Cadillac Escalade is most stolen vehicle in U.S. due to security flaw

The Cadillac Escalade is the most stolen vehicle in the United States, and the reason is a little surprising; there is a security flaw in this high – end SUV that allows thieves to break in and take off within 14 seconds. The Escalade and sister vehicles Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon Denali have a computer chip in their ignition key that prevents them from being started without it.

Despite that high-tech measure, some Escalades lack, or have weak steering wheel locks, that allow the cars to be easily pushed from behind, and that’s just what thieves are doing; pushing the vehicles to a location where they can be easily stripped or loaded onto a tow truck. All that a thief has to do to get the car to that point is smash the window and force the gear shift out of park – a feat that is easily accomplished.

Not only is the Escalade the most stolen vehicle in the U.S., it also has the highest average loss cost per vehicle, with the average theft setting insurers back more than $11,000. Cadillac says that it is working on stronger theft-prevention measures for the Escalade, a car coveted among the entertainment world elite.

– By: Stephen Calogera

Source: USAToday