Outrageous cost of replacement keys!

This doesnt sound right, they shound be able to do a reset on the security computer and learn two new keys for somewhere in the $700 - $800 range.

Do you have another dealer in the area?

 

$50 sounds more like a reasonable price. Sounds like Toyota is ripping off customers on the key fobs.

 

No. That is about how much Toyota charges for two FOBs and programming them in Australia. The American FOBs are different to the Australian FOBs. You can buy the American FOB on EBay for around $50 and program the FOB yourself by plugging the FOB into your Prius slot and follow a set of instructions to program it. No special tools required, just a set of instructions. I have programmed an American FOB to work with my Aussie Prius but the central locking buttons On the FOB will not work, different frequency I guess.

 

It would be less expensive, out of pocket, to just have someone steal the car.

 

Losing both keys or having them stolen is a pain in the butt to reprogram. If they do not have a Toyota TechStream to pull a new key code and program the immobilizer ECU, then they must replace it. It should not be easy or cheap to program a car you have no keys for. Think stolen vehicles.

$50 is absurd. That is not even 1 hours of labour with no material costs. $700 to $800 for 2 fobs and reprogramming using a TechStream is reasonable. If they have to replace the computers and program, then you are looking at closer to $2K to $2.5K USD minimum. This is true of any modern vehicle. Notice how the most stolen cars are still the old non-immobilized vehicles. The only way to steal a Prius is to flatbed tow it somewhere. Then you would have to reprogram 2 blank keys to the car, which is exactly why it is difficult to do so.

 

This was the story for Americans who lost their keys for a Gen1 (2001-2003) Prius. Then some locksmith figured out how to reset the computer to new condition. I assume that what they do is copy the image of a memory chip in a new computer into your old one. The cost is several hundred dollars, but certainly nothing like the thousands that you've been quoted. I suggest contacting every locksmith you can locate before taking the dealer's story as the only game in town.

 

Well it seems that everything you buy in Australia costs twice as much as buying it in the USA unless you buy it on the Internet from overseas. I am in the opinion that most businesses overcharge in Australia for one reason or another i.e. High labour costs and transportation costs .... And so on. So as people are drawn to buy on the internet the retail sector in Asutralia are losing big time and businesses are closing as a result. Even if GST was charged for goods bought overseas over the internet they still would not be competitive. I am sick of seeing big retailers like Harvey Norman who have had a huge monopoly in the retail sector as small businesses are squeezed out. I Have no simpathy for the big retailers as they have been ripping us off for a long time now.

 

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How did everyone (except me) know that Dianne was in Australia, since she hasn't filled in the location in her profile.

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So does that mean that this price was significantly increased due to all of the FOBs being stolen. I mean, say you just lost or broke one of the FOBs then it wouldn't cost anything like this sort of money to replace, is that correct?

 

This is so true lopezjm2001. If I drive down to my local Toyota dealer and hand over cash, it's $80 for just one air filter. If I buy online then I get two of them (exactly the same genuine oem part) from a dealer in Ca for $49 (postage included) delivered to my door! Amazing is all I can say.

After paying $655 for a dealer service a few years ago I now try to avoid the rip off stealers here as much as possible.

 

I just guessed it. Nobody knew she was an Australian.

 

Can Austrailians recognize each other online by the prices they complain about?

I by parts for my 1980 Diesel Land Cruiser from several Australians.

 

I think it was the Aussie accent that gave it away. Probably A good idea to keep the spare FOB in a safe deposit box at your bank along with your expensive jewelry. A stolen FOB has a high market value even when hot.

 

I think one special tool is required. Namely, an existing working FOB. If all FOBs are stolen, you can't program it yourself.

 

I forgot about that. It is so unusual to lose both FOBs. Most people carry one and keep the spare at home. Just one FOB makes your keyring bulky let alone having two FOBs. What are the chances that a burglar that brakes into your house sees two FOBs and think that they are of value. Does the burglar think.... Oh yes I need two extra FOBs for my Prius, just incase?