PDM

Hi Lee, are you sure that the Gen 5 RX security has also been compromised? The Gen 4 unfortunately has the well known CANbus exploit but do you think/know the Gen 5 is now vulnerable in some way too?

Yes 38k should easily be possible. My wife's NX had disks and pads changed at about 60k I think and my RX has original ones at about 44k so far. Paul

No drilling is required. I strongly suggest getting the plates fitted. They are not perfect but they certainly seem to be slowing the thieves down. Paul

Hi, Did you not get the OBD geofencing device installed? That comes with an app. There should be two devices fitted - the battery powered tracked and the OBD device. Paul

Be careful when updating the DCU software. Early versions have working voice commands for playing music from a usb disk ("play album XXXX"), but it is broken in later versions. Look at the bugs that are fixed and see if they outweigh the loss of that. If the use is mainly apple car play or AA, then this may all be academic in any case. Gracenote is also deleted in newer versions (which is good for anyone still playing CDs as it has cover art etc). The latest MEU releases (the navigation software) seem fine. For me they removed bugs without introducing new ones. (the actual map data is different to the navigation software), although you already have 1140 which contained the most useful fix - showing the street name. But IMHO you may as well update the MEU. I have not come across any downsides to that one. Paul

That's an interesting development!

CANbus?

The last communication I had with them said the CANblocker was coming "soon"!

Colin - yes - the app is for the geofence device and I have one fitted already to my car, as does my wife's NX. So they are at least available at some dealers already. Paul

Ronnie, It was free on my 4RX and my wife's 1NX. I believe the offer does not extend to 5RX or 2NX with the updated CAN implementation. It includes 3 years of subscription (again, FoC to the customer). Paul

Lexus has now put up a web page on the availability and fitment of tracker devices: https://media.lexus.co.uk/lexus-partners-with-tracker-to-enhance-vehicle-security/

I had understood they are now available for all models that are exploitable via CANbus. You may wish to as customer relations at cr@lexus.co.uk Paul

Just tested - It works on mine for at least sending emails from the safe mode setting. But an android notification or an automatic phone call would be welcome. Paul

Hi Paul, Excellent! I think you are correct - no immobilisation - just tracking and alerts. But at least it means there are now 2 or 3 ways to track the car: The Lexus app (for those with say post 2019 vehicles - when it works...), the ODB tracker/geofence and then the police, through tracker, can use the battery powered VHF tracker device too. Of course we are all desperate to get the actual CANbus fix via this CAN blocker ECU.... Paul

"Tracker Touch" in Google Play and I assume also in Apple App store. You need a registration email with a security code to connect the app to the device.

This is very odd. I believe I have a "tracker locate" as the OBD geofence. At least this seems to be the only one that connects to the tracker app other than the S5. So I assume they install a battery powered "tracker retrieve" (no app) and a "tracker locate" which has an app. It seems very odd if they are providing different solutions to different owners/parts of the country? FWIW the tracker touch app is working way more reliably to find the car and view trips than the Lexus plus app! (So far the tracker has got 100% of trips recorded and always knows the vehicle location). Paul

Herbie, You should have been offered both a tracker and an OBD geofence device (which also reports position) which does have an app. Did you get both installed? Paul

I would be highly surprised if Lexus did not already know quite a lot about this theft technique by 2021. Just have a look at this article... https://www.asahi.com/sp/ajw/articles/14378293 And hence, as you say, this may well have been the prompt to change the architecture. People have bought new LC500s this year that are also vulnerable. Paul

Ahhh... Does this mean the plastic card you get is for the one time tracker and the tracker phone application is just for the geofence device? So if the vehicle is stolen you need to call the number on the card and give them the serial number from the card? But this is independent of the geofence device, from which we can track our vehicles through the app? Paul

Hi Herbie, Curiouser and curiouser... By one use does it mean throw the entire tracker away or just replace the battery? I'm trying to figure out why the tracker hardware would be a 1 shot type of thing... If that's what it really means. Paul

Yes indeed - I agree with Andrew that the CANblocker is not yet available. Sorry if my message was confusing. I think still better to get installed what is currently available ASAP (tracker and geofence) and make a second dealer visit when CANblocker is released, as at least you get tracking and notification ability with that. You can see the position of the vehicle on a phone app, and set it up so that you get notifications on your phone if the car is moved (e.g. over night, or if you go on holiday etc). It seems good so far. Here's hoping that more roll out of these devices starts to have an effect on lowering thefts and reducing insurance... I guess it will take some time. Cheers, Paul

David, in case you are not yet aware - Lexus are now fitting (FOC) phase 1 and 2 security updates - a tracker and a geofence device. Phase 3 is the CAN blocker that Andrew mentions above, but it is not yet available. Your dealer should know about this. Paul

They are certainly doing it for RX and NX (at no cost to the owner), but I think also all models which are susceptible to CAN theft. And yes, it includes a 3 year subscription.

Hi John, Not they aren't. The install includes 3 years of tracker subscription. Paul

You can now get a tracker and a geofence device installed. This will give you a phone app to track the car and send alerts if it moves beyond an area you specify (which could be set to be "if it moves at all", e.g. useful when you are on holiday) You should contact your dealer to get these installed. This is what Lexus have been calling phase 1 and 2 of the security upgrades. We eagerly await phase 3. Paul