2022 RAV4 stolen

[robo1]

 Nathan.
Thanks for posting. very informative. Your video clearly shows it only takes a few minutes to steal. I assume the bangs are the wheel arch being pulled out. Surprised they were happy to take your car at  just after 9 pm ,from outside your front window, with cars passing. 

[robo1]

Contacted Toyota via the Toyota blog asking if they are looking into CAN problem. Disappointing reply advising me to keep my keys in a Faraday pouch! Clearly didn’t understand the question or didn’t have any other answer. 

[kucyk]

1 hour ago, babodonk said:

 Here is the video from when my car was stolen.

Took 20 seconds to connect to CAN and turn lights on... there was a bang so the thieves walk away for a bit.

Then come back and simply drive away.

In total, took 2 minutes...

 

 

Gone in 60 seconds part 2

[kucyk]

27 minutes ago, robo1 said:

Contacted Toyota via the Toyota blog asking if they are looking into CAN problem. Disappointing reply advising me to keep my keys in a faraday pouch! Clearly didn’t understand the question or didn’t have any other answer. 

They don't even know the product they sell. As far as I know RAV4 can't be stolen using the suitcase method as the key enters the sleep mode when static and doesn't transmit anything, hence can't be extended.

[babodonk]

Here was Toyota's response to my complaint:

 

Reply-To: Toyota Customer Relations <cr@toyota.co.uk>



Hi Nathan, 

Thanks for contacting Toyota. 

I am really very sorry to learn that your vehicles have been criminally targeted and naturally regret the deep dissatisfaction and anxiety this must have caused. 

Car theft and vandalism pose a constant challenge to the manufacturers of security equipment.  As the distributor of new Toyota vehicles in the United Kingdom we invest a great deal of time and resources developing the security equipment fitted to our range of vehicles. 

Despite these efforts, the determined criminal will always endeavour to enter a vehicle through any means possible and in some instances will override the most sophisticated alarm system.  Unfortunately, a security system may not deter an opportunist or determined criminal. 

If you wish to return the vehicle you will need to contact the Toyota Franchise you purchased the vehicle from, as that will be who your contract of sale is with. 

I would assure you that we do take seriously your concerns and, in the meantime, thank you once again for bringing this matter to our attention and for working with us to address your concerns. 

Kind regards

Rob 

Rob Cameron
Customer Support
Toyota (GB) PLC 
Distributor of vehicles, parts and accessories for the UK

[kucyk]

I think I'm going to glue the connection together with the lamp, making it impossible to unplug it 😏

[mobi]

39 minutes ago, kucyk said:

I think I'm going to glue the connection together with the lamp, making it impossible to unplug it 😏

It is clear that Toyota won't do anything until it affects their sales. Only a small fraction of owners/prospective buyers look into car forums like this. So, impact on sales likely to be little. So, buyers have to choose from 

1. Not buying RAV4 because of this
2. Live with it
3. like 2 but use an additional security device
4. like 2 but design own custom trap - like a mouse trap fitted in wheel arch, glued razor blades etc with a warning sticker on wheel arch. Even just a sticker alone may persuade the thieves to move on as it indicates owner is aware of this vulnerability and may have taken steps to prevent it. 

[DerekHa]

I do like the razor blades glued to the the connector or cable! You'd likely get a double whammie if they tried to take your vehicle. The knowledge they got injured but more improtantly they be leaving that sticky red stuff all over the place as a result and that would make excellent forensic evidence for the Police, if you can get to attend of course.

You wouldn't have to worry about them being injured  either, there's no lawful or other possible reason they could have for pulling the bumper aside and reaching right inside for that connector!👍

[atartan]

1 hour ago, babodonk said:

Here was Toyota's response to my complaint:

 

Reply-To: Toyota Customer Relations <cr@toyota.co.uk>



Hi Nathan, 

Thanks for contacting Toyota. 

I am really very sorry to learn that your vehicles have been criminally targeted and naturally regret the deep dissatisfaction and anxiety this must have caused. 

Car theft and vandalism pose a constant challenge to the manufacturers of security equipment.  As the distributor of new Toyota vehicles in the United Kingdom we invest a great deal of time and resources developing the security equipment fitted to our range of vehicles. 

Despite these efforts, the determined criminal will always endeavour to enter a vehicle through any means possible and in some instances will override the most sophisticated alarm system.  Unfortunately, a security system may not deter an opportunist or determined criminal. 

If you wish to return the vehicle you will need to contact the Toyota Franchise you purchased the vehicle from, as that will be who your contract of sale is with. 

I would assure you that we do take seriously your concerns and, in the meantime, thank you once again for bringing this matter to our attention and for working with us to address your concerns. 

Kind regards

Rob 

Rob Cameron
Customer Support
Toyota (GB) PLC 
Distributor of vehicles, parts and accessories for the UK

Rob must be Toyota's car the expert for calming stolen car owners..... He replied my email as well when I contacted Toyota UK 3 months ago........

 

Thanks for contacting Toyota. 

I am sorry your RAV4 has been stolen, I can imagine this must have been a very upsetting and distressing experience.  Your custom is important to us and we appreciate the investment you have made in our brand.  

Your vehicle has a number of theft deterrent devices; an immobiliser, intrusion alarm, motion sensor alarm and tilt detection sensors.  Unfortunately, new theft methods and tools are continuously being developed by organised criminal gangs to gain access to - or steal the latest vehicles.  This is a challenge the entire automotive industry is facing.

We are continuously striving to improve our vehicles and whilst, regrettably we cannot guarantee that these efforts will eliminate all criminal activity and theft, our design team will continue to work with the police and insurers to develop technology and components to try to prevent vehicle crime. 

Kind regards

Rob 

Rob Cameron

[robo1]

Don’t think it will be easy to fix. Decided to have a further look noting the thieves appear to get into the wheel arch at the 10 o’clock position. Shocked to find there’s a wire running out into the wheel arch at that position.

[robo1]

And at the end there’s a connector so they won’t even have to cut into the cable or get into engine bay. Sorry picture quality but taken with DIY endoscope

[Mojo1010]

4 hours ago, Hybrid21 said:

My Golf GTi has been sorn'd in my garage for about 22 years and the Stoplock has been sitting on the back seat.

I may see if it'll fit the RAV4, but my wife is totally against it, as although she understands why I used it on my old Golf, she thinks that it should not be required on such a modern vehicle like the RAV4 🤔

She is right, unfortunately the car is such a target and stolen quite easily, no choice other than to put a stop lock on and hopefully that would be enough to deter. 

I think for rav4 owners, need to look into a steel plate to protect the wheel arch and some form of protection for the connector. Speak to a mechanic to see if/how a plate can be fix. 

[mobi]

Did anyone try contacting Toyota Japan for explanation? Usually Japanese companies take pride in their work and strive to offer excellent customer services. 

Toyota/Lexus stolen in this way is a big problem in Japan too so may be they have more up to date information than Toyota UK?

At least they can confirm whether Toyota plans to retrofit anything.  

[Terry10]

Hi, well I emailed my dealer and asked about the Ghost 2 affecting the warranty and they came back and said that it wouldn't as long as the problem wasn't caused by the Ghost 2 ( obviously 🙄)

I then emailed them back asking if there was anything else that Toyota could recommend and were they aware of the way the Rav 4 was being stolen within a couple of minutes.

That was a week ago and guess what??? No reply. Stick their heads in the sand and hope we will go away I reckon. Shame on Toyota.

Terry

[FROSTYBALLS]

36 minutes ago, Terry10 said:

I emailed my dealer.....

Shame on Toyota.

You contacted your dealer - not Toyota.

[nlee]

2 hours ago, robo1 said:

Don’t think it will be easy to fix. Decided to have a further look noting the thieves appear to get into the wheel arch at the 10 o’clock position. Shocked to find there’s a wire running out into the wheel arch at that position.

Could that be for the TPMS?

[Cyker]

Or wheel speed/ABS sensor?

 

[Rav Rob]

Always been lucky with car avoiding car crime. Until today.

My son's Fiesta vanished from a train station car park earlier.

I had no idea what hassle it is, finally got through to right police dept, got a crime number, called insurance on hold forever then Spanish inquisition from them. As he is young he has a high excess, will lose his no crucial claims and it was difficult to find a decent car in the first place. We can't really look at replacement cars until the insurance get in touch and tell us how much we will get back.

I feel gutted for him. He is a student and works hard as well as studying to keep himself on the road. Not long put 4 expensive new tyres on and a full tank of fuel just to rub salt in it.

[Rav Rob]

6 hours ago, babodonk said:

 Here is the video from when my car was stolen.

Took 20 seconds to connect to CAN and turn lights on... there was a bang so the thieves walk away for a bit.

Then come back and simply drive away.

In total, took 2 minutes...

 

Did you get any location from the Toyota app or do they know how to disable that too?

[robo1]

53 minutes ago, Cyker said:

Or wheel speed/ABS sensor?

I wondered about the outside temperature thermometer for frost warnings but could not see beyond the connector.

[Terry10]

1 hour ago, FROSTYBALLS said:

You contacted your dealer - not Toyota.

Yes, I spoke with the local dealer, guess they don't really know or care about security.

Only want to sell them and service them.

Just had a look under the bonnet and I think I can see another connector down below the one I thought it was so I am beginning to think that the metal plate idea may be a lot harder than I first thought..

Anyone know how to get the plastic wheel arch trim off without causing any damage.I think the only way to protect that section of wire is to go into it the same way as the scroats do.

Terry

[babodonk]

46 minutes ago, Rav Rob said:

 

Did you get any location from the Toyota app or do they know how to disable that too?

Yes, I received the location from the Toyota app. The driver's side pillar was pulled open and cables out, to disable the GPS. 

Now the Toyota app location is wrong - still points to where car was recovered. They could have moved the car once more and it wouldn't have been recovered...

The GPS and navigation system doesn't work now, so requires insurance to fix it... which they are struggling to do...

[Rav Rob]

5 minutes ago, babodonk said:

Yes, I received the location from the Toyota app. The driver's side pillar was pulled open and cables out, to disable the GPS. 

Now the Toyota app location is wrong - still points to where car was recovered. They could have moved the car once more and it wouldn't have been recovered...

The GPS and navigation system doesn't work now, so requires insurance to fix it... which they are struggling to do...

Thanks that is really interesting. These people are pretty clued up then!

[jazzyb88]

Do we think they are using the OBD2 port inside the car to then start the car or it is all done via the headlight wiring? Just wondering if it's worth also securing the OBD2.

[Roger_N]

I'm glad I took gap insurance out when I bought the car, if it gets taken I should be OK as far as getting what I paid for it.