I picked up a new 2023 ES 350 a few days ago. It came with 1 key fob and the Smart Key Card. When I asked the dealer where the second key fob was he told me there was a parts shortage and that Lexus would send it to me when it became available. Anyone else experience the same thing recently?

On a side note, the owners manual says that the battery replacement in the card key is dealer only. But I found a YouTube video showing how simple it is to replace. A 5 year old could do it. I guess this is because the replacement battery is a somewhat hard to find battery number (CR2412)

2023 ES 350 Cloudburst Grey with Palomino interior, premium package, 12.3 in screen.

 

GOOD LUCK with your new wheels!!!

 

Yes, congrats on your new car. I recently read about the key fob issue on an article Car & Driver posted. According to the article, they are doing this for all new Toyota and Lexus models until further notice.

 

OK, good to know it’s a real issue. Thanks. The cars still have the same shortage issues. My dealer, Lexus of Palm Beach, says that most Lexus models sell as soon as they come in or before.

 

The dealership is not wrong. Mainly because of low Inventory, they are quickly moving their limited stock.

 

I read about this yesterday. To keep production going, they are taking this measure to keep providing stock to their dealers.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...shortage-bites

 

I've literally never used my extra regular fob. I use the wallet key card and my wife has one of the regular fobs in her purse. The extra fob I've never even used once, it may or may not even work LOL.

As far as I'm concerned if the car comes with the key card and one fob that's all I need. Maybe Lexus will even make that standard in the future if the chip shortage issue becomes the new normal (which is looking that way).

 

I saw a rumor about sunglasses holder. Can you post a pic of your overhead console? I wonder if they added a sunglass holder up there for '23? I have the Palamino interior, LOVE it.

 

No sunglass holder in the overhead. Maybe it is a Europe or Asia only thing. There is a little slot on the front part of the lower console where you could put a phone or glasses. Here is the upper console near the sunroof controls.

 

🤔 maybe the slot on the center console is the sunglasses holder? 🤷‍♂️

 

Yes you can use console slot for glasses without a glass case. Slot is too thin for my case to fit. I like to keep my sunglasses in a hard case in the drivers side door pocket.

 

As someone that only uses the Smart Access key card, my key fob batteries will likely run out of power due to lack of use versus actual use. I believe a digital key will eventually replace the Smart Access key card. Now's a good time for them to push that forward!

 

The reason for shipping all Toyota and Lexus vehicles with 1 key fob is chip storage.

Smart access needs even more chips to allow for phone to vehicle communications. That would become another problem.

We wanted everything cheap and bought them from cheap countries that have now become super powers and and can flex their muscles.

I can't see this improving anytime soon based on what's going on in the world.

 

Completely aware of the necessity here. Very little seems to be improving soon—more of a hurry-up-and-wait situation. I don't know the complexities behind the digital key, but most ES buyers likely have smartphones, a digital key could probably solve or lessen a few problems, but then again, it could just be wishful thinking on my part.

 

Did you get mark levinson? what configuration did you get. I've been trying to get my hands and no luck so far.