Which vehicles are most often targeted by Ontario car thieves
Posted November 14, 2023 11:43 am.
Last Updated November 14, 2023 11:56 am.
Ontarians who drive a Honda CR-V or Lexus RX Series might want to double-check that the doors are locked.
Those vehicle models topped a new list of the most stolen automobiles in Ontario in 2022. The not-for-profit Équité Association released its annual list of the top 10 most stolen vehicles in Canada and its provinces.
The Honda CR-V was named as the most stolen model across Canada, topping the national list of the second straight year.
All of the top 10 stolen vehicles in Ontario were most often 2019 models or newer. Équité notes criminals often aim to maximize their profits by targeting newer makes.
Most stolen vehicles in Ontario in 2022
| No. | Make/Model | Most often stolen model year | #of vehicles insured | #of thefts | Theft frequency |
| 1 | Honda CR-V | 2020 | 224,311 | 2,684 | 1.2% |
| 2 | Lexus RX Series | 2020 | 57,753 | 1,707 | 3.0% |
| 3 | Dodge RAM 1500 Series | 2022 | 195,973 | 1,405 | 0.7% |
| 4 | Toyota Highlander | 2021 | 60,326 | 1,344 | 2.2% |
| 5 | Land Rover Range Rover | 2020 | 20,743 | 1,225 | 5.9% |
| 6 | Ford F150 Series | 2020 | 214,067 | 901 | 0.4% |
| 7 | Jeep Grand Cherokee | 2021 | 47,981 | 766 | 1.6% |
| 8 | Jeep Wrangler | 2021 | 63,443 | 689 | 1.1% |
| 9 | Honda Civic | 2019 | 318,551 | 630 | 0.2% |
| 10 | Acura RDX | 2021 | 37,235 | 459 | 1.2% |
Équité says auto thefts reached a historical high in 2022, increasing by nearly 50 per cent in Ontario. The association says the rise puts “Canada in the spotlight internationally as a source country for illegal trade.”
“Canadians expect to see a collaborative approach to combatting this urgent and continuing national auto theft crisis,” said Terri O’Brien, President & CEO of Équité Association. “This problem will not be fixed in isolation; we need meaningful change and collaborative solutions adopted by auto manufacturers, all levels of government, and law enforcement.”
The associated says drivers should take these common sense steps to lower the odds of their car being stolen:
- Keep car doors locked at all times
- Never leaves keys in ignition or start vehicle remotely
- Ensure windows are closed
- Park your vehicle in well-lit area
- Park you vehicle in a secure garage, if possible
The common sense tips offer a first layer of protection, Équité says further steps can be taken, including installing anti-theft devices, installing a vehicle immobilizer, and investing in a tracking system.
York Regional Police revealed an auto-theft prevention campaign in September where they detailed which vehicles were most likely to be targeted by thieves in the region.
Police determined that the most targeted include vehicle models in York Region included the Toyota Highlander, Lexus RX350, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Ram 1500 and GMC Yukon.
