DES PLAINES, Ill. -

While the use of anti-theft technology in cars is strong, at the same time, thousands of vehicles are stolen every year from owners who leave their keys or fobs behind, says the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

In fact, across the country, vehicle theft has reached averages more reminiscent of the late 1960s.

“Even with the slight increases in the last few years, the national vehicle theft problem today is at levels not seen since 1967,” NICB said in a news release Monday introducing the findings of its latest Hot Wheels report. “Enhancements in vehicle security and manufacturing are having a positive impact, but complacency can undermine their success.”

Among all vehicles on the road, the most stolen vehicle in the U.S. is the Honda Civic, according to NICB.

NICB research found that of the total 45,062 Honda Civics that were stolen last year, 6,707 models were of the 1998 model-year, compared to just (388) 2017 models. “Put another way, (17) 1998 Civics were stolen last year for every one 2017 model,” NICB said.

Meanwhile, following behind the Honda Civic, as the second and third most stolen vehicles last year, is the Honda Accord and Ford full-size pickup truck.

“While Honda Accords and Civics produced prior to the introduction of anti-theft technology continue to dominate this report, a deeper look at the data demonstrates just how effective anti-theft technology continues to be,” NICB said.

Most Honda Accord thefts involved vehicles of the 1997 model year, while newer 2006 Ford full-size pickups experienced the most thefts last year.

Interestingly, the Toyota Carmy, which NICB found to be the fifth most stolen vehicle, experienced the most thefts of its 2017 models. When it comes to just the 2017 model vehicles on the road last year, the Nissan Altima was most stolen overall.

Here is a list of the top 10 most stolen vehicles in 2017 across all model years, according to NICB's 2017 Hot Wheels report:

Rank    Make/Model          Model year most stolen / (No. of thefts)    Total model thefts

1.          Honda Civic               1998 (6,707)                                                   45,062

2.          Honda Accord            1997 (6,301)                                                   43,764

3.          Ford Pickup                2006 (3,151)                                                   35,105

4.          Chevrolet Pickup        2004 (1,970)                                                   30,058

5.          Toyota Camry             2017 (1,100)                                                   17,278

6.          Nissan Altima             2016 (1,450)                                                    13,358

7.          Toyota Corolla            2016 (1,012)                                                    12,337

8.          Dodge Pickup             2001 (1,242)                                                    12,004

9.          GMC Pickup               2017 (957)                                                       10,865

10.        Chevrolet Impala        2008 (991)                                                        9,487

To figure out the vehicles most reported stolen last year, NICB examines vehicle theft data reported from law enforcement to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) for its annual Hot Wheels report, according to the organization.