Here is a better example: try to take the radio out of any modern car and stick it back in yourself. When power is lost it will require an activation code from the dealership. This is an anti-theft feature that consumers pay for when they buy the car.

If you fail to register your purchase (harder to do with a car, but stick with me) and go to the dealership, you won't get the activation code. This is literally what happened to OP.

But nobody tells you that FindMy is necessary to register your purchase.

Except that the OP had an option _not_ to enable the activation code... which might not be the case on car radios.

I would have gladly disabled that misfeature on my old car if I could've. It was always a huge pain to find the activation code, and having to contact a dealer and jump through their hoops is a huge hassle.

The funny thing is that for this particular car, removing the radio (really the full navigation head unit) would have been a major undertaking, requiring specialized tools and quite a bit of time. If a thief has that much time and expertise, losing the radio is the least of my worries.

The dealership will give you an activation code.

It's no different than say....keys

Exactly. Both require you to show proof of ownership by registering your purchase.

Huh, that's not been my experience.

Next time you might try a different dealer, or a locksmith.

I am a licensed locksmith and consult on auto theft. If you have dealt with a dealership that provided unlock codes without proper paperwork feel free to shoot me an email (in my profile) and I will get it escalated up to the manufacturer.