Quebec Judge Approves Class Action Lawsuit Against Automakers for Vulnerable Key Fob System.

A Quebec Superior Court judge has authorized a class-action lawsuit against 13 automakers, including Toyota, Honda, and BMW, over allegations that their key fob signals are too easy for car thieves to intercept. The lawsuit claims the companies knew about the security flaws for several years but failed to modify their vehicles' security measures. The class action seeks $1,500 in compensation for over 10,000 victims of car theft in Quebec.

A Quebec Superior Court judge has authorized a class-action lawsuit against 13 automakers, including Toyota, Honda, and BMW, over allegations that their key fob signals are too easy for car thieves to intercept. The lawsuit claims the companies knew about the security flaws for several years but failed to modify their vehicles' security measures. The class action seeks $1,500 in compensation for over 10,000 victims of car theft in Quebec.

The class action was filed on behalf of Quebec residents whose vehicles were equipped with remote car access and starting systems and were stolen on or after May 2, 2021, regardless of the vehicle's manufacturing date. The lawsuit alleges that the companies spent years using the key fob system "without worrying about the appropriate level of security against theft."

The lead plaintiff, André Lacroix, purchased a 2018 Toyota Highlander and had his car stolen in April 2022. He had locked his car using his key fob, and there was no security footage showing what happened. The lawsuit states that the owner's manual provided no warning regarding the security of the smart keys associated with the vehicle.

The lawsuit is seeking $1,500 in compensation for each person who had a vehicle stolen on or after May 2, 2021, and another $1,500 for each vehicle that was either sold or leased between May 2, 2021 and May 2, 2024. This amount would be given to a non-profit company that advocates for the consumer protection of car owners. The lawsuit also calls on the judge to order the automakers to recall their vehicles and modify them to make them less vulnerable to theft.

The automakers have 30 days to appeal the decision. If not, the lawsuit could head to trial. Éric Bouchard, one of the lawyers behind the lawsuit, is asking victims of car theft who are eligible to participate in this case to contact him.

The number of stolen vehicles in Quebec and across Canada soared after the pandemic, though they have been on the decline in recent years. According to a new report released this week, thefts are down 19 percent in Canada in the first half of 2025 compared to the same time period in 2024 [1].

References:
[1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/key-fob-car-thefts-lawsuit-1.7598268