I have a 2018 GS350 AWD F-Sport, all a sudden over the past week, the remote start randomly stopped working. Lexus OEM remote start I'm taking about, which works with the 3x button press. Been using it for the past 3 years with no problems every morning, since last week just doesn't work anymore.
I know that Lexus deactivated the 2017 and older remote starts, but the 2018 GS wasn't part of that. Has anyone else experience this lately?

 

@DrunkFuX - Per Lexus, your 2018 GS 350 needs to have a DCM 'Handshake' update made to the DCM (Data Communications Module) in your car.

According to Lexus my 2018 GS 450h needed the DCM update per Service Bulletin L-SB-0006-19 (see below), starting with Step K.

After the update was performed - it allowed remote start to work. Your 2018 GS 350 needs the DCM update, and like my 2018 GS 450h, the Lexus technician should start with Step K (see below).



If anyone with the Lexus app and a paid subscription for Remote that has a problem with the Lexus app or Smart key fob not starting the car, you might want to look into Lexus Service Bulletin L-SB-0006-19 to see if your Lexus vehicle needs a DCM Handshake update to get your remote start to work.

I hope this helps you!

I have added the Lexus Service Bulletin L-SB-0006-19 as an attachment in this post...

 

Thanks for that info, however I don't think that necessarily applies here, because the remote start had been working perfectly fine for the past 3 years that's I've had the car... Via the key fob, not the app as I don't have that. It just all a sudden stopped last week. Why would it have lost that handshake out of the blue in 2024?

 

@DrunkFuX - I recommend having the DCM update done because it affects all communications for remote start capability whether it originates from the Lexus app or from the registered key fob.

Also, your GS 350 needs this update to overwrite the outdated OE communication software your 2018 model came loaded with anyway.

The DCM update will be done at no-charge by your Lexus dealer's service department and should only take a hour or less once the Lexus technician sets up Techstream and gets the download started.

Lastly, I presume you have a relatively new CR2032 lithium battery in your key fob. You'll need to make sure of this when you get the DCM update for testing purposes.

 

Did you get the update and if so did it work? Funny thing is about 2 weeks ago my remote start, just stopped working. Huuummm..

 

So I have some reservations about doing such updates with Lexus...
I also own a 2017 Rx350, second owner, had it for several years and remote start worked perfectly fine with key fob but I couldn't use the App because I want the original registered owner with Lexus (despite not making any annual payments for enform).
Eventually, wanting the app functionality, I updated registration with Lexus which immediately caused all remote functionality to stop working, despite even paying for the subscription. It took multiple visits to the dealership, leaving the car overnight multiple times till they were able to get it working... Then about 6 months later they announced discontinuing all 2017 models and prior remote start.

Coming to the GS, once again I'm the second owner, had the car for nearly 3 years and remote start has worked with key fob, again not having app functionality due to not being original owner in Lexus records. I'm concerned doing any such updates/handshakes will break the system again and make me additionally start paying an annual fee for the remote start.
Having said that, I do remember , sometimes the remote start would randomly stop working for a few weeks then start working again by itself... Hoping this may be one of those times, if not, will have to go do the update.


No I didn't yet... Something like this has happened before in my RX and GS where it would randomly stop working for a few weeks, but start working again... Hope that's the same this time...

 

@DrunkFuX - Sorry, I do not understand what you said in bolded red.

FYI - 3G communications was being discontinued by all major carriers, and all carmakers, including Lexus, had no say in the matter - 3G was going to be 'turn-out-the-lights' history!

So, there's no sense in blaming Lexus for discontinuing remote start for their 2017 and earlier model Lexus vehicles that rely on access to 3G wireless networks - like your 2017 RX 350. Any vehicle with their Telematics DCM Communication Modules relying on 3G wireless networks was outdated. The truth of the matter is, it wouldn't have mattered one iota if you owned a Rolls-Royce that had its Data Communication Module loaded to rely on 3G communication networks.

But what's amazing is that the fix for your 2018 GS 350 is simple and doesn't cost a dime to get remote start working perfectly again!

If you are okay with remote start not working because you're afraid to get it fixed, then it will never work again because you refuse to follow the Lexus issued recommendation for your 2018 vehicle. But that's certainly your choice if you don't mind living with a nice feature that you once enjoyed using that will never work again. But I find that really strange!

 

Did a search and came across this in the results. Just tried our factory remote start for the first time in awhile on our '19 rx 350 from both keyfobs with new batteries and it's not working anymore either. Strange that it's happening for multiple people, all recently. Worked just fine from Sept 2021-Apr 2024

 

@tk197 It sounds like it's time to schedule an appointment at your Lexus dealer for service to get it fixed...

But, do you have the Lexus App and a My Lexus account for Enform Remote that will remotely unlock and lock your doors and start your engine through your smart phone via cellular service from anywhere?

 

So, to use the Lexus Enform app, you need to set up your account for your vehicle with VIN. When adding the VIN to the account, if it doesn't match what Lexus has on file, you cannot register the car to use with the app. Meaning essentially, if the first owner of the car sets up the app, they can continue to have remote access to your car even if they sold it. That holds true with most manufacturers.
​Now usually when you buy a new car, it includes the Enform for free for the first 3-5 years, or whatever. So technically a second owner can continue to at least use the physical remote to start the car as long as the initial subscription is active. In my case, that's how it was with my RX, I could use the physical remote, but could never register the VIN on the app because it didn't match the Lexus records. Only after I sent my proof of ownership to Lexus did they update the system, after which immediately all remote functionality stopped working till I paid the $220 annual fee for the Enform remote access, app or keyfob.

Anywhoo, I'm also wondering if this update will be a problem since I have an aftermarket AA/Carplay box installed... Like I don't know if that will mess with any update/handshake that's needed since it connects directly into the system...

 

Thanks, we do have an appt scheduled for Wednesday, fingers crossed it's an easy fix. We don't have the Enform app since it's not worth the price to us tbh. We bought it as a CPO 3 years ago and asked them at that time to just make it so we could use the fob for remote start alone. Maybe not a coincidence that it stopped working after 3 years (?).

 

Bought one of these for my ES350 when the subscription ran out. MPC Remote Start Kits For 2013-2018 Lexus ES350 - Push-to-Start - Gas easy to install

 

@DrunkFuX - I pay $8.66 per month for Lexus Enform Remote (as shown on my credit card billing below):


Just the Enform Remote service is all that is needed to remote start using the Lexus app from anywhere with cellular service.
If my car is parked 300 yards away (or 3 miles away) and it's -8° or 112° I can start the engine and get it heated-up or cooled down using the Lexus app. I can't remote start the engine from very far away with just the key fob.

For example, I was in a movie theatre recently when it was blazing triple-digit hot outside here in Dallas - I conveniently started my engine ten minutes before leaving my comfortable theatre seat and when I opened my locked car door I was met with a cool cabin interior. Very NIce!

...........112°



For $220 you must have paid for a lot of different services you probably didn't even want, all of which totaled $320 at one time.





As for your aftermarket AA/Carplay box installed, I don't think that will matter at all.

 

I'm sorry, to be clear, are you saying if I have access to Techstream, I can fix this issue on my '18 IS350? (it's listed in the service bulletin that was posted here).

My remote start feature randomly stopped working some time ago. The one where you push the lock button three times...

Attached is what my repair manual says for this procedure. Since I am not re-registering new key fobs, I assume I can skip to part 3, Procedure "I" ?

 

@nitroracer - 2018 models need to have a DCM 'Handshake' update made to the DCM (Data Communications Module) in the car. It must be done by a Lexus dealer's service department. Show them the TSB.