SUV owners love the flexibility that their removable or stowable third-row seats afford them, and thieves have taken note. A growing number of third-row seats are being stolen and sold at swap meets, and the removable seats on the Chevy Tahoe are one of the main targets. Chevy designers made the seats easy to install and remove, with only two bolts keeping the additional seating attached to the vehicle. Police officials in Long Beach, CA told Inside Line that the problem is so bad right now, crooks are "breaking into parked SUVs and grabbing third-row seats in the middle of the day". Police are offering to engrave metal under the the seats in several spots to help identify the stolen goods.
[Source: Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
AlexP @ Aug 9th 2007 12:39PM
They seriously don't have anything good to steal nowadays.
Mike @ Aug 9th 2007 2:52PM
Duhhh....the hamburgular has been stealing the leather 3rd rows for years, taking it to a local McDonalds chop shop, and cooking the leather for double cheeseburgers.
I was there. I saw it I tell you!!!!
*takes meds*
Don @ Aug 9th 2007 3:07PM
What do you mean? These seats are friggin' expensive...you steal them and sell them on the black market and make big bucks.
KT @ Aug 9th 2007 12:41PM
Those lucky new Expedition owners don't have to worry about this!
Power fold flat 3rd seat is the ticket!
icu812ru469 @ Aug 9th 2007 12:41PM
"Police are offering to engrave metal under the the seats in several spots to help identify the stolen goods"... is this really necessary? Dude selling a third row seat in the middle of nowhere, could he possible be an OEM dealer? Come on...
Ricky @ Aug 9th 2007 1:39PM
Seems like there is a market for these seats, therefore people will buy. Especially people looking for it at under OEM cost.
3cubed minus 3squared plus1 @ Aug 9th 2007 12:42PM
Yeah so instead of the Premium Bose system [optional] they decide to taje the 3rd row seat?
WTF!?
paul34 @ Aug 9th 2007 12:44PM
Wouldn't it just be easier to load the seats with radio-triggered explosives?
"Oh man, my seats are missing!"
BEEP
"umm, honey, billy was the one who took out the seats... no one stole them"
"whoops"
BILL @ Aug 9th 2007 1:14PM
All of this stolen car stuff has become an epidemic that is long overdue for a more emphatic solution than what we have in place right now.
The solution is to wire vehicles to blow up when tampered with. Early on there will be a number of holes in the ground surrounded by human body parts, but the word will spread that stealing cars and stealing stuff out of cars is not a viable career option.
dentaku @ Aug 9th 2007 1:22PM
This has been happening to Honda s2000 seats for a while now. There are only 4 bolts holding them in, and they will bolt directly into many other hondas. That plus the eaisly slashable top makes them a prime target.
iamhoff @ Aug 9th 2007 1:26PM
Yeah, they are. 4 bolts, very easy (10 or 13 mm socket, I forget which). When I had my Integra I was a detailing nut and would unbolt the seats 4x a year to clean the carpeting. End result, bone stock and with 135k on the clock, I got a GMC dealer in Orange County to give me above blue book on a trade for it. Keep your cars clean...it pays off.
Ricky @ Aug 9th 2007 1:40PM
Wow, then theres a new product that needs to be produced for this market. Not just wheel locks are needed, we need seat locks!
dentaku @ Aug 9th 2007 1:51PM
I forget who makes them, but seat locks are available.
iamhoff @ Aug 9th 2007 1:22PM
Now I can understand stealing airbags (expensive to replace), HID lighting (same, plus the obvious "cool-ness" factor for non-HID equipped cars), and audio-video equipment. Why in the hell would people be stealing 3rd row seats? It's not like they (presumably) are easily damaged. Besides, most manufacturers sell vehicles equipped with the optional 3rd row seat. It's rare on a vehicle like the Tahoe for someone to NOT order the 3rd row seats. Alex and 3cubed got it right...can't they find something better to steal?
Jay @ Aug 9th 2007 1:37PM
Happened with my '02 Civic Si a couple years back. That's why I have an Accord now.
Sean Flanagan @ Aug 9th 2007 1:48PM
3 words:
Free ghetto couches
h8rain @ Aug 9th 2007 2:07PM
That is exactly what I was thinking
Harrison @ Aug 9th 2007 6:04PM
tru dat
I got a early 90's Civic seat in my living room.
seoultrain @ Aug 9th 2007 1:50PM
i don't get it. What's the market for these? People who've already had them stolen and need replacements? or maybe people think think they make great furniture..
mongo @ Aug 9th 2007 2:18PM
I assume that it's people who wish to upgrade their Tahoes/Yukons/etc. that didn't originally have a 3rd row. Prices for used ones on eBay indicate that the part probably costs a MINT at the dealer.