Rise in Ram Truck Infotainment System Thefts in Detroit
Detroit police are warning residents about a recent increase in thefts targeting Ram 1500 and similar pickup trucks, with thieves specifically after the vehicles’ infotainment systems. According to reports, these thefts are occurring on the city’s west side. Authorities are offering the standard advice: lock your vehicles and avoid leaving valuables in plain sight.
The advice given by authorities is to keep exterior house lights turned on to deter theft and to monitor any installed surveillance systems. These types of thefts were a thing of the past when head units were easily removable. Now, with these systems built directly into the dashboard, it seemed that this type of crime had gone away, but apparently not.
The Appeal of Easy Removal
Thieves have quickly realized that some infotainment units are easier to remove than others. The unit found in modern Ram trucks appears to be one of the easiest, which makes them valuable on the black market. Stolen units have the potential to fetch a couple of hundred dollars on sites like eBay and Craigslist.
Related: Ford Knows Where The F-150 Loses Out To The Silverado And Ram 1500
This situation could easily proliferate, too. Ram trucks aren’t the only vehicles with head units that can be removed quickly and easily. The removal of a Honda head unit, for example, takes just a few minutes, even with extreme care taken to correctly dislodge it. If the clips break during removal, a new dashboard might be required, along with a replacement unit. The total cost of replacing the whole assembly could be quite hefty.
Social Media’s Role in the Spread of Automotive Theft
Weaknesses like this have a propensity to go viral, and can be helped along by social media. A few years ago, thefts of Hyundais increased after videos surfaced on TikTok showing how to steal older models using only a screwdriver and a USB cable. A quick search on eBay reveals that Ram infotainment units sell for anywhere between $200 and $600. They’re also easier to store and sell than an entire car.
One tip to avoid buying stolen parts online is to look for listings that include a photo of the vehicle the part was removed from–typically totaled vehicles. Also, look for bulk dealers with good reputation scores.
Automakers could respond by making the head units more difficult to remove, but that would increase costs and complicate repairs. It would subsequently become more expensive to replace the unit at a dealership. It would also make the replacement more complex than a DIY project, which can often be completed with a few basic tools and a YouTube video.
Source: Carscoops
