Rising Threat of CAN Bus Theft for Mopar Owners

As vehicle theft becomes increasingly sophisticated, CAN bus theft has emerged as a significant concern for modern car owners, especially those with high-performance vehicles like the Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger. 

Why Are Thieves Targeting the Passenger Footwell or Headlights to Steal Your Car?

The CAN bus (Controller Area Network)) system is essential for coordinating a vehicle’s electronic components. It is essentially a straightforward two-wire network that connects various computer systems within a vehicle. If a hacker gains direct access to these wires, they can potentially compromise all connected systems, including alarms, immobilizers, door locks, and modern ignition systems.

That’s why it has also become a favored target of tech-savvy criminals.

Thieves can access the CAN bus through accessible areas of the car, such as the passenger footwell, the headlights or the glove compartment, where they tamper with connections like the Star Connector. The star connector plays a complementary role in grounding and organizing the CAN wiring harness in modern vehicles.

Despite efforts by manufacturers to combat theft—including the Enhanced Security Mode introduced in 2021, which limits engine output to 2.8 horsepower when activated via a PIN code—thieves have quickly adapted.

They always do. 

They use advanced diagnostic tools or aftermarket CAN intercept devices to bypass these protective measures. By accessing vulnerable points within the vehicle’s wiring harness, such as connection points near the wheel wells or exposed modules, they can still connect to the CAN bus and potentially issue commands to disable security features.

Although this process is more complex and requires specialized tools, it remains feasible for experienced hackers who can simply drive off with your car.

How to Protect Yourself from CAN Bus Theft

Keeping your vehicle’s security software updated is advisable and using physical barriers can be helpful, but one security solution that seasoned thieves fear is secondary tracking devices.

Thieves are wary because a properly hidden tracker means the stolen car isn’t truly “theirs” until they confirm no one is tracking it. This is why they often leave the car in a specific location for 24 – 48 hours to see if a tracker will lead someone to retrieve it.

As CAN bus theft becomes more common among Dodge Challengers and Chargers, Mopar owners must proactively protect their vehicles. 

This is where CarLock stands out. CarLock is more than a tracker that aids in vehicle recovery if stolen—it alerts you before theft even occurs.

How CarLock Can Help Prevent CAN Bus Theft or Aid in Vehicle Recovery

1. Real-Time Alerts and Notifications

One key feature that makes CarLock effective against CAN bus theft is its ability to send real-time vibration and movement alerts directly to the vehicle owner’s smartphone.

If a thief tries to access the vehicle’s CAN bus by tampering with the Star Connector or opening the doors, CarLock immediately detects the activity through its Vibration Sensor and sends a notification.

This early warning system enables owners to act quickly, whether by contacting authorities, using a remote immobilizer, or taking additional steps to prevent further tampering.

CarLock monitors a wide range of suspicious activities, including unexpected movement, engine starts, vibrations, and device disconnection alerts, ensuring owners are always aware of what’s happening with their vehicle, no matter where they are.

2. Tracking Your Vehicle

CarLock’s GPS tracking system is invaluable if a vehicle is stolen.

It allows the owner to track the real-time location of their car, providing essential details for swift recovery by the owner or law enforcement.

The GPS data supplied by CarLock gives precise details of the vehicle’s location, which is crucial when time is of the essence in a theft situation.

Peace of Mind for Mopar Owners

For owners of high-risk vehicles like the Dodge Charger and Challenger, CarLock provides peace of mind unmatched by other systems.

With the constant threat of CAN bus theft, knowing that CarLock monitors the vehicle 24/7 reassures owners that their prized Mopar is protected.

CarLock acts as both a deterrent and a rapid-response tool, making it a critical component in a multi-layered security strategy.

By incorporating CarLock into their security setup, Mopar owners can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to the sophisticated techniques used by today’s car thieves. Whether through real-time alerts, location tracking, or additional layers of defense, CarLock plays an essential role in keeping Dodge Chargers and Challengers safe.