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Tracker installed by dealer
- Thread starter GSPHerder
- Start date
- Watchers 8
Money. That's the reason dealers put all sorts of these devices on cars. The sales pitch these device makers give to the dealers is that they can track their inventory. Plus some of these devices track your mileage so the dealership can get notified when you need service and then just happen to send service emails to you. They also put these devices on as another preload to make money at the time of sale by selling you the device (which they pay peanuts for but charge you hundreds) that has an app to monitor where your car has been driven if you have kids and other service and security info which is unnecessary with what the vehicles already come with. It's nothing more than a money maker and these devices also drain batteries and can affect other electronics. But the dealerships don't care. This will only stop when people wise up and research before buying a vehicle. Check Yelp reviews and see what prior buyers had to say about that dealership. Then go on dealership sites and look at the ads for the vehicle you want to see what the addendum sticker has on it (dealer preloads). Then email the dealer and ask, what preloads are on the vehicle. Do you install any aftermarket electronic device. Don't fall for the "well, you don't have to buy it, we'll just deactivate it and leave it on the vehicle". There are dealerships that don't do this but you have to look for them. I have since 1996 when I was stranded when one of those devices (ignition disabling, security, or tracking) disintegrated due to the cheap plastic it was made of and even though it was deactivated it left me stranded because it was tied into the OEM wiring. Ever since then I seek out honest dealers who don't put this crap on and I tell the one's who do that's why I'm not buying from them. I have passed on many vehicles because, as I say to them, I don't but damaged vehicles and butchering brand new wiring is what I consider damage. Then I find that elusive honest dealership.
My response in a previous thread follows.
This thread reminded me to check my truck for any tracking devices.
Used car dealers install GPS trackers often. New car dealers are installing them more and more. They're used in recovery, either from lot theft or from someone who is missing payments.
Typically, the trackers are installed near the On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port, for power. But they can be placed anywhere. Some units will be installed using an in-line connector. Others will be installed using vampire taps and butt splices.
If checking your truck, I'd start near the OBD port.
Attached is a photo of the OBD area and the port itself, under the steering wheel and near the hood latch release. You'll want to look up and into the dash, where the wiring harness is. If one is installed, it's often obvious. You might not know exactly what it is, but it will appear out-of-place. It will not look factory.
Sometimes, these devices are easy to remove. Others, something could be damaged when taking out. As mentioned above, leases might complicate the situation.
If discovered and unsure what to do, it might be best to have a sit-down with someone at the dealer.
OP
OP
- First Name
- Rudy
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2026
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- 9
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- Location
- New Mexico
- Vehicle(s)
- 2026 Tacoma TRD PRO
- Thread starter
- #20
I havent, I know what it is and just removed it, obviously the dealer ship got upsold some marketing bs by IKON.
IKON:
"Master your lot. Locate cars and keys effortlessly to accelerate sales, check battery levels, run audit reports, view lot aging
Get an avg. $323 PVR uplift by selling customers peace of mind and theft recovery featuring a $10,000 theft benefit. Your dealer-branded app keeps them connected to you, not the OEM.
Maximize service retention and increase ROs with our mileage-triggered, automated text campaigns. We text customers at exactly the right time, driving them to your service scheduler."
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I'm sure their customer claims work on many, if not the majority of, people, but they actively turn me away from dealers that do this. Just like getting a recall performed does not give the dealership permission to send me 2-3 letters a month.
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