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⚡ Plugs in under 2 minutes. No tools, no shop visit.
Easy GPS Tracking in New York City for Cars, Trucks and Small Fleets
Plug it into your car or work van, open the app, and see where it is from anywhere in New York City, from Astoria to Bay Ridge. No wiring, no shop visit, no contract.
- Updates every 5 seconds
- No contract
- 30-day money-back
Quick answer: The NYPD counted 13,523 stolen vehicles in New York City in 2025. A plug-in OBD-II tracker shows your car or van 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.
New York City theft data
Car theft in New York City by the numbers
13,523 stolen in 2025 is about 37 cars and vans a day. Thefts are down again in 2026, but the New York metro still ranked second in the U.S. last year.
13,523
vehicles reported stolen in New York City in 2025 (NYPD)
27,138
stolen in the New York metro in 2025, 2nd in the U.S. (NICB)
11.2%
fewer NYPD car thefts, Jan 1 to Nov 1, 2026 vs 2025
#1
most stolen in New York State: Honda CR-V (Compare the Market)
- Hondas lead in New York State. The CR-V, Accord and Civic were the three most stolen models in a January 2026 Compare the Market study.
- Down, but not gone. NYPD CompStat still shows 10,244 car thefts citywide from January 1 to November 1, 2026.
- 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 New York City drives
Trades & work vans
Vans park on the street in all five boroughs. See every vehicle on one map, and get an alert if one moves after hours.
For business →Turo hosts near JFK & LaGuardia
Know your car is where the renter said, with trip history for any dispute. Set a geofence around your airport lot.
For Turo hosts →Families on the BQE & Belt Parkway
Get an alert when your new driver gets to school, work or home, and look back at every 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 New York City? Yes, on vehicles you own, or with the owner's consent. Under New York Penal Law 120.45, unauthorized GPS tracking of a person can be stalking in the fourth degree, a class B misdemeanor. Full New York 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 New York City
Runs on Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile LTE-M networks, anywhere you have cell signal.
JFK Airport
Long trips out of Queens. Check the car from your gate.
LaGuardia Airport
Short-term and long-term lots. Geofence the lot while you fly.
Hunts Point, Bronx
Delivery vans and box trucks. Get an alert if one moves after hours.
Red Hook & Sunset Park
Warehouses and work vans on the Brooklyn waterfront. Geofence the yard.
Midtown Manhattan
Garages and street parking. The map keeps the last location underground.
Staten Island
Commutes on the Staten Island Expressway. Trip history for new drivers.
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 New York City?
Yes, on vehicles you own, or with the owner's consent. New York City follows New York State law, and under Penal Law 120.45, unauthorized GPS tracking of a person can be stalking in the fourth degree, a class B misdemeanor.
Can I check my car at JFK or LaGuardia 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 Manhattan 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 New York City?
Call the NYPD 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 New York City
Plug it in today. Track it in 2 minutes, anywhere in New York City.
Ordering 4 or more for your New York City business? Our team will set it up for you.
Sources
- NYPD CompStat citywide report (grand larceny auto, 2025 total and 2026 to Nov 1)
- NICB: U.S. vehicle thefts experience historic decline (2025 metro area totals)
- Hudson Valley Post: most stolen vehicles in New York (Compare the Market study, January 2026)
Also referenced: New York Penal Law 120.45 (see the New York 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 New York attorney for your situation.