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⚡ Plugs in under 2 minutes. No tools, no shop visit.
Easy GPS Tracking in San Diego for Cars, Trucks and Small Fleets
Plug it into your car or truck, open the app, and see where it is from anywhere in San Diego, from Pacific Beach to Otay Mesa. No wiring, no shop visit, no contract.
- Updates every 5 seconds
- No contract
- 30-day money-back
Quick answer: San Diego recorded 3,390 motor vehicle thefts in 2025, down from 4,172 in 2024. A plug-in OBD-II tracker shows your car 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.
San Diego theft data
Car theft in San Diego by the numbers
3,390 thefts in 2025 is about 9 cars and trucks a day. Otay Mesa saw the most, followed by Pacific Beach and North Park.
3,390
motor vehicle thefts in San Diego in 2025 (Times of San Diego)
136,988
vehicles stolen in California in 2025 (NICB)
25.7%
fewer thefts in San Diego County, 2025 vs 2024 (CHP)
#1
most stolen in San Diego: Jeep Wrangler
- Jeeps top the list. The Jeep Wrangler was the most stolen vehicle in San Diego in 2025, per Times of San Diego.
- Otay Mesa leads the city. Otay Mesa had 419 thefts in 2025, more than any other neighborhood. Pacific Beach was next with 173.
- 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 San Diego drives
Fleets & trucks in Otay Mesa
The city's top theft area is also a busy truck district. Geofence the yard and get an alert if a truck leaves after hours.
For business →Turo hosts near San Diego airport
Know your car is where the renter said, with trip history for any dispute. Set a geofence around your lot.
For Turo hosts →Families on I-5 & I-15
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 San Diego? Yes, on any vehicle you own or lease, or with the registered owner's consent. Using a tracker to follow a person without that consent is a misdemeanor under California Penal Code 637.7. Full California 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 San Diego
Runs on Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile LTE-M networks, anywhere you have cell signal.
Otay Mesa
Most thefts in the city in 2025. Geofence trucks and yards.
Pacific Beach
Second for thefts in 2025. Get an alert if a street-parked car moves.
North Park
Also on the 2025 top list. Arm Car Alarm overnight.
San Ysidro
Also on the 2025 top list. Check the car from the app.
Midway District
Fifth for thefts in 2025. Turn on movement alerts.
Downtown & Gaslamp
Garages and event parking. Check the last location when you're back.
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 San Diego?
Yes, on any vehicle you own or lease, or with the registered owner's consent. San Diego follows California law, and using a tracker to follow a person without that consent is a misdemeanor under Penal Code 637.7.
Can I watch my Jeep while I'm at the beach?
Yes. Open the app to see it live, and turn on Car Alarm so you get an alert if it moves. Pacific Beach had the second most thefts in San Diego in 2025.
Does it work in parking garages?
Usually. Thick concrete garages can weaken GPS and cell signal, so the map may show the last location until the car is back in the open.
What should I do if my car is stolen in San Diego?
Call the San Diego Police Department 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 San Diego
Plug it in today. Track it in 2 minutes, anywhere in San Diego.
Ordering 4 or more for your San Diego business? Our team will set it up for you.
Sources
- Times of San Diego: stolen cars drop in San Diego (2025 city theft counts, models and neighborhoods)
- NICB: U.S. vehicle thefts experience historic decline (2025 state and metro area totals)
- CHP: 2025 California vehicle theft facts (county totals and most stolen models, 2025)
Also referenced: California Penal Code 637.7 (see the California 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 California attorney for your situation.