His Highlander Was Taken, Now 13 Automakers May Face Consequences | Carscoops

      A growing class action lawsuit in Canada accuses major automakers of not informing consumers about security vulnerabilities that have made car theft alarmingly simple.

      The case includes vehicles from manufacturers such as Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Mazda, and Ford, among others. It is claimed that these companies did not alert consumers to the associated security risks. The suit was initiated by a man whose 2018 Toyota Highlander was stolen in 2022.

      It's well-known that cars equipped with keyless entry are susceptible to theft by clever thieves using relay devices. Although there are cost-effective and simple methods for vehicle owners to safeguard their cars, a group in Quebec, Canada, is targeting some of the largest players in the automotive sector in a significant class action lawsuit, asserting they did not adequately address a recognized security issue.

      The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Quebec residents whose vehicles with remote access and starting systems were stolen on or after May 2, 2021, has recently received authorization to move forward against 13 automakers, including Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Mazda, FCA, Ford, Audi, Kia, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Volkswagen, and Volvo. The class action also attempted to include Porsche, Jaguar Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW, but a judge rejected that request.

      According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, vehicle theft has become an increasing concern in both Ontario and Quebec. Although vehicle thefts surged during the pandemic, there has been a shift, with national data indicating a 19 percent decrease in the first half of this year compared to the same timeframe in 2024.

      The primary plaintiff in the lawsuit is André Lacroix, who had his 2018 Toyota Highlander stolen in April 2022 from his daughter’s residence, where it had been locked with the key fob. "It was frustrating," Lacroix expressed to CBC. "I felt like I wasn't protected by the manufacturer."

      The lawsuit asserts that the vehicle owner’s manual “provides absolutely no warning regarding the security of the smart keys.” It claims that manufacturers, including Toyota, “have been aware of these flaws for several years, yet despite the risks they pose to consumers, they appear to have made no changes to their vehicles’ security systems.”

      The lawyers contend that automakers had knowledge of the security flaws but failed to inform customers or provide updates that could have mitigated the risk, which they argue constitutes negligence.

      Lacroix aims to represent over 10,000 car theft victims in the province, seeking $1,500 in compensation for anyone whose vehicle was stolen on or after May 2, 2021. He is also requesting an additional $1,500 for each vehicle sold or leased between May 2, 2021, and May 2, 2024. Compensation from this fund would be directed to a non-profit organization focused on advocating for the consumer rights of car owners.

      As reported by CBC, the lawsuit is urging automakers to acknowledge what it describes as a design flaw that has facilitated easier thefts, and it also demands an admission that consumers were not alerted to the vulnerabilities in their keyless systems.