According to statistics from Admiral Insurance, airbag theft has increased 68% over the past year.
In order to take advantage of problems with the airbag supply chain linked to broader shortages of auto parts, thieves are removing steering wheels for the precious airbags they contain. A common target is observed to be BMWs.
Lorna Connelly, Admiral’s Head of Claims, stated: “You might wonder why a thief would take a steering wheel, but it’s what’s inside that they’re really after. We understand that they’re being stolen for the airbags housed in them. Our data shows that the number of claims for stolen steering wheels has increased in recent years, with the biggest increase in the last year.
“Since thieves are searching for new methods to profit from stolen auto parts throughout the pandemic, airbag theft is a very recent phenomenon. More than 500 claims for stolen steering wheels have been made over the past four years, with 2021 seeing the largest increase—a 68% increase over 2020. Although our data indicates that most popular makes, including Fords, Mercedes, and Land Rovers have been attacked, BMWs seem to be the most frequently targeted vehicles.
“The increase in thefts has been greater during the pandemic since Covid has caused airbag manufacturing facilities to either close permanently or struggle to meet demand once they return, which has led to thieves taking advantage of the supply chain problem.
“After the steering wheel has been taken, the airbag is taken out and sold to dishonest mechanics, who then install them in cars for less money than dealerships would. The shop might pay a customer a few hundred pounds more after purchasing the stolen airbag for between PS200 and PS500. Even so, it would still be less expensive than having the driver visit an authorized shop, where replacing an active or defective airbag can cost up to PS1,000.
“You should only have authorized, reputable repairers operate on your car if it needs a replacement airbag, and they should only ever use approved parts obtained from specialized vendors.”
- Use your garage if you have one. Place your car in the garage and lock the door.
- Make an investment in a steering wheel lock if you don’t have a garage. They provide as an additional layer of security by acting as a visual deterrent. Look for locks that have passed the Secured by Design (SBD) or Sold Secure tests. Find the proper lock for you by doing your research. Some locks even have incorporated alarms.
- Every time you leave your automobile, park it somewhere secure and well-lit.
- Every time you leave your car, make sure the door is locked.
- Make sure your vehicle is covered by any CCTV or video doorbells you have if you have one. The majority of devices use motion detection, and you can receive alerts on your phone when motion is detected.
- Additionally, don’t be afraid to phone the police if you notice somebody acting strangely close to a vehicle.
In This Article...
Drivers are being cautioned about an odd increase in steering wheel thefts.
According to a major UK insurance, the theft of steering wheels from vehicles has increased significantly.
The peculiar crime is related to problems in the automobile supply chain, with thieves taking the parts to resell the airbags they contain.
In 2021, incidents increased 68% over the previous year, according to Admiral Insurance, as thieves sought to profit quickly by trading shady used components.
Thieves in the UK are stealing airbags from steering wheels belonging to Mercedes and BMW.
In order to steal airbags, thieves in the UK target steering wheels from prestigious brands like BMW, Ford, Mercedes, and Land Rover.
According to Admiral, the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on airbag producers contributed in part to the spike in thefts.
Because the driver is unaware until the car has crashed without the airbags deploying, the AA called it a silent assassin.
Theft of life-saving airbags from steering wheels of renowned auto manufacturers has been compared to a “silent assassin” in the United Kingdom (UK).
According to research, BMW is the premium car brand that is most frequently attacked, followed by other well-known brands including Ford, Mercedes, and Land Rover.
According to recent Admiral data, last year saw the “highest spike” in airbag crime. According to its data, claims significantly increased last year compared to 2020, by 68 percent.
The increase in thefts, according to Lorna Connelly, Head of Claims at Admiral, was partially brought on by the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on airbag manufacturing.
She claimed that in order to profit, criminals sold the stolen airbag to a garage for between PS200 and PS500, adding that the latter then increased the price for clients by a few hundred pounds.
She uttered:
“You might be perplexed as to why a criminal would steal a steering wheel, but what they’re really after is what’s within.
As thieves hunt for new methods to profit from stolen auto parts during the pandemic, airbag theft is a relatively recent phenomenon.
“Over 500 claims for stolen steering wheels have been made in the last four years, with 2021 seeing the largest increase—a 68 percent increase over 2020.
“However, according to our statistics, the majority of well-known brands have been impacted, including Fords, Mercedes, and Land Rovers.
The increase in thefts has been worse during the pandemic because Covid has had an impact on airbag manufacturing facilities, causing them to either close permanently or struggle to meet demand once they reopen.
Why upscale steering wheels are attracting the attention of organized crime gangs
The next target for organized thieves who are breaking into cars with ever-more-advanced methods is pricey steering wheels taken from top-of-the-line autos.
The most popular targets for quick window smash-and-grab thefts in the past were radios and CD players, but nowadays, gangs use high-tech techniques to get past security systems and get into vehicles in a matter of seconds before robbing the owners of their most expensive possessions.
Over the past year, there have been numerous reports of steering wheel thefts from pricey BMWs, Mercedes, and Audis. As a warning to other owners, numerous automobile owners have posted pictures of the interior damage to their vehicles on social media.
Similarly, several tales of thefts involving entire infotainment systems, satellite navigation systems, and even airbags have flooded motoring forums, resulting in hundreds of pounds of internal damage.
The police launched an operation in November 2017 to address the growing issue of steering wheel thefts from high-value automobiles in the region. Kent has been at the center of the steering wheel crime rise.
Because they are portable and untraceable, luxury steering wheels are sought-after targets for auto thieves. Popular online auction sites are selling high-end units for over PS1,000, and used iDrive systems for retrofitting are also available for around PS1,000.
The steering wheels of some high-end automobiles, including the BMW M Sport model, are being stolen, according to RAC Insurance specialist Simon Williams, “owing to their potential high resale value.”
Because current steering wheels are loaded with electronics and an airbag, which is a pricey component in and of itself, he said, “This is a crime that takes a lot of professional knowledge and equipment.”
In order to take the steering wheel safely and without triggering the airbag, which would be extremely dangerous if it did so in a condition other than a collision, thieves must first obtain access to the car.
Mr. Williams went on to say that the crime causes the car owner great hardship and money and forewarned that it will “inevitably result in higher insurance premiums in the future.”
What motivates them to steal steering wheels?
Although owners of BMWs were most likely to report a stolen steering wheel, Admiral’s head of claims Lorna Connelly stated that thieves appeared to target popular models from Ford, Mercedes, and Land Rover in addition to BMWs.
Although the thefts were a relatively recent occurrence and still only constituted a small percentage of claims, the significant increase in recent years was alarming, according to her.
You might wonder why a thief would take a steering wheel, but it’s what’s inside that they’re really after. We understand that they’re being stolen for the airbags housed in them. Our data shows that the number of claims for stolen steering wheels has increased in recent years, with the biggest rise in the last year.
Airbag theft is a relatively recent occurrence since during the epidemic, thieves are looking for new methods to profit from stolen auto parts.
Admiral believes this has created an opening for thieves to steal the components then sell them on at cut prices to shady garages as airbags can cost up to PS1,000 to replace and supplies have been affected by Covid as factories struggle to ramp up production after being forced to close at the height of the pandemic.
Are steering wheels stolen?
Because of inflation, everyone’s wallets are feeling the pinch in these unprecedented times. We’ve previously witnessed thefts of catalytic converters and petrol from tanks or directly from gas pumps, which is typical in situations like this. Theft of Chevrolet Malibu steering wheels, however, is a new practice that is causing confusion in the local communities.
We have noted a rise in thieving activities across during the previous week. We are aware that thieves have long targeted catalytic converters, and in light of the recent increases in gas costs, even the petrol in people’s tanks. We were astonished to learn from reading the comments that some people even view thieves as a type of Robin Hood-style tool for redistributing riches. But, at least with relation to a specific Chevy model, things are becoming a little too personal.
The steering wheels of many Chevrolet Malibu cars in the Detroit metro region are currently the chosen target of the “wealth redistribution campaigners.” According to police investigations, the burglars are experts at stealing steering wheels from dozens of vehicles, and they can do it quickly. The method of operation is always the same: unidentified individuals smash the car’s window, enter, and take the steering wheel. Chevy Malibuses constitute the majority of the vehicles targeted.
The owners are faced with two issues: paying for repairs and a shortage of parts to replace the ones that have been stolen. We’re not sure if the scarcity of steering wheels on the market for replacement components encouraged theft or the opposite. A smashed window and a missing steering wheel will undoubtedly render your car useless for months, that much is certain.
According to Greg Vizaro of one of the Detroit area repair shops, “They [the steering wheels] are just not out there to acquire because everyone needs them.” My supply house responds to my call by saying, “Greg, we have 50 on backorder right now at all our stores,” because they are consistently doing this at all the different shops.
The airbags inside the steering wheels, according to the police, are the reason the thieves steal them; nevertheless, it is unknown why they especially target Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. Steering wheel thefts have been a problem for police in the past as well, so this is not the first instance. Interestingly, there were also Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. This seems to come down to the fact that the steering wheel may be made loose by just removing a few screws.
The Police’s only option right now is to add more patrol personnel to the streets. At the same time, they advise locals to keep their vehicles secure by parking them in the driveway or garage. A security camera is also beneficial.
Steering wheel locks: do they deter thieves?
The steering wheel lock does some degree of vehicle protection. It can be avoided, though, with enough time and effort. It is possible to pick the steering lock, but it takes time. Although it can also be cut, most criminals won’t take the effort to do so.
People have been hunting for ways to get around locks ever since they were created. A thief with sufficient skill simply needs a few seconds to open that lock. However, cutting the device will take much longer and might attract more attention. Typically, criminals don’t intend to remain in the stolen vehicle for very long.