Honda models top most stolen vehicle list for 2012

Two Honda models top the list of most stolen vehicles in the United States last year, according to data released this week by the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

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 2012.

Last year, the top 10 most stolen vehicles and number of thefts were:

• Honda Accord (58,596)
• Honda Civic (47,037)
• Ford Pickup (full size) (26,770)
• Chevrolet Pickup (full size) (23,745)
• Toyota Camry (16,251)
• Dodge Caravan (11,799)
• Dodge Pickup (full size) (11,755)
• Acura Integra (9,555)
• Nissan Altima (9,169)
• Nissan Maxima (6,947)

This year, the top 10 most stolen appear by make and model only with its corresponding theft total, rather than like previous years, where rankings were determined based on stolen model year vehicle.

The 1996 Accord led the list with 8,637 thefts, and Accords and Civics account for the first 16 spots on the most stolen list and all are 1990–2000 models, according to the NICB. However, newer Hondas are rarely stolen, thanks to improved anti-theft technology, the bureau said.

“Although the FBI is predicting a 1.3% increase in 2012 vehicle thefts over 2011’s number—reversing an eight-year trend—the overall vehicle theft picture is still positive,” the NICB noted.

“The peak year for vehicle thefts was 1991 with 1,661,738. If the FBI’s preliminary 2012 vehicle theft estimate holds, there will have been roughly 724,672 thefts. That’s a national decrease of over 50 percent since 1991 with many states seeing even better numbers.”