kennyzh

Hi,
recently i've been struggling to get my car fix due to lost of my master key, and stupid me didn't make a second copy..... so we try to call the auto locksmith to get a new key but didn't work. so we have no choice to send the car to the Lexus dealer store to get it done!

couple days pass by we went back to ask the update for the repair, they told us that the car can't read the new car key, so they will have to replace the ecu and try to reprogram it and see but no guarantee. and if that don't work then they will have to replace the computer in the car and guarantee will work in that case.
but the cost is skyrocket high!!!!
2 car keys like 400 something
ecu like 1400 something
and the computer is like 1200 something

so the total come up around 3500 something including tax. which is a lot for just losing the master key!! everything thing was fine before we lost the key. unfortunately we have no other option so we told them to proceed

5 days pass they call us again saying that they try to reprogrammed but it didn't work so they need to proceed next step however they told us this time they need 2 computers!!!! to fix and the total gonna come out around $6000 something!!! which is insane!!!!!

for losing a car key i'm expecting to paid some money but not $6000. i'm not car technician but it seems like they don't know what they doing, and i'm pretty sure that if i tell them to proceed later on they gonna tell us something different and adding more cost for the repair

also they sounds very unprofessional. there's not explanation for the repair like the invoices or like some sort of document stating what have they tried!! instead only showing the bills that we have to paid

i mean does this sound normal to you!!!

and i also check on their review on yelp 36 out of 38 people give them 1 star... similar situation very unethical, deception, and unprofessional

so if anyone have similar experiences or any additional info. to help out will be much appreciate it !!!

litzdog911

That dealer's service folks don't seem to know what they're doing. Have they actually fixed it yet? Did you pay? Have you escalated this issue with the dealer's Service Manager and Lexus Corporate?

kennyzh

Hi,
thanks for the respond, it definitely seems like it , they are claim they are trying to fix it yet showing no prove besides the bills.... and no i haven't i did try to talk to the manager and they seems on the same boat. which i'm planing to try to reach the higher level of lexus corporate

tincan13

That seems unreal. About ten years ago, a friend of mine lost the master key to his BMW. The local BMW dealer he bought the car from sent a notarized letter with the owner's info and VIN to BMW. He also had them make an extra key for him. They were able to reproduce the keys from records they had on file. It took about three to four weeks. Total cost was under $500.

kennyzh

Yes!!! i ask my friends around they all think this is like a scam! i don't think this is a luxury car which it might cost more if it's but still it won't be 6k+ for just getting it done!!

UCSB

I haven't replaced the key on my 450h, but I have replaced other keys on prior Lexus models. It was a simple, quick process ... usually less than $250.

I have been ripped off by one Lexus dealer in the past. My daughter and I were traveling and had a problem and limped into a Lexus dealer. Pretty disgusting ... look out for yourself. I ended up paying $1,200 for a repair that should have been a few hundred dollars. Wrote them when I go home and they refunded part of the bill.

Your story does not make sense to me. Try another dealer.

The worst key replacement I've ever had to endure was on a Mercedes S class. I had to have the car transported to the dealer, where the new key was programmed. I don't know if that is how they handle all Mercedes models or just the S class, but it was a real pain.

gregjhonda

Dealer's name needs to be posted to protect the rest of us that either live around there or maybe end up there while on the road!

FLYCT

Yes. it's simple and easy if you have a good working master key already. The problem the original poster has is that he only had one master key and he lost it. In order to program a master key at least one working master key is required. If not then the ECU or other computers may need to be replaced.

A FOB actually has two things that need to be programmed. One is the remote to unlock the doors etc and the other is the "immobilizer" that allows the car to start.

That is why I always have at least 3 master keys for my Lexus' cars and keep one in the home safe.

It still does't sound like the dealer knows he is doing.

Warning to others. If you only have one master key get another one and have it programmed. If you loose the only master key you're in for a co$tly experience.

JT4

^ I agree, I'm not saying the dealer is doing anything wrong but I still would like to know which dealer it is.

chandlervt

Apologize for my ignorance but whats a master key? Is the same as the key we use daily for driving and you get 2 sets with the car or some other key?

kennyzh

here's their yelp reivew
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lexus-of-que...ng-island-city

plusONEran

iTrader: (2)

the ecu does not need to be replaced. if a master key is present it is a simple replacement key and program. if there is no master key present then the diagnostic specialist of the dealer (for security reasons) will have to perform a master key reset which will wipe out all the existing keys and it will allow the ecu to program the new key. the ecu itself does not have to be replaced. that was for the old rx300 models, where even then they did not have to be replaced, but sent out to get reset.

side note-- the key price is reasonable. about 200-250 a key usually. the ecu is the computer? not sure what they mean by if the ecu like "1400 something and the computer is like 1200 something"

a master key reset for no existing key presents should be no more than an hour of labor at whatever their hourly rate is. plus the cost of at least one key. that should have you out the door and back on the road.

PenguinJS

Yikes. Those Yelp reviews make the place look very sketchy.

JT4

Thanks for posting...

Clutchless

Contact Lexus headquarters. I doubt they are even replacing the ECU etc but are just charging you for it.