Escalades Are For Thieves...courtesy of GM!

[EscaladesRforTheives]

Ok so I know that these days pretty much anything can be stolen. Especially with the hard hitting economy, financially desperate people are resorting to desperate measures. Since 2003 GM's Cadillac Escalade has been on the top 5 list of stolen and broken into cars according to an cumulative insurance survey report.

We are now in 2008, and according to the Highway Loss Data Institute's report, Cadillac Escalade occupied the 1st spot in the top 5 list for Insurance theft losses for the past FOUR YEARS in a row!!!.

With a company who prides themselves on creating, in my opinion, an outstanding vehicle, why wouldn't they go the extra mile to lower the owner's risk associated with owning one of their vehicles?

Surely the price point on an escalade would merit anti-theft measures that could prevent their prestigious Escalade being broken into by using an ordinary screwdriver! Or perhaps an alarm system that would actually go off should entry be gained into the vehicle after the alarm had been enabled! Or perhaps even an alarm that would go off if parts of the exterior of the car, like let's say: the headlamps, grill, tires or engine had been stolen when the alarm was enabled!

The truth be told, Cadillac Escalade provides none of these simple theft deterrents! In fact I am compelled to say that by not providing these items but yet advertising that the SUV comes equipped with an alarm would be misleading its buyers into having a false sense of security.

The so-called alarm that is a factory installed standard feature is nothing more than a saftey device. It is not a theft deterrent in any way. The alarm will not sound if the exterior door lock is popped with a household screwdriver. The alarm will not even sound if your wheels are stolen, or your hood is pryed open, or your headlamps disconnected and stolen. Matter of fact it will not even make beep if someone takes a sledge hammer to your car or even your windows. This is something that seems like way too many loyal Escalade owners have had to find out the hard way.

I myself have had my Escalade broken into using a screwdriver once. Then a few weeks later I had also had the entire hood of my car ripped open, the side panels torn off so that the headlamps could be stolen. Both of those incidents happened while my car was sitting in my driveway. Had the so-called alarm even made a chirp, I could have possibly deterred the thieves for causing the amount of damage that they were able to cause.

The only thing that sets the Escalade's alarm off is if someone were to be in your car, after you had set activated the alarm and tried to get out!!!! Does this sound like a theft deterrent or a safety feature???

This 2007 Escalade was my second Escalade and will be my last. I am extremely disappointed at their refusal to upgrade their anti-theft measures. I am among thousands of people who have been robbed by the thieves and mislead by the manufacturers.

If you are among the victims of this stupidity please reply to this post. Actions are being put in place to make sure that this matter is acknowledged by GM. Please share your story here.

Thanks~
Angela

[jr8593]

I agree with you. When I recovered my 04 EXT after it was stolen I was amazed on how easy it was for them to break in and take it. I'll post some pics when I get home later. I dont see why they dont put more effort into their alarm system like BMW and Mercedes do. Any punk kid can steal an Escalade. When I had my dealer repair my ignition switch (which cost me $615.00) they told me they do at least 3 Escalades a week. Thats probably why they dont do anything about it, it seems to be big business for them.

[The Tony Show]

Why wouldn't you start parking it in the garage after the first time? I'm sorry to hear your Escalade got stripped like this, but honestly- how many cars or SUVs come with the features you're asking for? Most people know that factory alarm systems are a joke, and if you'd already been broken into once then I fail to see how the second time is anyone's fault but the thieves and your own for not taking steps to secure it.

No hostility intended, and I'm honestly sorry that it happened, but come on. Whether or not it made noise isn't going to stop someone from ripping out a headlight and driving off- it takes all of 15 seconds.

[Rolex]

I empathize with you and agree that for an expensive vehicle they have a pretty poor security system. That said, the invoice price of these trucks is already in the $50k range. There are lots of add-ons they could tack on to the cost to make it more secure, but at what point is it going to drive the vehicle's cost too high (which IMO is any higher than it is now)? If you have the capital to buy a truck in this price bracket, what's the big deal about investing $500 in an aftermarket alarm? It will almost certainly be better then anything any dealer provides.

I also happen to agree with Tony on one point. My pickup truck comes as well appointed as my Escalade, as do several vehicles. Any of these vehicles can be broken into at any point. If you had already been hit once and fail to take measures to protect your truck, you're out of line to blame anyone but yourself. I knew when I bought my Escalade it was the #1 stolen and broken into vehicle in the land. It's a risk you take owning a luxury vehicle.

[TedG]

I found this out from my insurance agent who informed me that the rates will just about double from my 2003 Silverado SS.

[EscaladesRforTheives]

Well...here is the thing...

It had to have taken the thieves more than 15 seconds to mutilate the car in the manner that they did. The entire hood of the car was cut away, as were the side panels. The grill was popped out which that would take no time at all to do. However they had to carefully unscrew the headlamp and energy source as to not damage it. Its not like they cut the wires and took off. And had the p.o.s factory alarm gone off I highly doubt they would have stuck around to dismantle the car while the alarm was sounding.

I was right inside my house sleeping...an alarm would have woke me up or scared them off. An after market alarm is intended to do the same thing.

Funny thing is, my escalade is parked right next to my mercedes, which is more expensive and they didn't bother to touch that! Could it be that it is more difficult to get into or that the FACTORY alarm to my mercedes goes off if you so much bump into the car too hard once the alarm has been enabled.

I agree that having a high priced car attracts a lot more attention from thieves. But come on! There are a lot higher priced Mercedes, Porches and Bentleys and yet the Cadillac Escalade is the #1 theft related insurance claim???

Yes, I could have been better protected by an aftermarket, but had the Escalade's factory alarm gone off...I wouldn't be here writing this post.

[xshrpshtr]

Just vote for more democrats who are notoriously light on crime. Buy a gun? Set up a camera? Maybe vote in some more "tough on crime" candidates? Neighborhood watch? Since you clearly live in California or some other area that does little or nothing to criminals. You might consider organising a group to wait for these scum to hit your neighborhood again. Kill them and bury them. Keep doing this until word gets out on the street that your neighborhood is NOT an area to work. This is only one solution of course. Although I find it to be the surest method. It may be against the law in some states. I'm no lawyer so I suggest you do your own research...or not. Your choice really.

[hcvone]

Well some car/truck had to be the most stolen, too bad for us it's Escalade's, mostly stolen from Cali, and in Texas they are stealing Corvette's, of course with Escalade's there is a huge parts market, and a huge export of stolen trucks. I have a couple of contacts who repo for banks and car companies, been with them while they picked up cars from Bentley's to Explorer's, even without keys they can take cars in seconds by either towing or starting, it was amazing to watch how fast they can take a car.

[CIWS]

Originally Posted by EscaladesRforTheives

Yes, I could have been better protected by an aftermarket, but had the Escalade's factory alarm gone off...I wouldn't be here writing this post.

Experienced thieves know the weakness(es) of the vehicles they go after and are practiced at taking them and/or their parts quickly. You're not dealing with some joy riding teen. The reason they didn't go for your MB is the higher demand for Lade parts. Supply and demand. Nothing is foolproof, all it takes is someone with the knowledge and your property is gone. Just about any kind of defense can be defeated by determined and knowledgeable individuals.

I don't blame you for not wanting to deal with a vehicle that's so well liked by thieves. But I see this more as a customer who is not well informed and upset because of what's occurred rather than being the fault of Cadillac. I would be pissed too.
Seriously ma'am, if I had to leave an Escalade and a Mercedes sitting outside unprotected in my driveway at night, I think I would invest a few thousand dollars in motion sensor lights, surveillance camera(s) and a recorder, at the least. Vehicle alarms can be disabled or rendered useless by knowledgeable crooks.

I'm sorry for your headaches. Crooks suck.

[Dif]

Well, I feel bad for anyone who has had their Escalade defiled in any manner but have to agree:
the so called alarm/anti-theft setup is a Joke!
And, one thing that has been mentioned before ... is the door handles.
Another Joke:
I read many posts on how Jerks break in with just a screw driver.
Well, I remote start mine when it is Hot out to cool it off before I get in, but also have a sun shade in the windshield which makes the headlights turn on.
Also, with the sunshade in place if you remote unlock the vehicle it makes the headlights turn on.
So lately I've been opening the door with the key, removing the sun shade and then use the remote start to cool the inside before I get in.
My point is:
I've never used my key to open the door before,..but when I did, I can't believe how the whole door handle flexes just from turning the lock mechanism with the key.
It looks like all you need to do is grab the door handle with your hand and with a good tug, you can yank it right off.
Why bother with a screw driver

And never mind the extra price for a better alarm from GM.
Since the 07's came out in 2006, the "base" price of Escalades has gone up $3,000.00
Pretty sad when you really evaluate it.
Such a nice vehicle that could be so much better with just a little thought and consideration.
But I guess that's just what GM has come to, along with many other things in the USA.

[lawfive]

Sorry for your loss. I had a car broken into once and I cannot convey how freaking violated I felt.

Random shallow thoughts follow:

Originally Posted by EscaladesRforTheives

We are now in 2008, and according to the Highway Loss Data Institute's report, Cadillac Escalade occupied the 1st spot in the top 5 list for Insurance theft losses for the past FOUR YEARS in a row!!!.

This only means that the Escalade has been a popular purchase for a large mass of humans. The more cars of a particular model out there, the more valuable it is for criminals to chop-shop them.

Originally Posted by EscaladesRforTheives

The so-called alarm that is a factory installed standard feature is nothing more than a saftey device. It is not a theft deterrent in any way.

All factory alarms are a hilarious joke. Full stop.

Originally Posted by EscaladesRforTheives

If you are among the victims of this stupidity please reply to this post. Actions are being put in place to make sure that this matter is acknowledged by GM. Please share your story here.

Okay, that part was a little weird. People buy cars with/without alarms, and are thereby accountable for the level of protection that is provided by the factory. Did you inquire as to what that level of protection was?

Originally Posted by EscaladesRforTheives

Funny thing is, my escalade is parked right next to my mercedes, which is more expensive and they didn't bother to touch that! Could it be that it is more difficult to get into or that the FACTORY alarm to my mercedes goes off if you so much bump into the car too hard once the alarm has been enabled.

It's not that the Mercedes alarm is better. It's that they are less popular here than the Lade.

If it's any consolation, the Escalade is already losing market share and will continue to become less popular over time due to oil prices.

Originally Posted by xshrpshtr

Buy a gun? Set up a camera? You might consider organising a group to wait for these scum to hit your neighborhood again. Kill them and bury them.

Note to self: do not jack Lade in Troy's neighborhood.

Originally Posted by Dif

And never mind the extra price for a better alarm from GM.
Since the 07's came out in 2006, the "base" price of Escalades has gone up $3,000.00
Pretty sad when you really evaluate it.

*LawFive ponders old learnings... "Supply. Demand. Wait... Whut?"*

[joee5]

Wow reading this has been depressing. What after market car alarm is the best and which one is affordable? ($500 range or less. If any.) God Bless,Joe

[the cadillac kid]

Originally Posted by The Tony Show

Why wouldn't you start parking it in the garage after the first time? I'm sorry to hear your Escalade got stripped like this, but honestly- how many cars or SUVs come with the features you're asking for? Most people know that factory alarm systems are a joke, and if you'd already been broken into once then I fail to see how the second time is anyone's fault but the thieves and your own for not taking steps to secure it.

No hostility intended, and I'm honestly sorry that it happened, but come on. Whether or not it made noise isn't going to stop someone from ripping out a headlight and driving off- it takes all of 15 seconds.

+1

Originally Posted by Rolex

I empathize with you and agree that for an expensive vehicle they have a pretty poor security system. That said, the invoice price of these trucks is already in the $50k range. There are lots of add-ons they could tack on to the cost to make it more secure, but at what point is it going to drive the vehicle's cost too high (which IMO is any higher than it is now)? If you have the capital to buy a truck in this price bracket, what's the big deal about investing $500 in an aftermarket alarm? It will almost certainly be better then anything any dealer provides.

I also happen to agree with Tony on one point. My pickup truck comes as well appointed as my Escalade, as do several vehicles. Any of these vehicles can be broken into at any point. If you had already been hit once and fail to take measures to protect your truck, you're out of line to blame anyone but yourself. I knew when I bought my Escalade it was the #1 stolen and broken into vehicle in the land. It's a risk you take owning a luxury vehicle.

+1

Originally Posted by EscaladesRforTheives

Well...here is the thing...

Yes, I could have been better protected by an aftermarket, but had the Escalade's factory alarm gone off...

1st time, stock alarm didnt go off.
realize stock alarm is crap.
know that an aftermarket alarm would have offered "more protection" or been more sensitive.
did not upgrade alarm system, despite already having been broken into. (New alarm system would have cost LESS THAN ONE PERCENT of the value of your car).
Vandals strike again & are successful.

Originally Posted by hcvone

Well some car/truck had to be the most stolen, too bad for us it's Escalade's, mostly stolen from Cali, and in Texas they are stealing Corvette's, of course with Escalade's there is a huge parts market, and a huge export of stolen trucks. I have a couple of contacts who repo for banks and car companies, been with them while they picked up cars from Bentley's to Explorer's, even without keys they can take cars in seconds by either towing or starting, it was amazing to watch how fast they can take a car.

hmm.. were they Gone in 60 seconds?

Originally Posted by CIWS

Experienced thieves know the weakness(es) of the vehicles they go after and are practiced at taking them and/or their parts quickly. You're not dealing with some joy riding teen. The reason they didn't go for your MB is the higher demand for Lade parts. Supply and demand. Nothing is foolproof, all it takes is someone with the knowledge and your property is gone. Just about any kind of defense can be defeated by determined and knowledgeable individuals.

I don't blame you for not wanting to deal with a vehicle that's so well liked by thieves. But I see this more as a customer who is not well informed and upset because of what's occurred rather than being the fault of Cadillac. I would be pissed too.
Seriously ma'am, if I had to leave an Escalade and a Mercedes sitting outside unprotected in my driveway at night, I think I would invest a few thousand dollars in motion sensor lights, surveillance camera(s) and a recorder, at the least. Vehicle alarms can be disabled or rendered useless by knowledgeable crooks.

I'm sorry for your headaches. Crooks suck.

+1





i saw this a few weeks ago:
http://biz.yahoo.com/cnnm/080709/070...&.pf=insurance

a lot of demand for the parts of these cars.


oh, & if you didnt want to spend < 1% of the vehicle cost on a different alarm system, you could have spent < 0.1% of vehicles cost on some Motion sensor lights. We keep a 07 benz & a '06 cadillac in our driveway. No problems ever [knock on wood]. We have 2 motion sensor lights aimed at the cars as a 'just in case'


good luck, angela.

[baskalade]

why wouldn't the manufacturer want their cars to be stolen? Means the customer will hopefully buy another one. Now, they just sold two cars instead of one!!! I'm afraid to say it, but it's about the money. We all know they could easily fix the issue.


This is also my last american made car. Going back to bmw's where i've always been happy with for a daily driver!

[the cadillac kid]

Originally Posted by baskalade

why wouldn't the manufacturer want their cars to be stolen? Means the customer will hopefully buy another one. Now, they just sold two cars instead of one!!! I'm afraid to say it, but it's about the money. We all know they could easily fix the issue.

You're so right! omg those bastards! bastards!!!