Getting a Spare Key Fob

Just picked up my first tacoma. 2016 Limited. So far loving it. I will have a series of questions to ask you all on this first of which is my key fob. One of the bummers with this truck is it came with only one key fob. I really would like to get a second one as a backup incase I can't find my primary or for a multitude of other reasons why it is nice to have 2.

Directly from toyota, these are crazy expensive. I see used ones on ebay and also new aftermarket ones online that are well cheaper than directly from toyota.

If I bought a used one on e-bay. Can it be reprogrammed to work with my truck (or the truck programmed to work with that used fob)?

Assuming the above answer is yes or I choose to get a new aftermarket one, I'm not finding any way I can do this myself. Looks like I have to take it to toyota to do this for me. Anyone do this in the past with luck?

 

You're supposed to get two. One comes with the key to your tailgate while the other is just the smart key.

 

Yeah.....cost of getting a used truck. It only came with one key fob and one tailgate key.

 

I would bring that up with the dealership. Could also be a security issue if the previous owner still has the other key.

 

Bro, it’s a used truck. You get what’s given. I could see if he didn’t get a tailgate key, that may be a legit concern. Or at least negotiated this before buying. But He bought it and papers are signed. All they’ll say is Good Luck!

If you buy a used one, make sure it’s from a Taco.

 

My point is someone else has a key to his truck. If I was him I would atleast have his re-programmed.

 

Yeah, I had thought of that concern, however, I live in a pretty large city and bought it at a non toyota dealership quite some distance from my house. I think I'm pretty safe, but you do make a good point...if they are programming a new spare, might as well just reprogram both to stay safe?

 

I would go ahead and program both. Buy once, cry once. This happened when I was walking around Baltimore. My key fob fell off the cheap key ring that the dealership gave me so I had to get a new key and program the spare as well. Was a very expensive day.

 

I understand what you're saying, but it's a non-concern. Chances that someone buys a new truck, sells it, keeping one key, scheming that one day, they'll track this car down somehow, break into the house and steal it back....close to nil. Sure, nothing is improbable, but there are lots of other things you should worry about that will more likely happen than the original owner committing GTA.

 

People suck. But your point is a fair one. It's about as rare as stealing tailgates. The way I see if I have the option to mitigate the issue I would do so.

 

I'd say it's much much rarer than tailgate theft. Because I've actually heard of people's tailgates being stolen. The other scenario, never.

 

There are new virgin OEM fobs available on ebay, I bought mine from an east coast locksmith, about $120. Some locksmiths have the ability to program them, but I had my local dealer do it for $90. The key will need to be laser cut, I haven't bothered with this yet, as it is the backup to the backup.

 

I bought a key from AliExpress and programmed it to work on my truck using techstream. It was with a manual so no smart key or push button to sync.

The auto can be programmed too if you have one of the master key. It is more involved though.

 

To program you just need Toyota’s software called tech stream. It only runs on windows and needs a fairly specific ODB2 cable. So as long as you have a windows laptop or can run a VM your good to go. A cable and bootleg copy of techstream is available on Amazon for about $15. There are also plenty of copies all over the net.

 

When buying used (any make) you should have negotiated the second key. That second fob with the key will set you back a few hundred bucks easy. I would go back and ask the selling dealer if they could contact the previous owner and get the second key. Most of these missing second keys are a result of the previous owner buying the new vehicle and not having the second key on them on the trade.

This process really irks me as they are asking top dollar for these vehicles and do absolute minimal work getting them ready for resale.

 

Been there and done that recently. I bought a used 2016 with only 1 key fob and no tailgate key. A local dealer made me a tailgate key for free and I bought a factory uncut key fob from a forum member here. The dealer wanted $129 to program it and $95 for a laser cut key. A local locksmith did both for $85 total. I’m good to go now with 2 fobs and a tailgate key.

 

If it is a local trade, have the dealer contact the previous owner for extra keys, gobs, owners manuals, etc. If the vehicle went through auction, there is zero chance of these pieces being recovered.

 

I agree with CBRDude.

OP. It may be too late for you. The trick is to add the missing key and fob in the I-Owe-You piece of paper. The dealer will never lose a sale due to a missing key if you require it as a condition of purchase. Now once all the paperwork is signed...that's another story. They then have sold the vehicle and won't move an inch to get you a free new fob.

When my wife and I bought her used 2016 Highlander we had the dealer give us an I-owe-you on the key and fob. They said they would contact the previous owner so I gave them a week. After a week they said they were still trying and I told them I would no longer give them time. I wanted my key fob. They had no choice than to get me a new one made and programed. That I-owe-you is a contract and they can get in big trouble easily if they don't follow through with it.

 

If you're gonna spend money, get the Lexus card key. That's what I plan to do if I ever need to replace one of my fobs.

 

Buy one on eBay and it’s cost like 100 to 150 with your local locksmith to cut and program that’s what I did