ES300H TAKUMI - wheel arch CAN BUS theft

[peniole]

13 minutes ago, Mincey said:

That's why I sold my Pro on here. The Elite turned up today. It fits but if you go from the lock on the bottom right of the wheel to the top left it hits the indicator. The storage bag is a nice touch though.

Looks like they can get the pro elite off without too much trouble as reported in the link above.

[Mincey]

2 minutes ago, peniole said:

Looks like they can get the pro elite off without too much trouble as reported in the link above.

At the end of the day nothing is going to stop someone who's really determined to nick your wheels. 

[Mincey]

Has anyone contacted Lexus UK to ask what they're doing about this? If not I'll take one for the team.

[peniole]

Lethal voltage applied to the CAN-Bus area? 😈

[peniole]

2 minutes ago, Mincey said:

Has anyone contacted Lexus UK to ask what they're doing about this? If not I'll take one for the team.

I have, and waiting to hear back. I've been told by other members here that they are testing out protective plating to the area (left fender) to prevent access to the CAN-Bus. So I emailed specifically asking about when we can apply the fix. With that said the more people bug them the better, so have at it.

[peniole]

Just found this too (see video):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/R1P2HXEKJGGM30/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B06XP21DK6

[Mincey]

 

13 minutes ago, peniole said:

I have, and waiting to hear back. I've been told by other members here that they are testing out protective plating to the area (left fender) to prevent access to the CAN-Bus. So I emailed specifically asking about when we can apply the fix. With that said the more people bug them the better, so have at it.

I shall be bugging them imminently.

[Mincey]

11 minutes ago, Mincey said:

 

I shall be bugging them imminently.

I've bugged them and look forward to their reply!

[08ISF]

The protective plates have apparently been successfully (?) tested  for the RX and they are looking at when they can get them and roll them out. However, my original enquiry was specifically about the RX, before theft of other models came to our attention so they may not be looking at the ES.

You all need to get on their case.

I bypassed Customer Services and went straight to their CEO. If you get a BS reply from Customer Services, write to Chris Hayes at Lexus UK Head Office. It worked for me!

This probably affects  a lot of cars especially when you include the NX and Toyota variants, so  it might take some time to get  the work done.

[Cs150]

Sorry to say Stoplock devices seem to be removable very quickly, locks picked in seconds etc. The Disklok seems the best at buying around 3 full minutes against a determined criminal and it needs quite substantial tools to remove. Would be keen to know if anyone has bought a Disklok and what size they acquired and additionally if it went on the ES steering wheel without issue.

[e-yes]

17 minutes ago, Cs150 said:

Sorry to say Stoplock devices seem to be removable very quickly, locks picked in seconds etc. The Disklok seems the best at buying around 3 full minutes against a determined criminal and it needs quite substantial tools to remove. Would be keen to know if anyone has bought a Disklok and what size they acquired and additionally if it went on the ES steering wheel without issue.

Apologies on sounding a bit vain here, but would also like to know in addition to what @Cs150 asked whether using the steering lock such as Disklok leaves any "battle scars" on the leather/wood material on the steering wheel ?

Thanks,

--E

[e-yes]

2 hours ago, peniole said:

I have, and waiting to hear back. I've been told by other members here that they are testing out protective plating to the area (left fender) to prevent access to the CAN-Bus. So I emailed specifically asking about when we can apply the fix. With that said the more people bug them the better, so have at it.

Which email address should we be sending this email to Peniole ?

Thanks,

--E

[Dippo]

1 hour ago, Cs150 said:

Sorry to say Stoplock devices seem to be removable very quickly, locks picked in seconds etc. The Disklok seems the best at buying around 3 full minutes against a determined criminal and it needs quite substantial tools to remove. Would be keen to know if anyone has bought a Disklok and what size they acquired and additionally if it went on the ES steering wheel without issue.

Where have you read that Stoplocks can be picked in seconds?

https://www.driving.co.uk/news/products/best-steering-wheel-lock/#:~:text=As a bar lock%2C it's,exactly a quiet affair%2C either.

[Mincey]

I've heard back:

"Dear Mincey,

Thank you for your email regarding Betsy.

We entirely understand and appreciate your concerns with the news of rising theft levels in the UK, and note that we see specifically a higher rate of theft and attempted theft within the boundaries of the M25, with an apparent focus in north and east London.

Firstly I must thank you for your email and prudent request for advice in this situation with a view to protect your investment. The Lexus ES model is not one that we have seen any volume of being targeted - however we cannot say with certainty that it may not be attacked, as regrettably we cannot assume to know the motivations or indeed limits of the technology being used by current organised criminals.

It is not fully clear how thieves operate but from footage it appears some thieves have sophisticated electronic equipment and can gain access to cars by entering via the headlamps or through the wheel arches.
 
It is impossible to second guess the levels to which thieves will go to carry out these crimes.
 
We have been extremely active in working with the police and other authorities to help them tackle recent crimes such as catalytic convertor theft, hopefully leading to new legislation that makes it harder to move stolen parts on through disreputable scrap metal merchants.  Car theft is another such instance where we will do all we can to help.
 
Lexus are in the momentum of developing some measures to assist in counteracting these theft attempts. At the present moment Lexus do not have any confirmed products or alterations that we can support, but endeavour to update the teams within our Lexus Centre network (and therefore be able to support our customers) in the near future.

We would encourage you therefore to open communication with your most local or preferred Lexus Centre about request for this support, and as soon any information is available to share you can be informed at the earliest opportunity.

I do hope that this email may help and thank you for your contact with Lexus customer support.

With very kind regards
Lexus Customer Relations Case Manager
Toyota (GB) PLC - Lexus Division
Distributor of vehicles, parts and accessories for the UK"

[Cs150]

12 hours ago, Dippo said:

Where have you read that Stoplocks can be picked in seconds?

https://www.driving.co.uk/news/products/best-steering-wheel-lock/#:~:text=As a bar lock%2C it's,exactly a quiet affair%2C either.

It was a YouTube video in that Stoplock was defeated quickly, it was a small electronic drill or similar device that was used against the lock. It did need some equipment but the lock was destroyed. Disklok kept a professional with tools at bay for more than 3 minutes. Will attempt to find the video. Not wishing to sound too negative but much of the motoring press earn from advertising revenue from the various manufacturers of such devices so may be constrained with what they are willing to print 

[Cs150]

21 minutes ago, Mincey said:

I've heard back:

"Dear Mincey,

Thank you for your email regarding Betsy.

We entirely understand and appreciate your concerns with the news of rising theft levels in the UK, and note that we see specifically a higher rate of theft and attempted theft within the boundaries of the M25, with an apparent focus in north and east London.

Firstly I must thank you for your email and prudent request for advice in this situation with a view to protect your investment. The Lexus ES model is not one that we have seen any volume of being targeted - however we cannot say with certainty that it may not be attacked, as regrettably we cannot assume to know the motivations or indeed limits of the technology being used by current organised criminals.

It is not fully clear how thieves operate but from footage it appears some thieves have sophisticated electronic equipment and can gain access to cars by entering via the headlamps or through the wheel arches.
 
It is impossible to second guess the levels to which thieves will go to carry out these crimes.
 
We have been extremely active in working with the police and other authorities to help them tackle recent crimes such as catalytic convertor theft, hopefully leading to new legislation that makes it harder to move stolen parts on through disreputable scrap metal merchants.  Car theft is another such instance where we will do all we can to help.
 
Lexus are in the momentum of developing some measures to assist in counteracting these theft attempts. At the present moment Lexus do not have any confirmed products or alterations that we can support, but endeavour to update the teams within our Lexus Centre network (and therefore be able to support our customers) in the near future.

We would encourage you therefore to open communication with your most local or preferred Lexus Centre about request for this support, and as soon any information is available to share you can be informed at the earliest opportunity.

I do hope that this email may help and thank you for your contact with Lexus customer support.

With very kind regards
Lexus Customer Relations Case Manager
Toyota (GB) PLC - Lexus Division
Distributor of vehicles, parts and accessories for the UK"

Reads as a deflection and offload strategy to the dealer network whilst adding some spin about praising their own current measures of which there is currently no productive outcome at the moment...

[Dippo]

2 hours ago, Cs150 said:

It was a YouTube video in that Stoplock was defeated quickly, it was a small electronic drill or similar device that was used against the lock. It did need some equipment but the lock was destroyed.

As Mincey said, if someone is determined to steal your car, then they will. The idea of aftermarket security devices is to create a deterrent, and make the criminal look for an easier target.

When I took my car to the dealer after the attempted theft, there was no pro-active advice from the staff about what to do; the body shop manager simply pointed out quite a few vehicles on site that had been damaged in similar theft attempts, and told me that Lexus/Toyota did not have a solution at the moment. He seemed almost pleased by the number of attacks - I suppose it's good for his side of the business! One of the car park attendants suggested I should fit Ghost, but I explained to him that I wanted something to deter the attempted theft and consequent damage, and not something to stop the vehicle being driven once they'd got into it.

[Julncamp54]

Sorry to here that your ES was stolen.

have read all the posts regarding steering locks etc  and possible plate protection for the headlamp wiring. Left pondering on a solution ….

a few years ago before my Lexus ES adventure I had a mini John cooper works and I fitted an immobiliser on the  car which disabled the power to fuel pump feed.

need to do a bit of investigation if this could be a solution for the Es to make it more secure 

other wise. Guard dog tethered to front bumper or 24 hr security guard  with ak 47😂😂😂

[Robertdt]

So sorry to hear about your car, this is my biggest fear with Lexus ownership unfortunately. Manufacturers always seem to be slow to react to serious issues like this, the cynical people myself included are fully aware that they shift more cars while this is going on.

Back in the nineties a Chinese friend of mine had his Civic VTI stolen twice in 6 months outside the Casino in Glasgow city centre. His superb solution was to make a small plywood seat shaped board populated with nails facing upwards, upon arriving at the Casino he would put the board on the drivers seat and then fit a loose fitting seat cover over the drivers seat. I can verify that this method worked for him as i saw the 'used' board along with quite artistic speckled red paintjob that that the once bottomfeeder (now bottombleeder) left.

I do not condone this method, but it works

Rob

[DrShockr]

Edited - posted in error

[Mincey]

I may resort to taking the rotor arm out of the distributor each night now to be on the safe side.

[DrShockr]

Thanks for reaching out to Lexus, Mincey. We all need to do the same to make sure this gets on their radar, although it looks like they are already aware but haven't managed to find any useful solution. Abysmal response, given this method of theft has been around for a while. I don't see why they can't roll out a software update that can detect hackers entering the CAN network via the headlight. Longer term solutions for encryption would obviously be a lot more labour intensive and probably only applicable to new cars, not particularly helpful for us current owners. 

 

What email did you send your query to?

[DrShockr]

5 hours ago, Robertdt said:

So sorry to hear about your car, this is my biggest fear with Lexus ownership unfortunately. Manufacturers always seem to be slow to react to serious issues like this, the cynical people myself included are fully aware that they shift more cars while this is going on.

Back in the nineties a Chinese friend of mine had his Civic VTI stolen twice in 6 months outside the Casino in Glasgow city centre. His superb solution was to make a small plywood seat shaped board populated with nails facing upwards, upon arriving at the Casino he would put the board on the drivers seat and then fit a loose fitting seat cover over the drivers seat. I can verify that this method worked for him as i saw the 'used' board along with quite artistic speckled red paintjob that that the once bottomfeeder (now bottombleeder) left.

I do not condone this method, but it works

Rob

This made me LOL. Gap in the market, Rob, let's start something up? 😅

[08ISF]

Just now, DrShockr said:

Thanks for reaching out to Lexus, Mincey. We all need to do the same to make sure this gets on their radar, although it looks like they are already aware but haven't managed to find any useful solution. Abysmal response, given this method of theft has been around for a while. I don't see why they can't roll out a software update that can detect hackers entering the CAN network via the headlight. Longer term solutions for encryption would obviously be a lot more labour intensive and probably only applicable to new cars, not particularly helpful for us current owners. 

 

What email did you send your query to?

Don't waste your time emailing Customer Services. Their job is to deflect and BS. You  all need to write to Chris Hayes their CEO    ( by snail mail , I couldn't find his email address) . Address is on Lexus UK website. Customer Services do not have the authority to give us the assurances we require, unless they are being driven by the boss. If their CEO gets enough complaints they might just react a bit quicker than they would otherwise. My  recent response from Customer Services after my letter to Chris Hayes was slightly more positive.

"I have been advised that we have tested prototype blanking plates successfully and what we would like to do, is obtain some before we decide on the route/process for our Lexus Centre partners, and install one of these blanking plates to your RX at your designated Lexus Centre, which I presume may be Lexus XXXXX.

I will then coordinate with our Repair Support team to look at possible dates and times to fit this blanking plate to your car.

If this is agreeable please do let me know and I will start this course of action."

Like most big companies they will not react quickly unless something is pushed up the priority list.

[wendle]

On 4/11/2023 at 1:20 PM, DrShockr said:

 

Will be buying a steering wheel lock and potentially a ghost immobiliser. Anybody have any experience with either of those?

I have had a Ghost fitted from new, 2017, i haven't had any problems, if it will stop the latest way's cars are now stolen i don't know, something you would have to look into.