Latest news with #keylessentry
Auto Blog
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
GM Faces Another Lawsuit Over 'Hackable' Vehicles
Legal Heat Coming to Michigan Over Car Thefts In recent years, automakers have been the target of mounting legal scrutiny over product defects that pose safety or security risks. Hyundai and Kia faced nationwide backlash and lawsuits after design flaws made their cars exceptionally easy to steal. Now, General Motors is facing similar heat. A newly filed class action lawsuit claims GM knowingly sold vehicles with easily hackable keyless entry systems – technology that allegedly allows criminals to steal cars in under 30 seconds using cheap signal-cloning devices. Filed in the Eastern District of Texas, the case centers around popular Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac models produced from 2010 to the present, accusing GM of ignoring known vulnerabilities in its key fob and ignition systems. A 'Hackable' Keyless Entry System According to the lawsuit, the core issue lies in how GM's keyless entry system works. It transmits a low-frequency signal between the vehicle and the key fob. Criminals can intercept this signal using a cloning device – typically no larger than a smartphone – and replay it to the car. Once cloned, the signal allows the thief to unlock and start the vehicle without setting off the alarm. The affected vehicles are GM's full-size SUVs and trucks, including the Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, and Silverado; GMC Sierra, Yukon, and Yukon XL; and Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV. These models, the suit alleges, also have onboard diagnostic (OBDII) ports that are vulnerable to hacking. With inexpensive gear, thieves can reprogram new key fobs in minutes and drive away undetected. The plaintiff in this latest case, Jeremy Burkett, claims his 2016 GMC Sierra was stolen directly from his driveway in 2022 without any signs of forced entry. After replacing it with a newer 2023 model featuring the same keyless system, he says he now lives in constant fear of another theft. Not the First Time GM Has Been Sued Over Key Fob Tech This isn't GM's first brush with lawsuits over its allegedly flawed keyless entry technology. In 2023, the automaker faced another proposed class action involving the 2010–2023 Chevy Camaro. That complaint mirrored the current case, alleging that Camaro key fobs were also susceptible to radio signal interception and cloning. The previous lawsuit reported a spike in Camaro thefts tied to cloned key fobs. Despite these public alerts and increasing thefts, the suit alleged GM failed to take corrective action, issue a recall, or inform customers of the risk. Other automakers like Jaguar-Land Rover have begun implementing ultra-wideband protection to defend against these types of 'relay thefts,' yet the lawsuits argue GM continues to do nothing. While there are ways to protect cars from these thefts, both class actions accuse the company of deceptive and fraudulent practices for selling vehicles with known security flaws. About the Author Jacob Oliva View Profile
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
Daily Mail
09-06-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Third time lucky? Our £50k Jeep Wrangler was stolen by keyless car thieves. We loved our wagon so much we bought another only for it to get nicked TEN DAYS later. We won't let that stop us snapping up another
An NHS doctor couple have vowed to buy a third Jeep Wrangler despite a keyless car thief gang stealing two from them in a month. Neurologists Vijeya Ganesan, 57, and Peter Garrard, 64, noticed their two-year-old £47,500 motor had been taken from the road outside their London home of 27 years on Easter Sunday. They had bought the car mainly for long trips and their Border Terrier, Gus, so they decided to use the insurance money and splash out £54,000 to buy the exact model and colour as a replacement. Yet despite purchasing Faraday pouches from Amazon to act as a defence barrier to stop thieves cloning the keys, and hiding an AirTag in the glove box, the Jeep was astonishingly nicked again on May 21 - just ten days after they collected it. To add insult to injury, Gus has also had his bed stolen twice as it was in the Jeep on both occasions. The brain doctors thought the AirTag had pinpointed their beloved car dumped in Hackney, but when officers raced to the area it was nowhere to be seen with the criminals appearing to have found and then discarded the tracker. Vijeya told MailOnline she felt like the Jeep Wrangler had been targeted by crooks as Porsches and Lamborghinis parked on their street had been left untouched. The thefts came in the same month LBC presenter Nick Ferrari had his Jeep Wrangler stolen from outside his home, raising fears the model could be being stolen to order before it is ferried out on ships. The couple, who have also had their bikes twice stolen before, are staying defiant in the wake of their extraordinary bad luck, and are even contemplating buying a third Jeep Wrangler. Speaking about the thefts, Peter told MailOnline: 'I felt rather stupid and also unlucky as we had taken the precaution of getting these additional security measures. 'Also, I'm terrified that we won't be insurable anymore because they were both stolen from exactly the same place in similar circumstances.' He added: 'It's like anything that's yours and then somebody else decides to help themselves to, it's always a very unpleasant feeling. But in the end, it's only an object.' Although worried it may be stolen for a third time, they hope £700 worth of additional security - including an immobiliser and having to push buttons on the car in a certain order akin to a phone's passcode - will create a ring of impenetrable steel. They are also fearing the cost of the car insurance with the premium surging from £1,400 to £3,100 after the first wagon was stolen. Peter said: 'I know it should have done [put us off buying another Jeep]. But it's a great car and good for doing the things we want to do, which is mainly infrequent very long drives, rather than buzzing around the neighbourhood.' He added: 'There's almost an element of defiance about it as well. Almost like we are not going to give into these bastards. They are such nice cars.' A neighbour's CCTV footage showed the Jeep parked on the road outside their home (left), but in a snapshot taken an hour (right) later the car had disappeared Vijeya admitted there had been 'petty theft' on their street where homes cost an average of £860,000, with a running joke in the neighbourhood being to leave anything on the pavement if you don't want it. 'We had become so paranoid that we had kept the keys in the pouches, and only took them out to get into the car,' Vijeya said. 'I would say they were very effective because if you got in the car with the keys in the Faraday pouches it would say "key not detected".' No one from Scotland Yard has met with the couple face-to-face since they reported the thefts, instead communicating with them over the phone and email. The street is swarming with CCTV meaning the culprits have almost certainly been caught on camera, but the couple were told by police in an email, seen by MailOnline, officers would only gather the footage if the vehicle had been used in a serious crime, such as a rape or murder. Police sources have told this publication it was incorrect for it to be suggested CCTV is only considered in serious offences, but that officers can make further inquiries if the offence is narrowed down to a 20 minute window. And now Scotland Yard has reopened the case after MailOnline raised questions as to why the footage wasn't collected. Peter feels police have done a good job despite the initial failure to collect what could be vital evidence. 'I think [the police] got quite excited about it first of all as I phoned 999... and then within ten minutes I was getting phone calls from officers saying "I'm in the area with my patrol car",' he said. 'I think they actually did carry out their job well, and I think they thought maybe this is one of those rare cases they could actually do something about. But they didn't. 'And I didn't hear that they hadn't done anything until I received an email three days later. But I think they took it seriously.' Vijeya, however, has a different view: 'I just feel really p****d off that there are cameras everywhere, and this is the second occasion. 'We knew exactly the window the car was stolen from so it's not like we were asking them to look through hundreds of hours of footage. 'I mean, Peter said he thought the police response was good, but I think it's pretty pathetic when they don't tell you until three days later whether they've found the car or not. 'I don't think that's terribly good actually.' The couple say they don't want anyone else to fall victim to keyless car thief gangs as Vijeya said: 'We thought we were fine with this Faraday pouch thing. 'I gather it is a bit of an epidemic at the moment [keyless car thefts] and it would be good for other people not to have to go through this nonsense.' A spokesperson for the Met Police told MailOnline: 'The Met understands the impact motor vehicle crime has on victims. 'Every report made to police is carefully assessed to identify and pursue any viable lines of enquiry, including forensic evidence and available footage. 'A tracking device indicated the vehicle might be at a specific location. Officers promptly attended, but the vehicle was not found. As no further actionable evidence was available, the victim was advised that the case would be closed due to the lack of viable lines of enquiry. website.'
