Comment by mrinterweb
Comment by mrinterweb 3 months ago
I have a 2021 Toyota that I lost one of two key fobs. Toyota has a strict policy that only Toyota dealerships can program key fobs for their newer cars, so buying a key fob replacement from a 3rd party was not an option. Total out of pocket expense for getting new key fob, programming that key fob to the car, and making sure the other fob still worked; cost about $550. I feel that is an absurd amount of money to spend because of a lost fob. I appreciate people looking into and exposing weaknesses of car fobs because it might expose ways to circumvent the monopolistic costs associated with replacements. Wish there was a way to retrofit my car to use Ultra Wide Bandwidth as a key.
Essentially all manufacturers have that policy, because key replacement is a profit center for dealerships. Independent auto locksmiths depend on third-party programming tools and keys by companies like Autel and Xhorse. There's a constant game of cat-and-mouse, with manufacturers developing new immobilizer systems and the third-party companies reverse-engineering those systems. An auto locksmith with the right equipment should be able to copy a key, remote or keyless fob for any current US Toyota model.