RCF CANBUS theft possible?

MNMJ · March 11

It seems from the LC thread that their cars are vulnerable, and the RX seems to be a popular target.

Anyone know if the RCF has e same issue?

A warning sign is insurance costs rocketing, so I'm pensive about renewal in September

ColinBarber · March 11

It has CAN bus enabled headlights - whether the theft device being used specifically works on the RC F or if the wiring is easily accessible I don't know. I've not heard of anyone here reporting theft or attempted theft.

Flytvr · March 11

Few people know what an RC-F is. I really wouldn’t worry

RichGS11 · March 11

My renewal is in a weeks time. I'm getting charged £17 more than last year and I'm insuring a Lexus. I don't think the F range is of high target theft wise, so other than thefts in your area, etc, it won't go up because of your car.

BillNick · March 12

One of the best thing about going F over any of the M's or AMG's is insurance and rarity.

Let's just hope it stays this way...

MNMJ · March 14

Thanks for all the answers. I'm off to Lexus Chester today so will ask them the question too.

Tickedon · March 14

The RC-F is sadly on the list of vulnerable models: https://mag.lexus.co.uk/lexus-uk-statement-on-vehicle-theft/

this follows BBC one show & watchdog looking at the issue last night.

GMB · March 14

churchill refused to renew insurance on my ISF ( underwriters had banned them- no idea why? ) and cover cost was up from 470 to 670 pounds. I am keeping an eye on prices ready for going back on the road after SORN for winter. We will see if prices continue to rise.

Bluethunder · March 14

I don't see the RCF on that list and only post 2017 RCs.

MNMJ · March 14

17 minutes ago, Tickedon said:

The RC-F is sadly on the list of vulnerable models: https://mag.lexus.co.uk/lexus-uk-statement-on-vehicle-theft/

this follows BBC one show & watchdog looking at the issue last night.

It looks like my 2015 may be secure then?

GMB · March 14

No mention of any IS models? Thankfully.🤔

ColinBarber · March 14

38 minutes ago, GMB said:

No mention of any IS models? Thankfully.🤔

I don’t believe the list is complete. The IS series III facelift should be there with the RC.

GMB · March 14

2 hours ago, ColinBarber said:

I don’t believe the list is complete. The IS series III facelift should be there with the RC

Maybe their list is just targeted at the UK only. Not many of those series III in the UK. I have never seen one. Having said that I have never come across another ISF either😏

MNMJ · March 14

4 hours ago, GMB said:

churchill refused to renew insurance on my ISF ( underwriters had banned them- no idea why? ) and cover cost was up from 470 to 670 pounds. I am keeping an eye on prices ready for going back on the road after SORN for winter. We will see if prices continue to rise.

It would not surprise me if the insurers are seeing the news about Lexus thefts and bumping premiums on all Lexus models, whether they are vulnerable or not.

A salesman at Lexus Chester didn't appear knowledgeable, or that interested, in the situation.

BillNick · March 14

2 hours ago, MNMJ said:

It would not surprise me if the insurers are seeing the news about Lexus thefts and bumping premiums on all Lexus models, whether they are vulnerable or not.

Of course, all in the name of "Greedflation"

GMB · March 14

3 hours ago, MNMJ said:

A salesman at Lexus Chester didn't appear knowledgeable, or that interested, in the situation

I get the impression that the staff have been told to keep schtum and play it down. I got the same reaction when I asked about the theft/ insurance problem at another Lexus dealer. I can't believe that they would not be aware of it.

Hatat · March 14

I live in London and in the past 3 years 5 attempts were made to steal my car but failed, I just had to deal with the broken front side to get into the left headlight. If my premium goes up this year I would tell them this if it helps LOL

BillNick · March 14

2 minutes ago, Hatat said:

I live in London and in the past 3 years 5 attempts were made to steal my car but failed, I just had to deal with the broken front side to get into the left headlight. If my premium goes up this year I would tell them this if it helps LOL

What year is your RCF? And when you say attempted, was there any damage done at all?

I am wondering why pre 08/2017 models are not listed in Lexus Newsletter, any clues from your experience?

Hatat · March 14

Just now, BillNick said:

What year is your RCF? And when you say attempted, was there any damage done at all?

I am wondering why pre 08/2017 models are not listed in Lexus Newsletter, any clues from your experience?

2018 carbon package, only once as couldn't steal it they did a nasty scratch from the passenger side to the fuel tank very nasty one the other 4 times just they unlodge the bumper screws and as they couldn't steal left it that way.

I don't know mate about the pre 08/17 list but mine is 2018 so...

BillNick · March 14

Maybe the equipment they had wasn’t quite up to the job. Good they didn’t get it though.

Hatat · March 14

6 minutes ago, BillNick said:

Maybe the equipment they had wasn’t quite up to the job. Good they didn’t get it though.

They couldn't even unlock the car in all 5 attempts but even if they did I have Ghost immobiliser so they can't turn on the engine 🙂

ColinBarber · March 14

4 hours ago, GMB said:

Not many of those series III in the UK. I have never seen one.

This is the MY17 facelift - there are 4,000+ in the UK.

MNMJ · March 15

20 hours ago, GMB said:

I get the impression that the staff have been told to keep schtum and play it down. I got the same reaction when I asked about the theft/ insurance problem at another Lexus dealer. I can't believe that they would not be aware of it.

Whilst sales were not helpful, the Lexus Chester service desk were all over it. I phoned to book an MoT service and they said they were fielding lots of calls after the BBC exposure. They have a metal plate solution for the RX (or NX, I can't recall) and are awaiting parts. They are doing those first and awaiting news from Lexus HQ about other models' vulnerability and fixes.

ColinBarber · March 16

I've been looking into this, I believe the Lexus list of affected models is correct and therefore the RC F isn't vulnerable - it is different to the RC. Whilst it does have CAN bus connected headlights, they are on a different CAN bus from the Smart Key/Certification ECU and therefore you cannot inject signals to fool it into thinking the key has unlocked the vehicle.

Some initial thinking was there was a vulnerability on either the body ECU or gateway ECU which is allowing communication between two buses but all the listed affected vehicles have the headlight ECU directly connected to the same bus as the vehicle's Smart Key/Certification ECU which then unlocks the doors and communicates with the security ECU to turn off the alarm.

Certainly this is the case up to MY18 models, I've not seen diagrams for MY19 onwards yet but I doubt it was changed.

Hatat · March 16

3 hours ago, ColinBarber said:

I've been looking into this, I believe the Lexus list of affected models is correct and therefore the RC F isn't vulnerable - it is different to the RC. Whilst it does have CAN bus connected headlights, they are on a different CAN bus from the Smart Key/Certification ECU and therefore you cannot inject signals to fool it into thinking the key has unlocked the vehicle.

Some initial thinking was there was a vulnerability on either the body ECU or gateway ECU which is allowing communication between two buses but all the listed affected vehicles have the headlight ECU directly connected to the same bus as the vehicle's Smart Key/Certification ECU which then unlocks the doors and communicates with the security ECU to turn off the alarm.

Certainly this is the case up to MY18 models, I've not seen diagrams for MY19 onwards yet but I doubt it was changed.

Agree, as with 5 attempts on my car none of them could open the car despite the fact I have an 18 carbon edition one. RCF models should be fine!