My 4Runner was stolen. PSA: install kill switch / anti-theft system

[FlaRunner904]

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[FlaRunner904]

 

[JakeJoeBob]

Is this mostly an Ontario / Toronto thing, or are LCs and 4Runners being stolen at the same rate all over the country?

I’ve been visiting Vancouver and other areas in southern British Columbia for decades and never heard about this problem out here.

I think it's mostly a Canadian thing, there is an organized crime ring that ships 4runners, Land cruisers and Gx's to re sell overseas. Doesn't happen in the US, nor anywhere close in the same volume. I live in LA an I park my runner everywhere, and have never had any problems. That said, I'm gonna look into some anti theft devices just incase.

 

[GG-Ltd]

Is this mostly an Ontario / Toronto thing, or are LCs and 4Runners being stolen at the same rate all over the country?

It is mostly a Toronto & Montreal issue. Organized theft rings in Toronto + corrupt port in Montreal making quick and easy export. Not to mention the absolute joke of a justice system in this country.

I am in Toronto and got IGLA installed 3 days after getting my 4Runner. Pricey but seems to be one of the only system thieves haven't found a way around yet.

Sorry that happened to you, wish someone informed you ahead so you could take extra precautions.

 

[TMLifer]

Googled it....this is where those stolen 4Runners, LCs, and GXs from Toronto and Montreal are mainly getting shipped to:

Primary Global Destinations

Once loaded into containers, the vehicles are tracked to specific regional hubs:

West Africa: The single largest market for stolen Canadian SUVs. Major port arrivals include Ghana (specifically Accra), Nigeria (Lagos), Togo (Lomé), and Benin (Cotonou). Investigations by outlets like the CBC have tracked stolen vehicles directly to online car lots and streets in these countries—sometimes still featuring their original Ontario or Quebec license plates.

The Middle East: High-end luxury specs like the Lexus GX and Land Cruisers are heavily funneled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They are also frequently trafficked to countries experiencing supply deficits or instability, including Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Egypt.

European Transit Hubs: Some containers make intermediary stops at major European ports like Spain (Algeciras), Antwerp, or Rotterdam, where paperwork is forged or switched before the vehicles continue to their final destination.

Criminal networks target these specific rugged, high-end four-wheel-drive platforms because they feature reliable mechanical systems capable of handling harsh terrain, yet command massive, inflated luxury markups in foreign secondary markets.

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It sucks that there is a network of corrupt seaport officials and workers in Quebec, European transit port hubs, West Africa, and the Middle East who are facilitating this on a daily basis.

 

[juan mesa]

Hey group. Had one of the most heartbreaking days of my life. I was up in Toronto for a week. And on the 2nd day I woke up to my 4Runner missing. It was stolen. They seemed to have known what they were doing. They disabled the tracking and created their own key. Toyota safety connect ain’t worth a damn. No real hope of being retrieved. I put a lot of work into my 4Runner with after market parts. But sadly in hindsight I didn’t put in the most important. A kill switch or some aftermarket antitheft system. Come to find out they are pretty easy to steal. I had no idea my car was missing until I walked to the parking lot. No notification nothing and when I checked tracking it was still saying it was in the lot but hadn’t been updated in 9 hours.

Thankfully. I had an AirTag in my backpack and was able to locate all my stuff dumped out on the side of the road 30 mins outside of town. Unfortunately no car. But I was able to get all my stuff minus some camera gear/drone. And my passport that was in the glove box. Also found one of my windows and and my dashboard and glove box and my pop out speaker from the car lol

Hopefully my insurance doesn’t try and give me a run around because this sucks. Anyway just posting this to give yall a heads up on investing in an aftermarket antitheft system. IGLA looks to be what I will invest in on my next 4Runner. And also never taking my car to Canada again.

Cheers
Sorry to hear that I live 40 minutes from Toronto and my 4Runner 2025 was stolen within 24 hours after I got it from the dealer
It’s a big problem here in Ontario Canada

 

[FlaRunner904]

It is mostly a Toronto & Montreal issue. Organized theft rings in Toronto + corrupt port in Montreal making quick and easy export. Not to mention the absolute joke of a justice system in this country.

I am in Toronto and got IGLA installed 3 days after getting my 4Runner. Pricey but seems to be one of the only system thieves haven't found a way around yet.

Sorry that happened to you, wish someone informed you ahead so you could take extra precautions.

Haha yea. Pretty tough way to find out that Toronto is rank #1 in car theft claims. And Toyotas are the #1 target. And also to find out what an IGLA is after the fact
definitely first mod on the next one. And also never driving my own car to Canada again

 

[Moon_89]

I am in Detroit literally right across Windsor. Recently took our 2026 Pilot to Toronto. I was super paranoid everywhere I went with the Pilot once I crossed into Ontario & even parked at the Hotel. Toyota's, Lexus's & even Honda's are the most stolen in Ontario. The new Gordie Howe International Bridge opened near me & wanted to take my 6th Gen but really worried. I will take a rental though back to Toronto. Hopefully insurance works out for you!

 

[HVLA]

That sucks. I will just stay out of the ghetto.

 

[JustSomeGuy]

I just asked Perplexity a bunch of questions about theft rates of cars here in the U.S. 4Runner makes no top 10 lists, in terms of total numbers, percentages, ranking among vehicles and easy to steal.

What's the story with car theft in Canada? Is it a lot worse than the U.S.?

 

[FlaRunner904]

I just asked Perplexity a bunch of questions about theft rates of cars here in the U.S. 4Runner makes no top 10 lists, in terms of total numbers, percentages, ranking among vehicles and easy to steal.

What's the story with car theft in Canada? Is it a lot worse than the U.S.?

Apparently it’s a huge problem in canada

 

[BonRunner]

I just asked Perplexity a bunch of questions about theft rates of cars here in the U.S. 4Runner makes no top 10 lists, in terms of total numbers, percentages, ranking among vehicles and easy to steal.

What's the story with car theft in Canada? Is it a lot worse than the U.S.?

Read a few posts above that explains this issue. Only in Eastern Canada. I've been to Vancouver & Calgary. Never an issue there with my 4R.

 

[sliver]

Is this mostly an Ontario / Toronto thing, or are LCs and 4Runners being stolen at the same rate all over the country?

I’ve been visiting Vancouver and other areas in southern British Columbia for decades and never heard about this problem out here.

I think Montreal is even Worst than Toronto. I think it's mostly the big 3. Montreal-Toronto-Vancouver. (EDIT: Just saw the post above, scratch Vancouver )

I am in Quebec City right now... the 4Runner is still here, after 1 year (I have a port lock, I'll look into a kill switch)

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