I am posting this here as it may be of interest to other Highlander owners and so that I may also have a chance to learn more on this issue from others’ replies. On the night of October 25th 2010, my 2010 Toyota Highlander Sport was stolen from my driveway in Montreal. It was recovered on the evening of October 28th, thusly avoiding an almost certain container bound voyage to some faraway place. Having spoken with police and insurance people, and having read about other similar incidents involving late model Highlanders (i.e. theft of 6 Highlanders in Leaside neighbourhood of Toronto in 2009) I cannot help but wonder about the reliability of the security systems Toyota uses on these newer cars.
In my particular case, the door was forced open and then the chip code on my key was somehow changed, presumably to a code that would work with the crooks’ key, so the car could be driven away (my own keys were disabled and the car could no longer be started by me anymore)
My fear is that regardless of layers of security, these cars, including Sports and Limited models, seem to be stolen relatively easily… perhaps too easily.
My insurer mentioned to me that a couple of weeks ago Montreal police found over 20 stolen vehicles
In containers ready to be shipped from the Port of Montreal. Among them were 5 Highlanders !
So Highlander owners… beware !
My fear is that regardless of layers of security, these cars, including Sports and Limited models, seem to be stolen relatively easily… perhaps too easily.
IMO this is true of any car alarm, not just anything specific to the Highlander and/or Toyota. A car alarm is no deterrent to a motivated professional thief, as most police officers will tell you.
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2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
IMO this is true of any car alarm, not just anything specific to the Highlander and/or Toyota. A car alarm is no deterrent to a motivated professional thief, as most police officers will tell you.
I agree with your statement, and if you are to believe what is advertised by anti-theft device companies, one should have every single protection layer to minimize the odds of becoming a theft victim. My question would be... is there one good system that generally will discourage even professional thieves from targeting one's car? My point here is that I would rather try and avoid breaking the bank by installing every type of anti-theft device known to man to deter thieves. Especially if it's not fullproof. Is there a better way?
I agree with your statement, and if you are to believe what is advertised by anti-theft device companies, one should have every single protection layer to minimize the odds of becoming a theft victim. My question would be... is there one good system that generally will discourage even professional thieves from targeting one's car? My point here is that I would rather try and avoid breaking the bank by installing every type of anti-theft device known to man to deter thieves. Especially if it's not fullproof. Is there a better way?
I think I'd opt for a kill switch that can be hidden any number of places. I don't have one myself, but at least from what I've read that would be the cheapest, most effective option. However, it won't prevent the theft of your radio or personal items, and as a number of TN members have also found out, well motivated thieves have resorted to using lifts and hauling away vehicles on flatbeds for later sale, disassembly, etc. Overall, I'd still say a kill switch is the best option.
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2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
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Yup, kill switch is cheap and only you will know where it is. Ages ago I put one on a '78 Olds Cutlass. Cost about $4.00 for the switch. It cut the ignition but allowed the starter to turn over, thus flooding the engine. I would not want to try and put one the Highlander since I have no idea how it might interact with the computer system. But I'd check and see if Toyota would do it or have a good independent guy put it in. In WW II they would tie it to a stick of dynamite, but that's a bit hard on your car.
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TrailDust and PhotoDreams. Thank you for your replies. I imagine that when you talk about kill switches you don't mean the engine immobilizer that already comes standard with the HL. I wonder if non-Toyota installations would somehow void warranties or extended warranties. Judging by the threads on replacement 19" wheels and rims for the Highlander, nothing seems straightforward.
TrailDust and PhotoDreams. Thank you for your replies. I imagine that when you talk about kill switches you don't mean the engine immobilizer that already comes standard with the HL. I wonder if non-Toyota installations would somehow void warranties or extended warranties. Judging by the threads on replacement 19" wheels and rims for the Highlander, nothing seems straightforward.
Yes. An aftermarket kill switch though is one that you can place just about anywhere that a professional thief won't know it's "generic" location. Do a Google search and you should be able to turn up any number of aftermarket products that will work for your Highlander.
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2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
Yes, I'd want to check with a friendly Toyota dealer to be sure a simple kill switch would not void the warranty or damage the electrical system. I say "friendly" meaning "honest" since they can tell you pretty much anything they want, and try and sell you a really expensive system. Also, TrailDust is correct that a top pro group could just jack it up and tow it away on a flatbed. A kill switch would simply mean that they could not drive it away even if they could change the key code. If you do the kill switch put it out of easy reach of the driver since they would check to see if you put in a place easy to reach from the driver position.
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Last edited by PhotonDreams; 11-01-2010 at 07:33 PM.
Reason: To delete that "Answers" thingy
Sophisiticated thieves have the technology to bypass OEM (and aftermarket) theft deterrent systems. They are forever getting one step ahead of the manufacturers. It's their profitable game. These guys are not fly by night kids.
Thieves thrive on the path of least resistance. If they can't start the car, they aren't going to hang around and trouble shoot. They will likely move on to the next one.
get an aftermarket tracking device, not the one offered from Toyota. U should be able to track it unlees car is in container.
BTW, if they can reprogram the key code, they should be able to turn OFF seatbelt alarm. Now, you need to find who (besides the dealler) has a computer program and get hold of them
this is probably how they by-passed the smart key in the Leaside thefts. http://www.inesun.com/Toyota-Smart-K...em--14546.html
A kill switch is a good idea, but make your driveway less friendly to car thiefs. Install security lighting, and keep lights on, and install security cameras up high and at eye level. Or let your German Shepard attack dog sleep in your HL at night...
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Stolen 2010 Highlander Sport
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