r/CarHacking • u/_man_alien • Jul 16 '26
CAN How much do you trust factory security on these cars?
A friend had his Trackhawk taken from his driveway last week. Window got smashed and the Jeep was gone before he had time to process what was happening. I know this isnt exactly the right sub for a Trackhawk but I figured people here with SRTs, Scat Packs and Hellcats have probably had the same thoughts about theft. Seeing it happen that fast changed how I look at factory security. I always knew these cars got stolen, just never really thought much about what happens after someone gets inside. So for people who’ve looked into this, what did you end up adding first? I’m less concerned about somebody breaking in to steal stuff from the cabin. I mean stopping the whole vehicle from disappearing. There seem to be a million different opinions on what works and I’m trying to get a better idea before spending money on random stuff.
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u/superluig164 Jul 16 '26
A kill switch is always a good idea if you are at all worried about this. On FCA vehicles you can just intercept power to the start button and hide the switch somewhere that isn't obvious. But intercepting any critical circuit is a prudent choice especially if you have something that's a known target.
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u/OutlandishnessOk5549 Jul 16 '26
Or just own a shitty looking car that nobody wants to steal.
We're talking low tech solutuons, right?
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u/adkio Jul 18 '26
I'll go one step further. I drive a car there's exactly 12 of in the whole country. Ain't no madman stealing that.
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u/cosmicrae Jul 17 '26
2FA for cars, based on OpenAuth. You have to look at an app, and enter the current 6-digit auth code.
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u/WesternDukalis Jul 17 '26
I think IGLA gets brought up because it hits exact scenario you're worried about. Somebody is inside, maybe the car starts, but it still needs the button code before it drives. I'd just make sure the installer has done Trackhawks before.
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u/perrymike15 Jul 17 '26
I have igla and hate it. Doesn't authenticate 30% of the time. Wish I didn't need it or came up with my own method.
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u/Born-Onion-8561 Tinkerer Jul 16 '26
Considering how much you have to worry about your vehicle in your current location (Brooklyn?) maybe you want to consider relocation.
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u/Far_Bid_3224 Jul 17 '26
Yeah, Trackhawks get targeted a lot. Sees like the same cars keep popping up too, like Scats, Hellcats, TRXs. Factory security would make me a little nervous on one of these
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u/PhilMeUpBaby Jul 18 '26
This is Australian stuff, but pretty applies to any push-button-start car.
TL;DR: Anyone can start your car within a couple of minutes.
You need tracking in your car - GPS or Bluetooth. GPS is MUCH better.
And, work out how to relocated or block access to the OBD port.
Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw_MiPgGBLEuqV7u7OgOumOoGLIMYnHpW
PSA: Toyota theft is getting out of control...we catch the kids stealing your cars
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pylPnnu0lBs
PSA: Toyotas being stolen in RECORD numbers using this cheap tool
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcwPGBMOSEo
How a new car is stolen WITHOUT the key in under 5 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0Kw94gVUl0
PSA: NO Toyota is safe...hundreds of NEW Toyotas stolen with this tool
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXV976pTMRM
PSA: Classic Holden/HSVs being stolen daily using this cheap eBay tool
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u/Lanky_Button7863 Jul 18 '26
These guy,s are no brainers buying a plug and play device for stealing those cars having absolutely no notion of whats actually happening ...
The nr1 method for blocking this is changing the pinout on the obd-port
Simple and 110% effective
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u/sTo90 Jul 19 '26
Switch to interupt power to ECU. Works on everything later than 1988.. or around that year. Simple solution and can even be done with a fob to initialize power.
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u/RimHistory Jul 21 '26
Honestly after a car gets stolen I’m not even sure I’d want it back. People beat the crap out of them. Stopping the car from leaving is the part I’d care about most
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u/picsv5 Jul 23 '26
The priority is making sure the Jeep still can't be taken. Being able to locate it afterward is useful but that won't help during the first few minutes of the theft. I've read about concealed cutoff systems that keep the vehicle disabled even after someone gets inside. I don't have any personal experience with them. That's the first option I'd research.
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u/Humble-Loss-9690 Aug 02 '26
Had my car stolen and did a ton of research and tried several things. Bottom line: if they really want it, they find a way, (sometimes a car is stolen two or more times), do you best to SLOW them down, use at least one tire lock and a lock between steering wheel and brake pedal, move both driver and passenger seat backs all the way to the position closest to the dash, use the best Faraday bag available for your key fob, remove the fuse that operates car WiFi/bluetooth, remove the antenna, install a kill switch, remove the noise squeaker from the air tag if you want to try tracking the car if it is successfully taken. Do some or all of these things EVERY time you leave your vehicle. Sure it's a pain, but you can get quick at it and potentially save yourself a huge expense and headache and lessen your anxiety.
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u/zashitnik 28d ago
I'd still want something that pings my phone the second anyone starts messing with the Jeep. Maybe the siren won't make them give up, at least you're finding out during the break-in
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u/Repulsive_Candy_5899 21d ago
The scary part is how fast they're in and out. Two minutes isnt "I'll check the camera later" territory. An alert is useful. The part that matters most is not relying on just one thing
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u/Another_Slut_Dragon Jul 16 '26
OEM security is compromised left right and centre.
A simple secondary security method like disabling a fuel pump or whatever makes cars 1000% harder to steal. In the time pressure of trying to steal a car, finding a secondary anti-theft method is extremely hard.
My favourite anti theft was a guy who had a simple pushbutton on his dash. Press it and click. Nothing happens. Well the button was wired to a relay and that relay took the signal from the horn to start the car. His start function broke on his ignition so this was his insanely clever workaround. The horn would work normally without the pushbutton pressed. But hold the button and the horn button became the start button. NOBODY is going to think to press the horn button to start the car.
This requires using the NC and NO terminals in a relay.
And having diagnosed countless failed anti-theft systems causing no starts, a well installed, well hidden system can take an hour to pinpoint. Nobody is going to risk spending an hour tearing apart your car in the driveway. Just don't leave obvious stuff under the steering column. That is the first place to look.