Item Most Stolen from Vehicles

What item is most often stolen from vehicles?

Is it:
(A) Stereo
(B) Wheels
(C) Air Bag
(D) DVD System

Well, if you said stereo – you used to be right. But airbags have now surpassed stereos as the biggest target for theft – approximately 50,000 a year nationally in the United States. New airbags cost about $1,000 for Milwaukee but go for $50 to $200 on the black market. Stolen airbags are making their way back into vehicles that have been in an accident in Milwaukee. Of course, the danger to the consumer of having a stolen airbag installed is that you can never be sure what may have previously affected them and if they will work right when you need them.

There are reports that 1 in 25 airbag replacements are stolen or salvaged airbags – or no airbag is installed at all.

That is definitely a part you don't want to take a chance with, so we recommend following the following guidelines:

• Use a reputable collision repair center like North Avenue Automotive in Milwaukee that employs ASE certified mechanics.
• Inspect the invoice to ensure that the Milwaukee repair shop purchased the airbag from a WI manufacturer, dealer or recycler.
• If you can inspect the airbag prior to installation, it should be packaged in a sealed container from the manufacturer or recycler.

You will see the SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) light when you first start your vehicle up. This tells you that the airbag system is activated. If you do not see the SRS light, there is a problem with the airbag system.

Give us a call.

North Avenue Automotive
5714 W North Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53208
414.442.8500

At North Avenue Automotive we install quality NAPA replacement parts.