RESOLVED - Bought a new Lexus - can't get a second key for 3-5 months???

[Stinky]

[Topic is now in Personal Consumer Issues - car purchase terms. mod mkc]

We purchased a new Lexus from our local dealership in late February 2024. We got one key with the vehicle, with the promise (from the salesman) of a second key in the mail in about 3 weeks.

We haven't received the second key yet, so I called the local dealership, who told me that I will be getting a letter from Lexus itself (or a message in the Lexus app, or a text message, or an email) sometime in the future telling me about how to procure my second key. They had no information about timeline for getting the second key. The dealership seems to be "out of the loop".

I then called the national Lexus Corporate number. I was told that I might be getting a letter sometime in April, May, or June of this year, and the key would come after that.

I expressed my EXTREME FRUSTRATION about spending a lot of money on a new "luxury" vehicle, and not being able to get a second key for 3-5 months after purchase.

Has anyone else faced this issue? Does anyone have a work-around? I feel like I've hit a wall with both my local dealership and with Lexus Corporate.

[gunny2]

I learned the hard way that if I go to pick up a new car and it isn't EXACTLY as I expect, I don't accept it off the lot and threaten to freeze payments (if I didn't buy it outright). Dealers are such scumbags.

You could of course get a duplicate made elsewhere, but they are expensive as hell (mine cost $75).

In fact now that I think of it, the dealership should be able to make you a copy. How lame if they can't.

[Sandi_k]

Do they still have a "credit card wallet key" as an option? I bought one for my DH when I bought my RX350 in 2009 - he didn't like the fob, as he constantly locked and unlocked the car accidentally.

If so, it can be programmed at the dealership. Maybe your dealership would be willing to go halfsies on one for you, given the delay in your "free" fob?

[nalor511]

If the dealer and corp both told you to wait, then you very likely will have to Wait. You could Ask for $ for your inconvenience, but they can't speed this up or they already would have

[Leesbro63]

I bought my RX350h in January 2023 and didn't get the key until almost a year later. Does your car have the Digital Key? Unfortunately there isn't much you can do. I don't think the wallet key card is available, at least not for the RX. Check the CLUB LEXUS bulletin boards for more info about your specific model, but I don't think there's much you can do. It was annoying, but I tried to keep it in perspective. I did see some "squeaky wheel gets the grease" posts...people who complained loud and often enough.

For what it's worth, the Digital Key is a tech nightmare, but did serve as a good "second key" during the time. But everything else about the car is wonderful. My favorite Lexus yet, and I've been driving them since Fall 1989.

[livesoft]

I would not be surprised to ultimately learn that a specific integrated circuit chip used in the keys could not be obtained by Lexus/Toyota in their normal supply chain, so instead of giving everyone 2 keys and stopping sales of cars because of lack of keys for them that they made the decision to give everyone one key and to use the chips for the 2nd keys in the first keys of new cars they intend to sale.

[henry]

I bought a Lexus last month as well and was told 6 month wait on the second key. Salesperson warned me it might even be longer. So patiently waiting so far. But I would be mad too if I was told 3 weeks and it ended up being months.

Also was told I would get a letter in mail once it was ready for pickup. Was told I would have to pick it up in person at the dealer.

[anagram]

I would not be surprised to ultimately learn that a specific integrated circuit chip used in the keys could not be obtained by Lexus/Toyota in their normal supply chain, so instead of giving everyone 2 keys and stopping sales of cars because of lack of keys for them that they made the decision to give everyone one key and to use the chips for the 2nd keys in the first keys of new cars they intend to sale.

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/fea ... smart-keys

So can Toyota decide to only provide 3 wheels for a vehicle? At what point do we need a detailed inventory of what a new vehicle comes with from the factory?

It's nice that Toyota wants to sell 800K vehicles a month but they are really only concerned with their bottom line as opposed to their customers. Good marketing spin though.

[Lee_WSP]

Not much we can do but wait or pay extra for the "third" key.

[Carefreeap]

Yep, DH has had his car for about a year and just got the second key fob. We had the "credit card" key for me. I rarely drive his car because he's so fussy.

[Old Guy]

From Club Lexus forum.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-5th ... ew-rx.html

[Jack FFR1846]

I would not be surprised to ultimately learn that a specific integrated circuit chip used in the keys could not be obtained by Lexus/Toyota in their normal supply chain, so instead of giving everyone 2 keys and stopping sales of cars because of lack of keys for them that they made the decision to give everyone one key and to use the chips for the 2nd keys in the first keys of new cars they intend to sale.

The chip shortage is long over. I'm retired from a chip company (every single Apple Car Play car has at least one of our chips) and met a coworker Monday while getting lunch. Not only are lead times completely back to normal, orders are way down. So much so that the company shut down all the fabs for 2 weeks. They also forced all employees to take 2 unpaid weeks off. Chip shortage is done.

I don't know about Lexus. My son bought a used 2004 Honda S2000 and it came with only one key. I bought him one for his birthday. $300 for the key and $75 to program it which needed the car to do this.

[Stinky]

Yep, DH has had his car for about a year and just got the second key fob. We had the "credit card" key for me. I rarely drive his car because he's so fussy.

I bought a Lexus last month as well and was told 6 month wait on the second key. Salesperson warned me it might even be longer. So patiently waiting so far. But I would be mad too if I was told 3 weeks and it ended up being months.

Also was told I would get a letter in mail once it was ready for pickup. Was told I would have to pick it up in person at the dealer.

I bought my RX350h in January 2023 and didn't get the key until almost a year later.

Thanks to you three folks especially for your responses.

You've let me know that I am not alone.

[Stinky]

From Club Lexus forum.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-5th ... ew-rx.html

I appreciate the link.

It certainly appears that I'm not alone.

[Leesbro63]

Yep, DH has had his car for about a year and just got the second key fob. We had the "credit card" key for me. I rarely drive his car because he's so fussy.

I bought a Lexus last month as well and was told 6 month wait on the second key. Salesperson warned me it might even be longer. So patiently waiting so far. But I would be mad too if I was told 3 weeks and it ended up being months.

Also was told I would get a letter in mail once it was ready for pickup. Was told I would have to pick it up in person at the dealer.

I bought my RX350h in January 2023 and didn't get the key until almost a year later.

Thanks to you three folks especially for your responses.

You've let me know that I am not alone.

Glad I could help, a little, after all of the insurance questions you answer here!

[Stinky]

Glad I could help, a little, after all of the insurance questions you answer here!

Yes, I'm definitely an "insurance guy".

And I'm DEFINITELY NOT a "car guy".

[Leesbro63]

Glad I could help, a little, after all of the insurance questions you answer here!

Yes, I'm definitely an "insurance guy".

And I'm DEFINITELY NOT a "car guy".

Well, you must be a great insurance guy to now be driving a Lexus!

[dagsboro]

I would find it risky to get only one key with a new vehicle I bought and if I knew that ahead of time, I would not buy that vehicle. If enough prospective buyers delayed purchase, I suspect second keys would be forthcoming faster than they are now?

[Lee_WSP]

I would find it risky to get only one key with a new vehicle I bought and if I knew that ahead of time, I would not buy that vehicle. If enough prospective buyers delayed purchase, I suspect second keys would be forthcoming faster than they are now?

Last year many Lexus models were pre-sold before they even hit the lot. By December, they had built up inventories of a few models, say the gas RX350. Today, I think the situation is still improving, but there's still a lot of demand for Lexus vehicles. The lack of a key fob is not going to deter enough people. Lexus made the right choice in delaying the second fob from their perspective.

[H-Town]

We purchased a new Lexus from our local dealership in late February 2024. We got one key with the vehicle, with the promise (from the salesman) of a second key in the mail in about 3 weeks.

We haven't received the second key yet, so I called the local dealership, who told me that I will be getting a letter from Lexus itself (or a message in the Lexus app, or a text message, or an email) sometime in the future telling me about how to procure my second key. They had no information about timeline for getting the second key. The dealership seems to be "out of the loop".

I then called the national Lexus Corporate number. I was told that I might be getting a letter sometime in April, May, or June of this year, and the key would come after that.

I expressed my EXTREME FRUSTRATION about spending a lot of money on a new "luxury" vehicle, and not being able to get a second key for 3-5 months after purchase.

Has anyone else faced this issue? Does anyone have a work-around? I feel like I've hit a wall with both my local dealership and with Lexus Corporate.

I bought my used car with 1 key. Never think twice about it or why do I need a second key. A month later I received a second set of key in the mail. I still haven't used the second key yet.

I never would have thought we need 2 keys for a new "luxury" vehicle. But you could ask for free car wash or oil change?

[Stinky]

I never would have thought we need 2 keys for a new "luxury" vehicle.

Two drivers. Two keys are optimal.

(Yeah, I know - first world problem )

[H-Town]

I never would have thought we need 2 keys for a new "luxury" vehicle.

Two drivers. Two keys are optimal.

(Yeah, I know - first world problem )

You can ask the dealership for a free "credit card" fob. My colleague has it.

[Stinky]

I never would have thought we need 2 keys for a new "luxury" vehicle.

Two drivers. Two keys are optimal.

(Yeah, I know - first world problem )

You can ask the dealership for a free "credit card" fob. My colleague has it.

Going out to the dealership on Friday. Will ask about it then.

Thanks for the tip!

[Artsdoctor]

There was significant problem with microchip backlogs during the worst part of the pandemic. You were given a second key but not a fob. The whole unit will take about 6-9 months to get to your dealer although perhaps it's a bit better now. (We purchased a Lexus in February 2023 and got the second unit in December).

In reading over your original post, it actually sounds as if your salesperson misrepresented the delay to you. It has been common knowledge for the past year that the delay has been in months, not weeks. You can see if the manager can help or bump it up to corporate, but I don't think that they can make a new unit appear out of nowhere.

[leeks]

If the dealer and corp both told you to wait, then you very likely will have to Wait. You could Ask for $ for your inconvenience, but they can't speed this up or they already would have

Surely if the owner lost the only key, they would have some solution to get one right away even if very expensive. It can't be impossible to make sooner.

[Lalamimi]

just share. We only have one for our truck. No issue.

[bob60014]

The new owners of some Toyota models are having the same issue, 6 months + in some cases.

[madbrain]

We have had car keys stolen on multiple occasions. Fortunately, we had 2 keys.
I had second keys made. Bought parts from Ebay, and had them programmed at the dealership. This was on a Nissan Leaf which was leased, and a Chevy.
Having a single key is a really bad point of failure.
I wonder what one could do if the only key goes missing.

[TomatoTomahto]

I’ve always had my phone as a backup with Tesla. Until the day I locked my phone in the car

Don’t most new cars have phone apps that can function in place of keys? My Tesla is 8 years old.

[nalor511]

If the dealer and corp both told you to wait, then you very likely will have to Wait. You could Ask for $ for your inconvenience, but they can't speed this up or they already would have

Surely if the owner lost the only key, they would have some solution to get one right away even if very expensive. It can't be impossible to make sooner.

Yeah they would charge you retail price. Free has to wait. It's a car dealer.

[popoki]

You know what they say about verbal contracts.

But in your defense, I'm sure they didn't mention the key shortage until the deal was nearly complete.

[madbrain]

I’ve always had my phone as a backup with Tesla. Until the day I locked my phone in the car

D'oh!

Don’t most new cars have phone apps that can function in place of keys? My Tesla is 8 years old.

Our 2017 Chevy Bolt does, but we never set it up.
Our 2015 Volt does not.

Both can be opened with a dumb mechanical physical key if the fob battery dies, and I believe they both can be started that way as well, though we have never had to.

The mechanical key can be duplicated. But if you didn't do that ahead of time and lose your only fob, you will be missing the physical key as well as it inserts into the fob.

[tibbitts]

I attended a car show recently and all the Lexus models had a sign stating that there would be only one key for some amount of months; it might have said it was pandemic-related, I don't remember.

[TomatoTomahto]

A modern car can easily contain more than 3,000 microchips. These control brakes, doors, airbags and windscreen wipers; they even support advanced functions like driver assistance and navigation control.

Is Lexus saying that the only microchip they can’t source is the one on the key fob? Jeez.

[krafty81]

Plenty of ranting in the Lexus Forums on this issue with the RX350h. Bought mine in Feb, received second fob in Oct. If you lose your fob, they will provide you a new one from their own parts. Save the little "hard key" they gave you - that inserts into the new fob when you get it.

[River in Sight]

The new owners of some Toyota models are having the same issue, 6 months + in some cases.

One of my friends bought a RAV4 Prime sometime last spring and still doesn’t have a second key. Pretty crazy to me…

[bradinsky]

After reading these posts I feel fortunate. We purchased a 2022 RX350 at the very end of 2021 & it came with 2 key fobs. We love the vehicle & use only 1 fob, but like having the 2nd one just in case we misplace one. It’s kind of like insurance - hope we never need it, but we have it if we ever do.

[iamlucky13]

So...pretty much the opposite problem that Kia is having right now?

Is there anything in writing (window sticker, sales agreement, inspection report) indicating it comes with two keys? I'd feel a little better about having recourse to ensure it comes eventually if it's in writing.

[henry]

Is there anything in writing (window sticker, sales agreement, inspection report) indicating it comes with two keys? I'd feel a little better about having recourse to ensure it comes eventually if it's in writing.

I'm not the original poster but am in the same position as indicated above. Waiting for a key fob. In my case, when signing all the paperwork, I got a copy of a "We owe" form that's signed by me and the dealership rep. On it, it's listed the delearship owes me "One key fob from manufacturer when available." I've gotten similar forms before when buying a car but never been owed anything after leaving, so it's the first time I recall that I have ever actually had anything listed on said form.

[stuyguy]

Took delivery of a 2024 Prius Prime in late December (build date Nov). Window sticker indicated 2nd fob not available yet. Salesman said I'd get notification of its availability through Toyota app first, and then by mail. No 2nd fob yet but car did come with 2nd physical key that's inserted into fob. Also, I can contact any Toyota dealer, not just the dealer where I bought the car
Window sticker reads:
IMPORTANT ADVISORY
**TO BE REMOVED BY CUSTOMER ONLY**
This vehicle is equipped with a Smart Key Entry system. Due to an unexpected supply issue, only one Smart Key fob will be available and delivered with the vehicle. You will be contacted at a later date to arrange for an additional Smart Key fob at NO CHARGE.

[bikesandbeers]

My 2018 Chrysler came with 3 keys. We are a 1 car family so it is nice that I have one, my wife has another, and we have a spare (valet/teenager key)

I don't know anything about the radio chips in keys, but I can tell you that the chips involved in high amperage commercial/industrial power distribution are still backed up 50-70 weeks

[TheBOFH]

I learned the hard way that if I go to pick up a new car and it isn't EXACTLY as I expect, I don't accept it off the lot and threaten to freeze payments (if I didn't buy it outright). Dealers are such scumbags.

You could of course get a duplicate made elsewhere, but they are expensive as hell (mine cost $75).

In fact now that I think of it, the dealership should be able to make you a copy. How lame if they can't.

[Unnecessary comment removed by admin LadyGeek]

I can't speak to why Lexus is taking so long to deliver a second key, especially if chip issues are resolved, but I guarantee the DEALER is not arbitrarily refusing to provide the key. They have zero incentive to do so and would much rather have a happy customer. Additionally, they cannot cut a key if they don't have / can't get the fob, which seems to be the issue here.

By the way, unless you are at a buy-here pay-here dealership, stopping payments accomplishes nothing other than ruining your credit. Dealers simply facilitate loans, they do not hold the note. At worst, a customer defaulting on a loan will result in the dealer being charged back any markup on the loan's interest, but even that isn't guaranteed as many dealers will sacrifice a percentage of that upfront in exchange for never being charged back.

[Stinky]

UPDATE FROM OP -

I visited the dealership today, and learned that our car was "digital key" compatible. So, after a few minutes of manipulation by the "technology guy" at the dealership, my phone now acts as a "key fob".

So DW can start and drive the car with the "real" key fob. And I can start and drive the car using my phone. HOORAY!!

The dealership technology guy told me that Lexus has now made second keys available for all cars manufactured in November 2023 and earlier. So, that means that there is (at maximum) a five-month backlog on second keys. And he said that Lexus appears to be catching up rapidly with second keys to fill the gap, so maybe there will be a time in the near future when every buyer of a new Lexus can actually get TWO keys with their vehicle at the time that they take delivery!

I truly appreciate all of the responses to this thread. It seems that our salesman did a wholly inadequate job of explaining the key fob backlog, and I learned a lot from your comments.

Thanks again to all.

Wayne aka Stinky

[Leesbro63]

UPDATE FROM OP -

I visited the dealership today, and learned that our car was "digital key" compatible. So, after a few minutes of manipulation by the "technology guy" at the dealership, my phone now acts as a "key fob".

So DW can start and drive the car with the "real" key fob. And I can start and drive the car using my phone. HOORAY!!

The dealership technology guy told me that Lexus has now made second keys available for all cars manufactured in November 2023 and earlier. So, that means that there is (at maximum) a five-month backlog on second keys. And he said that Lexus appears to be catching up rapidly with second keys to fill the gap, so maybe there will be a time in the near future when every buyer of a new Lexus can actually get TWO keys with their vehicle at the time that they take delivery!

I truly appreciate all of the responses to this thread. It seems that our salesman did a wholly inadequate job of explaining the key fob backlog, and I learned a lot from your comments.

Thanks again to all.

Wayne aka Stinky

Be careful with the Digital Key. It’s buggy and not totally reliable. DO NOT GO OUT OF TOWN WITHOUT THE ACTUAL FOB. Digital Key is fine locally, where the worse thing is taking an Uber or having your wife bring you the (single) FOB. But you don’t want to be in the middle of Interstate <insert desolate Interstate that you travel> and be depending on the Digital Key.

EDIT: Also, the dealer should have set this up for you at delivery. Having the Digital Key should not be such a surprise, a week or so after purchase.

EDIT 2: Here’s a good thread on the Digital Key:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-5th ... tions.html

[abner kravitz]

I bought a Toyota last year. I got 2 keys, but the salesman told me he had been waiting 7 months for his second key to a Highlander. Crazy.

[Stinky]

Be careful with the Digital Key. It’s buggy and not totally reliable. DO NOT GO OUT OF TOWN WITHOUT THE ACTUAL FOB. Digital Key is fine locally, where the worse thing is taking an Uber or having your wife bring you the (single) FOB. But you don’t want to be in the middle of Interstate <insert desolate Interstate that you travel> and be depending on the Digital Key.

EDIT: Also, the dealer should have set this up for you at delivery. Having the Digital Key should not be such a surprise, a week or so after purchase.

EDIT 2: Here’s a good thread on the Digital Key:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-5th ... tions.html

I appreciate your cautionary statements.

DW is the primary driver of the car, so she "holds" the key most all of the time and is the semi-exclusive driver of the car. I'll probably just use the digital key for matters of pure convenience, like retrieving something for DW that she left in the car (without needing to ask her to rummage through her purse for the key).

[AllMostThere]

UPDATE FROM OP -

I visited the dealership today, and learned that our car was "digital key" compatible. So, after a few minutes of manipulation by the "technology guy" at the dealership, my phone now acts as a "key fob".

So DW can start and drive the car with the "real" key fob. And I can start and drive the car using my phone. HOORAY!!

The dealership technology guy told me that Lexus has now made second keys available for all cars manufactured in November 2023 and earlier. So, that means that there is (at maximum) a five-month backlog on second keys. And he said that Lexus appears to be catching up rapidly with second keys to fill the gap, so maybe there will be a time in the near future when every buyer of a new Lexus can actually get TWO keys with their vehicle at the time that they take delivery!

I truly appreciate all of the responses to this thread. It seems that our salesman did a wholly inadequate job of explaining the key fob backlog, and I learned a lot from your comments.

Thanks again to all.

Wayne aka Stinky

Wow, this thread has been very informative. Being in the market for vehicle for DW, I have done some limited research on a Lexus as this brand seems to be very highly recommended by many BH's. Shame on this "stealership" for not being more transparent on the long delays on supply of a 2nd FOB. Having read this thread, I am now more informed on this potential issue, so no surprises. Mind if I ask if you were pleased with pricing on your Lexus? Here in Detroit area, they are still playing games with dealer market adjustments, so I can wait until things normalize more. Curious how markets are doing in other areas.....

[Stinky]

Mind if I ask if you were pleased with pricing on your Lexus? Here in Detroit area, they are still playing games with dealer market adjustments, so I can wait until things normalize more. Curious how markets are doing in other areas.....

I was pleased with pricing. I paid about $1,000 over invoice on a high trim line gas model. And I netted about $1,300 more for my trade in than if I had sold it to Carvana. So I paid about invoice net.

Much better than pricing would have been a year or two ago. And the lot was full of new cars, so plenty to choose from.

[Colorado Guy]

An option that may be in your area, if you are a diehard Costco fan , is Car Keys Express. They set up in the Costco parking lot and make keys as you wait. While I don't know about Lexus keys, they did tell me I could get a new Toyota key fob immediately.

https://www.costco.com/car-keys-express.html

[mariezzz]

This whole thread is reinforcing for me to keep my older Honda forever.