key detected in vehicle - while driving

Are you missing a "NOT" in that message i.e. "KEY NOT DETECTED IN VEHICLE"? Does your wife have some sort of metallic handbag that may be blocking the signal to/from the key?

Normally you'll get this message if you leave the igntion on (in READY state) and hop out and close the door (3 beeps) and message on MFD.

 

Also, water running over the handles is only an issue if the key is outside of the door, which is probably a bad place to be with a moving car.

Tom

 

I had this same error message a couple of weeks ago. My issue turned out to be that the hatchback door was not fully closed. I got the alarm whenever I went over a bump.

 

Happened to me twice about two weeks ago--thought it may have been my pacemaker kicking in and being 'recognized'! Stoppped, turned off engine. Opened and then re-closed all doors, including hatch, and it went away. Think it was the hatch not fully closed.

 

When you try the experiment (I did this also), lower the hatchback door as softly as you can. There are two definite clicks as you close it all the way. As easy as I tried, I could not avoid the first click as the door is too heavy. I was able to not get the second click. Drove the car and when I hit the first bump I got the error message that you did. It would clear I turned the power off and back on but would come back if I hit another bump. It would not clear completely until I closed the hatch completely.

Try it to convince yourself.

 

I have it happen as well. I didn't think of a hatch not properly closed. In my case the message went away on it's own. Thought it was an anomaly that probably wouldn't be repeated.
At least I didn't get the "blue screen of death"

 

I had the same problem while driving today. (I attached the picture) I parked the car and turned off the engine, it did it again after a few minutes. this time I unlocked and locked the door while driving , it went away and came back after a few minutes. I decided to stop the car and open and close all door (Including hatchback door ) and this time it went away for good.
I definitely think it had to do with the hatchback door but can't be totally certain...
we will see if this comes again..

 

I had the same message and audible warning this evening, also after going over a bump. Will try the hatch experiment myself, it does seem to be a likely culprit.

 

The very same problem occured to me today. I was taking my son to airport and we had put a suitcase in the trunk. I stopped, turned engine off and restarted. No difference. The message was coming on and off intermittently. My son opened the hatchbacked door and closed it and the problem disappeared. There was no indication that any door was not closed properly prior to the problem occuring.

So the problem likely came from the hatchback door but it is weird that no indication was given prior to the problem occuring while driving...

PS: The interior lights were definitely flashing and I think the red door ajar indicator was flashing as well (right side of display). There were many things flashing at the same time so I am not sure about the door ajar icon...

 

Got the same message once after I went over a bump. Weird.

 

It's really not that weird. When you close the doors in a Prius with the SKS, it looks for a fob inside the car. A poorly latched hatch will wiggle over bumps, causing it to appear open and then close. When the car sees it close, it looks for the fob and finds it.

Tom

 

You're right. It was weird at the time it happened and before reading this thread.

 

The door open indication happens during the bump. The problem occurs when a door or hatch is closed well enough to depress the door switch, but not completely latched tight. It might not be QA at all, but simply the design of the latch and switch. Regardless, as an end user, I would want the latch and door switch to be synchronized.

Tom

 

I have found if the key is in my left pocket (deep - almost under my leg), sometimes the car does not recognize a key very well - so in theory, you could be driving, then have the car "think" there is no key, then have it "think" there is a key - and report it (key detected)...

Where did you guys have the key???