Masked thieves caught on camera targeting cars in Miami — and zeroing in on one valuable part that can cost drivers thousands to replace

Although auto theft itself isn’t new, this specific part has remained a persistent target for years — and for victims, it can turn into a real financial headache.

Why airbags have become popular targets

Airbags are surprisingly valuable on the black market. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), roughly 50,000 airbags are stolen every year, adding up to more than $50 million in annual losses to owners and insurers.

A stolen airbag can be resold for anywhere from $50 to $250, often to shady repair channels looking for cheaper replacement parts. A brand-new airbag, by comparison, can sell for $1,000 or more. That price gap creates a strong incentive for thieves.

The problem got worse after the massive Takata airbag recall that began in 2013 after several fatal incidents. This disrupted supply chains and created an airbag shortage, as suddenly so many were needed for replacement (safety recall replacements are always free to the consumers). Some repair shops are still dealing with the fallout today.

In some cases, legitimate repair wait times stretched for weeks or even months, pushing some buyers toward the secondary market just to get vehicles back on the road. And if you drive a Honda or Acura, you may be an even bigger target.

MotorWeek notes that those brands remain especially vulnerable because of their popularity and because many models are relatively quick for experienced thieves to strip. In some cases, shop owners say an airbag can be removed in less than 40 seconds.

That kind of lightning speed means a single parking lot can be cleared of multiple targets in just a few minutes, especially in poorly lit or lightly monitored areas.

Stolen airbags could mean thousands in repairs

The theft itself is bad enough, but the repair bill is where things really start to hurt.