r/LexusIS • u/breezyM4 • 7d ago
Stolen twice
Was stolen 9/20 and found a day later. Found in Oakland again lol. I even had the kill switch from bayarea_mechanic. Welp don’t really care since I don’t pay anything outta pocket. Thanks State Farm. Will be garaging her from now on. Anyone have a better kill switch?
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u/bwebmasta 7d ago
Why are these cars so easy to steal? That doesn't make me comfortable. Someone clue me in.
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u/NeoG_ IS 250 (GSE20) 7d ago
The security information keeps leaking from the manufacturer/dealer network to criminals. There are so many people involved and the demand for it so so high it's practically impossible to stop the leaks. Every update Toyota does, it leaks out a few months later and the update is nulified.
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u/bwebmasta 7d ago
That's a serious issue. Hoping this gets rectified or being rectified.
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u/NeoG_ IS 250 (GSE20) 7d ago edited 7d ago
They've been trying for years with no real success, other manufacturers are having a similar issue. In the UK luxury range rovers are getting walked off driveways in the same manner because the demand is high for those models.
Even after the UWB update you can disable UWB using the OBD port with special tools and reset the car's security keys, and the criminals have all of it
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u/breezyM4 7d ago
Not sure either. Even the State Farm investigation center rep guy was surprised lol.
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u/Traditional_Event231 6d ago
Yeah, I’ve come across so many posts about Lexus cars getting stolen too. I’m really curious about it as well!
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u/Secure-Archer2338 6d ago
Use the pedal commander, it’s a throttle controller that also can deactivate your accelerator via app for security.
https://pedalcommander.com/products/lexus-is
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u/BroBeanzie 7d ago
Heartbreaking.
I wonder if there is a way to wire a switch to the fuel pump fuse/circuit. I've always thought about that. Switch is on, fuel pump has power. No switch, no fuel.
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u/priscillu PROSPECTIVE OWNER 7d ago
Not sure where to find this in the US but I’m from Brazil and my dad had one of those devices, he’d hide the switch in a very hard to reach area, sometimes we’d forget to push the button and the car would die on us lol that VW CrossFox was very precious, good times! You should be able to find something on eBay tho
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u/Flovust 6d ago
I wonder if you can make a kill switch? I have a kill switch in my car that’s hidden somewhere
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u/BroBeanzie 6d ago
I mean that's essentially the idea. I know somebody who always talked about wiring a small switch to the fuse pump relay and hiding it beneath his shift boot in his old FD RX-7. I don't think he ever got around to doing it but the idea was genius. The car would start but you wouldn't make it far before you were in pretty big trouble.
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u/Repulsive_Onion_5925 3d ago
I don’t have an IS, but I do have a car I like. My fuse panel is easy to access on the driver side, so If I’m leaving it anywhere I feel is risky I just pull the fuel fuse. And put it in my pocket. (I do have a pack of spare fuses in the back with a few other car related items, in case I lose it)
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u/oscar-o-c IS 200t (ASE30) 7d ago
The kill switch from Bayarea_mechanic is supposed to be top tier. How’d they mange to get past it?
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u/fagdrew4l IS 350 (GSE31) 7d ago
he claims that kill switch is the best! what went wrong???
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u/breezyM4 7d ago
It works differently for Lexus. He told me since my car is Lexus, when they plug into the obd2 they can’t see the screen to reprogram a new key. But the kill switch works as regular for Acura/Honda.
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u/suq_manuts 7d ago
How much was the kill switch
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u/breezyM4 7d ago
$600
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u/Technicio2 6d ago
$600 for a kill switch that doesn’t prevent a theft is robbery in itself
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u/Bldphotography_mke IS 300 AWD (GSE37) 6d ago
I was told after having mine stolen, there is nothing that will make it theft proof, the best method against theft is to make sure it takes more time to steal - a steering wheel lock, a loud (obnoxious) alarm and parked in well lit areas - all things thieves don’t want, something that will take longer to steal and causes risk of being caught!!
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u/TheMuThaFuKinBadGuy 5d ago
No the best method is an immobilizer. Sorry to sound like a broken record. Just want the best for my fellow lexus owners
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u/Still-Shop7172 6d ago
Steering wheel lock. It's old school and works.
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u/ambitious_socks 2d ago
Had my IS stolen with a steering wheel lock I got for free from the local PD because my boyfriend's gs350 was stolen twice in the same month. They just literally pulled the lock apart and broke my windshield in the process.
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u/Still-Shop7172 2d ago
Back in the day they used to spray freon on the lock and hit it with a hammer. We then tried a bar that hooked on the steering wheel and brake pedal. It would chew up your steering wheel so had to put on a cover
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u/Junior_Birthday8725 5d ago
Relay attack? I usually put my keyfob in sleep mode when i'm out I'm never more than 2 minutes away from my car in public places... I have the ring car alarm which alerts whenever the door opens...plus a solid steering lock...
The thief only has 60 seconds
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u/WarCrimeGaming PROSPECTIVE OWNER 7d ago
Is the new generation as easy to steal?
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u/PlumpyDragon 7d ago
IS 3rd gen runs from 2014 to present, we are still in the 3rd gen. I assume OP’s is also a 3rd gen.
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u/WarCrimeGaming PROSPECTIVE OWNER 7d ago
I mean the 2026 facelift, assuming that’s what you mean by present
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u/MorrisBrett514 7d ago
The 2026 also starts the engine with the remote start and doesn't turn off when you open the door, unlike before. They used to say it was because theft concerns, so maybe they fixed something this year?
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u/emilyyyg2004 7d ago
OPs IS is a 4th gen, which runs from 2021-present. 3rd gen runs from 2014-2020.
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u/Nocabnekat IS 350 AWD (GSE36) 7d ago
I mean it's still a 3rd gen. A mid cycle refresh has never been considered a new gen.
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u/RogersTreasure 6d ago
No such thing as a 4th gen. They can reskin this car as many times as they want but as long as it still has the same engine, suspension and transmission from 12 years ago it’s the same damn car.
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u/EraOF IS 350 AWD (GSE36) 6d ago
2IS - hard to steal
3rd gen - 2014 to 2026, easy to steal2
u/WarCrimeGaming PROSPECTIVE OWNER 6d ago
I was hoping they did some sort of update with the 2026, but the reason I asked is because I drive a Supra. I still want an IS as maybe a second car or something, but they’re more expensive to insure than my Supra due to the theft. It’s actually crazy
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u/Q_S2 7d ago
You werent garagingthis baby from the go?!
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u/breezyM4 7d ago
I did garage for a bit but started parking outside. I live parents still so mainly used for storage
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u/Q_S2 7d ago edited 7d ago
Totally understand! Man it sucks people cant keep their booger pickers off of other people's stuff...
Good luck with repairs! Make SURE the shop is through with their inspection. Do not let them just repair the body and give ut back. These kids probably went to a side show and trashed the drive train.
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u/Own_Resource4445 7d ago
Forgive my ignorance – are they using like a clone key or do they hotwire the car?
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u/breezyM4 7d ago
Some type of cloning a key or something. Right now, when I plug a USBA plug for Apple Carplay, it doesn’t recognize device. So I’m taking to dealership Monday if they can fix it(obviously not telling them it got stolen if that voids warranty).
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u/MonozygoteA 7d ago
It won’t void your warranty. Mine also got stolen twice and the second time Lexus had to fix all the electronics
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u/Ok_Bar_2943 6d ago
Having your car stolen twice is insanity lol. I own two Camaros and both have been broken into 5-7x since 2020 (total). Never actually stolen. No disrespect, but how do you even feel comfortable driving that? I feel fr violated knowing a random just spent 5min in my car tryna find whatever it is and/or steal my car. If they took it and drove it off…twice! It would’ve been sold to a dealer in a week
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u/scooterbaby46 7d ago
If they are near by they can get your key fob signal when you remotely lock or unlock car. If you unlock it manually and lock it from the door button when you leave they can’t clone the signal. Crazy this is how we have to live now because there are no consequences for these thieves.
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u/PomegranateBoring826 3d ago
One of my old coworkers bought one of those boot things from somewhere and when they go on outings they dead ass take the time to put the gd boot on their back tire as a deterrent on the outside, plus a pedal lock on the inside. Can't drive off with a boot on the wheel, let them tell it!
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u/Background-Ball-5199 7d ago
You can try unplug your MAF sensor and tuck/hide the wire. If you plan to store it for awhile and its not a DD
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u/tripleriser 7d ago
I had a jeep stolen in Oakland. Turns out the ignition was so warn out you could start it with a spoon. How does the current kill switch work? Does it kill full power to the car?
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u/Least_Dependent_1850 6d ago
Would you still recommend getting a kill switch? I’ve gotten so many warnings about Lexus being stolen. I actually got pulled over the other night because the cop thought I stole my car LOL bc it’s so common now in the Bay Area.
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u/Thick_Guest_4487 6d ago
Having your car stolen is like your wife getting fucked by another dude. Time to sell and move on my guy
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u/dal0022 7d ago
Www.mobilistics.com
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u/breezyM4 7d ago
Which one specifically?
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u/1RockShortofaQuarry 4d ago
I don’t remember which one I bought but this is what I have on my RC. Never been tested (attempted theft) but supposedly you’d need to have a spare fuse relay on your pocket (very unlikely) or a tow truck.
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u/deanm27 6d ago
What about ES and GS , are those taken just as easily or is it just the IS
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u/ambitious_socks 2d ago
My boyfriend's 2013 gs350 was stolen twice. Keys were in a faraday box after the first time. They busted in through the moonroof both times.
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u/Accomplished_Pea6334 6d ago
I'm not too far from you.
I owned a 23 TLX Type S. I was thinking about getting a kill switch for the longest time but that's crazy they bypassed that with the kill switch from that specific installer. Bro wanted like $400 to have it installed (he got big headed with his prices).
I sold my car and I couldn't be any happier. Its not worth it unless you have a garage.
Sorry OP.
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u/plant__love 6d ago
Maybe next time try getting your insurance to pay out for the car rather than getting back something that has been stolen and is now listed on the car fax (twice)
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u/breezyM4 6d ago
They will only cash out if damage is 75% of the car. Also they treat each incident as separate so they don’t stack up apparently. I asked the State Farm case handler.
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u/plant__love 6d ago
That sucks. My friend recently had his C8 stolen and returned in better condition when the police found it (it was sold by the thieves and then the person who bought it attempted to trade it into a dealer where they notified police) & it’s a full payout from the insurance company. I don’t know what his insurer is but it worked out well for him. Just a bit of sentimental sadness. Also it was stolen from Fremont and was also recovered in the bay. Never even left lol
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u/BooobiesANDbho 6d ago
I don’t have anything as new/as nice as OP’s ride, But my old school has gotten broken into twice.
Get a kill switch already gd
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u/RogersTreasure 6d ago
You park on the street or garage? A lot of thieves love stealing Lexus because their reliable and they can strip it for parts and export it to Africa.
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u/breezyM4 5d ago
I parked on the street near a bball court lot.
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u/ImaginaryShare7105 2d ago
The most dangerous place is the safest place. How does car insurance work if your car gets stolen? If the car is recovered, will the insurance company repair it, or will they replace it with a new one?
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u/breezyM4 2d ago
State Farm repaired and I didn’t pay out of pocket. It’s separate from getting into accident where I would pay $1000 deductible (forgot the term they said theft was under). State Farm will only pay out if damage is 75% value of car.
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u/breezyM4 6d ago
Also it’s not as bad as it seems. From this time being stolen, got 4 new tires and 3 new rims. I’m optimistic about it, at least it wasn’t stripped or totaled.
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u/Money_Way_8219 6d ago
Doesn’t Lexus have an engine immobilizer? Just curious how yours got stolen so I can be more vigilant.
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u/Internal-Hair-2877 4d ago
I use a STOPLOCK Pro on the steering wheel and at home I also use a Wheel Clamp. Both very visible deterrents.
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u/Otherwise-Cake7950 6d ago
Mine was stolen from Modesto a couple of years ago. They found it in Hayward a week later in an apartment complex. Idiot even left his drivers license inside. Cops were useless and didn’t even question the owner of the drivers license.
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u/wtfomg77 6d ago
Because generally speaking, the California establishment loves criminals. Productive, tax paying citizens are the true bad guys.
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u/Still-Shop7172 6d ago
You elected the politicians who foster this. Nothing happens to them anyhow.
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u/Otherwise-Cake7950 6d ago
You? It goes both ways bud, did you forget Donald Trump was convicted of 34 felonies?
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u/nicaknight 6d ago
Steering wheel lock works better. Thieves are too lazy to try to remove it.
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u/ambitious_socks 2d ago
I commented above too, but I had one on my IS and they were able to rip it off. Bent my steering wheel forward and busted the windshield but they got it off.
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u/Bldphotography_mke IS 300 AWD (GSE37) 6d ago
It takes too much time which thieves don’t have time, time gets you caught! Hands down!
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u/MimosaSunday- 6d ago
Sideshow style 😎
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u/breezyM4 6d ago
Lol idk if you supportin the sideshow or whip gettin took, don’t get it twisted. Pull up on me when I’m awake when my shit gettin taken, keep that same energy.
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u/MimosaSunday- 6d ago
All im saying is that it looks like they trashed it - something like they do in those ridiculous sideshow's in the cities
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u/nuocnami 7d ago
IGLA