Toyota Prius Smart Key Replacement Cost?

2016-12-30 by Todd Franklin

Toyota Prius is a full hybrid electric mid-size hatchback, formerly a compact sedan, first went on sale in Japan in 1997, and was available worldwide in 2000. Since 2004 as optional feature and 2006 as mandatoy, the Prius use a modern keyless entry device (and sometimes mistakenly called key fobs), instead of a metal blade key and the price for this type of key are one of the highest in the market.

There are many factors that determine what you pay to get Prius Smart keys. We will walk you through the typical 'how much for a new Prius key?' phone call:

Step 1

If you want your car towed because you've lost all your keys, go to step 5.

If you already have a key in your possession from a random online store, but you need us to program a NEW or USED key, then go to step 10.

Now, If you have at least ONE Smart Key which is still FULLY OPERATIONAL, by that we mean that both the lock and unlock button of the car is still working effectively and you can pull the handle or push the start button even without pressing the key then to step 2 otherwise go down to step 3.

Step 2

SOLUTION: Adding another Key

If you wish to add another key(s) to the fully working key you have already - Note that the prices for parts and labor are subject to change. Overall, this option cost estimated $300.

Step 3

Do your key that used to work stopped working? Can it start your car when you plug it into the keyhole in the dashboard?

If you answer YES to the above, then go to step 4 otherwise go down to step 5

Step 4

We'll make an attempt to fix your key; press a button and check to see if you can see a red light in the top right. Do you see it?

If you did, go to step 6 otherwise go to step 7.

Step 5

SOLUTION: Lost Key Made

If you have lost all your keys, no need to be worried, we can still do something for you. You can either insert the broken half of your key into the dashboard and then drive down your vehicle to us or if you have no key, you can have your car towed. Now, all you need is to verify your identity, so ensure to come along with your vehicle registration, title or insurance and a forms of photo identification. Also, you will need to purchase a new Smart Key and emergency key blank which will be cut to match your VIN. Finally, we will perform what is known as a Seed Reset or Lost All Keys procedure. We only charge $48 seed reset fee in addition to the current list price of the Smart Key(s) themselves. This option may cost you an estimated $300 out the door, for ONE working key. You can get additional working keys without any further payment for labor during this time.

Step 6

In the situation where you see the LED illuminate when you press a button but the car's door locks DO NOT show any response, this could mean a problem with the transponders on the key or the vehicle. Call for an appointment so that we can properly investigate this problem.

When you press a button and able to see the LED and the car locks respond but you're UNABLE to READY the vehicle without inserting the key into the dashboard and UNABLE to easily pull your door handle to unlock, this may mean that you have unknowingly toggled the Smart Key Disable switch. Many customers do not even know that such a thing exists. Let's try to fix this. Now take a look under the steering wheel where your knee would be, you should be able to see a single black button labelled "KEY" above it. Press this button just once and recheck. Bear in mind that only 2004-2009 Prius cars have the disable button.

If your Smart Key lights up when you press the disable button but the car does nothing and the switch did not automatically engaged, it means that your key is defective EVEN IF IT WORKS IN THE DASHBOARD:

If this is the only key in your possession go to step 5 otherwise go up to step 2.

Step 7

If you were unable to see the LED light up when you push a button, press all the button one after another to check if any of them move freely including the PANIC red button. Each button you press supposes to respond with a nice solid click feedback. Does each button respond well?

If your answer is yes, go to step 8, otherwise go down to step 9.

Step 8

Change your Smart Key battery. I will make a YouTube video on this to guide you.

Here is how you can do it for now in words:

Take out the emergency key blank

Push key blank lever back, and gently slide back plate off. Be careful because it can seem a little confusing since the plate can get stuck with some life debris. You will see an edge for your thumb to get purchase, press in the direction of this ridge.

You will now make use of the tiniest screwdriver you can get to remove the battery plate.

Change CR2032 remote battery

Check to see if your key can light up and tests normally, if it does, then a big congratulation!

If your key refuse to work even though you have a new battery, then go to step 2 if you already have another working key otherwise go to step 5 if this is the only key in your possession.

Step 9

You will do a little surgery here. Get your razor and remove the stuck button(s). Your key won't function if a switch is depressed permanently by a stuck button. The Smart Key is somewhat water resistant, therefore the button faces just interface with the circuit board behind it. You can press the buttons when you have removed the stuck button. Now you have removed the stuck button, does it light up?

Big Congratulations if your answer is yes otherwise go back to step 8.

Step 10

We have the expertise to program a customer-supplied, NEW IN BOX, TOYOTA BRAND smart keys.

We also have the expertise to program a customer-supplied, NEW IN BOX, aftermarket (ikeyless.com) smart keys; we cannot guarantee success for this one. We however, will assess the charge irrespective of whether the key properly paired or not. With years of working on car key technology, we have discovered that the counterfeit keys always try to spoof the Prius and most time, it fails to work. We can only know whether it will work or not when we give it a try for a $38 seed reset and around $150 to cut and program PER EACH USED KEY. Therefore, if you have 2 USED KEYs, it will cost you $300. YOU WILL PAY THESE CHARGES WHETHER WE ARE SUCCESSFUL WITH THE PAIRING OR NOT. We cannot know in advance whether it will work or not. Going with this route is a pure GAMBLING. Analyse the risk and proceed at your own (dis)comfort.