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My car didn't come with the key card. I asked the dealer if I can order one have have it programmed. They told me it was not possible since. Does anyone know if its possible?
They dont know what they're talking about as far as programing. If you have a 2025 or before its part of the digital key package. Not sure about 26my, build site has it as an option still but 3 cars I looked at didn't have the package so maybe its no longer as common of a package added to builds.
When I bought my NX, I went with the base model since there were many features that I can live without. I realized that when I bought my previous Audi with almost a complete package and paying all the extra money, but I didn't really use a lot of the stuff. After a while, I was wondering if I can add the key card option so I can leave the key fob at home, but the dealer said it was not possible.
My wife's 2023 NX 350H came with a key card. They are definitely available for the NX. My 2024 RX 350H did not come with a key card. There was some confusion that it wasn't available. I ordered one online got it programmed and the key and got the key cut it works perfectly. I love it I would highly recommend it. It's so nice not having to worry about the key fob.
Last edited by Freds430; Nov 29, 2025 at 10:41 AM.
Not sure what year yours is but this is the OEM key card part number for 2022-2024: 8990H-78621
My NX is a Luxury trim with all the bells and whistles. I called the Parts Dept. at both Bell Lexus (AZ) and Treasure Coast Lexus (FL) and asked if I could use key card and they asked for my VIN number to let me know if I could or not — Yes, I called both places just to make sure. They are both very helpful. There’s also Prestige Lexus (NJ) depending on where you’re located. I order ALL my OEM parts from one of those places during their sales.
Maybe call Parts Dept. of these places and give them your VIN to make sure if your NX can or cannot use key card.
If you can here are some options:
There’s a big sale (see below pic) going on now thru Nov 3rd with Free Shipping and NO Sales Tax for out of state customers.
If you have another dealership in your area (we have 3) I’d call another Dealership and ask if they’d program the key card if bought from another dealership. Some do, some don’t as they want you to buy from their Parts Dept. One of the dealerships in my area allows me to bring in OEM parts bought from the dealerships I mentioned.
If not, I’d call a REPUTABLE local locksmith and ask if they’d program or able to program key card.
Good Luck!!
Here are links to the part with Treasure Coast and Prestige Lexus dealerships being the cheapest:
Mine is the 2024 MY. I asked my dealership last year and also called another dealership today. Service dept couldn't answer my question and transferred me to parts. Parts looked up my VIN and said the key card did not appear in the search result. He said since it didn't appear in the VIN search, it's most likely not possible.
Mine is the 2024 MY. I asked my dealership last year and also called another dealership today. Service dept couldn't answer my question and transferred me to parts. Parts looked up my VIN and said the key card did not appear in the search result. He said since it didn't appear in the VIN search, it's most likely not possible.
Yeah, it’s unfortunate, because they are so handy and I wanted one so badly. If it makes you feel any better mine couldn’t get a key card either and I have a luxury trim. The parts dept and I think it’s because the NX was delivered to the Canadian market and just didn’t have that on the build sheet. My NX then crossed the border into the States which is where I bought it used. I have everything you can think of except the stinking key card and ML stereo. I can live w/o the stereo but wish I didn’t have to w/o the key card
I don't see how this key card is any different from regular keyfob except missing buttons. Any dealer or independent locksmith equipped for current generation Toyota/Lexus should be able to program a blank key. Not used one. If you are willing to pay.
I don't see how this key card is any different from regular keyfob except missing buttons. Any dealer or independent locksmith equipped for current generation Toyota/Lexus should be able to program a blank key. Not used one. If you are willing to pay.
I know it sounds simple, but obviously it isn’t. You either have the ability or you don’t. It’s all in your NX’s build sheet, or ECU or ECM — who knows. But there’s got to be something in the programming that allows you to either have the ability to have a key card or not and it’s tied to your VIN.
OP says he has a base model, which might limit his options and upgrades compared to others. He was also informed by an “expert” that his VIN is not compatible with a key card.
I, on the other hand have a luxury model with all the options and upgrades but my NX also doesn’t have that capability of having a key card.
I’m not an expert, nor claim to be, but there must be a reason preventing both OP and I from having one.
TLDR:
EDIT: Well, there you go OP just said his car isn’t equipped with a transmitter to communicate with a key card. That’s probably the same reason why I can’t get a key card.
I was told by many Lexus dealerships it was not available for my 2024RX 350h. Even my own dealerships part department told me no. At least two Lexus online discount companies told me no. This site has great info telling me it was available and several part numbers. I called Bell Lexus and an employee said it was available. I texted my Lexus shop manager who I know and said yes it works. Ordered from Bell Lexus and the shop manager programed it. Works flawlessly.
Last edited by Freds430; Nov 30, 2025 at 04:51 AM.
Mine had it and we wanted a second key card. Local dealership wanted way too much for the part but Bell Lexus in AZ had it for half the price. Great experience ordering all parts from them! My local dealership hesitated on programming it but I told them don’t even think about refusing this service. They quickly agreed to program and cut the mechanical key. Btw, the mechanical key is a separate part from the key card so make
sure to order both parts.
I know it sounds simple, but obviously it isn’t. You either have the ability or you don’t. It’s all in your NX’s build sheet, or ECU or ECM — who knows. But there’s got to be something in the programming that allows you to either have the ability to have a key card or not and it’s tied to your VIN....
Not being in the build list is not the same as not having ability to add it. E.g. 5 keyfobs are not in the build list either, but any dealer can program them to your car if you wish.
Sure Toyota can add whatever silly software restrictions they wish (thinking about subscription enabled seat heaters as in some other brand). No more than 2 keyfobs/cards or whatever. But there is no basis to claim they have done such nonsense, it's not how it was all the time.
The parts person didn't finding it as replacement part because it didn't came with the car originally and telling "no" to avoid liability is not a serious argument, they tell random nonsense all the time. Most likely electronically they are all the same, fob form factor key or more flat "card". You need to actually try to program it and there is 99% chance it will work just fine.
Not being in the build list is not the same as not having ability to add it. E.g. 5 keyfobs are not in the build list either, but any dealer can program them to your car if you wish.
Sure Toyota can add whatever silly software restrictions they wish (thinking about subscription enabled seat heaters as in some other brand). No more than 2 keyfobs/cards or whatever. But there is no basis to claim they have done such nonsense, it's not how it was all the time.
The parts person didn't finding it as replacement part because it didn't came with the car originally and telling "no" to avoid liability is not a serious argument, they tell random nonsense all the time. Most likely electronically they are all the same, fob form factor key or more flat "card". You need to actually try to program it and there is 99% chance it will work just fine.
Yeah, okay. Now that I really think about it because it’s been a while, and I did talk with both Bell Lexus and Treasure Coast Lexus’ Parts Dept who both told me that according to their systems info I couldn’t, they weren’t going to tell me I could.
It was last year that I asked, during this exact same big sale like they have now (see Post #5) but I didn’t want to spend the money on the card key and yes, separate little metal key that goes inside card key, just in case it couldn’t be programmed.
I don’t have the equipment to and am not that tech savvy to program key cards as I’ve read people being able to do so themselves. I could possibly take a chance and see if a reputable locksmith could program it. I just have to decide again whether I want to spend the money or not on the parts and take a chance on wasting that money or not if it doesn’t work.
Do you think the same for OP — or do you think because they told him he doesn’t have a transmitter to talk to a key card that that’s his case and his NX isn’t able to or really can’t?
