Steve E C

I must comment on how knowledgable, practical and personable everyone is in this group who’s responded to my situation - theft of my RX450 about 16 days ago. Insurance company gave me a very fair price for my loss and I’ve returned to my Lexus dealer and bought a ex-demonstrator, low mileage rx350, registered in May 2023. I’ve asked for either assurance that the model has improved anti Can-bus security or that the retro fit is done before I take delivery - local guys are not fully informed - but they will Be!

Many thanks for you message. I was so unaware I was at risk and totally ignorant about such things as Can Bus until it was too late. Like thousands of others I made the mistake of thinking because I had an expensive modern car then so long as I locked it in a ‘safe’ public area in broad daylight I should be able to return to it and drive home. There was CCTV across the car park but as I left my vehicle for c4 hours the police suggested lack of resources prevented them being able to go through it all. I don’t blame them at all, but it does somewhat defeat the benefit of having CCTV if car theft of a £50k+ piece of property is unable to be fully investigated. My South West based Lexus dealer has told me that there is a recall warranty programme underway but that it is focussed upon major cities as present but that it could be possible to get the security update done elsewhere if it’s requested - albeit it sounds like a pretty crude fix with a plate being fitted above the near side wheel arch to prevent access to the can bus. 5 days in I’m expecting my insurance company offer for my car and whatever I get I’ll be sure to take all the steps I can to make it as secure as possible.

Do we know if new models or approved used from Lexus dealer will have to additional security update as a matter of course before sale is made. I wish they had told me about this solution before me finding out about it after my car was stolen!

Just 2 days ago on Saturday 30th Sept I had my rx450h stolen from large busy supermarket car park in broad daylight in Edmonton North London. The police have already closed the case as it is likely to have been a professional job probably using what is known as CAN bus method. Basically the car’s micro-system can be infiltrated and within a minute the car can be unlocked, the immobiliser disengaged and driven away. Lexus cannot continue to deny this is now an issue that must be addressed immediately and surely there is a case for retrospective compensation for those of us who have had vehicles stolen through the lack of adequate security.