Retrofitting keyless entry

[Mineral]

I bought a used Corolla advertised with keyless entry. However, it turns out the car doesn’t come with it, and I only realised later that only the Excel grade has it. I am looking to have it retrofitted, and the dealership that sold me the car is prepared to reimburse me for the cost. I did a bit of research but found that it would be very difficult to retrofit. Does anyone know a garage that is able to do this, or is there anywhere that a retrofitting kit could be bought? Thanks.

[Red_Corolla]

It was added to Design trim from 21 onwards, I believe. My own 21 model Design has it, even though I wasn't expecting to get it when I placed the order.

The system makes use of several antennas as well sensors in the front door handles and an extra pushbutton at the tailgate release. Presumably some of these components will need to be retrofitted, entailing a good deal of interior dismatling and potential to introduce rattles etc. I also anticipate new keyfobs and some programming might be required. I don't know of any kit, but would presume any franchised dealer can order all the parts required. If I was in the same position, I would be tempted to decline the offer, because I don't actually find that the feature adds a huge amount of convenience for me, so I think it might be better to let sleeping dogs lie.

[flash22]

does the key fob have open and close buttons on it, if so that is keyless entry, retrofitting the smart key system is not possible as the car has a totally different body and instrument wiring loom

 

what grade is the car? is it a base spec icon

 

[TonyHSD]

Late 2021 icons on 71 plates has the keyless entry. 

[Chainbreaker]

As red Corolla has said, I'd imagine there would need to be substantial modifications made to the car, new antennas, sensors, modules as well as modifying wiring looms and programming modules. You would likely lose the warranty on the car. 

If it was me, I'd try and reject the car and get the dealer to refund you on the basis that the car was mis-sold, i.e they said it had keyless when it doesn't. You are also protected by distance buying rules if you bought the car online. 

If you like the car, I would forget about the keyless entry and enjoy it. It's nice to have, but keyless also has a lot of pitfalls.

[sportse]

My 23 icon facelift has it. 
 

if it was at all possible to retrofit, it would cost a fortune. 
 

I had to replace the keyless door handle on a Volvo and that was nearly £500 alone. You’d need two new front door handles, a new tailgate handle plus all the wiring and sensors. 

[Mineral]

On 8/20/2024 at 1:24 PM, Red_Corolla said:

It was added to Design trim from 21 onwards, I believe. My own 21 model Design has it, even though I wasn't expecting to get it when I placed the order.

The system makes use of several antennas as well sensors in the front door handles and an extra pushbutton at the tailgate release. Presumably some of these components will need to be retrofitted, entailing a good deal of interior dismatling and potential to introduce rattles etc. I also anticipate new keyfobs and some programming might be required. I don't know of any kit, but would presume any franchised dealer can order all the parts required. If I was in the same position, I would be tempted to decline the offer, because I don't actually find that the feature adds a huge amount of convenience for me, so I think it might be better to let sleeping dogs lie.

I’m surprised to hear that Design has it. Mine is a GR Sport but it doesn’t come with it. I understand it’s almost a mission impossible, and will void the factory warranty. I’ll give my local Toyota a ring to see if they can get me a quote for the parts, thanks for suggesting it. I might well get the compensation from the dealer, sell the car, and get an Excel.

[Mineral]

On 8/20/2024 at 1:47 PM, flash22 said:

does the key fob have open and close buttons on it, if so that is keyless entry, retrofitting the smart key system is not possible as the car has a totally different body and instrument wiring loom

 

what grade is the car? is it a base spec icon

 

I thought keyless entry means Smart Entry, which requires the door handle to look like this. It’s a GR Sport.

[Mineral]

On 8/20/2024 at 1:52 PM, TonyHSD said:

Late 2021 icons on 71 plates has the keyless entry. 

I thought it was exclusive to Excel, reading from the specs.

[Mineral]

On 8/20/2024 at 5:29 PM, Chainbreaker said:

As red Corolla has said, I'd imagine there would need to be substantial modifications made to the car, new antennas, sensors, modules as well as modifying wiring looms and programming modules. You would likely lose the warranty on the car. 

If it was me, I'd try and reject the car and get the dealer to refund you on the basis that the car was mis-sold, i.e they said it had keyless when it doesn't. You are also protected by distance buying rules if you bought the car online. 

If you like the car, I would forget about the keyless entry and enjoy it. It's nice to have, but keyless also has a lot of pitfalls.

The dealership wants to charge an exorbitant 45p per mile deduction because I’ve had the car for over 30 days. If I’m paying 45p per mile to return the car, not only does the dealership not incur any loss for their error, but they actually make a good profit from leasing me the car. Therefore, I was trying to get some quotes and ask for compensation.
Unfortunately, I’m not entirely happy with the car. The salesman lied to me multiple times regarding information of the previous owner, the duration of ownership, and I also suspect that the car might have been involved in a collision, when I realised something weird very recently.

[Red_Corolla]

12 minutes ago, Mineral said:

I’m surprised to hear that Design has it. Mine is a GR Sport but it doesn’t come with it. I understand it’s almost a mission impossible, and will void the factory warranty. I’ll give my local Toyota a ring to see if they can get me a quote for the parts, thanks for suggesting it. I might well get the compensation from the dealer, sell the car, and get an Excel.

It was added to the lower trims during the later half of 2021. Like I said, in my case, it wasn't included at the time I ordered the car, but it was by the time it was built, so it came as a pleasant surprise.

Yours would need to be a 71 plate or newer to have it. 21 would be a bit too old.

[sportse]

8 hours ago, Mineral said:

The dealership wants to charge an exorbitant 45p per mile deduction because I’ve had the car for over 30 days. If I’m paying 45p per mile to return the car, not only does the dealership not incur any loss for their error, but they actually make a good profit from leasing me the car. Therefore, I was trying to get some quotes and ask for compensation.
Unfortunately, I’m not entirely happy with the car. The salesman lied to me multiple times regarding information of the previous owner, the duration of ownership, and I also suspect that the car might have been involved in a collision, when I realised something weird very recently.

45p per mile is the standard charge that Honda makes for rejecting one of their brand new cars too. 
 

Its high but it’s worth paying to get away from a bad car. 

[flash22]

It could be a late built 2020 or early 2021, GR sport is middle spec 1 above the design

don't forget this was during covid, so order times were 6-12 months

only the Excel got the smart key up to late 21, 22 the Trek got it

not until late 2022/early 2023 did the whole range get smart entry (Icon Tech and Trek dropped from the range)