GR86 Vehicle Security

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I've just emailed ToL again and copied in the sales manager at my dealership, using Chris Mc's message as a template.

I added this line: "This is a clear case of being mis-sold a product and reminds me of why I cancelled my first order for a GR86 last year, never mind the issue that lots of Toyota customers could be driving with invalid insurance due to this error."

Let's see what we get back, but it's quite a serious issue if it would make people's insurance invalid.

BTW I'm not cancelling this time, I just hope it comes with all four wheels!
 
On the insurance front, it'll only be invalid if you knowingly give false information. Insurer reps on forums have said this all along. Toyota have said it had an alarm (initially) so anyone telling the insurer that is ok. Anyone saying standard manufacturer security is fine also. The issue is for those who now know there is no alarm and told their insurer there is one...
 
Just joined the forum to talk about this! Thanks to those who have done the detective work, here's my email to customer relations.

Hi

When I made the order in the subject line, this was on the understanding that the car would come installed with a Thatcham approved alarm system. I was pleased to see that the email instructing me to purchase drive-home insurance confirmed that the car was installed with an alarm and immobiliser. I am therefore very surprised to learn from online sources, not yourselves, that this is not the case and the car does not have an alarm.

I expect that Toyota will issue a recall, or cover the costs for third-party installation. Please confirm receipt of this email and what plans Toyota has in place to address this issue.

Regards
 
I've just been told my car has arrived and will be collecting on Monday.

I never got a reply from Toyota about the alarm whilst some people here have got one. I have just emailed them to say that before I make my payment, I'd like them to confirm whether the car comes with an alarm or not - I already know the answer but thought I would express my disatisfaction if there wasn't an alarm, it is on record and that I would expect my car to be 'rectified' should they decide to do so in future after everyone else compains!
Otherwise they'd may just miss me out in future assuming I was 'happy' to not have an alarm in my car.

I'm no lawyer and not really sure if it makes any difference - I really want the car having waited so long and it's something I'm willing to overlook but a dissappintment neverless to not have something so basic!

Checked the cost to switch the insurance over from my existing car and they never asked me about the security on the car so I'm not lying about it to them.
 
Further to my previous post I got a reply as follows:

"We have currently been advised that the GR86 does not come with an alarm, please accept my apologises for the delay in getting back to you on this, please rest assured this matter is being taken very seriously and I am providing information as soon as it becomes available. "

Am I too optimistic to think the wording seems to suggest that something will be done about it rather than them just saying "there's no alarm and take it or leave it"?

I have replied to say that I will proceed with the purchase on the assumption that something will be done about it in future.
 
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MatC said:
Further to my previous post I got a reply as follows:

"We have currently been advised that the GR86 does not come with an alarm, please accept my apologises for the delay in getting back to you on this, please rest assured this matter is being taken very seriously and I am providing information as soon as it becomes available. "

Am I too optimistic to think the wording seems to suggest that something will be done about it rather than them just saying "there's no alarm and take it or leave it"?

I have replied to say that I will proceed with the purchase on the assumption that something will be done about it in future.
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I think this situation is causing them some issues, I raised my question with them 5 weeks ago tomorrow and I have had back a "we are looking into it and will get back to you" responses. It doesn't take that long to say no it doesn't have an alarm. They misrepresented its spec and buyers expect a premium car to have a full suite of security systems, it's 2023 not 1983.

You can say what you like about car alarms being ignored but if it became general knowledge among the car stealing community they have no alarm that may increase the theft risk as a thief would know they have as long as they want in peace during the night to try and overcome the immobiliser. The delay must mean they are concerned about possible rectification/recall costs and how to appease buyers of one of its halo products not to mention the bad PR it will bring to take the shine off the good press the car has received to date.
 
Toyota finally admitted to me that the car doesn't have an alarm, but they then asked me to provide proof that it should have one.

So I sent them the full spec sheet for my car's VIN, pointing out where it says "alarm+immobiliser" :p

Their reply finished off with: "we are unable to advise anything further on the matter".

So I replied and said that an aftermarket alarm would be fine and I'll wait to hear back from Toyota regarding this.

Bit of a mess really, but not that surprising given previous issues.
 
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Is anyone here friends with a motoring jurno that could help put a bit of a fire under them ?
 
v8s said:
You can say what you like about car alarms being ignored but if it became general knowledge among the car stealing community they have no alarm that may increase the theft risk as a thief would know they have as long as they want in peace during the night to try and overcome the immobiliser. The delay must mean they are concerned about possible rectification/recall costs and how to appease buyers of one of its halo products not to mention the bad PR it will bring to take the shine off the good press the car has received to date.
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I’d sooner not have a hamfisted muppet at a Toyota dealership pulling off trims, drilling holes in things and opening the car up to a host of rattles and/or water ingress and corrosion. All that said I do share the concern that the lack of an alarm presents other issues.

Mine may spend most of its life tucked in the garage with an alarm and CCTV protecting it but once away from the house they’re of little benefit if some thieving scrote decides they want to break into it or pinch it!
 
Hachi-roku said:
Is anyone here friends with a motoring jurno that could help put a bit of a fire under them ?
Click to expand...
Part of me wonders whether we should really be making such a big noise (hah!) about this. After all, an alarm is only really a deterrent, so if it becomes widely publicised that we don't have one, the car might become a more attractive target for thieves.
 
Signed up to GR Zoo to weigh in on this. I have emailed Toyota to get my name on the list. Staying polite but showing receipts (I recommend others print their spec sheet). Here’s a template if anyone wants to use it:

“Good afternoon,

I took delivery of my GR86 (registration XX73 XXX) in September under the impression that it had an alarm and immobiliser. This information was shared with me prior to purchase, while getting a quote for drive home insurance, and still shows on my spec sheet on https://www.toyota-tech.eu/Menu/Repair (printout attached).

I have recently been made aware that an alarm is not fitted to the vehicle and wanted to raise this as a concern. I believe this issue is already being actively investigated within Toyota UK, please keep me apprised of any developments as you work towards a solution.

Many thanks,
Craig.”

My insurance states “manufacturer fitted” so I’m not too concerned at the moment. Possibly naive of me, but I do wonder whether an alarm of sorts could be programmed in via a software update. There’s a bunch of sensors in the car and it has lights and a horn…
 
craig_16 said:
Possibly naive of me, but I do wonder whether an alarm of sorts could be programmed in via a software update. There’s a bunch of sensors in the car and it has lights and a horn…
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The foreign (US?) video showing the activation of the alarm does show it as the most basic form of alarm i.e. it sounds the horn if the door is opened, it doesn't have a separate siren with its own power source (even my MX5 has that) So adding a bonnet open sensor shouldn't be too difficult and maybe a ultrasonic sensor in the cabin and then doing the rest via software shouldn't be that difficult, but then again I haven't worked on car electronics for years and certainly nothing that has ECU's so what do I know.
 
GR-Admin said:
This is the link to the Toyota GB press page for the GR86.

media.toyota.co.uk

GR86 (1st generation, 2021–2025) - Toyota Media Site

media.toyota.co.uk media.toyota.co.uk

The equipment list makes no mention of an alarm, just immobiliser. The file appears to have been updated 23/1/23.

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I put my VIN in here and got full details of what it's supposed to have: www.toyota-tech.eu

Mind you, the spec also says it comes with Mud Guards.... 🙃
 
GR-Admin said:
This is the link to the Toyota GB press page for the GR86.

media.toyota.co.uk

GR86 (1st generation, 2021–2025) - Toyota Media Site

media.toyota.co.uk media.toyota.co.uk

The equipment list makes no mention of an alarm, just immobiliser. The file appears to have been updated 23/1/23.

Click to expand...

Does seem consistent with Toyota UK’s unwavering inconsistency. Spec I and others had or pulled from the app when ordering the car listing alarm immobiliser, owners sent links with preselected alarm immobiliser or instructions to select when setting up drive away insurance and some forum members being told no the car does not have an alarm whilst others are told they are looking into it.

Clusterduck is the word that springs to mind!
 
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Fairly sure Toyota GB are monitoring this thread. In my post I said “to get my name on the list”, but in my email I made no mention of any theoretical list of people who have raised this, I just asked to be kept “apprised of any developments”. Well their response says “We do not have a list specifically to add your name to regarding the alarm but we are logging customers feedback in order to share within TGB.”. May just be a coincidence, but the wording seems a little too similar!
 
Update from ToL:

"It will be your choice whether to proceed with your purchase of the vehicle under the current circumstances and specifications. I cannot comment on whether there will be any further development on this, and your purchase should be made on the basis of current knowledge and understanding.

Should there be any further advice or comments surrounding the topic, I will reach out to inform you but must caveat that there may be nothing further. "

It's an interesting approach to take to selling goods and looking after customers......

I work in distribution and can't imagine having to say that to a customer - "sorry we decided not to supply a part of the product that we have entered into a contract for, but we're not going to do anything about it. If you're bothered, just don't buy it" Comedy gold!
 
That has the distinct aroma of being told to f off as they feel there’s another customer to replace you waiting in line that won’t question the situation. Poor customer handling either by someone not fit for the job, an indication of endemic arrogance in the organisation as a result of the press fawning over the car or a combination of both may be at play.

What I can say for certain is I won’t be buying another Toyota in the future having seen the various issues unfold. My other half is due a replacement car and one on her shortlist had been another model in their range but I’ll be ruling that out now.
 
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Lets keep this thread civilised please. Carry on.
 
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