Older Chevy Trucks Proving Popular Targets for Thieves

But protecting yourself and your truck from theft isn’t as hard as you might think.

Keeping an older truck rather than obtaining a new one every couple of years is obviously a smart financial decision. This is especially true when you consider that modern vehicles are quite capable of cresting 200,000 miles without breaking a sweat. But Chevy trucks produced in the previous decade aren’t just popular among those looking to save a buck. They’re becoming a favorite of car thieves as well.

According to the recently released National Insurance Crime Bureau “Hot Wheels” report, Chevy trucks were the fourth most stolen vehicles in the United States in 2016. Thieves snagged a whopping 31,238 full size Chevy trucks last year, with 2004 models topping the list with 2,107 thefts nationwide. This is consistent with the vast majority of NICB’s top ten, as 7 of the 10 most popular model years are 2006 or earlier.

The reason why thieves prefer targeting older vehicles is simple – they’re easier to steal. The introduction of smart key technology and more effective anti-theft systems has helped. But a great number of thefts occur when drivers leave their doors unlocked with the keys inside. Which obviously makes any anti-theft system worthless. Plus, thieves today use sophisticated hacking technology able to defeat modern anti-theft systems.

So how do you keep yourself and your truck from becoming yet another statistic? Obviously, lock your doors and take the keys with you. NICB also recommends using a visible warning device or immobilizing device such as a kill switch. Tracking devices are also extremely effective for locating your truck if it gets stolen.

If you’re concerned about the financial burden of theft, comprehensive insurance is a great way to protect yourself. If your truck is stolen and can’t be recovered, it pays you the current value of the vehicle. You’ll have to pay some sort of deductible, of course, so be sure and do the math first to see if it makes sense for your situation.

Brett Foote

Brett Foote has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is a longtime contributor to Internet Brands’ Auto Group sites, including Chevrolet Forum, Rennlist, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts, among other popular sites.

He has been an automotive enthusiast since the day he came into this world and rode home from the hospital in a first-gen Mustang, and he's been wrenching on them nearly as long.

In addition to his expertise writing about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and every other type of automobile, Brett had spent several years running parts for local auto dealerships.

You can follow along with his builds and various automotive shenanigans on Instagram: @bfoote.