Why OBD-II Port Theft Is a Growing Threat and How to Block It

Car thieves in 2025 aren’t breaking windows with crowbars, they’re plugging laptops into your car. One of the fastest-growing methods is OBD-II theft, where criminals exploit the same diagnostic port mechanics and dealers use to service your vehicle.

If you own a pickup in Texas, a family SUV in California, or even a daily commuter in New York, here’s why your OBD-II port is a weak spot, and how to stop thieves from using it against you.

What Is OBD-II Theft?

The OBD-II port (On-Board Diagnostics) is a small plug-in slot under the dashboard of every car sold in the U.S. since 1996. Mechanics use it to read trouble codes, reset sensors, and even program new keys.

Thieves figured out that the same tool can be used to:

Program a new key fob in minutes
Disable immobilizers and alarms
Bypass factory security systems altogether

This type of theft is rising in states like Illinois, Florida, and Texas, where organized groups target pickups, SUVs, and performance cars.

Why OBD-II Theft Is Hard to Detect

Unlike breaking a window or hotwiring a car, OBD-II theft leaves little trace. A thief with the right tool can sit in your car, clone a key, and drive away, sometimes in under two minutes.

That means:

No alarms go off
No broken glass to alert you
Insurance claims often drag on because there’s no clear evidence

How to Protect Against OBD-II Theft

1. OBD-II Port Locks

You can buy aftermarket locks that cover the diagnostic port. They slow thieves down, but determined ones often bypass them.

2. Parking Smarter

Well-lit areas and secure garages make it harder for thieves to take their time.

3. LoJack Decoy

Here’s the game-changer. While LoJack’s advanced encrypted GPS tracking protects your car, the LoJack Decoy device is installed as a fake target. Thieves think they’ve disabled the tracker when in reality, the real LoJack system is still hidden and connected.

Why it works:

Criminals waste time disabling the decoy
Real tracker continues transmitting live GPS
Police receive the exact location instantly
Recovery averages just 26 minutes nationwide

States Most Impacted by OBD-II Theft

NICB data shows that Texas, California, New York, and Illinois rank among the top for modern car theft tactics like OBD-II hacking and relay attacks. Popular targets include:

Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado pickups
Dodge Charger and Challenger muscle cars
Honda Accord and Toyota Camry sedans

Final Thoughts

OBD-II theft is one of the fastest-growing car theft threats in America. A thief with a laptop shouldn’t be able to erase your investment in minutes.

With LoJack and the LoJack Decoy from VG Motors, you get real peace of mind:

Encrypted GPS tracking
Police-connected recovery system
A decoy to fool thieves before they even start