Gone In 14 Seconds: Why The Cadillac Escalade Is America's Most-Stolen Vehicle

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

We’ve known that the Cadillac Escalade was America’s most-stolen vehicle, but we never asked why. The answer: GM didn’t put steering locks on a number of Escalade and other GMT9000 Ute model years, and shifters on these models are easily pushed out of “Park.” These weaknesses (and their ineffective fixes) allow thieves to push Tahoes, Denalis and Escalades to a safe spot where parts stripping can be done in a matter of minutes. And as the report details, Onstar is rarely effective at stopping quick snatch-and-strip-style thefts, because the damage is typically already done by the time vehicles are reported stolen. Hats off to WXYZ TV for looking past the statistics and finding the truth behind the Escaladae’s stealability. GM is reportedly working on a new steering column replacement for these vehicles.


Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Porschespeed Porschespeed on Oct 30, 2010

    Yo. Yo. Yo. 'Da Excalade is da favorite of da low-level dopeman (ie, the baller). As such, combined with GM's never-present level of a-developmentallydisabled-6-year-old-could-drive- this-away-in-30-seconds-security, you know what is going to happen. While the dude who moves a kilo a week knows to be, umm, restrained in his daily vehicle choices, his underling thinks that an Ex rollin' through da hood is cool. While 'tis to the other slangers, tends to draw unwanted LEO attention.... Regardless. Folks, we are just talkin' 'bout another pathetic POS badge-engineered Caddy. It does not register in the enthusiast realm (save for the CTS-V).

  • Pgcooldad Pgcooldad on Oct 30, 2010

    In my subdivision there are 3 Escalades driven by ... Moms! So not all S'ah'lade drivers are dope dealers. There is also a sharp Hummer H2 driven by a Mom ... a hot Mom to boot!

    • Porschespeed Porschespeed on Nov 01, 2010

      pgcooldad, Fair enough they aren't all slingin' caine. But every single xcalade owner I have ever met was the 'white trash with money' demo. Regardless of theire skin color. In your case "Real Housewives" is just another tag for the same demographic.

  • Thornmark Thornmark on Oct 30, 2010

    >> “Gone In 14 Seconds: Why The Cadillac Escalade Is America’s Most-Stolen Vehicle...” 1) Thieves, as a class, have bad taste and/or 2) Escaladers leave their keys in, just hoping for the insurance award.

  • Bridge2farr Bridge2farr on Oct 30, 2010

    Only natural that the Escalade is reviled here. Most of the naysayers can't afford one and are envious while the remainder are racist and have been schooled (TTAC) to hate GM. Next topic please...

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