Car Key Fob Hacking in 2025: Are Criminals One Step Ahead of South African Drivers?

 

Why Keyless Car Theft Is on the Rise

Imagine this: you park your car outside your house in Johannesburg, lock the doors using your keyless fob, and walk inside. A few minutes later, the car is gone. No break-in, no smashed glass—just gone. You later find out thieves used a relay attack to steal it.

Keyless entry makes life easier—you never pull out the key. But that very convenience has opened a door for criminals. In 2025, thieves are using tech tricks more and more to hack key fobs and steal cars. This blog post will help you understand how that happens, which cars are at risk, what you can do to protect yourself, and how big the problem is here in South Africa and elsewhere.

 

What Is Key Hacking (Relay Theft)?

Simple definition

Key hacking, or relay theft, happens when someone uses devices to trick your keyless‐entry car into thinking the key fob is closer than it really is. They don’t need to smash in windows or hot-wire; they just fool your car’s electronic system.

Why it’s also called relay theft

Because the attack often works in pairs: one thief near your house captures or amplifies the fob’s signal, the other near your car uses a relay device to transmit that signal so the car unlocks and sometimes starts. It’s like relaying the signal from the fob to your car via two devices.

 

How Does Key Hacking Work Step by Step?

1. Thief places a device near your key fob

    The fob is inside your home, maybe near a door or window.

    The device captures or amplifies its signal.

 

2. Second device near your car intercepts the relayed signal

    The car is tricked into thinking the fob is nearby.

    Doors unlock, maybe ignition or push-start works.

 

3. Car is stolen in seconds

    All this can happen in 20–30 seconds.

    Very fast, low visible damage.

 

4. Other attack types

    Replay attacks: capturing and reusing a fixed code fob repeatedly sends.

    Signal jamming: blocking lock commands so car stays unlocked.

    Relay / amplifier attacks: boosting signal.

 

Which Cars Are Most at Risk of Keyless Theft?

 

Keyless entry vs. traditional remote keys

If your car uses passive keyless entry / push-button start, it is more vulnerable. If you have to press a button to unlock (classic remote), risk is lower.

 

Popular models found vulnerable

 In South Africa, Tracker reports that many newer model SUVs and cars with keyless entry/ignition are increasingly targeted.

Globally, premium brands (Land Rover, Range Rover, BMW, etc.) appear often among stolen keyless vehicles.

 

Luxury vehicles as frequent targets

Because their keyless tech may be more advanced (or more tempting), and because thieves get bigger payoffs. Also, insurance often makes premium owners more desperate to protect their investments.

 

Real-World Statistics on Key Hacking and Vehicle Theft

In South Africa, keyless entry car theft is rising fast: about 5-6 keyless cars stolen daily in 2023.

Losses amount to around R8.5 billion annually linked to these kinds of thefts.

Tracker (a security / car-tracking company) found that 92% of cars it recovered had been stolen without using the physical key (i.e. via relay or signal theft).

 

Common Methods Thieves Use to Hack Key Fobs

Replay attacks

Thieves record a fob’s signal and replay it later to gain access. Works best on older systems where the code doesn’t change.

 

Relay / amplifier attacks

One device picks up the signal from the fob, another near the car uses it. The car is fooled into thinking the key is close. This is perhaps the most common and dangerous in modern systems.

 

Signal jamming

Blocking commands sent to lock the car so it remains unlocked, or disrupting fob’s communication.

 

Rolling code flaws (RollJam / RollBack types)

Even systems that use “rolling codes” (codes that change each time) can be attacked via tricks that capture earlier valid codes or use clever interference.

 

How to Tell If Your Car Is Keyless Entry

·         Your key fob doesn’t require pressing the key into the door before unlocking — just walking up will unlock or pressing a button on door handle etc.

·         Push-button start (no physical key to turn in ignition) is a sign of a full keyless entry system. If the car’s key fob always responds from a distance, that’s another clue—these systems often need signal amplification.

·         Check your manual or dealer specs. The make/model/year influences risk level. Newer often better secured, older more vulnerable.

 

How Close Do Thieves Need to Be to Hack Your Key Fob?

·         Typically a few metres (inside house, through window) is enough.

·         Signal boosting + relay devices can extend the effective range.

·         Doing this quietly and fast: thieves often work with two people. One near the house, one near car. Very quick, under a minute.

 

Preventative Measures Every Car Owner Should Take

Here are steps you can take TODAY to reduce risk.

1. Store keys far from windows and doors

    At home, keep your fob away from front door, windows.

    Use signal-blocking containers, metal boxes.

 

2. Use a Faraday bag or signal-blocking pouch

    These are relatively cheap and block signals. Tracker in South Africa recommends using Faraday pouches.

    Test them to ensure they work.

 

3. Park in secure areas

    Garages, locked gates, places with CCTV.

    Well-lit areas at night.

 

4. Use physical deterrents

    Steering wheel locks.

    Car alarms, immobilisers.

 

5. Reprogram keys if needed

    Buying second-hand? Reprogram to make old keys invalid.

    If key lost/stolen, have dealer or locksmith reset programming.

 

6. Keep vehicle software & firmware updated

    Manufacturers release patches for vulnerabilities.

 

7. Protect spare keys

    Put spares in Faraday bag.

    Avoid leaving spares anywhere near entrances.

 

Faraday Bags and Key Fob Blockers Explained

·         A Faraday bag is a pouch lined with metal material that stops radio signals. When you place your key fob inside, thieves can’t capture its signal.

·         Many options available locally and online. Price varies.

·         Make sure it’s well-made; test by walking away from car: if locking fails when fob is inside bag, bag works.

 

Other Security Devices That Help

·         Steering wheel locks – visible deterrents work.

·         Car alarms / immobilisers – stop engine unless correct key present. Widely effective.

·         VIN etching – marking your vehicle ID on windows makes it harder for thieves to resell or hide stolen status.

 

Tips for Protecting Spare Keys at Home

·         Always treat spare keys like primary ones.

·         Store spares in Faraday pouch or signal-blocking container.

·         Keep spares away from outward facing windows & doors.

·         Label spares clearly so you know which is which, avoid confusion.

 

What to Do If You Think Your Key Fob Was Hacked

·         Notice unusual car behaviour (unlocking without command, lights, sounds)

·         Reprogram key fobs with dealer / trusted locksmith.

·         Disable lost or stolen key fobs in car’s system if possible.

·         Add extra PIN or security features (if available).

·         Report stolen car and incident to insurance/police.

 

Are Car Manufacturers Doing Enough to Prevent Relay Theft?

·         Some are. They are adding features like motion sensor fobs (sleep mode when fob stationary), ultra-wideband (UWB) for precise distance detection.

·         Older cars often lack those protections.

·         Car manufacturers in South Africa are being urged to improve firmware security, offer signal disabling options. Tracker has been vocal about this need.

 

Insurance and Keyless Car Theft – What You Need to Know

·         In many cases, insurance will cover theft including relay attacks—but you may need to prove you took reasonable security steps (e.g. using pouches, alarms).

·         Premiums for keyless vehicles tend to be higher.

·         Keep receipts, proof of security devices installed, any reprogramming done.

 

Conclusion – Balancing Convenience with Security

Keyless entry is here to stay. It’s modern, convenient, sleek. But as we’ve seen, this convenience comes with risk. Hackers and thieves are using relay, replay, and signal-amplification attacks to exploit weak or exposed key fobs—including those inside homes.

The good news: you have power. With Faraday pouches, proper storage, physical deterrents, software updates, reprogramming, and insurance protection, you can reduce risk dramatically.

If you drive a keyless entry car, especially in Johannesburg or anywhere in South Africa, make protecting your fob part of your routine. It could mean the difference between peace of mind and becoming a statistic.