It must be really easy to steal Toyota Highlanders ...

Just saw this story being reported on my 11 pm news. Looked it up on
the net (see below).

These cars seem to have a push-button ignition, but probably you still
have to have the right key-fob close enough to the car to disable the
theft system and unlock the doors.

It appears that these cars can be stolen by simulating a key-fob code
with a laptop computer connected to appropriate transmitter /
tranceiver. I thought there was supposed to be a rolling-code scheme
where you can't use the same code sequence twice.

I've read where the only way to foil a rolling-code mechanism is to
bring your own ignition computer and wire it up in place of the car's
original computer if you want to drive it away.

And not needing a physical key to start the car once you've fooled the
ignition computer with a fake code is another shortcoming of the system.

Another explanation is an inside job - someone at a local dealership was
able to make copies of the fobs, and knows where the vehicles live.
Could easily be done any time the vehicles are brought in for regular
maintainence - just add an extra fob code to the vehicle's computer.

Once they had done that to enough vehicles, they hit them all in one
night. I'd be looking for a recently-hired Toyota dealership service
tech - possibly one who is suddenly no longer showing up for work.

-----------------

TORONTO — The Canadian Press Published on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009
2:50PM EST Last updated on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009 2:55PM EST

Police say thieves stole six Toyota Highlander SUVs in a Toronto
neighbourhood overnight.

Owners reported the vehicles were stolen from driveways around the
Leaside neighbourhood (in the Bayview and Eglinton Avenues area).

Investigators call the concentrated thefts of a single-style vehicle
“highly unusual.”

Authorities say they are still trying to determine if an organized crime
ring is behind the thefts.

They are also trying to determine if the thieves used “proximity keys”
to steal electric codes from lock systems — a new technology available
on the Toyota Highlander.

One man told CTV he still has both sets of keys to his stolen vehicle,
and police advised him thieves can use a laptop computer to compromise
the vehicle's keyless operational system. (CTV)

 

Why would anyone in the right mind want to steal a Highlander?

 

If they own a mopar they would..

 

In2, he said "anybody in their *RIGHT* mind..."

Hey...wait a minute...I've had a '94 LHS, a '92 Caravan, 2 Grand V'gers
and now have another Grand Caravan...

 

I rest my case. :0)

It's funny how some of the top stolen cars are late 80's and early
90's toyotas and hondas.
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=434545

I'm thinking the reason is they're most likely the ones most readliy
available in the neighborhoods where car theft is high.

 

I think the reason is that demand is highest for parts for that vintage
Toyotas and Hondas, and the reason that the demand is highest is because
more of them are registered.

 

No, it's because they are "world" cars and the parts are in high demand
all over the world, and because they are among the top selling U.S. cars
so even domestically the demand for parts is high.

 

The was an article in the newspaper in my area after some folks were caught
stealing some Toyota Camry's. The article stated that the theives were in
possesion of a master key that would unlock and start most Camry's. It was
popular in the early 90's to just break the steering column on most domestic
cars so you can reach the rods that the key turned. Good thing the cars
today or not like that.

 

Oh..Ok.. I had read that as well. But I second guessed it. I go into
the hood a lot and there's a lot of 'em there. One of my customers has
an old previa van that won't die in spite of how clueless she is..

 

Why would anyone in the right mind want to steal a Highlander?

My Mother loves hers. I wouldn't mind borrowing accasionaly when I
need seats for 7 people.

Ed