Another Serious Issue with Toyota/Lexus Vehicles

In light of all this fiasco of Toyota recall, I have another issue with Toyota that raises serious concern to current Toyota/Lexus Owners.

This website (motorblog.net) was started as my archive site (and still does) for my work as freelancer automotive writer.

I wrote about this issue back then august of 2009 in Korean language when Toyota launched their sales network in Korean market.

Since Toyota/Lexus is most popular car brand in united states, there are lots of products that supposed to help customers. but some of them as bad seed, it wasn't used as what intended to be. 

This product, called "Toyota/Lexus Smart Key Programmer" is supposed to help customer to save time & money to spend when customer need extra key or lost it. but, since it's relatively cheap & easy to use, car thieves start to use to steal newer Toyotas and Lexus.

Most of recent model year vehicles that sold in U.S. are equipped something called "immobilizer" Computer chip that contains secret codes to make sure key holder have a right to using the vehicle. Since the introduction of this equipment, insurance companies start to giving discount when vehicle is equipped with this.

Then, early in last decade, lots of luxury vehicles start to equipped with something called "smart key" or "keyless go" feature. By using this equipment, drivers are doesn't have to find keys to start the car. Car automatically recognize smart key and opens the door and able to start the vehicle by push of the button without putting and turning the key- the traditional way.

Since introduction of those features, car owners couldn't make cheap key copies at wal-mart or home depot but take to dealer or locksmith to program those features. As lot of movie goers saw at remake of "gone in 60 seconds", when those newer car keys are made, dealer and locksmith has to make sure proper documentation in order to prevent grand theft auto. 

But recently, last spring of 2009, something called "Toyota/Lexus Smart Key programmer" appeared on world biggest market place- ebay. for about 70 bucks, customers are able to programming their car keys without going to dealer or locksmiths. 

The problem is, for car thieves, this is new era of car stealing. For whatever reason, if customer of newer Toyota/Lexus didn't lock the door, thieves can simply using any Toyota/Lexus smart key to program your car to work with it and drove out the vehicle in less than 10 minutes. especially, thieves doesn't have to cut wires or broke the windows.

I've tried several Toyotas/Lexus (Camry, Rx350, Avalon, Tacoma, Es350) and I've able to use only 1 key to start all of those smart key equipped vehicles. 

Most of immobilizer/keyless-go equipped vehicle are vulnerable in similar way. but all of other manufactror's vehicle requires expensive (thousand of dollars) equipment to do this. only toyota/lexus are having this relatively cheap equipment.  

Issue is even though car thieves can use this device to steal your toyota, toyota is not responsible but take blame for it. since toyota didn't come up with this device, they have no way to block the sale of this device. only way to fix this problem is recall all the toyota and reprogram the car's security computer to make it more difficult to program another key.

European car maker such as Mercedes and BMW had similar problem in early 2000. So they changed their car's security system. Now, recent mercedes benz vehicles cannot make duplicate keys but ordering it from factory.  BMW is also using similar technology that replacement keys are has to be made by factory.

Most of recent model year vehicles that sold in U.S. are equipped something called "immobilizer" Computer chip that contains secret codes to make sure key holder have a right to using the vehicle. Since the introduction of this equipment, insurance companies start to giving discount when vehicle is equipped with this.

Then, early in last decade, lots of luxury vehicles start to equipped with something called "smart key" or "keyless go" feature. By using this equipment, drivers are doesn't have to find keys to start the car. Car automatically recognize smart key and opens the door and able to start the vehicle by push of the button without putting and turning the key- the traditional way.

Since introduction of those features, car owners couldn't make cheap key copies at wal-mart or home depot but take to dealer or locksmith to program those features. As lot of movie goers saw at remake of "gone in 60 seconds", when those newer car keys are made, dealer and locksmith has to make sure proper documentation in order to prevent grand theft auto. 

But recently, last spring of 2009, something called "Toyota/Lexus Smart Key programmer" appeared on world biggest market place- ebay. for about 70 bucks, customers are able to programming their car keys without going to dealer or locksmiths. 

The problem is, for car thieves, this is new era of car stealing. For whatever reason, if customer of newer Toyota/Lexus didn't lock the door, thieves can simply using any Toyota/Lexus smart key to program your car to work with it and drove out the vehicle in less than 10 minutes. especially, thieves doesn't have to cut wires or broke the windows.

I've tried several Toyotas/Lexus (Camry, Rx350, Avalon, Tacoma, Es350) and I've able to use only 1 key to start all of those smart key equipped vehicles. 

Most of immobilizer/keyless-go equipped vehicle are vulnerable in similar way. but all of other manufactror's vehicle requires expensive (thousand of dollars) equipment to do this. only toyota/lexus are having this relatively cheap equipment.  

Issue is even though car thieves can use this device to steal your toyota, toyota is not responsible but take blame for it. since toyota didn't come up with this device, they have no way to block the sale of this device. only way to fix this problem is recall all the toyota and reprogram the car's security computer to make it more difficult to program another key.

European car maker such as Mercedes and BMW had similar problem in early 2000. So they changed their car's security system. Now, recent mercedes benz vehicles cannot make duplicate keys but ordering it from factory.  BMW is also using similar technology that replacement keys are has to be made by factory.

Most of recent model year vehicles that sold in U.S. are equipped something called "immobilizer" Computer chip that contains secret codes to make sure key holder have a right to using the vehicle. Since the introduction of this equipment, insurance companies start to giving discount when vehicle is equipped with this.

Then, early in last decade, lots of luxury vehicles start to equipped with something called "smart key" or "keyless go" feature. By using this equipment, drivers are doesn't have to find keys to start the car. Car automatically recognize smart key and opens the door and able to start the vehicle by push of the button without putting and turning the key- the traditional way.

Since introduction of those features, car owners couldn't make cheap key copies at wal-mart or home depot but take to dealer or locksmith to program those features. As lot of movie goers saw at remake of "gone in 60 seconds", when those newer car keys are made, dealer and locksmith has to make sure proper documentation in order to prevent grand theft auto. 

But recently, last spring of 2009, something called "Toyota/Lexus Smart Key programmer" appeared on world biggest market place- ebay. for about 70 bucks, customers are able to programming their car keys without going to dealer or locksmiths. 

The problem is, for car thieves, this is new era of car stealing. For whatever reason, if customer of newer Toyota/Lexus didn't lock the door, thieves can simply using any Toyota/Lexus smart key to program your car to work with it and drove out the vehicle in less than 10 minutes. especially, thieves doesn't have to cut wires or broke the windows.

I've tried several Toyotas/Lexus (Camry, Rx350, Avalon, Tacoma, Es350) and I've able to use only 1 key to start all of those smart key equipped vehicles. 

Most of immobilizer/keyless-go equipped vehicle are vulnerable in similar way. but all of other manufactror's vehicle requires expensive (thousand of dollars) equipment to do this. only toyota/lexus are having this relatively cheap equipment.  

Issue is even though car thieves can use this device to steal your toyota, toyota is not responsible but take blame for it. since toyota didn't come up with this device, they have no way to block the sale of this device. only way to fix this problem is recall all the toyota and reprogram the car's security computer to make it more difficult to program another key.

European car maker such as Mercedes and BMW had similar problem in early 2000. So they changed their car's security system. Now, recent mercedes benz vehicles cannot make duplicate keys but ordering it from factory.  BMW is also using similar technology that replacement keys are has to be made by factory.

Most of recent model year vehicles that sold in U.S. are equipped something called "immobilizer" Computer chip that contains secret codes to make sure key holder have a right to using the vehicle. Since the introduction of this equipment, insurance companies start to giving discount when vehicle is equipped with this.

Then, early in last decade, lots of luxury vehicles start to equipped with something called "smart key" or "keyless go" feature. By using this equipment, drivers are doesn't have to find keys to start the car. Car automatically recognize smart key and opens the door and able to start the vehicle by push of the button without putting and turning the key- the traditional way.

Since introduction of those features, car owners couldn't make cheap key copies at wal-mart or home depot but take to dealer or locksmith to program those features. As lot of movie goers saw at remake of "gone in 60 seconds", when those newer car keys are made, dealer and locksmith has to make sure proper documentation in order to prevent grand theft auto. 

But recently, last spring of 2009, something called "Toyota/Lexus Smart Key programmer" appeared on world biggest market place- ebay. for about 70 bucks, customers are able to programming their car keys without going to dealer or locksmiths. 

The problem is, for car thieves, this is new era of car stealing. For whatever reason, if customer of newer Toyota/Lexus didn't lock the door, thieves can simply using any Toyota/Lexus smart key to program your car to work with it and drove out the vehicle in less than 10 minutes. especially, thieves doesn't have to cut wires or broke the windows.

I've tried several Toyotas/Lexus (Camry, Rx350, Avalon, Tacoma, Es350) and I've able to use only 1 key to start all of those smart key equipped vehicles. 

Most of immobilizer/keyless-go equipped vehicle are vulnerable in similar way. but all of other manufactror's vehicle requires expensive (thousand of dollars) equipment to do this. only toyota/lexus are having this relatively cheap equipment.  

Issue is even though car thieves can use this device to steal your toyota, toyota is not responsible but take blame for it. since toyota didn't come up with this device, they have no way to block the sale of this device. only way to fix this problem is recall all the toyota and reprogram the car's security computer to make it more difficult to program another key.

European car maker such as Mercedes and BMW had similar problem in early 2000. So they changed their car's security system. Now, recent mercedes benz vehicles cannot make duplicate keys but ordering it from factory.  BMW is also using similar technology that replacement keys are has to be made by factory.

Most of recent model year vehicles that sold in U.S. are equipped something called "immobilizer" Computer chip that contains secret codes to make sure key holder have a right to using the vehicle. Since the introduction of this equipment, insurance companies start to giving discount when vehicle is equipped with this.

Then, early in last decade, lots of luxury vehicles start to equipped with something called "smart key" or "keyless go" feature. By using this equipment, drivers are doesn't have to find keys to start the car. Car automatically recognize smart key and opens the door and able to start the vehicle by push of the button without putting and turning the key- the traditional way.

Since introduction of those features, car owners couldn't make cheap key copies at wal-mart or home depot but take to dealer or locksmith to program those features. As lot of movie goers saw at remake of "gone in 60 seconds", when those newer car keys are made, dealer and locksmith has to make sure proper documentation in order to prevent grand theft auto. 

But recently, last spring of 2009, something called "Toyota/Lexus Smart Key programmer" appeared on world biggest market place- ebay. for about 70 bucks, customers are able to programming their car keys without going to dealer or locksmiths. 

The problem is, for car thieves, this is new era of car stealing. For whatever reason, if customer of newer Toyota/Lexus didn't lock the door, thieves can simply using any Toyota/Lexus smart key to program your car to work with it and drove out the vehicle in less than 10 minutes. especially, thieves doesn't have to cut wires or broke the windows.

I've tried several Toyotas/Lexus (Camry, Rx350, Avalon, Tacoma, Es350) and I've able to use only 1 key to start all of those smart key equipped vehicles. 

Most of immobilizer/keyless-go equipped vehicle are vulnerable in similar way. but all of other manufactror's vehicle requires expensive (thousand of dollars) equipment to do this. only toyota/lexus are having this relatively cheap equipment.  

Issue is even though car thieves can use this device to steal your toyota, toyota is not responsible but take blame for it. since toyota didn't come up with this device, they have no way to block the sale of this device. only way to fix this problem is recall all the toyota and reprogram the car's security computer to make it more difficult to program another key.

European car maker such as Mercedes and BMW had similar problem in early 2000. So they changed their car's security system. Now, recent mercedes benz vehicles cannot make duplicate keys but ordering it from factory.  BMW is also using similar technology that replacement keys are has to be made by factory.

Most of recent model year vehicles that sold in U.S. are equipped something called "immobilizer" Computer chip that contains secret codes to make sure key holder have a right to using the vehicle. Since the introduction of this equipment, insurance companies start to giving discount when vehicle is equipped with this.

Then, early in last decade, lots of luxury vehicles start to equipped with something called "smart key" or "keyless go" feature. By using this equipment, drivers are doesn't have to find keys to start the car. Car automatically recognize smart key and opens the door and able to start the vehicle by push of the button without putting and turning the key- the traditional way.

Since introduction of those features, car owners couldn't make cheap key copies at wal-mart or home depot but take to dealer or locksmith to program those features. As lot of movie goers saw at remake of "gone in 60 seconds", when those newer car keys are made, dealer and locksmith has to make sure proper documentation in order to prevent grand theft auto. 

But recently, last spring of 2009, something called "Toyota/Lexus Smart Key programmer" appeared on world biggest market place- ebay. for about 70 bucks, customers are able to programming their car keys without going to dealer or locksmiths. 

The problem is, for car thieves, this is new era of car stealing. For whatever reason, if customer of newer Toyota/Lexus didn't lock the door, thieves can simply using any Toyota/Lexus smart key to program your car to work with it and drove out the vehicle in less than 10 minutes. especially, thieves doesn't have to cut wires or broke the windows.

I've tried several Toyotas/Lexus (Camry, Rx350, Avalon, Tacoma, Es350) and I've able to use only 1 key to start all of those smart key equipped vehicles. 

Most of immobilizer/keyless-go equipped vehicle are vulnerable in similar way. but all of other manufactror's vehicle requires expensive (thousand of dollars) equipment to do this. only toyota/lexus are having this relatively cheap equipment.  

Issue is even though car thieves can use this device to steal your toyota, toyota is not responsible but take blame for it. since toyota didn't come up with this device, they have no way to block the sale of this device. only way to fix this problem is recall all the toyota and reprogram the car's security computer to make it more difficult to program another key.

European car maker such as Mercedes and BMW had similar problem in early 2000. So they changed their car's security system. Now, recent mercedes benz vehicles cannot make duplicate keys but ordering it from factory.  BMW is also using similar technology that replacement keys are has to be made by factory.

Keyword:
View comments
bookmark on del.icio.us
Permalink:http://motorblog.net/entry/67