Where is the GPS Located in Cars?

For some cars with built-in GPS trackers, the tracking device can be found under the dashboard near the OBD port. It can also be placed under the car seats or floor seats. Magnetic GPS trackers are often attached to the bumper or chassis of the car.

Most common GPS tracker locations are as follows:

• Under the dashboard near the steering column or plugged into the OBD-II port.
• Under the seats attached to the seat frame or tucked into upholstery.
• Inside the glove compartment hidden among papers or clipped to the inner lining.
• In the trunk concealed near the spare tire or behind panels.
• Under the car magnetically attached to the undercarriage or frame.
• Inside bumpers or wheel wells and hard to spot without a mirror or flashlight.
• Behind the stereo or center console for hardwired units.
• In the engine bay near the firewall (less common due to heat exposure).

Cars may also have a little shark fin on top called a shark fin antenna (see photo). It often houses multiple antennas inside one sleek, aerodynamic shell. Depending on the vehicle, it can include:

• GPS antenna for navigation systems
• AM/FM radio reception
• Cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity for telematics and infotainment
• Satellite radio support
• Keyless entry or Bluetooth modules in some models

It may contain a GPS antenna, but it’s not a GPS tracker in the surveillance sense. 

GPS trackers in cars provide real-time information regarding the vehicle’s location, speed, direction, and distance. They use a satellite network that transmits signals between the satellites and tracking devices, and they work even in areas with limited cell phone service. Some vehicles have a wireless GPS tracker, while others have a hard-wired GPS tracking device.

The exact location of GPS tracking devices can vary depending on your vehicle’s year, make, and model. In some models of the Toyota Corolla, for example, the GPS tracker is mounted near the kick panel above the pedals.

Tips on How to Access the GPS

Accessing a hard-wired GPS tracker on a car can be complicated because it’s connected to the vehicle’s battery. Because of this, it’s best to ask a mechanic to access or disable it for you.

Not all cars come with a GPS tracker, so be sure to double-check with your manufacturer or dealer if you’re unsure. If you find an unknown GPS tracker on your car, don’t panic. File a police report, and ask a mechanic for help if you can’t remove it by yourself.