Mid-1990s Model Hondas Still Popular with Car Thieves

By Rachel Hatzipanagos and Jason Spencer

Virginia’s most stolen vehicle in 2012 was the 1994 Honda Accord, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s annual Hot Wheels report.

The report tracks the most stolen cars in the nation and on a state-by-state basis. Older model Accords and Civics were the most stolen cars by far, the NICB reports.

The '94 Accord is no stranger to this list — or even its top spot. It became the most-stolen car in the country for the fourth consecutive year in 2011, according to the Car Connection.

This year, the '94 model slid down to the second-most stolen Accord in the United States, with 8,131 thefts. The most-stolen car nationally in 2012 was the 1996 model Accord, with 8,637 such cars taken.

Part of the reason mid-1990s Accords are so popular with thieves is because they have little in the way of security. In 1997, Honda cars started coming with security systems that prevented them from running unless the driver had the key, according to the Car Connection.

In 2011, AOL Autos reported that the parts of the '94 Accord were worth more than the car itself. Just the fuel line, air-conditioner compressor and antilock brake part collectively sold for about $1,175 that year — and at the time, a complete '94 Accord in "excellent" condition was valued at $1,900.

The NICB gathered its data based on information submitted by law enforcement to the National Crime Information Center.

The most stolen cars in Virginia were:

1. Honda Accord 1994
2. Ford Pick-Up (Full Size) 1999
3. Honda Civic 2000
4. Toyota Camry 1998
5. Chevrolet Pick-Up (Full Size) 2000
6. Toyota Corolla 2003
7. Ford Explorer 2003
8. Nissan Altima 2012
9. Dodge Caravan 1999
10. Ford Taurus 2003

The NICB offers the following tips on preventing your car from being stolen:

• Common Sense: Lock your car and take your keys. It’s simple enough, but many thefts occur because owners make it easy for thieves to steal their cars.
• Warning Device: Having and using a visible or audible warning device is another item that can ensure that your car remains where you left it.
• Immobilizing Device: Generally speaking, if your vehicle can’t be started, it can’t be stolen. “Kill” switches, fuel cut-offs and smart keys are among the devices that are extremely effective.
• Tracking Device: A tracking device emits a signal to the police or to a monitoring station when the vehicle is stolen. Tracking devices are very effective in helping authorities recover stolen vehicles. Some systems employ “telematics,” which combine GPS and wireless technologies to allow remote monitoring of a vehicle. If the vehicle is moved, the system will alert the owner and the vehicle can be tracked via computer.