Équité Association has released its list of the top 10 most stolen vehicles for 2023, revealing that newer models with keyless ignitions have increasingly been targets.
According to the report, the Toyota Highlander has overtaken the Honda CR-V as the most stolen vehicle in Canada in 2023. It found that the model was stolen 3,414 times in 2023, up from 2,988 in 2022, surpassing the Honda CR-V, which held the top spot for the past two years.
Équité Association has attributed the increase in Highlander thefts to several factors, including the vehicle’s popularity, high resale value, and vulnerability to keyless ignition theft.
Équité Association emphasized that these vehicles, often 2019 models or newer, lack the advanced anti-theft technology aligned with the ULC 338 Standards, making them easier targets for thieves.
“In order to sustainably address the auto theft crisis in Canada, solutions must evolve from focusing on the recovery of stolen vehicles to preventing vehicles from being stolen in the first place, starting with updating Canada’s outdated Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (i.e., ULC 338 Standards),” noted Terri O’Brien, president and CEO of Équité Association.
Auto theft has surged nationwide in recent years, with increases of 48.2% in Ontario, 57.9% in Quebec, 34% in Atlantic Canada, and 5.5% in Alberta between 2021 and 2023, according to Équité Association’s 2023 Auto Theft Trend Report.
The issue prompted Public Safety Canada to launch its National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft in May 2024. A news release highlighted that early initiatives have led to a slight national decrease in thefts this year, but experts caution that sustained efforts are necessary to build on these improvements.
“The most crucial step in fighting auto theft is stopping it before it starts,” said Bryan Gast, Équité Association’s vice president of investigative services. “One of the most common trends we’re seeing on the Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles list includes newer vehicles with keyless ignitions.”
Équité Association urges manufacturers to adopt updated security standards to better protect vehicles from theft. They also advise car owners to take a layered approach to security, including using anti-theft devices, vehicle immobilizers, and tracking devices.
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