Toyota Australia has started selling a factory-backed answer to one of the most stressful problems facing 4WD owners right now: having the car stolen off the driveway. It is a genuine accessory called a secondary immobiliser, and it is available for the current LandCruiser 300 Series and LandCruiser Prado 250 Series at Toyota dealers for $1735 fitted.
That is a lot to pay for peace of mind on a car you have already spent six figures on. So it is worth understanding exactly what you are buying before a dealer adds it to your order.
What the secondary immobiliser actually does
The system sits on top of the standard factory immobiliser and adds a second layer of start authentication. In plain terms, the engine will not start unless a separate key-ring security fob is in range, alongside your normal Toyota key. You get that fob and a spare.
Installation takes roughly five hours, so it is a workshop job rather than a quick counter sale. The accessory is covered for the remainder of your new-car warranty, or two years from the date it is fitted, whichever runs longer.
Toyota is upfront about the limits here. The company says the device improves security but does not guarantee complete theft protection. That honesty matters, because no aftermarket or factory add-on stops a determined thief with a tow truck.
Why Toyota is doing this now
This is not marketing for the sake of it. Vehicle theft in Australia is climbing, and Toyota 4WDs are squarely in the crosshairs.
According to the Insurance Council of Australia, motor theft claims rose 2.5 per cent nationally in 2025. Victoria was the standout, with claims up 25 per cent to more than 12,500, and the cost of those claims rising 37 per cent to around $243 million.
Much of the problem traces back to keyless entry. Thieves use relay devices that capture and rebroadcast the signal from a key fob sitting inside your home, tricking the car into thinking the key is present. A second, independent fob that has to be physically near the car breaks that chain, which is the whole point of the upgrade.
It is not just the LandCruiser and Prado
Toyota has been quietly hardening security across its range. Through 2025 it rolled out upgrades to the LandCruiser 300, Prado and HiLux, and it says those enhancements are continuing on newer models such as the latest RAV4. The company is also studying whether to offer this same fitted secondary immobiliser on more models.
The takeaway for buyers is simple: if you are shopping a popular, high-theft-risk Toyota, ask what security is standard and what costs extra before you sign.
Is $1735 worth it?
That depends on your postcode, your insurer and how you park. If you live in a hotspot, an extra authentication layer can be the difference between a frustrated thief moving on and an empty driveway in the morning. Some insurers may also look more favourably on a car with an approved immobiliser, so it is worth a phone call before you decide.
What you should not do is let a dealer bundle it in as a non-negotiable line item. It is an accessory, it can be fitted later, and the $1735 is a fair thing to raise when you are negotiating the total drive-away figure. On a LandCruiser 300 or Prado, where dealers already work with long waitlists and firm pricing, every add-on is a line you are allowed to question.
If you are still weighing up which 4WD to buy, Carseekers does the haggling for you: we take your chosen LandCruiser 300 or Prado spec to our dealer network and bring back competing drive-away offers, so you are not stuck accepting the first price or the first accessory upsell. It is worth reading our Prado 250 buyer's guide before you commit.
And because a $100,000-plus 4WD is usually financed, the finance is the other place buyers quietly overpay. Rather than sign whatever rate the dealer's finance desk offers, Loanseekers compares more than 70 lenders so you can see if a cheaper repayment exists before you commit. Getting the car price and the loan right is how you keep the real cost of ownership down, security accessory included.
The finer details
Your questions answered.
How much does Toyota's secondary immobiliser cost?
It is $1735 fitted at Toyota dealers. That price includes installation, which takes around five hours, plus a security key-ring fob and a spare. It is a genuine accessory, so it is covered for the remainder of your new-car warranty or two years from fitment, whichever is longer.
Which Toyota models can get the secondary immobiliser?
For now it is offered on the current LandCruiser 300 Series and Prado 250 Series. Toyota rolled out broader security upgrades across the LandCruiser 300, Prado and HiLux during 2025, and is studying whether to offer this fitted secondary immobiliser on more models.
How does the Toyota secondary immobiliser stop theft?
It adds a second layer of start authentication on top of the factory immobiliser. The engine will not start unless a separate security fob is physically in range, alongside your normal key. That defeats relay attacks, where thieves capture and rebroadcast the signal from a key fob sitting inside your house.
Is car theft actually getting worse in Australia?
Yes. The Insurance Council of Australia reported motor theft claims rose 2.5 per cent nationally in 2025. Victoria was worst hit, with claims up 25 per cent to more than 12,500 and their cost rising 37 per cent to around $243 million.
Does the secondary immobiliser guarantee my car won't be stolen?
No, and Toyota says so directly. It improves security and is a strong deterrent against keyless relay theft, but it does not guarantee complete protection. No factory or aftermarket device stops a determined thief using a tow truck, so it is one layer, not a cure-all.
Can I refuse to pay for it when buying a LandCruiser or Prado?
Yes. It is an optional accessory, not a mandatory charge, and it can be fitted later. If a dealer adds the $1735 to your order, treat it as negotiable and factor it into your total drive-away price. Carseekers can take your spec to competing dealers so you are not stuck with the first offer.
