Select Lexus Models Reportedly Vulnerable to Theft via Big Flaw
These Lexus models have fallen victim to theft due to one big problem.
Pros and Cons
For the most part, the technology in modern automobiles can be hugely beneficial in a number of ways, ranging from adding safety and convenience to entertainment to our everyday experience. However, technology also has its downsides - it can oftentimes prove unreliable or expensive to repair, and even worse, it can also make certain vehicles easier to hack and steal.
Photos: Lexus
Legal Issue
This particular problem originally surfaced in the UK, where around 120,000 Lexus and Toyota vehicles are reportedly vulnerable to theft via the vehicle's key fob, according to GB News. The problem is so widespread, apparently, that a law firm called Leigh Day is inviting owners of affected vehicles to join a legal claim, in which it states certain models can be stolen in mere minutes thanks to a major flaw.
Photos: Lexus
Gaining Access
The law firm states that thieves can use cheap Controller Area Network (CAN) devices to gain access to a vehicle's locks, security systems, and ignitions, which enables them to simply enter the vehicle and drive off without damaging it or even raising eyebrows. It's a somewhat common problem with quite a few newer vehicles these days, but it also impacts select Lexus models as well.
Photos: Lexus
Select Models
Those models, specifically, are the Lexus UX, RX, CT, IS, and NX, dating back to the 2012 model year, which encompasses around 120,000 vehicles in the UK alone. Thus far, there have been numerous reports of crimes involving these vehicles - along with the Toyota RAV4 and Land Cruiser - where thieves have used CAN devices to gain access.
Photos: Lexus
Repeat Offender
One of those affected owners - Declan Kelly - had his Land Cruiser stolen after thieves placed a CAN device that was placed in the front wheel well and used it to start the vehicle. Problem is, this isn't the first time he's had such an issue.
“I immediately reached out to Toyota (GB) PLC and asked if they had developed security measures to protect against this device. The car was stolen again a few weeks later despite us fitting a steering wheel lock," Kelly said.
“It was recovered again via the tracker but this time the thieves had caused £8,000 worth of damage to the interior whilst searching for the tracker. Since then, there have been two further attempts to take the car and whilst it’s now impossible to drive it away the front wheel arch sustains damage each time they attempt to use the CAN Invader.”
Photos: Lexus
Finding a Solution
As for what can stop this growing problem, police note that customers can use steering locks or tracking devices, but thieves can break the former, and Kelly had the latter installed on his Land Cruiser, so that won't necessarily prevent theft from happening in the first place. This, as Leigh Day points out, puts the onus back on the manufacturer.
Photos: Lexus
Keeping Quiet?
"The fact that such high-value vehicles are so vulnerable to theft using a cheap tech device has left many owners fearing what might happen to their Toyota or Lexus," said Gene Matthews, partner at Leigh Day. “Instead of alerting owners to the problem and recalling vehicles to have it remedied, Toyota/Lexus has sought to keep the issue quiet and avoid having to fix the problem and avoid an expensive recall of thousands of vehicles."
Photos: Lexus
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