Criminals hunt for entertainment systems, particularly ones with aftermarket upgrades, says Calkins. They're valued at $300 or more. But the biggest headache for owners isn't the theft of this car part, but the collateral damage caused by crooks, yanking out the equipment, he says.

"Thieves will do whatever is necessary to get the car parts. They'll usually break a window, but they may also pry open a door or cut wiring harnesses," he says. "This can cause damage to the door frame and window mechanism. It's not uncommon for a simple radio theft to cost thousands of dollars in repairs."

To prevent the theft of this car part, Calkins suggests keeping entertainment devices covered from view whenever possible and using a car alarm for deterrence. He also suggests that owners think twice before installing a stereo upgrade to replace the existing version. "There isn't as huge of a market for the factory car systems," he says.