Supply Chain Issues for Theft-Prone Cars Create Delays for Auto Repair Shop

Riverside Automotive owner Peter Bilgo said he stopped doing repairs on theft-damaged Kia and Hyundai vehicles around three months ago, as auto parts shortages have delayed work.

Kia and Hyundai models have recently replaced Chrysler as the most stolen brand. Bilgo, who runs the Oakland Avenue repair location, said Chrysler’s shift to keyless ignition accounts for the change.

Now Kia’s, Hyundai’s and catalytic converters are most often stolen.  Older Kia’s and Hyundai’s are easier to steal because they do not have a push-button start.  

“It’s the ones that have the turnkey ignition lock cylinder that they’re taking,” said Bilgo.  

Bilgo sometimes was getting two or three of them a week.  

When he took in the vehicles, he would order a used steering column from a salvage yard. He said it would take two or three days to get it shipped in, but with the increase in theft, he cannot get used columns anymore.  

“I didn’t have the ability to store the vehicles until I could get the parts,” said Bilgo. 

Now Bilgo has been sending them to the dealers where they sit at the lot for three or four weeks waiting for parts he said.  

Dealerships tend to have secured fences where they can keep them until the parts come in.  

The body shop at Russ Darrow Kia Wauwatosa has a few vehicles that have been sitting in their lot for long periods of time. Some vehicles sit for weeks or a couple of months.

“It varies on the parts, but we can’t find used or new ones,” said one estimator, who asked to remain anonymous because they were not sure they were authorized to speak.

Upper or lower covers on the steering column or the lock cylinder take longer to get. 

“There’s such a backlog,” said Bilgo.  

Bilgo said the supply chain is part of the problem along with the quantity and number of vehicles that have been taken in. 

On Monday, he was repairing a 2018 Prius that had the converter taken. The vehicle needed a new catalytic converter, some hardware and an oxygen sensor.  

Thieves will raise the car up and cut out the catalytic converter, according to Bilgo. 

The repairs on the Prius would cost around $2,500. 

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Police Department and the Milwaukee Police Department are giving free steering wheel locks to anyone who owns a Kia or Hyundai.  

“I think one of the words of advice I would give anybody that owns one of those cars that parks outside and they don’t have a club, they should go get one,” said Bilgo. 

Bilgo said a vehicle could still get stolen, but a steering wheel lock is a deterrent.  

“And when they see that club on the steering column, they’ll go to one that doesn’t have it because it’s easier to take,” said Bilgo. “They don’t want to spend a lot of time in the car, trying to get a club off.”  

Those seeking a steering wheel lock should contact UWMPD by calling 414-229-4627 or contact any MPD district station. Proof of ownership is required.