A simple Volkswagen badge has become an expensive target for thieves because, on some models, the emblem sits directly in front of the radar sensor used by adaptive cruise control and other driver-assistance systems. Removing the badge can leave owners facing nearly $2,500 in damage, according to victims who spoke to The Telegraph.
Volkswagen Badge Theft Hits 70 Cars in Four Days
Police in south east London say around 70 cars across 29 roads were targeted in a four-day stretch. The pattern has raised concerns among owners because the theft involves more than a missing piece of exterior trim.
On many modern Volkswagens, the circular badge positioned at the front of the vehicle effectively serves as a window for the forward radar sensor. Radar cannot simply sit behind an ordinary metal grille, making the emblem an important part of the sensor’s placement.
When thieves remove the badge, they can also damage or take the radar component behind it. Replacing the affected system can cost owners close to $2,500, according to victims cited by The Telegraph.
Volkswagen Badge Can Be Removed in Seconds
One Volkswagen Tiguan owner was among those targeted. CCTV footage showed two people arriving on hire bikes, removing the badge and riding away in less than five seconds.
The owner said the theft resulted in nearly $2,500 in damage. He described the incident by saying the thieves had “harvested the area.”
Some residents believe drones may have been used to identify potential targets before the thefts occurred. That theory has not been confirmed by officials.
Another owner said a neighbor saw a drone hovering nearby the night before her six-week-old T-Roc was targeted.
Why Volkswagen Badges Have Become a Theft Target
The Volkswagen logo itself is not the valuable component. The problem is the radar module mounted behind it, which can require replacement and recalibration after the badge is removed.
The radar must be replaced, mounted correctly and recalibrated, turning what appears to be a quick trim replacement into a costly repair involving a driver-assistance component.
That difference helps explain why a small badge can result in such a large repair bill. The expensive part is not the logo but the radar system and the work required to restore it.
Which Volkswagen Models Are Affected?
The radar-behind-the-badge design is used on specific models and generations spanning the Golf, Tiguan, Jetta, Passat, ID.4 and ID.5.
That means owners of those Volkswagens may be able to determine whether their vehicle uses the setup before discovering that the front emblem has been removed.
Volkswagen appears to have moved away from the design on newer models. The automaker says recently launched vehicles place the radar sensor separately from the badge.
For owners of affected Volkswagens, the theft has created an unusual precaution: checking the front badge before starting the car.
