Dodge Charger Rentals Facing Rash Of Thefts In Hawaii

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

An interesting story out of Hawaii, where Dodge Charger rental cars are being targeted by thieves due to the ease of which they can be broken into – and officials are aware of the matter, with little action being taken.

The Honolulu Civil Beat has reported on the matter, claiming that thieves can break into the Charger by inserting a flat-head screwdriver into the door lock. The Civil Beat even interviewed one tourism official who copped to knowing about the matter

“VASH (Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii) president Jessica Rich is well aware of the Dodge Charger issue and has already met with the Car and Truck Renting and Leasing Association (CATRALA) and HPD to brainstorm how they can partner up with rental car agencies to get the word out to tourists.

“Most of the car break-ins we see with our visitors do involve Dodge Chargers,” Rich said. “We’ve been aware of this problem for several years now…We’re very concerned. It’s a serious problem. We’re working on it.”

Despite being “aware of this problem now for several years”, nothing has been done about it, and countless thefts have occurred. The Charger’s lack of theft security is compounded by its popularity as a rental. There is a growing push to warn tourists against renting Chargers, and having them decline the vehicles at the counter.

Thanks to reader Jeff Lesperance for the tip

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Ttacgreg Ttacgreg on Oct 16, 2012

    I lived in Hawaii or the 90s. I had locals tell me don't leave anything of value in the car. They also said don't bother to lock the doors, and to even go ahead and just leave the windows open if you want, because that sends a signal nothing of value is in the car.

    • Nikita Nikita on Oct 17, 2012

      Yup. On my last trip I left the rental car unlocked and nothing of value in it. If the car is stolen, as long as you have the keys, insurance will cover it. Just a gray Sentra, but it was newer and had the barcode sticker, not that it made any difference. Locals had windows smashed to steal anything within view as well.

  • Obbop Obbop on Oct 16, 2012

    Real men trek to Hawaii on a gun and missile-laden warship on the taxpayer's dollars.

  • AJ AJ on Oct 16, 2012

    I once had a door's lock picked off when the car was left unlocked (due to earlier break-ins and a bad neighborhood). Not the brightest thugs ever...

  • Speedlaw Speedlaw on Oct 17, 2012

    on the big isle, the official tourist car was a mustang convertible. The next was a Ford Fusion (we rented one and it didn't suck, to my great surprise), and last was the soft top jeep. away from tourist land, there's plenty of poverty, most masked by good weather and the fact you can fish and live off the land if you are very poor (we talked to a guy who did just that) The "real"local car is an older 4wd pickup coated in dust. You don't see much exotica in a world where you don't have any real highways and the 35/50 limits are mostly observed on winding 2 lanes. Also a lot of battered but still running motorcycles of all sorts. It's all so pretty anyway....and there is island time...

    • Nikita Nikita on Oct 17, 2012

      #1 local boy's vehicle is an older Toyota 4x4, jacked up with big tires, and a bunch of dogs riding in the bed. Rusting ex-rental cars are the next most popular due to cost. Unlike Oahu or Maui, Hawaii County at least used to have cops use personal vehicles even for traffic enforcement. Camaro with little blue light on the roof is a lot harder to spot than a marked Crown Vic. Yes, I know a family there living pretty much off-grid far away from Kona or Hilo.

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