Are People Stealing the Chevy Silverado?
Wonder what one of the most stolen vehicles in the United States is? With the popularity of trucks, it’s no surprise that one finds itself at the top of the list. In 2021, at least, the Chevy Silverado was the most stolen truck in the States. It beat out the Ford F-150 for that unfortunate award. So why is the Chevy Silverado theft on the rise with car thieves?
Why are Chevy Silverados being stolen?
There are multiple reasons a truck thief might target a Chevrolet Silverado, the major reason being the catalytic converter. Catalytic converters are a component on a vehicle that can easily be chopped off and later sold. They have become a big target across the country, and sometimes your car might not even go missing if the catalytic converter has been stolen.
Then there is the fact that car theft has been rising since 2020. That might be because the used market is so hot right now, so it might seem like a worthwhile risk to a criminal. Overall, in 2022, it looks like nearly 50,000 Chevy Silverado trucks were reported stolen. And that includes the 1500 and 2500 models.
Trucks are a popular vehicle to steal
On the list of most stolen vehicles in recent years are multiple trucks. The Chevy Silverado wears the crown, followed by the Ford F-150 and GMC trucks. You might think criminals would be more likely to target things like sedans, but apparently, trucks are the hotter item to take.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICU), 14% of passenger vehicles stolen are from Chevy, Ford, and GMC. And passenger vehicle thefts increased by roughly 8% in 2021 compared to 2020. That is certainly unfortunate for Chevy truck owners.
How can you prevent truck theft?
There are some ways to prevent truck theft; the biggest one is to not make your vehicle an obvious target. That means keeping your cabin free from things that might look worthwhile to take and ensuring that your truck doors are locked. It’s a lot easier to steal something like a Chevy Silverado if the doors are unlocked.
Additionally, when possible, keep your pickup in a well-lit area. That’s not something that you will always have control over, but a darker area can make stealing a vehicle an easier task.
Finally, if you notice your Chevy Silverado has been stolen, try to report it as soon as possible. Per the same NICU study, a vehicle reported stolen within the first 24 hours had a 34% recovery rate in 2021. That might be lower or higher in 2023, but it still seems like a step worth taking.
Unfortunately, there is no one solution to preventing truck theft. But if you own a Chevy Silverado, particularly an older model, it looks like it might be in your best interest to take precautions. Having a car stolen can be a traumatic and extremely inconvenient experience. And it’s something that no one wants to encounter in life.
