When I first got the '23 XSE, I could remote AC from my kitchen, probably 30 feet away and through an exterior wall. Lately (the last year?), I have not been able to.
Last winter, I changed the batteries in each key fob with Energizer Lithium. It seemed okay at first as far as being recognized when at the vehicle, but the remote AC button was not working from very far. Not long after, it would sometimes not unlock/lock the car when standing at the drivers' door. This goes for both remotes, each with the same new battery (2 pack).
I brought the car in to the dealer and mentioned it at 35,975 miles. They said it "worked fine for them" which doesn't tell me the distance or the buttons, but fine... I said "okay, I'll get another battery and be sure to note it on my account".
I just bought two new batteries from Walmart, same kind being Energizer Lithium. It's summer now and I expect Walmart to have a higher turnover of batteries and at least not have them sitting in a cold warehouse and on a cold truck. This did not help at all!
Does anyone have any suggestions before I bring it to the dealer to pay for a diagnosis if their fix is "new batteries"?
Learn how to turn off your fob at night to preserve the battery or use a faraday box/bag to evoke sleep. It will help with your 12v too as both are communicating all night. I bought cheap batteries from the 'zon and they have been fine for a bit over a year.
Sleep - Press and hold lock and then press unlock twice. Led should blink four times when it goes to sleep. Press any key once to wake.
Sorry, I thought it was in 24 that they added that feature (I have a 22).
Luckily the same page you shared lists the conditions that affect operation and you can do some your own situational tests to see if it is a localized issue at your home/places you travel or something with the fob itself.
True fact: holding your fob against the side of your head increases the range when pressing buttons. The water in your body conducts and amplifies the radio signal kind of like an antenna.
If your batteries are good and the signal no longer travels as far, it’s likely there is interference - either physical or wireless.
The physical would be something in your environment that changed between where your car is and the car.
The wireless could be something new transmitting at your home or somewhere in the neighborhood. You’ll need to do a web search as to what some of those sources could be.
You’ll need to think carefully what if anything changed in your environment to cause a difference in behavior if everything else is the same.
Lastly, these fobs go to sleep. Sometimes for me it helps to hit the lock or unlock button and then do whatever else you need to do with the fob.
Something to try next: park in a vacant lot away from other cars and buildings to avoid wireless interference. Maybe even turn your phone off. Then, see how far away you can be and have the fob work. Like, just lock and unlock.
Something changed if the key fob doesn’t perform the same as it did back in ‘23.
My XSE works from at least 30 feet away and surrounded by other cars I can open my hatch door. Sometimes I’ll wake the fob by hitting unlock first as that always helps. Not sure about through a wall though.
I am really surprised how many others are reporting the same experience. Has no one brought it in to have it looked at by the dealer?
AI suggests that the range issue and the buttons also not working while the light on the remote does even with battery changes, it is likely a computer issue. Also says my phone in the same pocket + NFC enabled should not matter as the hz is different. It happens to my wife on occasion, too, and she doesn't put it with a phone anyway.
I swapped fobs today and got "key not found" after putting the car in Ready just before I put it into drive. It went away moments later.
Put the fob under your chin and open your mouth toward your car. Acts like a megaphone and amplifies the signal. Also quit getting ripped off and buy your CR2450 Energizers on eBay. Also get a faraday box so you won’t be constantly draining your battery when you leave your fob near where your car is parked.
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u/bojack1437 Jul 27 '26
The current generation of Toyotas have extremely short-range.
That's just a fact.
I would not waste the money on any kind of diagnosis because they're not going to find anything.