New Fiestas being targeted by thieves

Adam · 5 May 2015 at 08:30

It may purely be coincidence, but this weekend I had someone knock on my door to tell me their Fiesta identical to mine was stolen without the keys and also saw an article on the website of my local paper.

What's the deal with thieves targeting new Fiestas? From googling it seems cars with the keyless entry/start are more susceptible to theft (which mine does not have) but I'm still concerned my car could be targeted.

I've resorted to blocking it in with my other car but that's going to be tedious for the next 18 months until the lease ends! I also never got round to buying GAP insurance which was a silly move on my part.

Anything else I can do to protect myself?

shauncr91 · 5 May 2015 at 08:32

A lot of Ford's with Keyless getting pinched at the moment, regular cars with a key should be fine.

snips86x · 5 May 2015 at 08:32

Old School Steering Lock?

Diddums · 5 May 2015 at 08:35

snips86x said:
Old School Steering Lock?

This is what I'd suggest, maybe a gearstick lock too. Hell, go the extra mile and clamp it if you want.

wesley · 5 May 2015 at 09:04

interesting. a mate of mine had his new b-max went missing few night ago. his was keyless as well. b-max is based on fiesta.

thieves must have found the loophole in the keyless system?

Luke · 5 May 2015 at 09:09

I know of a new Fiesta ST recently that was stolen without keys from a shopping centre. Again, keyless entry.

Mucky_Pup · 5 May 2015 at 09:14

I use a disklok on my Focus.

Where's the OBD port on the Fiesta? If it's down by your right knee, find something to cover it up, or if you can, unscrew it and hide it further back in the dashboard.

On Holiday · 5 May 2015 at 09:15

Recently read that a brand new ST was unlocked and stolen using a wireless device.. Will try to find source and edit my post.

MooMoo444 · 5 May 2015 at 09:19

It's reading things like this that make me wish my car was a key instead of a fob.

Diddums · 5 May 2015 at 09:20

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...n-thieves-simply-bypass-security-devices.html

EDIT:

This explains it a bit (yes, I'm bored):

Armageus · 5 May 2015 at 09:39

What has the OBD Port got to do with it? Surely you need to get into the Car first anyway?

Or is it a case of you can use a laptop to intercept the Keyless entry signals, but you then need an OBD connection to bypass the immobiliser and start the engine?

Mucky_Pup · 5 May 2015 at 09:46

Armageus said:
What has the OBD Port got to do with it? Surely you need to get into the Car first anyway?

Or is it a case of you can use a laptop to intercept the Keyless entry signals, but you then need an OBD connection to bypass the immobiliser and start the engine?

I know on the focus you can break the corner of the window without the internal alarm sensor spotting you, allowing you to put your arm down to the OBD port and insert your tool which will disable the alarm and unlock the doors, as shown in the video above.

You're then free to clone a new key using a laptop, and drive away.

Howard · 5 May 2015 at 09:48

Armageus said:
What has the OBD Port got to do with it? Surely you need to get into the Car first anyway?

Or is it a case of you can use a laptop to intercept the Keyless entry signals, but you then need an OBD connection to bypass the immobiliser and start the engine?

Physical access to the OBD port is required to "reprogram" and fool the car into unlocking / disarming the immobiliser / starting. If the thieves do it quickly enough, the alarm won't be too much of an issue.

I might have to test mine (with the window open, not by smashing it!) to see if such a dead spot exists

Diddums · 5 May 2015 at 09:49

Mucky_Pup said:
I know on the focus you can break the corner of the window without the internal alarm sensor spotting you, allowing you to put your arm down to the OBD port and insert your tool which will disable the alarm and unlock the doors, as shown in the video above.

You're then free to clone a new key using a laptop, and drive away.

This is what the video I posted above says too (start at 5:20 to see how it's done).

There's a black spot in the sensor coverage which is at the front of the side windows near the wing mirror. Break the glass with a spark plug there and it doesn't set off the alarm. You can then reach in and get to the OBD port which you can interrogate for the car's key codes.

Apparently.

shauncr91 · 5 May 2015 at 10:21

Luke said:
I know of a new Fiesta ST recently that was stolen without keys from a shopping centre. Again, keyless entry.

Its not just Fiestas but any Keyless Ford, Focus RS have been the biggest target. It's a similar method to what thieves were using to take BMW's a year or so back.

Dangerous Dave · 5 May 2015 at 10:55

My friend just picked up a facelift MK 3 Focus ST3 with the keyfree system as standard and the dealer told him to get an aftermarket alarm fitted that disables the OBD port ! Not a good advert for the system.

Diagro · 5 May 2015 at 11:16

Dangerous Dave said:
My friend just picked up a facelift MK 3 Focus ST3 with the keyfree system as standard and the dealer told him to get an aftermarket alarm fitted that disables the OBD port ! Not a good advert for the system.

I would have thought the Dealers would fit these as standard

Balb0wa · 5 May 2015 at 11:19

i think ford should do a mass recall on these, i suppose it wont be long till watchdog gets involved.

Adam · 5 May 2015 at 11:31

I called Ford's technical helpdesk today as I was concerned the security wasn't up to standard. The guy I spoke the media have portrayed the keyless system as being a weak point but it's in no way less secure than a traditional key system (like mine).

He said around a year ago there was a huge wave of thefts which the media reported on but they keyless system wasn't any less secure.

Not sure I buy it but I think the weak point is the keyless system which thankfully my Fiesta does not have. I wished I had asked the girl which model she had so I could work out what kind of security it had.