2023 Ford F-150 Supply Shortages Lead to Rampant Theft
Is your Ford F-150 running? That’s great unless a thief is behind the wheel! Good luck catching it as it speeds off into the distance. In reality, thieves are actually targeting 2023 Ford F-150 models from storage lots, so they don’t have titles yet. However, this may still impact you as supply change shortages lead to theft and could lead to longer delays.
Thieves target the 2023 Ford F-150 due to supply shortages
The 2023 Ford F-150 is the most popular truck among consumers, and criminals have taken notice. For years, the F-150 has been the most popular truck to steal, as supply chain shortages only make things worse.
To cope with the semiconductor shortage, Ford builds trucks without the components needed to complete the truck in storage lots. When chips become available, they’re added, and the tuck is sent to quality testing before being delivered.
However, these lots provide a place for thieves to strike. It could be an inside job led by employees or by third-party suppliers. Over $1,000,000 worth of stolen trucks can be traced back to the Detroit area as vehicles are consistently disappearing off the lots.
Some of the lots don’t have security cameras or guards to monitor inventory. Documentation about where trucks are stored has been loose, making things unorganized.
Only 14 vehicles have been recovered after being driven off the lots in Detroit to Phoenix, Arizona before being sold to unsuspecting customers.
Why are stolen F-150 trucks hard to locate?
When a 2023 Ford F-150 is stolen from a storage lot, it has a blank vehicle title. If a truck has a proper title, it can be traced in the national crime database. So, Freep shared that it can be sold with a clean title to evade law enforcement officers.
Also, Ford has been taking its time in some cases. Reportedly, police shared that Ford and its partners fail to report stolen trucks until weeks or months after disappearing. In some instances, Ford doesn’t report the stolen trucks at all, complicating ongoing investigations.
The trucks might be taken and stripped for parts as well. Items like bumpers, headlights, tires, and more provide a lot of value as replacement parts.
Some F-150 models change hands multiple times after being sold with fraudulent titles. This leaves unsuspecting buyers, smaller dealerships, title companies, and other entities out of luck because they’re impounded after being found by the police.
The distance traveled on the odometer is one of the most solid clues for identifying stolen F-150 models in other states. Receipts for gas and other items can also be helpful.
Is Ford beefing up security?
Steps could be taken to protect 2023 Ford F-150 models, but future actions are unclear. Ford spokesman Ian Thibodeau shared that product theft is a sad reality for all manufacturers, carmakers, and retailers.
This is true as Stellantis struggles with increased Ram 1500 theft. Ian continued to explain that when Ford becomes aware of robberies, it promptly reports losses to law enforcement agencies. Along with unsuspecting people who purchase these stolen F-150 trucks, Ford is a victim.
Ford can’t answer specific questions as multiple law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the thefts. Ford is fully cooperating with all authorities involved.
Ford might be taking more steps to protect 2023 F-150 models, but it sounds like the primary focus is figuring out who is responsible. Stay tuned for more updates about automotive theft.
