Your daily coffee run shouldn’t end with discovering your Silverado vanished from the parking lot. But a new class action lawsuit claims GM’s keyless entry systems make that scenario disturbingly easy. The lawsuit alleges that criminals can intercept your key fob’s signal and clone it using inexpensive electronic devices, turning your truck into a 30-second theft target.
The technical vulnerabilities read like a hacker’s wishlist. Thieves can capture and replay your key fob’s wireless signal through relay attacks, creating a duplicate key without touching yours.
Even worse, they can access your truck‘s onboard diagnostics port (that little connector under your dashboard) and plug in devices bought online to program entirely new key fobs. Think of it as giving criminals admin access to your vehicle’s security system.
The lawsuit, Jeremy Burkett v. General Motors Company, targets popular models including the Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, and Silverado; GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, and Sierra; plus Cadillac Escalade variants. These aren’t obscure edge cases—we’re talking about some of America’s best-selling trucks and SUVs spanning 2010 to present model years.
What makes this particularly frustrating for owners is GM’s alleged awareness of these vulnerabilities. The lawsuit claims the automaker has known about the security flaws but hasn’t issued recalls, provided software fixes, or even adequately warned customers.
This mirrors the recent Hyundai and Kia theft surge, where basic security oversights became criminal opportunities that went viral on social media.
Current GM owners face mounting consequences: increased insurance premiums, diminished resale values, and the psychological stress of constantly worrying about theft. Some report avoiding certain parking situations entirely, limiting how they use vehicles they paid full price for.
Until GM addresses these vulnerabilities, you can protect yourself with practical steps. Store key fobs in Faraday pouches or boxes that block wireless signals, park in locked garages when possible, and keep fobs away from doors and windows where signals can be intercepted.
Your convenience features shouldn’t become security liabilities, and manufacturers need to remember that protecting customers is just as important as impressing them.
