For those awaiting second key for their new 4runner

I know this has been discussed but…
Got this after calling my salesman.
Looks like if you lose the one key you are parked for a long time.
Any suggestions?

 

WTF..!! Now they are giving just 1 key? That's stupid IMO.

Its crazy my previous 4Runner had 3 keys..!! 2 main keys and 1 valet key.

I wonder if Toyota is going down hill. Now I'm paying lot of money for subscription services and newer owners face this sh*t?

 

An aftermarket source might be worth exploring.

 

Has anyone on the forum had verified success with one of these?

I walked away from a Bronco order to avoid these type problems. Definitely no regrets because Ford is having a lot more issues with the Bronco and the company overall.
But the one key went in my hand after the paperwork was signed and check written.
And then I was told I would receive the second key in “probably a couple weeks”.
Disappointed at the very least.

 

Actually they are not giving any keys, just smart keys. However Toyota is going to stop offering smart keys/push to start and just regular ones on some vehicles due to the issues with the smart keys.

 

Wonder if Lexus is having the same issue. Although dealer only gave us the smart key

 

I bought a few weeks ago. I was given one key fob with valet key and a 2nd valet key..... no 2nd fob. If I lose the fob I figured I still have the 2nd valet key as a back up. Am I assuming correctly here?.... the valet key will start the 4r?

 

My understanding is the metal key only unlocks the door as shown in the above notice.

 

If it is push to start the valet key wont start the 4R.

 

Correct.
Its of no use for the valet.
Its a door key. useless if you like i do already have the key pad.

 

Yikes, glad I saw this. I didn't know the valet key didn't start the vehicle.

 

Yep. Better put a huge key chain on that thing until you get a spare one way or the other.
I am researching after market as well. With the shifting technology and availability, I will feel better with 3 fobs after Toyota finally delivers as I hope to keep the 4R a very long time.

 

Yep - not sure why they even give you the 2nd mechanical key without the fob. The mechanical keys are not valet keys - they will not start the engine. I think the mechanical keys are hidden in the key fob in case the battery in the key fob weakens to the point it will not unlock the doors. You can then pull the mechanical key from the fob, unlock the door, and hope there is enough battery power in the fob to allow you to start the engine with the push button. They gave us one key fob with mechanical key in it and one loose mechanical key when we picked up our 2023 4Runner about 6 weeks ago. They told us we would be contacted by Toyota and would likely received the 2nd key fob by ~April? I'm wondering now if when they eventually give me the 2nd fob if it will have a mechanical key in it - or will we have to insert the mechanical key they gave us (assume the later - if not, why even give it to us?). Based on the letter from Toyota at the top of this discussion production of 4Runners went back to two key fobs in January - so I would think they would be providing the 2nd key fob to all of us new 4Runner buyers fairly soon. But in the mean time - if you have one fob - and lose it/break it - you are hosed. I'm sure you can get to a Toyota dealer and they can provided you with a replacement - but until you can its gonna be parked where you left it. This has really been the only sore spot about our 4Runner buying experience. We decided to pull the trigger and replace the 2010 Tacoma I was driving with a new 4Runner. We live in mid-Missouri - so I contacted the nearby Toyota dealers as well as several in the STL and KC metro areas. Our local dealer put us on their allocation list for what we wanted. Nearly every other dealer contacted me and said they had no 4Runners on the lot, or on the way, that were not already sold. Assumed we would have to wait until our local dealer got allocated what we wanted. Couple days went by and Straatmann Toyota in Washington, MO (a little west of STL - about 100 miles from me) called me and said they had gotten a vehicle exactly like we wanted off the truck the day before. They said it was ours for $150 over MSRP - and we drove there the next day and got it. We were kind of happy to be lucky in getting exactly what we wanted so quickly - so we didn't gripe much about the one key fob thing. The 4Runner is my daily driver - my wife has only driven it one time - so at the time the thought of going awhile with one key fob didn't seem like a big deal - it certainly wasn't a big enough deal to not buy it. But the longer this goes - and knowing the mechanical keys don't really do much for you - gives me an uneasy feeling. I'm glad to hear that 4Runner production is back to two key fobs. Hopefully we'll get the 2nd one soon.

 

The thing that bothers me is newly built 4runners are being delivered with 2 keys while we are waiting. That sounds like the Bronco mess. Gives me a tummy ache.

 

FYI - page 512 of the owner's manual has a procedure for getting into the vehicle and starting it if the key fob won't unlock the door (like if the battery is depleted). You pull out the mechanical key to unlock the door - you then hold the Toyota emblem side of the key fob to the engine start/stop button. A buzzer will sound and the engine switch will turn to IGNITION ON mode. You can then press the brake pedal and press the start button to start the engine. Apparently the vehicle will sense the key like this even if the fob battery is dead/nearly dead. Sounds like a pain in the ass though - so better change the battery in the fob regularly. The manual also says the standard battery life = 1 to 2 years - so I'd probably change the battery once per year.

 

I took delivery of my 2023 TRDORP Jan. 6th. I believe it was built in November. I got one key fob with one mechanical key (no second mechanical key). It pisses me off to learn Toyota is now producing 4Runners and other models starting in January, delivered with two key fobs, while I (and many others) wait - until summer according to that Toyota letter -??? That is almost criminal! If for whatever reason you lose the smart fob, your car is worthless until you either pay the dealer (presumably) for a replacement, or wait til summer. As noted, without the fob, you can unlock the car with the mechanical key (if it wasn't still in the fob when you lost it), but you can't start it.

I am going to raise a little hell with Toyota Japan now!!!

 

I get why people are upset over having a single fob until a second is given. What makes me laugh is that you’re basing your purchasing decision on this, as if you will never get the fob. I’d rather get my 4Runner today with one fob and a second one later. Would you prefer Toyota store all of their vehicles, like Ford did at the racetrack, until 2 fobs are ready? Instead of getting your car now, you will get it 6 - 12 months after your car is at the port.

 

I’ve practiced using the FOB without a battery. Unlock with the key, climb in, hold the FOB up to you start button, then start as normal. I’ve gotten used to the push to start button, but I wouldn’t have been upset to have a key start.

 

Ummmm Who is saying that they were basing their purchasing decision on that???

 

Quote from my post above…

“Definitely no regrets because Ford is having a lot more issues”

 

No offense to you OP. It’s the way I perceived your comment.

 

Cool. No problem.
Just to be clear. I would definitely make the purchase again.

 

Yeah - I specifically said I did not base my purchasing decision on that. They didn't tell me about the one key fob deal until I went there to pick up the vehicle - but if they had told me I still would have purchased it. For exactly why steelevo mentioned - I'd rather have the new 4Runner with one fob than wait who knows how long to get one with 2 fobs. I don't get the impression that Toyota is going to stiff us on this - and if I get a 2nd fob within the timeframe the dealer told me it would happen - I'm fine with it. Just have to be careful with that one fob!

Spare Parts - good to know that you have use the fob without a battery to start the engine the way the owner's manual describes. I am glad that does work as you never know when a fob battery could crap out. Like you - I like the push button start - but could have lived with a key start. As long as I know I can still start the engine with a dead fob - I feel a lot better.

 

@shooter1231 That does suck to find after you get the keys. I’m pretty sure if they were transparent in the beginning, it wouldn’t have been such a shock.

 

A bad battery in a fob is one thing. But if you lose your fob you're up the creek.

 

Yeah - but you could have been given two fobs, lose your fob - and still be up shit creek. Typically (probably like most households) I have a key for each vehicle and my wife has the other. If I lose/break my fob and my wife is with me - not a big deal - until you have to pay to replace the fob. But, if my wife is not with me - its a big deal because you can't start the vehicle. If you are far from home - and the 2nd fob is at home - a lost/broken fob could be a huge pain in the ass. But that is about what you would have if you were far from home, lost a mechanical key, and the other mechanical key was at home. Not quite as bad as only having 1 fob/key - you can probably get the other key from home much quicker than you could get the fob/key replaced at a Toyota dealer - but there are certainly scenarios where losing a fob/key would be a huge PITA even if you had a replacement somewhere. Seems like maybe there should be a way to start the vehicle without a fob at all - otherwise what is the big deal about having push button start rather than turning a key. Yeah you can leave the fob in your pocket and just push the button - but you have to have the fob out, or at least get your hand on it, to unlock the door - so then having to insert the key and turn it rather than just push a button is really not that big of a deal. Of course you would have to have a secure way to do it - I recall cars with combo lock buttons to unlock the door - but I don't think I would want that. Need a way to get into the vehicle, the vehicle knows it is you, and lets you start the engine - with no key or fob. Could probably scan fingerprints or something - but you are probably adding a significant cost to the vehicle. Don't know - but when you really think about it - the key fob/push button start is not that much more convenient than a lock/unlock fob with key start. Whether you lose the key fob, or the key - you're not going anywhere without an extra.

 

Did you get car alarm going on when you turn mechanical key in the door lock?

 

I think this may be the correct part for a replacement fob. Double-check with your dealer. It's showing one in stock currently.

https://parts.larryhmillertoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-transmitter-sub-assembly-8990h35010

 

I bought my 2016 last year - it only came with 1 key fob - previous owner must've lost the other one. Instead of spending $200 on another fob, I bought a Tile. This way if I do lose it, hopefully should be able to track it down.

Tile Pro (2022) 1-pack (Black). Powerful Bluetooth Tracker, Keys Finder and Item Locator for Keys, Bags, and More; Up to 400 ft Range. Water-resistant. Phone Finder. iOS and Android Compatible.

https://www.amazon.com/Tile-Powerfu...ro&qid=1677540697&sprefix=tile,aps,100&sr=8-1

 

I don't know about the 4R, but I was looking out for my daughter's Lexus while they were away. The car battery died, and I had to unlock the vehicle with the same type of mechanical key to get the hood open to jump the battery. When I put power to the battery, the alarm sounded because I had unlocked the vehicle without disarming the alarm with the fob, due to the dead battery. If you unlock the door without the fob, I don't see how the alarm wouldn't sound, as it did for me.