Rav 4.2 Nv Ignition Key.

[Jack Spaniel]

My 2003 Rav 4.2 NV 3-door only has only one key.

My local Toyoya dealer wants to charge me in excess of £250.00 for an additional key.

Is there a cheaper way?

[FROSTYBALLS]

Do you have an auto locksmith in your area?

[ANNAWONG]

I thought mine was bad earlier this year!

I had to get a new key, then have it programmed..........Which cost a total of £175:00.!!!

Someone on the make (Toyota Main Deralers) or what?

[firemac]

I thought mine was bad earlier this year!

I had to get a new key, then have it programmed..........Which cost a total of £175:00.!!!

Someone on the make (Toyota Main Deralers) or what?

Toyota are no worse than any other manufacturer. In fact, re ign keys, they are probably not the worst, not by a long shot. Try getting a replacement smart key for a modern Renault, for example. i've seen instances of £1K + being demanded. And if you have ECU/key issues on 10 year old or more BMW's or Mercs, it could be cheaper to scrap the car!

What I don't understand is why folks don't get a full set of keys when they buy the car or ensure that the vendor picks up the tab for the replacement.

There's no point whinging about a missing key afterwards & then blaming the dealer network.

[pmb]

My 2002 model when I bought it new came with 2 black keys with lock/unlock buttons and a grey valet key with no buttons. There was also a small metallic tag with a 5 figure number on it. As firemac says I would be asking this question. Things like this can be very expensive. When I sell I will make sure that all the keys are supplied.

[Jack Spaniel]

Agree there is no point whinging after the event. However I was not whinging just enquiring if there was a way to avoid the cost.

Hoewever I also disagree with an argument that says Toyota are no worse than anyone else. Dealers (all makes) are obviously charging way beyond the cost to them just because they can, as the customer needs the key and has no alernative. I believe this is called a captive market and shows a contempt for customer service in favour of profit. But yes they're all the same.

[firemac]

Agree there is no point whinging after the event. However I was not whinging just enquiring if there was a way to avoid the cost.

Hoewever I also disagree with an argument that says Toyota are no worse than anyone else. Dealers (all makes) are obviously charging way beyond the cost to them just because they can, as the customer needs the key and has no alernative. I believe this is called a captive market and shows a contempt for customer service in favour of profit. But yes they're all the same.

You could make that argument about any strategic component in a car, i.e. it won't run without FI, clutch, alternator, etc. the customer needs all those things. IMHO it's more the result of the plethora of electronics in cars these days - that stuff and the software that goes with it isn't cheap. Toyota doesn't manufacture this kit themselves but it's bought in from nominated sub-cons so, what is Mr. T supposed to do, buy it in then give it away? It's not strictly a captive market - I'm sure that if someone was determined enough, he/she could find a software expert that could re-programme it but at what cost?

Like I said before, go check out what some of the other manufacturers charge for this gear - some of 'em make Toyota look good value.

[flyboyprowler]

Is it the electronics that cost the money, or the key itself. It may be possible to get a scrap key from a breaker, with the innards, then get a blank from e bay to take the innards, get the key cut, and take it to Toyota, with the car to program. That could be a cheaper option.

I seem to remember that keys can be programmed in the car at home, but old brains can't remember the process!!!

[Jack Spaniel]

Still not really buying your argument. If I buy an alternator, a clutch kit, a brake caliper, i can see the work that has gone in to the manufacture and can appreciate the reason for the cost.

However a key is a 50p item to produce and the electronic content is unlikely to add much to the cost. The time to programme at the dealers will also be measured in minutes rather than hours so I am unable to justify in my mind the cost of a new key.

But hey, that's life. I guess anything is worth what you can get for it, but I don't have to be happy about it.

[Davrav]

Not defending the price or challenging your logic but it can take up to an hour, rather than minutes, to sort out the programming.........

I speak from past experience with a Yaris.

That cost circa £80 so upwards of £250 does seem excessive.

[ANNAWONG]

Reference my earlier note on this:

It took all of ten minutes to programme my new key (which had cost £35:00) but the final sum was £150:00.

I call that a rip off! I rest my case.

[firemac]

Still not really buying your argument. If I buy an alternator, a clutch kit, a brake caliper, i can see the work that has gone in to the manufacture and can appreciate the reason for the cost.

However a key is a 50p item to produce and the electronic content is unlikely to add much to the cost. The time to programme at the dealers will also be measured in minutes rather than hours so I am unable to justify in my mind the cost of a new key.

But hey, that's life. I guess anything is worth what you can get for it, but I don't have to be happy about it.

And presumably the electronics & the software that supports them & the programmers who originally wrote the code, etc., etc. all fell from the heavens for free.

I'm not defending the manufacturers or the dealers but I would respectfully suggest that you should consider that the majority of these costs aren't visible but they're still very real.

[steve_lj]

Just had a spare key supplied cut and programmed for £60 + vat. by local specialists.

Guess really the thing to do is to phone round for a couple of prices to compare.

My experience of main dealers is without doubt they are more expensive.