Advice for preventing thefts? (Canada, Ontario)

[naanpizza]

Hey everyone! I'm in the market for a new car, and looking to get either a 4Runner 6th gen, or the new Land Cruiser.

However, I live in "lovely" Canada, specifically the Toronto area, where we have a very serious theft problem of vehicles. Like, I'm hearing horror stories, people having their car stolen in a few minutes.

Any Canadians, or anyone really, with advice on if it's possible to prevent theft of these vehicles? And how common is the issue actually? i've heard it's really bad for the land cruiser since that's a very popular car in africa / middle east where these cars end up, what about the 6th gen 4Runner, is it as bad? And is there any way to prevent these robberies? I've heard people talking about IGLA / TAG, do those help?

Finally, do these robbers usually break the window to get in, or use a remote to open the car? I'd hate if, even after adding these anti theft systems, I'm paying $1000 to repair a window every couple months...

Thanks!!

Sponsored

 

[Mad Ghost]

sounds like you need to move to a new neighborhood, someone here posted a few months back from Ottawa maybe that their 4runner was stolen using something that stole the fob signal. They say you shouldn't keep your keys right by your door because it maybe possible to steal the signal. Another thing would be to keep your keys in a Faraday bag. Faraday Bag

 

[K2mia]

Hey everyone! I'm in the market for a new car, and looking to get either a 4Runner 6th gen, or the new Land Cruiser.

However, I live in "lovely" Canada, specifically the Toronto area, where we have a very serious theft problem of vehicles. Like, I'm hearing horror stories, people having their car stolen in a few minutes.

Any Canadians, or anyone really, with advice on if it's possible to prevent theft of these vehicles? And how common is the issue actually? i've heard it's really bad for the land cruiser since that's a very popular car in africa / middle east where these cars end up, what about the 6th gen 4Runner, is it as bad? And is there any way to prevent these robberies? I've heard people talking about IGLA / TAG, do those help?

Finally, do these robbers usually break the window to get in, or use a remote to open the car? I'd hate if, even after adding these anti theft systems, I'm paying $1000 to repair a window every couple months...

Thanks!!

I don't know if it is available in Canada but look up Ravelco. Makes it very difficult for the car to be stolen...

 

[ilove2dubb]

sounds like you need to move to a new neighborhood, someone here posted a few months back from Ottawa maybe that their 4runner was stolen using something that stole the fob signal. They say you shouldn't keep your keys right by your door because it maybe possible to steal the signal. Another thing would be to keep your keys in a Faraday bag. Faraday Bag

It’s usually the wealthy areas that get hit. My Tacoma was stolen from my driveway in the West Island of Montreal in 2020. Since then, I run IGLA and a steering wheel lock as a visual deterrent. From my understanding, you can’t really bypass IGLA hence the $1200 price tag. I just picked up my 2025 4Runner and will be having it installed at the end of this week.

 

[Jets Fan]

I live 90 miles from any city but will still be buying one of those Faraday pouches. Never hurts to be too careful.
excuse my ignorance but, what is an IGLA?

 

[naanpizza]

sounds like you need to move to a new neighborhood

The neighbourhood is very expensive (houses like 2m+), they crawl out of their holes to come rob us

 

[s3lekta]

Disable your fobs radio - hold lock, while holding lock, press unlock twice > led will blink a few times.

Faraday bag - tried a couple, even double bagged, it does block the button presses but not unlocking when grabbing the door handle > do the above

ODB lock - locks the port, sure they can rip it off, but may damage the port to plugin.

Airtags.

Not full proof, they’ll find a way.

 

[thirstyross]

Install an autowatch ghost II. the only way they can take it is on a flatbed, which makes it much less likely. it's certified by insurance companies so you'd prob get a discount on your rates.

 

[sliver]

How do you get one of those installed? (Autowatch ghost II) I sometimes have to go into, questionable areas... (A few times a year) I have the ODBD2 lock, and something to jam the steering wheel. So far so good, but this seems better.

 

[thirstyross]

go on autowatch's site and find an installer. gonna cost about a grand (canadian dollars). well worth it imho.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I live in California, most of the issues have been smash and grab. Which is disturbing.

There were some posts from the Portland area of people just putting a sign on their Windows saying nothing of value inside.

But for stealing an entire car assuming they can start it, a disabling mechanism is probably the best solution.

Also, if a thief really wants a specific car they will just hook it and roll away with it at some early part of the morning hours.

Or you could possibly get the Trunk Monkey!

 

[adwightm11]

I live in a slightly more rural part of Ontario. About 2 hrs from Toronto. My insurance still added a $500 surcharge for a "High Theft Vehicle Rate". I've heard of this surcharge being $1500+ in parts of the GTA. Pretty much any Toyota or Honda SUV will have this kind of surcharge. I was able to get this surcharge removed (and a $100 install discount) by installing TAG. I don't love the idea of having a tracker in my Car. TAG seems quite effective and reliable. If the insurance companies didn't think its effective at minimizing risk they wouldn't be offering discounts.
https://www.tagtracking.ca/en

I also have a steering wheel lock I use from time to time, depending on where I park it.

I've contemplated an immobilizer. If I lived in the GTA I 100% think I would install an immobilizer.

If you want to read something that will keep you up at night:
https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/thr...thod-used-to-steal-2025-4runner-6th-gen.5990/

 

[thirstyross]

How much for the TAG? I chose the ghost because most of those tracking systems have an ongoing subscription fee you need to pay for. was your insurance company unwilling to recognize the Toyota tracking system that's built into every 4runner? The subscription for this is free for the first few years.

 

[adwightm11]

TAG is

How much for the TAG? I chose the ghost because most of those tracking systems have an ongoing subscription fee you need to pay for. was your insurance company unwilling to recognize the Toyota tracking system that's built into every 4runner? The subscription for this is free for the first few years.

TAG is a one time install fee. I think it was around $300. No subscription.

I think the problem with the OEM Toyota tacking system is thieves can easily override it once they hack into the system.

 

[kinomotion]

Definitely a massive problem in the GTA. I too am worried about theft when my car gets delivered. I currently use a faraday box, wheel lock and have TAG. Will be doing the same with my 4runner. In addition, I plan on assembling and installing an ignition cut off switch.

https://www.tps.ca/crime-prevention/auto-crimes-1/

Sponsored