Toyota and Lexus: the headlight attack
The RAV4, Land Cruiser and Lexus are among the most stolen cars in Germany. A thief starts them through the headlight wiring, with no key and no OBD port. That is why we fit these cars with an immobiliser: the engine will not start without your fob or code.
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How a thief steals a Toyota through the headlight
In Germany in 2024 Toyota and Lexus took the top three places on the list of most stolen cars. The same models are driven here too.
The computers in a car talk through a network of wires, and part of that network runs through the headlight. The thief removes part of the bumper by the front light and connects a device to the wiring. The device sends a fake message that the key is genuine, so the car unlocks and starts.
The factory immobiliser trusts that message. This is how a 2021 RAV4 was stolen. The same device was also offered for other Toyota and Lexus models, and it looks like an ordinary Bluetooth speaker.
The attack does not go through the OBD port, so OBD protection does not stop it. An additional immobiliser does: the engine will not start without your fob or code, so the fake message does not help the thief. More about the immobiliser
The thief has a second way in. A new key for a Toyota is registered with a computer plugged into the OBD port, and the factory immobiliser accepts that key as yours. OBD port relocation protects against this: without your adapter the port does not work. More about OBD port relocation
What to watch out for by model
RAV4
The fifth generation, sold since 2019, was sixth on the list of most stolen cars in Germany in 2024. The OBD port is on the left under the steering wheel, near the bonnet release. We recommend an immobiliser and OBD port relocation.
Land Cruiser
The fourth generation was second on the list of most stolen cars in Germany in 2024. The headlight attack device was also offered for the Land Cruiser. For a car this expensive we recommend an immobiliser, OBD port relocation and GPS.
Lexus NX, UX and RX
Lexus is Toyota's luxury brand. The first-generation NX was first and the UX third on the list of most stolen cars in Germany in 2024. The headlight attack device was also offered for the NX and RX. We recommend an immobiliser and OBD port relocation.
Prius and other hybrids
The headlight attack device was also offered for the Prius. When the dashboard shows “Check hybrid system”, we read the hybrid fault with diagnostics.
Corolla
On the 2006–2013 Corolla the OBD port is on the left, by the bonnet release. A 2019 Corolla with the Toyota Touch 2 screen can get CarPlay and Android Auto added later.
Yaris and Aygo
On the 2005–2011 Yaris and the 2005–2014 Aygo the OBD port is above the pedals, not on the left under the steering wheel as on most Toyotas. A thief finds it here too, so we relocate it: without your adapter it does not work.
What we recommend
- Headlight attack
- an additional immobiliser, the engine will not start without your fob or code
- New key through OBD
- OBD port relocation, €100, a visit to your address in Belgrade is included
- Keyless theft
- a key pouch and an immobiliser
- Alarm
- an alarm that blocks starting, because an alarm that only sounds does not stop the thief
- If the car still disappears
- GPS tracking, helps find the car
A removed headlight can be a sign
Before the RAV4 was stolen, the owner twice found the headlight removed and the wires pulled out, and thought it was vandalism. A couple of days after the second time the car was gone. If you find part of the bumper removed or the headlight wires pulled out on a Toyota or Lexus, do not wait. An immobiliser also stops the next attempt.
Hands-free key and keyless theft
A Toyota with a key you keep in your pocket unlocks and starts when the key is close. A thief can catch your key’s signal and relay it to the car. Check in the manual whether your key has a battery-saving mode: hold the lock button and press unlock twice, and the light on the key flashes 4 times. The key then does not receive the car’s signal, so the thief has nothing to relay. The key comes back with a press of any button. For protection that does not depend on remembering, get a key pouch and an immobiliser.
Lost key
Toyota says in its manual that a lost key greatly increases the risk of theft. A key you no longer have can be permanently erased from the car, so it no longer starts the engine. This also applies when you buy a used Toyota and do not know where all the keys are. More about a lost key
Hybrid: the “Check hybrid system” message
The message means the hybrid computer has found a fault in the electric motors, the power inverter or the battery. It does not mean a part has failed. The cause can even be a towel on the back seat covering the battery cooling vent. We first read and record the fault, and only then clear it, because the recorded data shows the cause. We will tell you whether we work on your model when you send the model and year. More about car diagnostics
CarPlay and multimedia
A 2019 Corolla with the Toyota Touch 2 screen can get CarPlay and Android Auto added later. The same goes for a 2019 or 2020 RAV4, except one trim level. From 2020 many Toyotas have them from the factory, depending on the trim. On an older Toyota, CarPlay comes with a new multimedia unit, with the frame and cables for your model. We will tell you what fits your car when you send the model and year. More about CarPlay activation More about multimedia installation
Coding
Some Toyota settings can only be changed with a computer, for example letting the windows open with the button on the key. In the settings, hands-free unlocking can also be switched off when the car stands for a long time. We will tell you whether we do this on your model when you send the model and year. More about coding
Frequently asked questions
All questions about relocation are on a separate page.
Advice
All advice on protection
Headlight attack: how it works and who is targetedThe thief removes part of the bumper, connects a device to the headlight wiring and starts the car with no key, and the factory alarm often stays quiet. How the attack goes, which cars are targeted, why a key pouch and OBD protection do not help, and what stops it.Theft protection · 4 min read
Most stolen cars in Europe: Germany and EnglandWhich cars are stolen most in Germany, the Netherlands, France and the UK: Lexus NX, Toyota Land Cruiser, RAV4, Fiesta and Golf. Why thieves pick Toyota and Lexus and what stops them.Theft protection · 4 min read
Immobiliser: what it is, how it works and do you need an add-onAn immobiliser will not let the engine start without the right key. How the chip in the key works, how thieves fool it, and how an add-on immobiliser with a fob or a code stops the engine starting even with your key.Theft protection · 6 min read
Keyless car theft: how the relay attack works and how to protect yourselfKeyless theft: thieves relay your key signal to the car, open it and drive away in a few seconds, with no break-in. Where they catch the signal, which cars are at risk and what protects: an immobiliser, a key pouch, an alarm with a fob and GPS.Theft protection · 6 min read
Send us the make, model and year
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067 774 1606Email: kontakt@autoindustrija.rs