Is this a slimy dealer GPS tracker?

[molsonmatt]

Is this the actual device that the FordPass app uses to locate the truck? If you remove it, see if the truck location can be found in the app.

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[RickLightning]

Is this the actual device that the FordPass app uses to locate the truck? If you remove it, see if the truck location can be found in the app.

It is not.

Where would i look for this on my 23 lariat? I just bought used out of state
Thanks

The OBD port on your truck. Look for anything plugged into it.

 

[RickLightning]

I bought an Explorer in 1998, and found this type of device on it. They said they use it for inventory protection - and also try to sell you the service at time of sale. I cut it out and tossed it.

 

[MaintGrl]

I was told it was an anti theft device. should the truck get stolen they can track it and shut it down, or cripple it if needed.
That being said, if it was stolen as a crime of opportunity, It may help, But I would think anyone in the theft business would already know or assume it was there and yank it out or disable it...

 

[Discwizard70]

I was told it was an anti theft device. should the truck get stolen they can track it and shut it down, or cripple it if needed.
That being said, if it was stolen as a crime of opportunity, It may help, But I would think anyone in the theft business would already know or assume it was there and yank it out or disable it...

Yes, criminals do know where it is, but the Ford pass app does the same, for free, and is built in. This means the aftermarket tracker is handled separately and includes 3rd parties. Yeah.... No thanks, it doesn't do enough things or anything revolutionary that you don't get free and non removable by theives.
If that was in my truck and not in my purchase contract, not only would I remove it, but I would lawyer up due to privacy laws. No need to keep it in the truck, as it won't help YOU, only THEM. (Dealership/repo agents/etc) However, if it's disclosed, and you signed for it, you are stuck with it.

 

[topher10]

The OBD port on your truck. Look for anything plugged into it.

I thought to check my truck for this too, but as I understand it woudln't be directly plugged into the OBD2 port, but instead wired into it somehow. I assume I need to trace wires from the OBD and see if they lead anywhere interesting...

 

[rembrant]

I was doing some scouting around the car while I prepare for an audio upgrade project. I discovered this with a power wire tapped into the back of the ODB interface. Does anyone recognize it? Is this one of those sleazy slimy trackers that dealers install on the car and don’t tell you about? This does not appear to be a part of my dash cam.

I remember when I was looking to buy my truck some of the dealerships had installed low jack in the trucks because they’re having issues of trucks stolen off of their off site lot, they offered it for me to continue the lo Jack monthly included in my payment that could be what is installed in your truck.

 

[ryun]

Oh dang I got one of those dumb, dealer installed, anti theft packages on my truck too (there are stickers on the windows, tail gate, etc.). I just thought they metal-stamped some serial number into certain, valuable components. But now I'm wondering if they put a GPS tracker somewhere. The salesman was nice when I declined the service at least. He just said, "Don't sweat it. I'll just waive the fee since we already did the work."

So just check the OBD-II port for any wires that lead elsewhere I guess? OP, where did you find yours?

 

[K6CCC]

I would drop it off at the dealer - AFTER putting a few bullet holes in it.

 

[Henry Ford]

Doubt you'll be buying from a dealer in the PNW, but that information is still helpful to those in the market !

I wasn't speaking for anyone else but if it helps others, all the better.

I don't think bad actors should be protected with anonymity.

 

[MaintGrl]

I would drop it off at the dealer - AFTER putting a few bullet holes in it.

Hum. . . .all that effort for a GPS tracker...

 

[MrLoganRoss]

Kirkland Ford

 

[Cvh8601]

Mine also came home with a tracker when i bought last year. I ended up taking the dealer at their word when they insisted they hadn’t installed it and didnt know it was there since it was a truck they bought from another dealer who couldn’t sell EVs successfully (23 bought in summer 24).

Now i know to check if i ever deal with dealers again!

 

[MrLoganRoss]

By the way, my experience is that not that they don’t tell you about a security system and give you the opportunity to have it “disabled”. Instead, it is that they talk about the security system without mentioning the live tracker, and therefore there’s no reason for someone to understand that a live GPS and cellular enabled tracker remains powered and active in the car. They simply talk about deactivation, which, without the additional context, leads you to believe that there is simply some service option that you are declining.

It’s not hard to be specific enough for someone to understand that there’s a live tracking device in the car and therefore request that it be physically removed Before the owner takes possession of the car. In my case, how hard would it be to remove the fuse prior to delivery. There’s an in-line fuse right next to the tracker. They don’t do that. And that’s what makes it slimy.

when I called, they were very quick to pull up the paperwork that I signed a delivery, which declines a number of different things, including the security system. That is what they think is their get out of jail free card.

just remember that we already have to deal with the prying eyes of our cellular company, Apple, or Google, and the auto manufacturer. These little trackers, introduce yet another layer that people should be concerned about. Just because you no longer take part in the service doesn’t mean that records about your comings and goings aren’t being leveraged by the security tracker company or anybody else they could potentially sell your data too. You have no idea what their privacy policy is or what their business model is. these days a lot more companies than you think have a show product, but then you are actually the product.

how hard would it be for the salesman or the finance manager that closes your deal to state the following: “for inventory management and security reasons, we have installed a GPS and cellular enabled tracking device in the car. You can continue the service if you like. If you decline, we ask that you please sign and acknowledge this disclosure. If you decline, we will remove or disable the hardware in the vehicle you are buying. We will do that prior to delivery.”

 

[RickLightning]

By the way, my experience is that not that they don’t tell you about a security system and give you the opportunity to have it “disabled”. Instead, it is that they talk about the security system without mentioning the live tracker, and therefore there’s no reason for someone to understand that a live GPS and cellular enabled tracker remains powered and active in the car. They simply talk about deactivation, which, without the additional context, leads you to believe that there is simply some service option that you are declining.

It’s not hard to be specific enough for someone to understand that there’s a live tracking device in the car and therefore request that it be physically removed Before the owner takes possession of the car. In my case, how hard would it be to remove the fuse prior to delivery. There’s an in-line fuse right next to the tracker. They don’t do that. And that’s what makes it slimy.

when I called, they were very quick to pull up the paperwork that I signed a delivery, which declines a number of different things, including the security system. That is what they think is their get out of jail free card.

just remember that we already have to deal with the prying eyes of our cellular company, Apple, or Google, and the auto manufacturer. These little trackers, introduce yet another layer that people should be concerned about. Just because you no longer take part in the service doesn’t mean that records about your comings and goings aren’t being leveraged by the security tracker company or anybody else they could potentially sell your data too. You have no idea what their privacy policy is or what their business model is. these days a lot more companies than you think have a show product, but then you are actually the product.

how hard would it be for the salesman or the finance manager that closes your deal to state the following: “for inventory management and security reasons, we have installed a GPS and cellular enabled tracking device in the car. You can continue the service if you like. If you decline, we ask that you please sign and acknowledge this disclosure. If you decline, we will remove or disable the hardware in the vehicle you are buying. We will do that prior to delivery.”

Here is reality. They installed the device. They sell the truck, and 1 out of 100,000 people want it removed. In other words, they don't lose business and it costs money (labor) to remove.

Remove it, kill it, move on.

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