Work Truck Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Full-Size Pickups Prized by Auto Thieves

Three full-size pickups — Chevrolet, Ford, and GMC — were among the top 10 most stolen vehicles on the NICB’s 2021 Hot Wheels report.

July 20, 2022
Full-Size Pickups Prized by Auto Thieves

The National Insurance Crime Bureau just released its annual Hot Wheels report.

Source: NICB

2 min to read


Full-size pickups accounted for 14% of the nearly 1 million stolen vehicles in the U.S. in 2021, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NICB) annual Hot Wheels report.

Ad Loading...

Three full-size pickups made the top 10 list for most stolen vehicles nationally. As in 2020, Chevrolet and Ford pickups took the two top spots, with 48,206 and 47,999 thefts, respectively, in 2021. The GMC full-size pickup ranks sixth on the list with a total of 15,599 thefts.

Ad Loading...

Overall, passenger vehicle thefts increased 8% in 2021 compared to 2020. Moreover, there has been a nearly 35% increase in used car values over the last two years due to supply chain issues and inflation, notes NICB. Stolen cars can be shipped overseas and resold or broken down for valuable used car parts here in the U.S.

In the case of the three pickups, thieves tend to favor relatively old models. 2004 was the Chevrolet model year most often stolen. For the Ford pickup it was 2006, and for the GMC it was 2005.

Noteworthy, full-size pickups and mid-sized sedans on the Hot Wheels list are also best sellers. Popularity and availability are likely contributors to their high theft numbers. For example, the Ford F-Series pickup has been a top-selling vehicle in the U.S. for decades.

Other vehicles that ranked among the top 10 most stolen in 2021 include the Honda Civic and Honda Accord, with 31,673 and 30,274 thefts, respectively. Both cars have long been targets of thieves.

Two Toyota models also made the list. The Toyota Camry ranks fifth for most stolen vehicles, with a total of 17,270 thefts in 2021. And the Toyota Corolla takes the 10th spot with 12,927. Nissan Altima ranked seventh with 14,108 thefts, followed by Honda CR-V (13,308), and Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee (13,210).

Originally posted on Automotive Fleet

More Safety & Compliance

Red and Black Promo graphic with Kathy Close of JJ Keller that says Behind the Article, Under 26,001 lbs.? IRP May still apply.
Safety & Compliance•by Lauren Fletcher•October 12, 2026

Crossing State Lines in a Light-Duty Work Truck? Check These Rules First

Crossing state lines in a lighter work truck? J.J. Keller's Kathy Close explains when IRP registration, trip permits, and towing rules come into play.

Read More →
Illustrated map showing a blue circular geofence boundary around a defined geographic area.
Technology & AI•by Staff•October 6, 2026

GeoFencing Adds to Your Truck Security Arsenal

Geofencing is a familiar fleet tool today, but its early adoption marked a major shift in vehicle tracking, route monitoring, and the debate over employee privacy.

Read More →
Pavement background with double yellow lines and large text that says Recall, October, and Work Truck logo.
Safety & Compliance•by Wayne Parham•October 5, 2026

Recalls You Need to Know About in October 2026

In October 2026, what recalls might impact your fleet? Work Truck has the answers in this comprehensive overview of recent NHTSA recalls.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Bar chart showing severe speeding events by industry, with construction fleets highest at 254 events per 100,000 miles, according to SambaSafety’s 2026 Telematics Report.
Safety & Compliance•by Lauren Fletcher•October 1, 2026

Construction Fleets Show Telematics Adoption Alone May Not Reduce Driving Risk

SambaSafety found construction fleets monitor roughly 92% of their vehicles but recorded the highest severe speeding rate among industries studied.

Read More →
Lytx 360 Hub Kit featuring an in-cab monitor displaying four exterior camera views alongside the system’s hub, shown against a blue highway interchange background.
Safety & Compliance•September 25, 2026

Lytx Launches 360 Hub Kit for Expanded Fleet Camera Visibility

Lytx’s new AI-ready gateway and HD auxiliary camera ecosystem, the Lytx 360 Hub Kit, extends visibility across side, rear, cargo, and blind-zone views to help fleets see more and respond faster.

Read More →
Mack Defense heavy-duty military dump truck displayed with an A-LIGN CMMC Level 2 Certification badge, highlighting the company’s cybersecurity certification.
Safety & Compliance•by News/Media Release•September 18, 2026

Mack Defense Achieves Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Level 2

After an assessment conducted by an authorized Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO), Mack Defense has achieved Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
White work truck towing a tandem-axle equipment trailer on a roadway with “Need IRP?” displayed above the vehicle.
Safety & Compliance•by Kathy Close•September 17, 2026

When Work Trucks Under 26,001 Pounds Need IRP Registration

Think trucks under 26,001 pounds are automatically in the clear when it comes to IRP? Not always. Learn where lighter vehicles can still run into trip permit, apportioned registration, and IFTA compliance requirements when crossing state or provincial lines.

Read More →
Smith System 5Keys Engage safety dashboard and mobile app shown with its training, monitoring, analytics, coaching, and compliance framework for mixed work truck fleets.
Safety & Compliance•by Lauren Fletcher•September 9, 2026

Smith System Wants Work Truck Fleets to Look Beyond the Driver Alert

Smith System’s new Driver Risk Management program is built to help mixed work truck fleets turn telematics alerts and observations into specific behaviors, coaching actions, and measurable follow-up.

Read More →
Dog wearing a safety harness sits in the passenger seat of a Volvo truck cab while a man demonstrates securing the pet with a restraint strap.
Safety & Compliance•by News/Media Release•September 4, 2026

Volvo Trucks Releases New Safety Recommendations for Traveling with Pets

One of the most important recommendations for professional drivers traveling with pets is to ensure pets are properly restrained while the truck is moving. Other tips are available in the new guide from Volvo Trucks North America and Center for Pet Safety.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Infographic showing 77% of fleet drivers say the benefits of safety technology outweigh privacy concerns, over a GPS tracking map with route lines and location pins.

Are Work Truck Drivers Warming Up to Dash Cams and GPS Tracking?

A new survey finds field-service drivers may be more comfortable with dash cams and GPS tracking than fleet managers think, especially when the technology helps protect them after a crash.

Read More →