Can a push start car be stolen? (2024)

FAQs

Can a push start car be stolen? ›

Yes, thieves may use the methods we listed above to steal keyless cars with start buttons, including signal relaying, signal jamming and key programming.

The Ford Fiesta holds the unwanted title of being the most stolen car, with almost 6,000 being taken last year, according to the DVLA. Telegraph Money delves into why keyless cars are an easy target, and the eight steps you can take to beef up security on your vehicle.

Vehicles that have push-button start systems, rather than relying on metal keys that must be inserted and turned, have immobilizers, but not all models with turn-key ignitions do.

Chevrolet Full-Size Pickup

Chevrolet's full-size pickup retains its title as the most stolen car in America for 2022. From 49,903 reported thefts in 2021, numbers for this full-size pickup truck increased by 3.5% in 2022, putting it at 49,903 reported thefts. Most incidents still involve the 2004 model.

Replacing a lost car key for a “keyless ignition” vehicle

If you don't have an extra key, you'll likely need to get a replacement at a dealership and provide proof of ownership, according to Carfax. The dealership will then program a new key to work with your car.

Whether thieves use the relay technique, use a jamming device or simply break a window, once they're inside the car, those vehicles with a start button rather than an ignition key can be simple to steal. Every car sold for more than a decade has been required to have a standard diagnostic port fitted.

If you have a key fob, smart key, or transponder key, you can track them. You will need a car key tracking device or an app connected to your key. The device consists of two parts - a remote and a receiver. You use the receiver to send a signal and then you can track it with the radio frequency or Bluetooth.

Traditional car keys are more durable and reliable, but they are more easily lost or stolen. Push-to-start car keys are more convenient and have added features, but they are more expensive and have a greater chance of malfunctioning.

Push-button start key fobs protect your vehicle against theft. By ensuring that the ignition doesn't start until it receives a signal from its paired key fob, a keyless ignition system bars entry from car burglars. Push-button start fobs reduce the chances of car accidents.

The consistent top stolen car model year after year is the Ford Fiesta. As one of Britain's highest selling cars, Fiestas offer thieves abundant targets and strong demand for sold parts.

How much is a new push to start key? ›

Some push-to-start cars have remote transmitters or key fobs. These keys also require programming which can range between $125 on the low end and up to $500 for luxury cars. Older cars and car keys without transponder chips will cost between $10 and $15 for a copy and up to $150 if all keys are lost.

Even in cars that use keyless entry, there is usually a key slot located underneath the car's start button or a round plastic cap on the steering column. You can pop off the plastic top and use the physical key to start your engine manually.

If you have to push a button on your car keys to enter your car, you are not at risk of being “hacked”. Only cars with a keyless entry system can be stolen using so called “relay” equipment. Keyless entry cars allow the driver to unlock and start the car with the key fob still in their pocket.

If the keys lack a signal-blocker shield (called an RFID blocker), thieves can use a transponder device, which you can pick up online on the cheap. That electronic device can capture the keyless entry code as it's sent from the fob to the car.

The compact Hyundai Elantra took the top spot, with more than 48,000 vehicles stolen, 2.5 times the number stolen in 2022. The midsize Hyundai Sonata sedan finished in second with nearly 43,000 stolen, roughly double the number in 2022.

Cars with keyless entry systems – which allow owners to unlock and even sometimes start a vehicle through a transmitted signal embedded in the key fob – may offer functionality and convenience, but they are also more vulnerable to theft.