Found a GPS tracker installed on vehicle without my approval

[Astronaut]

Everybody know: any good covert operative worth his sh!t knows to always leave an obvious bug to be found so they'll stop looking for the REAL bug.

I'm convinced the dealers install these just so you'll find them, bitch on the forums about "MY PRIVACY", remove them, then feel satisfied and STFU. All while totally ignoring the fact that Ford has GPS (with real-time cellular location broadcast) built into the very heart of your vehicle.

It's either that or some inventory tracking system just so the dealer can know the location of the vehicle pre-sales. And it's cheaper to just leave it in the rig than it is to pay a tech to uninstall it after the sale.

But I doubt that. That's just too mundane an explanation. It's gotta be something sinister.

I thought the same thing when I found the Icon. Why waste money on this since Ford can track your vehicle anytime with the built-in GPS. Maybe Ford doesn’t allow the dealer to do that?

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[Snacktime]

I say install it in a rental car and move on!

 

[userdude]

I thought the same thing when I found the Icon. Why waste money on this since Ford can track your vehicle anytime with the built-in GPS. Maybe Ford doesn’t allow the dealer to do that?

In all reality, they are likely trying to sell a theft recovery service. It's a hardsell. I don't know why a dealership would use it for loan default recovery on new cars, since they're not financing it, but perhaps they do a lot of bad loans? Definitely if they're financing or partner with a financier for used card sales, i could see that. I think it's most likely like the old LoJack.

 

[Figmo]

I thought the same thing when I found the Icon. Why waste money on this since Ford can track your vehicle anytime with the built-in GPS. Maybe Ford doesn’t allow the dealer to do that?

You hit the nail on the head. It's there because dealerships don't have access to the Ford built-in GPS. But they still have a need to track the location of all of their assets.

I can only speculate that Ford doesn't want to legally expose themselves by allowing (sometimes unscrupulous) dealerships have access to this much private customer data. And even a scrupulous dealer could have dubious digital security that might allow the system to be hacked. Again, further exposing FMC to liability and a PR nightmare.

I'd say "wise call" on FMC's part.

As for jerking off the dealer's hardware...if it feels good to you.....have at it!!

 

[Dral97]

Everybody know: any good covert operative worth his sh!t knows to always leave an obvious bug to be found so they'll stop looking for the REAL bug.

I'm convinced the dealers install these just so you'll find them, bitch on the forums about "MY PRIVACY", remove them, then feel satisfied and STFU. All while totally ignoring the fact that Ford has GPS (with real-time cellular location broadcast) built into the very heart of your vehicle.

It's either that or some inventory tracking system just so the dealer can know the location of the vehicle pre-sales. And it's cheaper to just leave it in the rig than it is to pay a tech to uninstall it after the sale.

But I doubt that. That's just too mundane an explanation. It's gotta be something sinister.

The modem was dead when I first got mine. I replaced it while it was under warranty for when I sell/trade. If I knew I was keeping this forever, I would have considered saying screw it.

 

[Bugkillah]

Atlanta (Conyers) dealer installed and wouldn’t remove, and initially charged me for it, I got it removed from the deal, and physically removed it when I got home, took 2 minutes.

 

[broncobase1]

There is certainly no attempt to hide it if its plugged into the OBD port. I would have noticed it on day one.

 

[Rydfree]

Things like this make me glad that after 34 months of waiting for my Bronco to be built, that I picked it up the day it came in

 

[dpAtlanta]

I was surprised to find something similar in mine, after purchase as well, though mine was a wireless variety. It wasn't wired into the ODB2. Found it in a seatback pocket, googled the info on it to discover it was a tracker. I removed it and took it back to the dealer. "oh you found the tracker?", they said, and took it back with a wry grin.

You should have kept it until the next time you fly commercially and stow it under the seat.
They would be getting reports of a Bronco going 600 mph.

 

[Dipsy30]

I had a similar device in the last Jeep I had bought. I removed the SIM card, slapped it in an old cell phone and proceeded to stream music 24/7 with it. After about a month they finally figured it out and disabled the SIM card.

 

[Rydfree]

You should have kept it until the next time you fly commercially and stow it under the seat.
They would be getting reports of a Bronco going 600 mph.

Ford Credit - Have you seen that Bronco lately ?

Dealership - Well, I do have its current location......

 

[JustWideman]

Tracking is all on the app now anyways and Ford, dealers, law can tap in and find you, in theory...

The dealer lot security probably trying to do everything to prevent theft of inventory. Once your car is financed it is out of their hands and the banks problem to repo I think. Maybe Ford's financing works different, never used it.

 

[Danielsand]

On the flip side........if you have a good relationship with your dealer (a must!), you can always call him and ask where your wife is if she tells you that she has to work late.

 

[Rydfree]

On the flip side........if you have a good relationship with your dealer (a must!), you can always call him and ask where your wife is if she tells you that she has to work late.

Would "with me" be too good of a relationship ?

 

[zoober]

Had to check my port lol. No tracker on mine, which is weird because the dealer was just outside Memphis.

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