Lost Main Spare Key - Poor Dealership Service

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J

jayfrem

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Hello there

Recently lost the 100 Main Key with remote lock/unlock.
Had to rely on the spare emergency key.
Took the car to the dealership to issue a new key. They originally quoted $350to issue a new key. After few hours of diagnositics, they came back saying they could not extract any codes from the emergency key and need to replace the security system thus asking for $1300.

I found this unacceptable and stealing.

This toyota dealership is in Lebanon. I m trying to find an e-mail address where i can channel this complaint to Toyota. Perhaps they can help put an end to this lousy dealer service.

Appreciate your help.

Thanks
Jay
 
Search, this is expected. Don't loose LC keys!
 
Sometimes a locksmith can come up with a solution, call around to ones that deal with chipped keys. If not, losing your only Cruiser master is costly.

edit: To folks with only one master key, READ THE FAQ!!! and get a spare master made, can end up costing well over $1000 if you lose only master.
 
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Good luck with the programming, hope it works for you. Depending on history of keys for that vehicle the programming they describe may not work without a master. Maybe you should verify that dealer course of action wasn't the only solution, before contacting Toyota, that price is not out of line if that is required.
 
Any contact anybody have for Toyota International Customer service/complaints ?
 
Dude, are you on a cruisade or what?

What exactly are you objecting to as far as customer service is concerned?


you lost the key. Not the dealer's fault, I assume?

Toyota designed the thing to not work without the key, so people won't steal your prized possession, and they also make it difficult and expensive to replace the parts needed. I don't believe they endorse any reprogramming. OK, that's a marketing / engineering decision presumably. Likely nothing to do with the dealer.

The dealer presumably found out -perhaps belatedly- that they need to replace the ECU. Most here know that's standard procedure when all the masters are lost. So, if the problem is that the dealer can't reprogram it, how is that bad customer service besides possibly being poorly educated about their own products?
 
That's how it works bud.


That being said, I thought Toyota would do a "free" ECU replacement when this happens... the first time. They just charge you for 2 masters and 2 valet keys or something. Of course that policy might be revoked if you rage on them too hard.
 
Topmounter said:
That's how it works bud.


That being said, I thought Toyota would do a "free" ECU replacement when this happens... the first time. They just charge you for 2 masters and 2 valet keys or something. Of course that policy might be revoked if you rage on them too hard.
Click to expand...

I only had one master key ever since, I got quoted for $300 for a duplicate a couple years ago
 
Topmounter said:
That's how it works bud.


That being said, I thought Toyota would do a "free" ECU replacement when this happens... the first time. They just charge you for 2 masters and 2 valet keys or something. Of course that policy might be revoked if you rage on them too hard.
Click to expand...

They should know about the ECU replacement policy. If not, they can look it up, and yes, they require that you pay for 2 new master keys with programming plus the labor to replace the ECU.

There's no stealing about it, everyone expects to be paid for work they do or products they sell. It's one of the benefits of capitalism.

If you still want to talk to a Toyota rep, look in your owner's manual for the number to the Toyota Experience Center. :meh:
 
the impression I had (could be wrong - somebody correct me if so) is that the free replacement is more a semi-formal courtesy gesture than an official policy and that one should ask for it rather than expect that it be offered.

Or maybe it kicks in automatically as life-saving device when people display heart attack symptoms at the sight of the estimate...? :)
 
There's no stealing about it, everyone expects to be paid for work they do or products they sell. It's one of the benefits of capitalism.

If you still want to talk to a Toyota rep, look in your owner's manual for the number to the Toyota Experience Center. :meh:[/QUOTE]

Damn, I knew that free market economy would come back to bite us in the butt. :doh:
 
"There's no stealing about it, everyone expects to be paid for work they do or products they sell. It's one of the benefits of capitalism."

That is right it is not stealing it predatory capitalism. American companies have been doing it for years and look where it got them.

Seems they are starting to learn and are now letting the electronics corporations sell crap promoted as higher quality.

As my former boss use to say... It takes months to earn a customer, seconds to lose one.
 
Looking at websites it looks like external locksmith can re-program this.

My complaint is that " How does Toyota accepts to have such a lousy customer that cannot reprogram the ECU to a new key......"


Thanks
Jay
 
I am not sure about Toyota but Lexus will replace the ignition and provide one or two MASTER keys as a ONCE PER VEHICLE LIFETIME service for about $300. If it was done by previous owner then you are SOL...but if not it is a service provided one time.

I would try another dealer....as this is fixable and if first time then wont be expensive. Some locksmiths can retrieve codes and cut keys for you as well....repo companies have this technology so bigger locksmith companies will as well. Takes them about 10 minutes to plug into OBD port, enter VIN and run the program...cut key...then program it for your vehicle.

previous owner of my LX had that done and got two Master Keys issued.....so I have one locked away never to be used. Going to get two spares made to use for daily driving. :)
 
Toyota has a free, one time, ecu replacement for 98-99 trucks. It is a recall type of program. There is stuff in the archives here about it. You have to pay for keys and programming from the dealer, they give you a new ECU.

Basically, the design of the 98-99 system is poor because without a MASTER key, toyota had no way for dealerships to program new keys. Now today though, some locksmiths have hardware that can erase all of the keys stored in the ECU's memory, so that the first key you insert into the ignition and program becomes the master key. Call around to local locksmiths and see what their rate is, otherwise, call the toyota customer service and inquire about free ECU replacement due to lost keys.

It is only once per VIN, do not have to be original owner.

Rich
 
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