The Chevy Equinox crossover and Chevy Malibu sedan are the latest targets for thieves looking to steal steering wheels. The thieves will break into vehicles and disconnect the steering wheel with the intention of selling the airbag.
According to a recent report from local Fox News affiliate Fox 2 Detroit, thieves will break the rear passenger window of a target vehicle in order to avoid setting off the alarm. The thieves will then remove the steering wheel in order to sell the airbag located inside.
According to the report, Eastpointe police in Michigan say they have received 11 reports of stolen steering wheels between May 2nd and May 3rd. The trend started as a result of parts shortages stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, with thieves pocketing hundreds of dollars selling just one stolen airbag to a shop anxious for replacements.
The Chevy Equinox and Chevy Malibu are identified as two of the most-common target vehicles for airbag thieves.
“This is straight cash, you can take it to different shops that may be able to buy it,” said John Channell from Stan Yee Auto Repair. “And [they will] give you cash for that immediately. Then, they will just put it into a car where this already happened.”
According to Channell, sourcing replacement parts can take weeks, and sometimes months due to the parts shortage stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Owners are encouraged to put their vehicle in a garage when possible, or to park in a well-lit location or with a nearby camera. Other suggestions including purchasing an anti-theft device to force thieves to find an easier target.
“Do whatever you can, tell your neighbors, spread the word, tell a neighbor,” Channell said. “It’s been going on for a while.”
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevy Equinox news, Chevrolet Malibu news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock General Motors news coverage.
Comments
Jokes on the thieves if they’re stealing from Chevy equinox they have a default that says service airbag after checking it out nobody can figure out what’s wrong with the airbag so if you’re still in Chevy equinox airbags you be dumb.
I hope nobody tries to steal mine I have a Chevy Malibu, I have a good alarm system hope that helps.
The best alarm system is the sound of a gun.
You can’t legally shoot someone for stealing from your car.
wullahblack; Legally I guess you’re right. You can’t shoot someone stealing from your car. I guess you’ve not been inconvenienced enough financially or time time wise getting repairs and parts. Give it time, you might change your mind. Running the car to the shop, buying the part, paying deductibles, paying higher insurance premiums from claims, maybe even being sold the part stolen from your car back to you. Yeah, give it time.
Yes because a gun fixes all our problems.
Air bags, catalytic converters, wheels. We need to lock the wheels on, weld the exhaust better, custom alarms, steering wheel column locks. It’s becoming inconvenient owning a vehicle. Insurance rates high, deductibles high. Until judges make deterrent sentences, car owners fight back it’s a thieves world. Install silent alarms and when you catch them, well, I leave the deterrent you choose up to you. Just make sure they chose the wrong car to break in to.
Why don’t we make the penalty for the buyer of these stolen products a deterrent large enough to discourage these transactions? Lets say, $100,000?
Cause liberals don’t want to fill jails with their voters.
Good thing then that crime bill Joe got elected then, right?
Or do you think he’s a commie or some other insane OANN stuff?
Yes because a gun fixes all our problems.
Gee, I think all the jails are full with voters, mostly liberal. You are some kind of ignorant.
Why these two vehicles? Any other brands affected?
Because it is a gm specific site.
My husband has a kia optama an someone broke driver side window stole alota stuff police dident care heck they never even showed up we got a better alarm system mabe next time we will catch them.