New York woman speaks out after a pricey Honda CR-V part was stolen from her leased vehicle

A Honda CR-V owner in New York is sounding the alarm after thieves allegedly stole a key part from her leased 2024 CR-V, leaving her vehicle disabled and forcing a costly repair dispute with the dealer and Honda Financial Services just days before Christmas.

In a TikTok video, creator @Geenimars shared her experience and frustrations, urging other drivers to be aware of a theft trend that experts say is happening across the country. In the video, she begins with a warning: “If you have a CR-V, Honda CR-V, they’re stealing the radar, which is the logo and the radar that’s behind it.” She then turns the camera on her own vehicle, showing where the Honda badge and associated radar module had been removed and exposing the grille. “It’s gonna look like this,” she says, capturing the damage that followed the theft.

According to @Geenimars, thieves made off with more than the radar device, and that was just the start of her problems. “Not only are they gonna steal that… and then you’re gonna have to pay like $3,000 to get it replaced,” she said, urging viewers to consider security measures like cameras or grille guards.

In her footage, she also described alleged vandalism at the rear of the SUV that resulted in another expensive component — the airbag — being taken. Referring to the airbags, she said, “That’s gonna cost you another three thousand dollars.”

Honda CR-V radar sensor theft is happening elsewhere

Law enforcement and news outlets in multiple regions have documented similar patterns. In the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore areas, police have seen an uptick in thieves targeting radar units — the small but expensive components behind many advanced driver-assistance systems — often located behind or around front emblems. Officers and auto body professionals note that the parts can fetch only about $100–$150 on resale marketplaces, yet cost owners thousands of dollars to replace once labor and recalibration are added.

Baltimore authorities, in particular, have investigated multiple thefts in some neighborhoods, finding that perpetrators can remove radar units in minutes. One local report documented at least eight incidents in a single district over a recent month, prompting police to increase patrols and warn residents. NBC affiliates covering Boston and Los Angeles have also highlighted similar theft patterns and expert advice on how owners might deter thieves.

Long-term vehicle owner discussion threads and complaint databases further illustrate that radar sensor theft has been a recurring issue on some Honda CR-V models, with owners noting replacements often run into the low thousands of dollars and that the parts are easily accessed without specialized tools.

According to NBC4 Washington, Honda is not aware of any nationwide database specifically tracking radar sensor thefts, though it does monitor emerging crime trends to assess potential security improvements. The company did not outline any concrete steps or a public plan to address the growing pattern of thefts.