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⚡ Plugs in under 2 minutes. No tools, no shop visit.
Easy GPS Tracking in Detroit for Cars, Trucks and Small Fleets
Plug it into your car or work truck, open the app, and see where it is from anywhere in Detroit, from Corktown to Midtown. No wiring, no shop visit, no contract.
- Updates every 5 seconds
- No contract
- 30-day money-back
Quick answer: Detroit counted 6,391 auto thefts in 2025. A plug-in OBD-II tracker shows your car or truck live on your phone and alerts you the moment it moves, so you can tell police exactly where it is.
Choose your tracker
Two trackers, one app
One-time hardware price. Both show up on the same map.
ShadowAuto
$69.90+ plans from $12/mo · No contract
- Plugs into the OBD-II port. Never needs charging.
- Car Alarm alerts you if it moves while parked.
- Engine codes and unplug alerts.
ShadowTrack
$69.90+ plans from $12/mo · No contract
- Battery-powered. Runs for weeks on a charge.
- No OBD-II port needed: trailers, mowers, boats.
- Add the weatherproof magnetic case.
Detroit theft data
Car theft in Detroit by the numbers
6,391 auto thefts in 2025 was 23% fewer than in 2024, but that's still about 18 cars and trucks a day.
6,391
auto thefts in Detroit in 2025 (City of Detroit)
17,298
stolen in Michigan in 2025 (NICB)
23%
fewer Detroit auto thefts in 2025 than the 8,331 in 2024
#1
most stolen in Michigan in 2025: Jeep Grand Cherokee (NICB)
- Jeeps, Dodges and Rams lead. The Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango and Ram 1500 were Michigan's three most stolen vehicles in 2025, per NICB data reported by WDIV.
- Recovery calls can wait. Bridge Michigan reported that a stolen car recovery run is typically a lower priority call for Detroit police. Give officers the live location to help.
- A tracker is the backup. Lock it, take the keys, and use GPS so you know where it went. What to do if it's stolen.
Who it's for
Built for how Detroit drives
Trades & work trucks
Pickups and vans on job sites across the city. See every truck on one map, and get an alert if one moves after hours.
For business →Turo hosts near DTW
Know your car is where the renter said, with trip history for any dispute. Set a geofence around the airport lot.
For Turo hosts →Families on I-75 & I-94
Get an alert when your new driver gets to school, practice or home, and see each trip in the app.
Family guide →
How it works
Tracking in 3 easy steps
1
Plug it in
Plug ShadowAuto into the port under your dash. Every car and light truck since 1996 has one.
Is GPS tracking legal in Detroit? Yes, on vehicles you own or lease, or with the owner's consent. Putting a tracker on someone else's vehicle without consent is a misdemeanor under MCL 750.539l, punishable by up to 1 year and a $1,000 fine. Full Michigan tracking law.
Pricing
Simple pricing, no contract
$69.90 per tracker, one time. Then a plan per tracker, per month. Cancel any time.
| Trackers | Monthly | Quarterly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | $15/mo | $13/mo | $12/mo |
| 4+ (bulk order) | $13/mo | $11/mo | $10/mo |
Around town
Works across Detroit
Runs on Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile LTE-M networks, anywhere you have cell signal.
Downtown & Ford Field
Game days and garages. Share Location to find the car after.
Corktown
Street parking near Michigan Central. Arm Car Alarm overnight.
Midtown & New Center
Apartment lots and street parking. Movement alerts while parked.
Detroit Metro Airport (DTW)
Long trips out of Romulus. Check the car from your gate.
Eastern Market
Delivery vans and box trucks. Get an alert if one moves after hours.
Southwest Detroit
Work trucks near the Ambassador Bridge. Geofence the yard after hours.
Reviews
What our customers say
Rated 4.5 out of 5 across 205 reviews of ShadowAuto and ShadowTrack.
★★★★★
Perfect for peace of mind
"I bought this for my teenage daughter who just started driving. Setup was literally plug and play, took 2 minutes. The app is super intuitive too."
Sarah M. · Parent · ShadowAuto
★★★★★
Exactly what I needed for my fleet
"I run a small delivery business with 6 vans. Plugged it into each van, downloaded the app, and within minutes I could see all my vehicles on one dashboard."
Michael T. · Small business · ShadowAuto
★★★★★
Small business must-have
"The magnetic mount lets me move it between vehicles easily, and the tracking is always accurate. A fantastic investment for any small business."
Robert C. · Small fleet · ShadowTrack
FAQ
Common questions
Is it hard to set up?
No. ShadowAuto plugs into the OBD-II port under your dash in under 2 minutes, with no tools or wiring. ShadowTrack sits in a magnetic case.
Is there a monthly fee?
Yes. Live tracking uses a cell connection, so plans run $10 to $15 per tracker per month. No contract. Cancel any time.
Does it need a SIM card?
No. The connection is built in and covered by your plan.
Is GPS tracking legal in Detroit?
Yes, on vehicles you own or lease, or with the owner's consent. Detroit follows Michigan law, and putting a tracker on someone else's vehicle without consent is a misdemeanor under MCL 750.539l, punishable by up to 1 year and a $1,000 fine.
Can I check my car at DTW while I travel?
Yes. Open the app from your gate to see the car live, and set a geofence around the parking lot so you get an alert if it leaves.
Does it work in downtown Detroit parking garages?
Usually. Underground and thick concrete garages can weaken GPS and cell signal, so the map may show the last location until the car is back on the street.
What should I do if my car is stolen in Detroit?
Call Detroit police first and give them the live location from the app. Don't try to recover the car yourself.
How fast does it update?
Every 5 seconds while your car or truck is moving.
How do I order 4 or more trackers?
Bulk orders of 4 or more go through our team. Contact us and we'll set up the account and the 4+ rate.
More GPS tracking near Detroit
Plug it in today. Track it in 2 minutes, anywhere in Detroit.
Ordering 4 or more for your Detroit business? Our team will set it up for you.
Sources
- City of Detroit: 2025 crime announcement (auto thefts, 2024 and 2025)
- WDIV: most stolen cars in Michigan (NICB 2025 model data)
- NICB 2025 vehicle thefts by state (via FinanceBuzz) (state theft counts)
- Bridge Michigan: Detroit auto thefts and recovery calls (Detroit Police Department, 2025)
Also referenced: MCL 750.539l (see the Michigan page). Pricing current as of October 2026, in USD, per tracker. Some retailer links are affiliate links. Legal information is general and not legal advice; consult a Michigan attorney for your situation.