really that common?
According to the FBI, vehicle thefts peaked at 1.7 million in 1991 and have been trending downward ever since. Despite the downward trend, though, car thieves are continually devising new and more sophisticated ways of stealing cars, making it increasingly necessary to keep an eye on that beloved auto of yours.
