Latest news with #carsecurity
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mum upset with dealership over airbag fault on car she bought four years ago
A Blackwood mum of two who was driving a car with 'defective' airbags has said the car dealership is at fault. Bethan Smith, aged 29, has two young children under five. Owen, aged four, and Macsen, who is only 10 months. Four weeks ago, Bethan took her car for a diagnostics check and was horrified to learn her car that she'd been driving her children in since 2020 was deemed unsafe for road use. 29-year-old mum of two Bethan Smith with partner Chris Smith 38 and sons Owen 4, and 10-month-old Macsen (Image: Bethan Smith) While she believes the fault was present at the time of sale, Trade Centre Wales says it has likely occurred since then but has offered to pay to rectify it if Bethan can provide them with an engineer's report showing it was present when they sold it to her. Bethan said: 'My car was underpowered. I had my foot to the floor, and it was barely moving so it was plugged in for a diagnostics check. 'They said to me 'Do you know this car's been involved in a crash?' 'The airbags are non-functioning, and the lights on the dash have been tampered with to turn off the warnings so they wouldn't show when they should.' Bethan's Mazda which she discovered had defective airbags. (Image: Bethan Smith) Bethan was shocked and believes that Trade Centre Wales in Abercynon, where she bought the car from in 2020, should not have sold the car to her in that state. She said: 'They either knew or they've not checked the car like they said they did which is concerning.' Bethan's Mazda which she discovered had defective airbags. (Image: Bethan Smith) During the time of the sale, Bethan said she also had questions about paintwork. She told the Argus: 'I did say at the beginning the bonnet is a completely different colour of the car and they said it's where the light was shining on it." She now believes it was different due to a repair from a crash. The contractual agreement between Trade Centre Wales and Bethan. (Image: Bethan Smith) The Argus put the claims to Trade Centre Wales. Jac Bowen, director of marketing for Trade Centre Wales, said: 'Ms Smith purchased her Mazda over four years ago from us, prior to sale, the car was subject to a manufacturer recall, completed by a local Vauxhall dealership and no-fault codes were reported. 'During our own pre-delivery inspection, no fault codes were identified. It would be reasonable to assume that the airbag fault has developed recently after four years of ownership, the Mazda has also covered approximately 18,000 miles since 2020. 'The above said, we have asked Ms Smith to provide us with an independent engineers report and if that engineers report is received and confirms that the fault was present at the point of sale, then we will of course rectify the fault at our cost. 'We are happy to discuss the matter directly with Ms Smith and help in any way we can within reason.' The diagnostics report confirming defective airbags in the Mazda (Image: Bethan Smith) At the time of the purchase, Bethan was heavily pregnant with her first child, Owen. As a mother, she has found the entire experience extremely emotional. Bethan is currently without a car however has said she won't be buying from them again.
Motor 1
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
‘You Aren't Going to Lock the Car:' Man Says He Has an ‘Anti-Theft Device.' Then He Reveals What It Is
A man claims to have an unbeatable anti-theft system for his car. But once he revealed what it is, some people didn't quite agree that it's as effective as he thinks. Retromr2k ( @retromr2k ) recently shared a post in which he and a friend acted out a scenario to showcase how confident he is in his car's 'anti-theft' system. Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . The two appear to have just parked and gotten out of Retromr2k's Honda S2000 convertible. The friend asks, 'You aren't going to lock the car or put the top up?' Retromr2k answers, 'Nah, it's [got a] pretty good anti-theft device, we good.' The video then cuts to reveal the 'anti-theft device': the car's manual transmission gear shift. The video appears to be a humorous take on the fact that in an age dominated by automatic transmissions, electric vehicles and self-driving cars, driving a stick shift is a less common skill to have. Some thieves trying to steal a car with a manual transmission might not get too far before the vehicle started to stall and get stuck—if they can start it at all. Retromr2k's post has a cumulative 2.3 million views as of this writing. Are Manual Cars Stolen Less Often? Trending Now 'That's a First:' Police Officer Pulls Over Man. Then She Asks if He Has IDs in Other States 'Help Me Find Stacey:' Man Uses Girlfriend's Mercedes-Benz. Then She Finds a Delta Airline Name Tag in It A manual transmission is a gear system that requires the driver to change gears by hand. They accomplish this by manipulating the stick shift and pressing down on the clutch pedal. Unlike with automatic transmissions, a manual gear shift gives the driver complete control over gear changes and the overall driving experience. Automatic transmissions, on the other hand, are easier to drive. Many drivers also prefer them for driving in stop-and-go traffic, such as in urban areas. Fox Business reports that vehicles with manual transmissions made up a third of the United States market in 1980. By 2010, that share had dwindled to just 7%. Many driver's ed courses don't even teach students how to drive a stick shift. This and the dwindling popularity of manual transmissions supports Retromr2k's hypothesis about leaving his manual Honda S2000 unlocked to deter theft. However, MSN reports that a 2020 survey by Cadillac found that two-thirds of drivers know how to drive a manual. A little over half had owned or leased one at some point. So while it would be a deterrent to some thieves, such as Maryland teens who got caught because they couldn't drive the stick shift they tried to steal, most probably wouldn't be deterred. A Manual Comeback CarMax reports that while 97% of their customers drive automatic cars, stick shifts are more popular in certain areas of the country. Manual transmissions are more common in Idaho, Oregon, and New Mexico, per CarMax. Even in the states where stick shifts are popular, they still reportedly make up less than 5% of CarMax sales. They're also making something of a comeback, however. CarMax reports that sales of vehicles with stick shifts increased from 2.4% in 2020 to 2.9% in 2022. So today's thieves may be more likely to be able to pop that clutch and take off than those of recent years. 'Oh free S2000' A few people agreed with Retromr2k's joke about his stick shift being an anti-theft device. One woman wrote, 'Literally the reason I didn't lock my old manual Corolla ever. Nobody in 2025 driving this car.' But several suggested that Retromr2k has underestimated the popularity of manual transmissions . 'The current generation of young people want to drive stick more than the previous generations. They are causing a resurgence of manual cars,' one person claimed. 'You hold [the] clutch down every time you shift. You guys act like multitasking is soooo hard,' another user wrote sarcastically. A third joked, 'Oh free S2000.' Others suggested nefarious ways people could mess with the Honda S2000 without stealing it. 'You do realize they can just take a poo in your car,' one person asked. This was not an isolated comment. Another commenter wrote that once he borrowed his parent's Saab convertible when he left the top down. He returned to find Ziplock baggies filled with excrement inside. 'Thank God it was in the ziploc baggies but we were so bewildered,' he wrote. Motor1 has reached out to Retromr2k via Instagram direct message. We'll be sure to update this if he responds. More From Motor1 The Last Five-Speed Manual Is Dead The Manual R35 Nissan GT-R Is Real. Here's How One Japanese Tuner Did It Thieves Sneak 900 Engines Out of Kia Factory Over Five Years Thieves Have a New Target: Ford F-Series Taillights Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Auto Thefts Are Down in the US — Could This Be the New Normal?
For the first time in over 40 years, vehicle thefts in the U.S. have taken a significant downturn. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), stolen vehicle reports fell by nearly 17% in 2024. Last year, more than a million cars were stolen nationwide, but that number dropped to 850,708 in 2024. This sharp decline is a major shift, especially after years of rising theft rates. While vehicle security is still a concern, this progress shows that preventative efforts are starting to pay off. In a press release, David J. Glawe, President and CEO of NICB, shared that, "The overall decrease in stolen vehicles nationwide is a testament to the hard work and collaboration between law enforcement, multi-jurisdictional auto theft task forces, governing bodies, vehicle manufacturers, and NICB. Collectively, these groups used data and intelligence to develop actionable strategies to help local authorities investigate and prosecute offenders and to prevent vehicle theft from occurring in the first place." Some states made particularly strong gains in reducing car thefts. Washington saw the most significant improvement, with a 32% decrease, followed closely by Nevada at 31% and Oregon at 30%. Nebraska and Colorado also reported impressive declines of 29% and 26%, respectively. These reductions didn't happen by chance: many states have ramped up law enforcement initiatives, and automakers have introduced stronger anti-theft measures to protect drivers. One of the biggest factors in this decline has been the response to the surge in Hyundai and Kia vehicle thefts. In previous years, these brands became prime targets because certain models lacked engine immobilizers, making them easier to steal. After a wave of thefts and lawsuits, Hyundai and Kia took action, offering free software updates, ignition cylinder protectors, and reimbursement programs for additional security measures. The results were striking—vehicle thefts involving Hyundai and Kia models dropped by 37.5% in 2024, proving that these security measures had a real impact. Even with this good news, vehicle theft remains a costly issue. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that car theft costs Americans more than $8 billion annually. That's why it's still important to take precautions. Simple steps like always locking your car, keeping valuables out of sight, and parking in well-lit areas can make a big difference. While technology is improving, personal awareness and preventive habits remain key to keeping vehicles safe. The decline in vehicle thefts is a positive sign, but it doesn't mean the problem is solved. Continued advancements in anti-theft technology, law enforcement efforts, and public awareness campaigns will be necessary to maintain this progress. For now, though, 2024 has shown that smart security measures and collective action can make a real difference in protecting vehicles and reducing crime.
Auto Blog
15-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Keyless Car Theft 2025: Tesla, Kia, and Silverado at Risk
Keyless Entry is a Car Thief's Dream: Is Your Vehicle on the Hit List? Car thieves have gone high-tech. In 2025, the same keyless entry systems that make life convenient for drivers have become a goldmine for criminals. Armed with cheap relay devices and a bit of know-how, thieves can capture and amplify your fob's signal—even if it's inside your house—and drive away in seconds. Recent academic research confirms: remote keyless entry is now a main attack vector, and most automakers haven't kept up with the threat. Attacks like relay, replay, and even cryptanalytic hacks let criminals bypass security on everything from family sedans to luxury EVs. 0:01 / 0:09 Chevrolet says a next-gen Camaro is still possible. What could it look like? Watch More How It Works Relay Attacks: Thieves use radio amplifiers to trick your car into thinking the key is nearby—even if it's inside your home. Thieves use radio amplifiers to trick your car into thinking the key is nearby—even if it's inside your home. Replay/Jamming: Attackers block your unlock signal, record it, and use it later to open your car. Attackers block your unlock signal, record it, and use it later to open your car. Cryptanalytic Attacks: Hackers can clone keys by intercepting and analyzing the digital handshake between car and fob. Most Vulnerable Cars in the U.S. (2024–2025) The U.S. car theft landscape is dominated by models with weak immobilizer systems, especially older Hyundais and Kias, but modern keyless entry vulnerabilities—including those in Tesla and other brands—are a growing concern. Here are the US' 2024 Top 10 Most Stolen from keyless entry attacks. Tesla and Keyless Theft Tesla Model 3 and Model Y have been proven susceptible to Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) relay attacks, allowing thieves to unlock and drive away in seconds if advanced security features (like PIN-to-drive) are not enabled. have been proven susceptible to Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) relay attacks, allowing thieves to unlock and drive away in seconds if advanced security features (like PIN-to-drive) are not enabled. While not among the top 10 most stolen cars by volume, Tesla's vulnerability is notable because the attack exploits the convenience of phone-as-key and BLE fobs, similar to attacks on other brands using BLE for entry/start. PIN-to-drive: This Tesla feature can thwart drive-away thefts, but it must be manually enabled by the owner. Key Trends and Takeaways Hyundai and Kia (pre-2022/2023): Most vulnerable overall due to lack of immobilizers; relay and physical attacks are both common. American pickups (Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150): Targeted for parts and theft, with keyless entry increasing risk in newer trims. Other keyless models (Toyota Camry, Dodge Charger, Honda Accord/Civic): Newer trims with push-button start are susceptible to relay attacks, though immobilizers are generally present. Tesla and other BLE/NFC-based vehicles: Vulnerable to advanced relay attacks, especially if owners do not use additional security features. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Why Are Automakers Still Behind? Despite years of warnings, most manufacturers have stuck with outdated cryptography and unidirectional signals. 'Security by obscurity' (hoping hackers won't find the flaws) still rules, even as researchers and thieves race to outsmart each other. The result: a boom in thefts, and a booming business for aftermarket Faraday pouches that block radio signals—because your $60,000 SUV apparently needs a $10 shield the maker won't fork out for. Source: Brian Iselin What Can Actually Stop This? Some researchers are pushing for smarter solutions: adaptive frequency-hopping, two-way authentication protocols, and dynamic cryptographic keys. These upgrades would make it much harder for thieves to intercept or spoof signals. But until automakers make these standard, your car's digital handshake is a handshake with risk. Is Convenience Worth the Cost? If your car unlocks with a wave or a ping, it's at risk. Until the industry catches up, use all available security features, and consider a Faraday pouch or steering lock. Convenience shouldn't mean handing your keys to a thief. About the Author Brian Iselin View Profile
News.com.au
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Little-known road rule landing Aussies $2k fines
Aussie motorists have been warned of one seemingly minor driving habit that could cost them thousands of dollars in fines. Significant penalties apply to those who flout the lesser-known road rule of leaving your car unlocked or your windows down after parking. However, there is one group of motorists exempt from the rules concerning unlocked doors and window security. In most states, there's a '3-metre rule' that dictates how far you can stray from your parked car without locking it. Essentially, if you move more than 3m away, you must lock your vehicle and secure the windows. Failure to do so could result in a fine. And let's be honest; almost everyone's been guilty of leaving their car unsecured while going for that quick coffee run or dash into a shop, often without a second thought. While leaving your car unlocked may seem a harmless oversight, there's a very good reason for the 3m rule. Improving vehicle security helps prevent car theft and dishonest insurance claims, such as when a vehicle is left unlocked intentionally and a claim is made for an alleged theft. Astor Legal's principal lawyer Avinash Singh explains: 'The reasoning behind the law is to prevent cars from being stolen and then used in more serious crimes,' he said. 'The use of allegedly stolen vehicles making it difficult for police to track down the offenders.' Here is everything you need to know about this often-overlooked rule. New South Wales In NSW, it is illegal to leave a running car unlocked or with a minor inside while unattended. Additionally, drivers must not leave their vehicle unattended with the windows down unless the gap is two centimetres or less. The fine is $114, but if the case goes to court, penalties can reach up to $2200. Queensland In QLD, it's illegal to leave your car unlocked when unattended. Similarly to NSW, you can't leave your vehicle unattended with the windows down unless there is a gap of five centimetres or less. The maximum penalty is $3096, with a fine of $2669 if the car is unlocked with the keys inside. Victoria In Victoria, it is an offence to leave your vehicle unattended without properly securing it, which includes ensuring all windows are fully closed and the car is locked. The on-the-spot fine is $117, with court penalties approaching $600. Western Australia WA follows similar rules to other states regarding vehicle security: you must ensure the doors and windows are secured when leaving your car unattended. The fine for failing to do so is $50. However, there's a stipulation that if you're going to pay for parking, you don't need to lock the car and put the windows up. Tasmania In Tasmania, it's the law to switch off the car, remove the key from the ignition, and ensure that no minors (under 16) are left in the vehicle when unattended. The rules also specify that the doors must be locked and the windows secured (defined as closed or open by up to 2 centimetres). The maximum penalty for leaving your car unlocked is just under $200. Australian Capital Territory In the ACT, you must secure your car when leaving it unattended, ensuring the windows are closed and the doors are locked. Failure to comply can result in a significant fine: 20 penalty units or $3200. Where is South Australia? South Australia is the only state that does not have this law. Regulation 23 of the Road Traffic (Road Rules — Ancillary and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2014 explicitly exempts drivers in South Australia from needing to lock their doors if away from their vehicle.
