I’ve been hearing more and more about the RAV4 being one of the most stolen vehicles out there. But I can’t find out is how they’re stealing them and what we can do to better protect our Ravs from being stolen. Any insight would be appreciated.
RAV4 one of the most stolen vehicles…so what do we do?
mikelets456
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I‘m in the UK and my 2021 Dynamic has keyless entry and keyless ignition, I put my key in a faraday box at night, but my specification has a “motion sensor” key that goes into ”sleep” mode when no motion is detected.
So hopefully I’m double protected.
So hopefully I’m double protected.
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Never heard of a RAV4 going missing in my neighborhood but Lexus and Mercedes a nightly occurrence.
You can have the best alarm / gps tracking / etching. doesn't matter. Nothing will stop pros.
A few months back we had pros come down and steal 40 brand new high end SUVs right off the dealers lot in one night.
Not a single car was ever recovered. These guys steal the cars and within a few hours they are loaded in containers and put on boats. Sold and shipped overseas for double their MSRP when new.
That's the sad reality these days. Enjoy the car park it in the safest location possible and don't stress about it.
Just my 2 cents
You can have the best alarm / gps tracking / etching. doesn't matter. Nothing will stop pros.
A few months back we had pros come down and steal 40 brand new high end SUVs right off the dealers lot in one night.
Not a single car was ever recovered. These guys steal the cars and within a few hours they are loaded in containers and put on boats. Sold and shipped overseas for double their MSRP when new.
That's the sad reality these days. Enjoy the car park it in the safest location possible and don't stress about it.
Just my 2 cents
There are no reports suggesting that the RAV4 is among the most stolen cars either in the US or Canada. Today most stolen cars are ordered from Africa and they go for the bling, that excludes Rav4.
One way the keep your Rav4 is to use "the Club" on the steering wheel. Also cover the VIN # on the windshield. Today's criminals can use that info and create a key to open the door and start the car. Finally thread a chain thru one wheel when you park overnight.
The RAV4 doesn't even make the TOP 10 list in USA
Is your car one of the most stolen models in America?
or Canada
Most Stolen Vehicles in Canada in 2021 Revealed
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Was going to say what kind of lame car thief steals a RAV4.
Value is in the parts. As the 4.5 ages and with 1.5 million sold since 2019 good condition parts have significant value. Look at the cars on the top 10 list. The trucks are obvious but why are Camry's, Civics, and Accords on the list, millions have been sold and used parts are in high demand.
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Figured civics and accords were due to the fast and furious wanna bees.
Tacoma tailgates are a big theft item in CA, it takes seconds to disconnect one and walk off with.
My RAV4 LE, doesn't have a key fob that unlocks the door through proximity to the car. I have to push a button on the key fob. To start the car, there is no push button . I have to extend the steel key from my key fob, then insert it at the steering column.
I guess it pays to have older technology ? I'm in Vermont too; State with lowest incidence of car theft.
I guess it pays to have older technology ? I'm in Vermont too; State with lowest incidence of car theft.
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What day of the week did you use google?
February 24th, 2022. So a Thursday
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While I hear you, your comment is not really true in many cases. My 10 year old Hyundai Sonata (base model) with dents was stolen, the police said they're stealing them to joy ride, and sometime as an initiation into a gang. Yeah it sucks, but it shows you, there are MANY motives and targets.
There is no real sure-fire way to secure a car persay other than perhaps a hidden kill-switch installed after-market.
From what was told to me a while back, while you can try things like a steering wheel lock, at the time, my cousin owned a Honda Accord, which, at that time, was considered the most likely to be stolen as well and he used a steering wheel lock.
The thief countered it by removing the steering wheel and replacing it with another, but was thwarted by an engine-disabler.
The thing of it all is, if a thief wants to steal your car, they will find a way to do it, even if it is an older one without the smart key system. Hell, some will just jack your car and steal whatever they can if given enough time.
From what was told to me a while back, while you can try things like a steering wheel lock, at the time, my cousin owned a Honda Accord, which, at that time, was considered the most likely to be stolen as well and he used a steering wheel lock.
The thief countered it by removing the steering wheel and replacing it with another, but was thwarted by an engine-disabler.
The thing of it all is, if a thief wants to steal your car, they will find a way to do it, even if it is an older one without the smart key system. Hell, some will just jack your car and steal whatever they can if given enough time.
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Here in Europe, the method is to change the calculator without going through the OBD, so protecting it (which is possible) is useless. Thieves go through the left front headlight connector by accessing through the fender, or by breaking one of the small rear windows. The only way to detain them for a while is the steering wheel-brake pedal lock with a loop around the steering wheel (the hook alone is not sufficient).
.I had to go up to Montreal and park ,on a side street for a few hours in Westmount, in daylight. My 2021 Rav4 Hybrid LE, does not have a push to start button. Metal chip key, has to be inserted into steering wheel column lock, then turned to start car. I leave the car with the following,
A heavy cable and monster padlock around the left front wheel. Heavy cable loop, through steering wheel then it clips, with lock into seat belt receptacle.
If I had to leave the car overnight, anywhere in Montreal (something to avoid !) next step is all of the above, then to really disable it, I do the following.
Power down car, close drivers door. Wait 10 minutes.
Then open passenger side rear door.
Remove filter for traction battery, at front bottom edge of rear seat. (Philips screwdriver then pry off). Back of this filter shown here.
![]()
Now tilt up handle and remove Orange safety interlock for traction battery. If Drivers door remains closed, for 10 minutes this circuit should be powered down.
![]()
Put this in your pocket, remove from car.
Empty receptacle will look like this. Now Hybrid system, Traction Battery cannot be powered up. Rescue/Fire personal use this to disable Hybrid battery
440 Volt power for safety.
![Image]()
This car is now going nowhere.
I thought I could post a picture of the orange plug, in window, with note
Hybrid system disabled !
Be sure to re-insert this plug, before opening drivers door or you will see numerous fault messages on dash.
"Hybrid system fault. see your dealer."
ps. My mechanic says if I do this too often, wear on copper pins, even slight could cause increase in resistance through the contacts, problems later.
A heavy cable and monster padlock around the left front wheel. Heavy cable loop, through steering wheel then it clips, with lock into seat belt receptacle.
If I had to leave the car overnight, anywhere in Montreal (something to avoid !) next step is all of the above, then to really disable it, I do the following.
Power down car, close drivers door. Wait 10 minutes.
Then open passenger side rear door.
Remove filter for traction battery, at front bottom edge of rear seat. (Philips screwdriver then pry off). Back of this filter shown here.
Now tilt up handle and remove Orange safety interlock for traction battery. If Drivers door remains closed, for 10 minutes this circuit should be powered down.
Empty receptacle will look like this. Now Hybrid system, Traction Battery cannot be powered up. Rescue/Fire personal use this to disable Hybrid battery
440 Volt power for safety.
This car is now going nowhere.
I thought I could post a picture of the orange plug, in window, with note
Hybrid system disabled !
Be sure to re-insert this plug, before opening drivers door or you will see numerous fault messages on dash.
"Hybrid system fault. see your dealer."
ps. My mechanic says if I do this too often, wear on copper pins, even slight could cause increase in resistance through the contacts, problems later.
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Did it have just the base key? If so - this is a huge Hyundai / Kia thing - they don't have transponders in their low end keys so kids can smash the steering wheel column and start the car - take it for a joy ride. It was all over tik-tok supposedly? Sad but true.
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We have a Rav4, and last night thieves attempted to steal it for the second time. The first time they got away with it, so when we finally got a replacement Rav4 through insurance we thought we would make sure it couldn't happen again. We have a faraday pouch which we keep in the fridge, and a wheel lock. It seems the would be thiefs got in to the car by rewiring behind the front left light, but were stopped by the wheel lock. They managed to cut off the handle with something but didn't get further than that.. This is the last time we have a Rav4 as the stress is too much!
PS. We are in London, UK!
PS. We are in London, UK!
this is specifically why I got an LE Hybrid. it doesn't have a lot of that added convenience stuff (yet)
I have no problem turning my head to check blind spots, no problem
scanning traffic constantly to predict what may come into range near me...
Got no distractions other than pay attention to my driving and drive the thing and don't be a danger to others.
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