Hi all,

New to the forum. But I have not found an answer elsewhere. My brand new 2011 Caravan was broken into while we we camping and we only figured out how a couple months later when I realized the drivers side door handle seemed to be loose. Turns out they forced a screwdriver or similar under the handle and bent the #%^! Out of the sheet metal and opened the door. Cost me 700.00 at the dealer to repair (which I'm positive was way over priced) and was completed unsatisfactorily. Now 18 months later, I notice my lower glove box has been forced and I figured we must have left the door unlocked during holiday shopping. Well it turns out that some S.O.B broke into the passenger side using the same method, but this time leaving a noticeable puncture hole just below the door handle.

My question is; if its so simple to break into the car, does Dodge not have some responsibility to better secure their vehicles? If Dodge doesn't care, is there a way to solidify or protect against this type of break in? I plan on keeping the van for another 5 years or so and don't want to have to regularly repair the doors and continue to lose my personal belongings.

 

oh geez. nothing can prevent someone from breaking in but few devices could help them from doing it. one is the best prevention is keep things out of sight. car alarm wount help other that if u use it as a noise maker to attract peoples attentions. might scare off the thief. other than that if it aint bolted down much u could do.

 

Well, If they can't get in with the screw driver, they will just smash your window. Happened to me once.
Dodge can't stop theft or use Bullet proof glass. Security is the responsibility of the owner, not Car maker.

I think your best bet is to just install a LOUD alarm, and keep NOTHING in you vehicle.

 

Well, if Dodge could they would and you would pay but no matter what they just move to the next step, breaking the glass.

I also took a hit but he wanted to drive off with mine and thanks to the Key Sentry he could not. He tore my ignition key lock up trying.

I now have a Viper 5704 alarm/remote start installed. At least this time it will raise hell and the key fob will vibrate and chime even at a range near 1/2 mile give or take a building and such.

 

There's a taste of your new American culture right there folks. Take a good hard look at it. It's someone else's fault that your car gets broken into. People have lost their minds.

 

Truth. I was going to say the same thing.

 

True that if someone wants into your vehicle they will get in but I think the point Jberes was making is that it is incredibly easy to get into Dodges. I'm somewhat surprised that this method still works on a current generation vehicle. In highschool a friend of mine had a 94 Shadow that was broken into with a screwdriver under the handle as he described. My brothers 95 Intrepid and my 96 Dakota all by the same means. The biggest problem is that there is *******ly no noise or struggle to get in. My brother's car was broken into at his apartment in broad daylight while he was inside. If anyone saw someone in the car they would think it's the owner. If you see someone in a car with a busted out window and the guy holding a hammer or crowbar you would be suspicious. So I would agree that it is somewhat the car manufacturers responsibility for the ease of break-in.

 

Interesting that a word got starred out. V i r t u a l l y is a bad word now?

 

You want them hard to get into? You're gonna have to make them hard to get out of. The only thing that stands between me and what's inside your car...ANY CAR.. is a piece of tempered glass. It's also what stands between you and getting out in an emergency. One small tap in just the right spot and it's out. Only the stupids try to pry on door handles to break in. Get a grip people. Or get an armored truck. OR....maybe stop leaving "candy" on your front seat or your dash to lure someone in.

 

Have you ever seen how AAA gets into your car when you lock ur key inside? Their method works on most of the cars on the street, it takes no more than 10 minute, and makes no noise.