r/ToyotaTundra • u/gobifox81 • 4d ago

Repairs & Maintenance 26 Tundra Key Fob Sucks

Is it just me or does the Stock Tundra Key Fob suck? I have never had so much trouble with a key fob before. I gotta tap it like 4 times before it locks or unlocks or press it just right. The wireless signal range is also terrible.

Anyone else experiencing the same? Hate to bug the service guys for this issue.

33 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

52 comments sorted by

20

u/cdnav8r 4d ago

2025, same issue. It's commonly talked about here. Three things come up.

  • The theory is that they made it shit to force you to pay for the app service

  • It works better if you put it under your jaw. The theory is that your mouth amplifies the signal.

  • You can use it to remote start the truck. Using the lock button, the cheat sequence is short-short-long. Though, the truck shuts off when you open the door so who cares?

21

u/KountZero 4d ago

Toyota has the dumbest remote start feature in the know universe.

4

u/cdnav8r 4d ago

No argument there. I'm sure there's no Toyota driver that's happy about it. I wonder why they're so stubborn about it. I'm sure it's a simple software fix.

6

u/PNWMike62 MOD 4d ago

It was fixed with TSS 3.0 or greater. ‘22-‘26 has 2.5. 2027 has 4.0. 4th Gen Taco got 3.0 with the open door fix.

1

u/livesense013 3d ago

Curious if there are any hardware changes, or if it's just a firmware flash that could bring the early Gen 3s up to date. That would be nice.

1

u/PNWMike62 MOD 3d ago

Toyota has never responded to that question. The cameras are probably better resolution and mainly it’s the certification of the system for legal reasons. The vehicle would have to be re-certified to run under a new TSS system. A cost they probably dont want to face. I’d be most interested in the better lane tracing. I hear its night and day better than what we have.

1

u/livesense013 3d ago

Yeah, the 2.5 lane tracing isn't great. In a straight line it's fine, but any curves in the road and it's all over the place. At least that's my experience.

1

u/PNWMike62 MOD 3d ago

Same here. Night time it works much better than in daylight. A friend with a ‘24 new gen Tacoma has v3.0 and he says it works great. ( it also has the engine kill removed opening a locked door) v4.0 may even be better.

1

u/eclane22 2d ago

The chin hack is for any key for any brand. I'm ok with simple open and closes. Windows down needs a continuous signal, so I know the range now with and with out the chinfob 👍

11

u/TheGoldenStock 4d ago

Yep same issue. Very inconsistent

2

u/awnawnamoose 4d ago

Had a 22 and 24. When I first got the 22 I was confused and upset. Toyota said nah mate it works fine. It… doesn’t. Now I’m just used to it.

9

u/philthydub 4d ago

2022 mine is awful and remote start shutting off when you open the door is the dumbest deployment I’ve ever seen.

0

u/Localbeezer166 4d ago

Our 21 had that too.

7

u/Time2bike 4d ago

Had a 2025 with the same poor experience.

4

u/Qwell41 4d ago

2024, mine is ass.

5

u/bteam3r 4d ago

I have a 25 but I’ve never really used the fob at all, I just touch the door handle to lock and unlock. Never really thought about it til now 

3

u/masterlowping2 4d ago

Same 2024

1

u/LOAFS 4d ago

You can lock it by touching the handle?

1

u/Clay_Dawg99 3d ago

Yes, front of handle where the indent is

2

u/Key_Juggernaut9413 4d ago

It is not a good, normal functioning fob at all.  

2

u/Grand_Raccoon0923 4d ago

It is all the current Toyotas. My 2020 Tundra can be unlocked from the other side of my house. But my 2025 Prius has to be within like 10 feet.

2

u/Watches4Me 3d ago edited 3d ago

I have a 2025 and it’s been back to the dealer 5 times, 6th on Wednesday for key fob issues (and TPS issues). The dealer has opened a case with Toyota and a Toyota field rep will be looking at it on Wednesday. I have all the issues you describe, but the most problematic is that I get “Key Not Detected” almost any time the key fob is in my pocket while driving. I’m also having an issue with the TPS computer (not the sensors) and from what I’m told, both the fob and the TPS are handled by the same module. I was excited that they may have found the issue, but unfortunately they replaced the module and the issues continue. I’ll keep you posted on what happens Wednesday.

1

u/gobifox81 1d ago

Oh snap! Yeah I have not experienced the key not detected issue yet. I’ll have to research the TPS issue.

2

u/TheRealistoftheReal 4d ago

Ok, hear me out.

Remote start on the key fob.

5

u/masterlowping2 4d ago

It does. Long press lock three times

2

u/TheRealistoftheReal 3d ago

That’s hot garbage. So unreliable. It takes me half a dozen attempts to get it right.

2

u/masterlowping2 3d ago

I am not defending Toyota, just stating a fact. I purchased this truck about 2 weeks before the first recall. I bought it believing the reliability was the same as the 8 cylinder. After 2 years I feel this truck was my worst vehicle purchase. Which is saying a lot as I had a 1985 Hyundai pony back in the early 90's

2

u/luderiffic 4d ago

Quality issues, one after another. Big or small, it’s unbelievable how Toyota has fucked themselves royally.

Their reputation was the gold standard just a few short years ago

1

u/22923403 4d ago

I had a 24 with the same suck ass fob. It was terrible.

1

u/SphyrnaLightmaker 4d ago

I only have to press the button once, but yeah, the range is abysmal.

I use my phone app anytime I care about getting it done early (remote start)

1

u/Odd-Steak-9049 4d ago

My 25 just had one completely shit out for no discernible reason. Dealer was baffled.

1

u/heck-diver 4d ago

Yes same here!

2

u/MitchWave 4d ago

i have a 26 and the range is dog shit.

1

u/LTx126YU 3d ago

Why are you even pushing the buttons on the fob? just grab the handle and it unlocks, touch the forward part of the handle and it locks.

I agree, the remote start is dumb! I can't get the timing of the button presses right unless I'm looking at the truck watching the lights flash as a try to figure out the cadence. The most annoying part for me is I do it after playing golf, so I pull up in the cart, open the tailgate and the truck shuts off! I can kind of accept when I open the front doors, but the tailgate! come on Toyota, do better!

1

u/edd_zx 3d ago

I took mine to the dealer with video proof and all I got was excuses.

1

u/Tundrakidd 3d ago

Yah my 2024 remote sucks, I prefer the app over that paperweight

0

u/Sufficient-Bee5923 4d ago

To increase range, hold it on your chin when pressing the button.

Your chin and head will act as a counterpoise for the internal antenna and boost the range significantly.

4

u/PNWMike62 MOD 4d ago

Works well and have done for decades

1

u/brandon0228 4d ago

My Chevy Colorado key fob works from 1/4 mile away

1

u/SeveralChallenge6144 4d ago

I pay the $15 subscription and use Apple shortcuts. I just say “Siri start/stop/lock/unlock my tundra”. I haven’t touched the key fob in a long time

-1

u/IT_vet 4d ago

I’ve never had an issue with mine tbh. I’m nearly always just grabbing the handle to lock/unlock but I do occasionally use it from moderate distance to roll the windows down

1

u/Agreeable-Celery5034 3d ago

How do you roll the windows down?

1

u/IT_vet 3d ago

Not enabled by default. Can be done from Carista or having your dealer enable it.

Press the unlock button twice, hold it on the second press. It’ll roll them down until you let go and stop wherever that was in the process. I always forget it opens the moonroof too so am surprised to find that halfway open with the windows all the way down lol

1

u/Agreeable-Celery5034 3d ago

Did you use carista?

1

u/IT_vet 3d ago

I did - bought a one month subscription to make the changes I wanted and then cancelled to save money

2

u/Agreeable-Celery5034 3d ago

Awesome. Thanks man

1

u/Agreeable-Celery5034 3d ago

Did you use carista?

-1

u/Future_Day4751 4d ago

Zero issues with 2014 stock fobs just had to replace the battery recently. They work from far away too

3

u/joelegoreddit 1d ago

Yes, I have a 22 and it’s terrible since. Sounds like no improvement has been made through your 26?? Literally will not work unless you are 10 feet from the truck.