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Lost car keys? Don’t panic and read our advice

By Toyota Blog
lost car keys

Lost car keys are no reason to panic. Although losing your car key is always inconvenient, it doesn’t have to be the end of the world – and your Toyota dealer can certainly help. Read on for our advice on what to do if your car keys go walkabout.

What should I do if I’ve lost one of my car keys?

Don’t worry. Usually cars come with two sets of keys. If you are in possession of another key and want a replacement for your main key, your Toyota dealer can supply a new one for you relatively simply.

Give them a call (find their details here) and arrange an appointment. They can examine your car and the remaining key, and organise for a new key to be ordered, cut and programmed for you. It usually takes one or two days to arrange lost car keys in this way.

If you do not live within close proximity of a Toyota centre, many police forces recommend contacting a member of the Master Locksmiths Association.

Keyless entry

What should I do if I’ve lost all of my car keys?

This is a trickier scenario. If you don’t have any of your car keys and your car has remote locking or other similar features, it will likely have a code that will need to be reprogrammed. It’s also possible that your car will need a new ECU. Toyota has to comply with legal standards when supplying security products, so each process must be carried out by the book.

Due to the security technology within a key and the work involved in replacing lost car keys, losing all your keys can be expensive. The exact costs varies by model but will usually be several hundred pounds or even more. It will also usually take one or two days for the keys to be ordered, cut and programmed.

If you cannot move your car due to lost car keys, you may need to arrange for it to be recovered to your dealer. And if you do not live within close proximity of a Toyota centre, many police forces recommend contacting a member of the Master Locksmiths Association.

What should I do if I’ve locked them in the car?

Locking the keys in a car is a rarer problem than a few years ago, as smart entry or keys with transponders make it much harder to do.

However, if you do manage to lock your keys in the car you should call Toyota Roadside Assistance or your breakdown provider.

Do you have any other advice?

True, this might not sound very helpful if you have lost your keys, but the best course of action is to not lose sight of them in the first place. Get into the habit of keeping your keys in a regular place. Whatever suits you, as long as it’s safe and out of immediate sight.

If your car has so-called ‘keyless entry’, we recommend not leaving your key fob anywhere close to where you park your car, because it could present an opportunity for thieves to use a device known as a ‘relay transmitter’ to remotely access your car.

Why are car keys expensive?

While it might seem that cars keys are simple – they just open the car, right? – they are actually pretty complex. This is one of the reasons why Toyota Car Insurance policies include key cover (vehicle, house and office) as one of the many benefits for policy holders.

From remote locking to keyless entry and start for more recent models, a key can contain a sender, receiver, the physical key itself and other parts – most importantly, the coding that lets it only communicate with your car. It’s the reprogramming process that costs money, as strict control is needed over codes. Like other manufacturers, Toyota must comply with regional standards.

Depending on the car you have, parts may need to be ordered and this can take time. Re-coding keys can be relatively straightforward but nevertheless takes time and labour.

Read more How to look after your car’s rubber

246 comments

  1. I contacted toyota insurance over 12 weeks ago when I lot a set of keys.
    They passed me all over the place and eventually to a very rude key assistant who refused to email the details I required .
    I paid for key cover on my expensive insurance .
    I then complained to Toyota insurance who contacted my local dealer and said my complaint was against my dealer !
    It’s NOT
    I just want a key is it too much to ask ?
    And without paying near £500
    Please advise ! ASAP
    MY NEXT STOP IS THE OMBUDSMAN

    Reply

  2. 2 weeks ago I visited a mate who lives approx 1/2. mile from the end pf a runway to a large civil airport. I left the rear door open on the rav as it was so warm and the car was unlocked. After approx 6 hrs I went to start the car …nothing but all the lights on the dash were lit correctly and the car had a new battery installed 3 months before..starter motor spinning over really good….never had this problem. So I started ”googling” and decided to unplug the alarm ( original Toyota TVSS1B alarm.immobilser ) and then tried the ignition again – nothing …tried a couple more times – unplug / plug and then it started…plugged the alarm back in while it was running and the engine died. Unplugged and it started…left running for 10 mins , plugged the alarm back in and the engine kept running…set off home and all went well until yesterday . The car is kept in a garage but the car is left unlocked and the windows open . I went start it and same result – lights on but not starting …tried the alarm routine – nothing…Tried the other keys ( I have the two black keys and the grey key ) and the two keys work ok. Tried the usual key and it wouldn’t start but when I hold another key near the ignition barrel it starts , runs for a minute then dies…The other keys work ok..

    This is really puzzling as I have never had any starting problems / false alarm activations etc since I have owned the car from new in 1998. I have all the original Toyota keys as suppled when new .

    Can the RFID chip in the key become faulty over time ?

    Can I get a new key reprogrammed – to keep as a spare and use one of the original black keys for day to day use.

    Vehicle is a 1998 rav 4 gx 5 door – owned from new. Many thanks in advance

    Reply

    1. Hello Simon,
      Thanks for your questions.
      We recommend contacting your Toyota Centre for assistance with this query, so that they can physically inspect this issue.
      Thanks.

      Reply

  4. Hi, I’ve just bought a new Toyota. It came with two keys but no key number plate tag. Should it have had a tag?

    Reply

  5. I recently bought a brand new Toyota CHR from Currie Motors in Kingston. When I picked up the car the salesman surreptitiously said, “Oh, by the way, you’re only getting one key, but don’t worry because you will get the other one soon.” That was three weeks ago and I still don’t have it. Toyota claims that there is a shortage and they had no idea that I wouldn’t get two keys when I ordered the car. I read that this is now Toyota’s policy and has been so since November! The sales guy said, “I had no idea whatsoever that you wouldn’t get two keys until the day I came to pick up the vehicle.” What a bunch of BS!!! I have had three Toyotas over the years and was just getting ready to sell my 2nd car to get a Corolla. Well, I won’t be buying another Toyota ever!!! Throughout all of this Currie Motors has literally acted as though they have absolutely no responsibility for this. Terrible- DON’T BUY FROM TOYOTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply

    2. Same thing happened to me today. Collected my new Land Cruiser, and told at collection that I’m only getting one key as there’s a “worldwide shortage of Toyota keys”. Dealer said there’s nothing they can do and suggested I “contact Toyota to see if I can get the rest of the keys at a future date” – but they took no responsibility for this, and I was left with the impression that I should never expect the extra keys.

      Reply

      2. Just seen your post which is worrying as I’ve been waiting for my second key fob for my new C-HR since January. The dealer keeps changing the story/excuse. Have you had any luck? They’ll take your money quickly enough so it’s a shame something basic isn’t covered properly!

    4. We bought new CHR Sport in March. Like you, we were told on pick up we only get 1 key and other would arrive in a few weeks.
      Still not received. Did you ever receive yours.
      So angry.

      Reply

  6. Dropped my key down the drain how much will it be to get a replacement for a Toyota chr 2020 I have spare keys.
    I need an estimate please asap

    Thank you

    Reply

    1. Hi Alisha, thanks for your comment.

      Your Toyota Centre are best placed to advise you on the price of a new key.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  7. My immobiliser won’t let me start my Toyota previa 2002model I have tried to buy a code but Toyota said they can reprogram my fob for £144 it is not forced to work if it doesn’t work £200 for a key the car is not worth that I need My car I am disabled

    Reply

  8. I only have the fob which is fine to open and start the car… until the battery goes flat. How simple is it to get a replacement key? It’s an import Toyota Alphard.

    Reply

    1. Hi David, thanks for your question.

      Unfortunately, we cannot advise on imported vehicles.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  9. I have had my brand new Toyota CHR since the beginning of March 2023 and I still only have ONE key! When I took delivery of my new car I was told by the salesman that there was a “global shortage” of keys so he was unable to give me two keys….. apparently the global shortage is still a thing and I still only have ONE key! He was most unhelpful and rather flippant about the fact! I would usually leave my car at the train station when going into London for work and then hubby would get back to the station after his day at work and take the car, with the spare key, and then pick me up later in the day….. but we haven’t been able to do this since getting the car so now have to pay for two cars to park each day so it’s really impacting our routines and our bank account!!
    I am so upset with the customer service I have received from my local dealer, this is my third CHR so as a loyal customer I would have thought better. The whole experience of buying my third Toyota has been a shambles and I could go on about my experience received from the local branch but this post is about keys… or the lack of my key!! Come on Toyota, you are on the cusp of losing a loyal customer as this simply is not good enough, the lack of information and care has been greatly lacking and totally out of order!! I am one very disillusioned and upset customer who will probably never go over the threshold of a Toyota showroom again!! I wonder when the “global shortage” will end and whether I will ever get my second key!

    Reply

  10. We bought new CHR Sport in March. Like you, we were told on pick up we only get 1 key and other would arrive in a few weeks.
    Still not received. Did you ever receive yours.
    So angry.

    Reply

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