Car theft.

marks69 · October 20

Recently had my ES300h stolen from outside my house, luckily the police were able to recover it quickly. The police are confident that it was stolen via a 'relay theft'.

My question is......do i now need to get my keys reprogrammed or do the electronics constantly change the codes? (if that makes sense)

Thanks in advance.

NemesisUK · October 20

11 minutes ago, marks69 said:

My question is......do i now need to get my keys reprogrammed or do the electronics constantly change the codes? (if that makes sense)

All keys now use a rolling code that changes every time it's used. What you might want to do, to prevent this type of theft, is to place the key fobs in a Faraday box/pouch to block the RF. One can also disable the easy entry via the onboard menus or by pressing the unlock button twice while holding down the lock button. The fob should flash the red LED a couple ot times. Next time you use the fob you will have to press any button to 'wake' it up again.

Mincey · October 20

I'd suggest a Faraday pouch and/or deactivating the key (press and hold the lock button and press unlock twice.

Mincey · October 20

1 minute ago, NemesisUK said:

All keys now use a rolling code that changes every time it's used. What you might want to do, to prevent this type of theft, is to place the key fobs in a faraday box/pouch to block the RF. One can also disable the easy entry via the onboard menus or by pressing the unlock button twice while holding down the lock button. The fob should flash the red led a couple ot times. Next time you use the fob you will have to press any button to 'wake' it up again.

Snap!

marks69 · October 20

Wow....thanks for the quick replies.

I am going to invest in one of these pouches that block the signals and am also going to invest in a steering lock too, i am looking at the 'stoplock pro elite' (if anyone has experience of this)...........i can't go through this headache and stress again :scared:

Spock66 · October 20

1 hour ago, marks69 said:

The police are confident that it was stolen via a 'relay theft'.

It may have been a Can Bus theft, but yes you do need to either shield your keys or deactivate them.

Lexusjim · October 20

I have these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09BMJL1DR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Don't put house keys etc. In them, as they will ultimately tear the lining allowing the signal to leak

Was there damage to the car at the passenger side front bumper.?

Tickedon · October 20

2 hours ago, marks69 said:

Recently had my ES300h stolen from outside my house, luckily the police were able to recover it quickly. The police are confident that it was stolen via a 'relay theft'.

Were your front bumper or headlights damaged in any way? Thieves don’t need to use relay theft to steal many Lexus cars from 2016 to 2023 (your ES is vulnerable): https://mag.lexus.co.uk/lexus-uk-statement-on-vehicle-theft/?

Your car is also as a result eligible for a tracker device from Lexus - it’s not great but may give slightly more peace of mind.

marks69 · October 20

6 hours ago, Lexusjim said:

I have these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09BMJL1DR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Don't put house keys etc. In them, as they will ultimately tear the lining allowing the signal to leak

Was there damage to the car at the passenger side front bumper.?

No there was no damage to any of the body work, lights, bumpers etc, all the damage was done inside, centre console all butchered as well as other bits of trim......oh and both front/rear dashcams ripped out. The only reason that the police found it so quick was because of the lexus link app telling the address where it had been taken to.

Dippo · October 20

I have the Stoplock Pro Elite. It seems to work - the car hasn't been stolen since I've had it!

marks69 · October 20

2 minutes ago, Dippo said:

I have the Stoplock Pro Elite. It seems to work - the car hasn't been stolen since I've had it!

That's exactly the one i purchased today. I hope it's enough of a deterrent that even if a thief got the car started by one means or another, they would have a tough job steering it unless they want to spend ages grinding,sawing or banging.

Dippo · October 21

Have you had your free tracker installed yet? Check the other threads on here or contact your dealer if you weren't aware of this.

marks69 · October 21

26 minutes ago, Dippo said:

Have you had your free tracker installed yet? Check the other threads on here or contact your dealer if you weren't aware of this.

No i haven't had any free tracker fitted or any contact with my local dealer regarding this. I have been keeping an eye on forum threads regarding this and there seems to be very mixed reviews, some saying it's free and the least that Lexus could do and others saying a waste of time.

Dippo · October 21

I've had one fitted to mine. It was free, and Lexus pay for a 3 year subscription. I think it's Battery powered, so you can't renew the subscription, but instead have to have a new one installed as the batteries won't last. Is it a good thing? I suppose it's an additional deterrent if word gets out that Lexus cars now have a tracker fitted, and it could also help with insurance premiums. Potential downsides are that thieves may cause more damage looking for the tracker - or simply that you stand more chance of getting your car back after a theft; this problem has made me seriously consider moving to another brand.

marks69 · October 21

25 minutes ago, Dippo said:

I've had one fitted to mine. It was free, and Lexus pay for a 3 year subscription. I think it's battery powered, so you can't renew the subscription, but instead have to have a new one installed as the batteries won't last. Is it a good thing? I suppose it's an additional deterrent if word gets out that Lexus cars now have a tracker fitted, and it could also help with insurance premiums. Potential downsides are that thieves may cause more damage looking for the tracker - or simply that you stand more chance of getting your car back after a theft; this problem has made me seriously consider moving to another brand.

You say about causing more damage looking for a tracker, that's exactly what i reckon has happened to me. When i got my car back, the door pillar trims had been ripped off as well as the sides of the centre console and other bits of trim, it's a right old mess. God knows how much it's going to cost me in repairs :shocking:

Lexusjim · October 21

21 minutes ago, marks69 said:

God knows how much it's going to cost me in repairs

I guess that's why we have insurance.....let them sort out the fixing and paying.....they charge enough..!

Lexusjim · October 21

52 minutes ago, Dippo said:

this problem has made me seriously consider moving to another brand.

It's not just a Lexus problem....lots of other makes as well.....car theft is always going to be there....tens of thousands of pounds in a mobile form....

Dippo · October 21

2 hours ago, Lexusjim said:

It's not just a Lexus problem....lots of other makes as well.....car theft is always going to be there....tens of thousands of pounds in a mobile form....

Yes, but I think Lexus have handled it extremely poorly, from denial of a problem through to issuing false statements to 'Watchdog', through to failing to contact customers.

RONNIE W HODGEKINSON · October 21

On 10/20/2024 at 1:02 PM, marks69 said:

Wow....thanks for the quick replies.

I am going to invest in one of these pouches that block the signals and am also going to invest in a steering lock too, i am looking at the 'stoplock pro elite' (if anyone has experience of this)...........i can't go through this headache and stress again

Have a look At The MILENCO Steering Wheel Lock I Much prefer it To The Stoplock Pro The Milenco looks really cool..IMHO