2009 Lexus IS Key Replacement | Wilshire Lock & Key

The 2009–2013 IS uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Lexus IS key guide.

2009 Lexus IS: key facts

Key type: Smart / proximity key
Push-to-start: Yes
Transponder chip: DST40
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

HYQ14AAB 'E' board 3370 fob, DST40 chip — the board letter must match when replacing a fob. All-keys-lost via OBD smart-code reset with professional tools; older methods required smart-ECU work or dealer service.

What kind of key does a 2009 Lexus IS use?

The 2009 IS came with a smart-proximity key and a push-to-start ignition. You carry the fob, the car senses it, and you press the button to start. There is no key you turn in the ignition, and that changes what a replacement involves compared with a plain bladed key.

Inside the fob is a DST40 transponder chip. Our data for this year is verified against a hardware reference (uhs-hardware.com). The fob it lists is the HYQ14AAB 'E' board 3370 type. That board letter matters. A fob with a different letter can look identical and still not work with your car, so we match it before anything is programmed.

The fob also carries a mechanical backup key. That blade is how you get into the car when the fob battery dies, so it is worth knowing where yours is. It is part of what we replace when a fob is lost. These are the problems we see most often on this year:

A dead smart-fob battery, where the car reports 'key not detected' even though the fob is in your pocket
A lost fob, which costs more to replace than a bladed key would
A water-damaged or crushed fob that no longer responds

Duplicate or all keys lost: what's the difference on this IS?

For this setup, making a duplicate needs an original key. If you still have one working fob, adding another is the more straightforward job, and it is the lighter-cost route compared with starting from nothing. If you are down to one fob, getting a spare made now is the sensible move, before the last one goes missing or gets wet.

If every fob is gone, it can still be done. Our data says all-keys-lost on this year is handled through the OBD port, using a smart-code reset with professional tools. Older methods for this generation of Lexus required smart-ECU work or dealer service, which is why some owners were told years ago that the dealer was their only option. For this year, our data lists programming by OBD and does not require NASTF SDRM access.

All-keys-lost takes more steps than a duplicate, and that shows up in the cost. It does not mean towing the car to a dealer by default. For a wider look at the model, see our Lexus IS key pages.

How do we replace a 2009 Lexus IS fob?

Here is how the job goes from your first call to a car that starts.

You call (213) 577-1366 and tell us the year and model, whether you have any working fob, and where the car is. The line is answered around the clock.
We confirm the correct fob by VIN and by board letter. If you have a fob in hand, we check it in person.
We come to you in a mobile van, or you bring the car or fob to our storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood.
We ask for ID and proof that the car is yours before programming a key to it.
We connect through the OBD port and program the new fob. For all keys lost, we run the smart-code reset first.
We test everything: push-button start, lock and unlock, the backup blade, and any fobs you already had.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

We answer around the clock, every day of the year.

Call (213) 577-1366

What affects the price of a 2009 Lexus IS key?

We won't quote numbers in a web page, because the real figure depends on your situation. These are the things that move it:

Duplicate versus all keys lost. A working original makes the job simpler, and starting from zero takes more work.
The fob itself. A smart fob costs more than a bladed key, and the board letter has to match your car.
The backup blade. If it is lost too, it has to be cut as well.
Where we do the work. A van visit to your location differs from a trip to the storefront.
Condition of the fob. A water-damaged or crushed fob may need full replacement instead of a battery.
How many fobs you want made in the same visit.

What we confirm by VIN, and why call us

Our data for this year points to one fob board, but we don't rely on that alone. Before we order or program anything, we confirm by VIN and, if you have the fob, by looking at it in person. If something doesn't line up, we'll say so plainly instead of guessing at your expense.

We have been in business since 1987. We run a storefront plus mobile vans, and we are one company with no dispatch middlemen, so the person who answers is the company that shows up. David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work.

California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, and you should ask any locksmith for it before they start. If you want to compare our approach for other makes, see our Lexus key services or the full car key services overview. You can also reach us through the contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Lexus IS have a push-to-start key?

Yes. Our verified data lists this year as a smart-proximity key with push-to-start. The fob also holds a mechanical backup blade.

What chip does the 2009 Lexus IS key use?

A DST40 transponder chip, verified against a hardware reference. The fob listed for this year is the HYQ14AAB 'E' board 3370 type.

My car says 'key not detected.' Do I need a new fob?

Not necessarily. A dead battery in the smart fob is a common cause of that message. If the battery isn't the cause, the fob may be damaged or no longer matched to the car, and we can test it.

Can you make a key if I've lost every fob?

Yes. For this year, all-keys-lost is handled through the OBD port with a smart-code reset using professional tools. It takes more work than a duplicate, so it costs more.

Do I need an original key to make a copy?

For a duplicate, yes. A working original has to be present. Without one, the job becomes an all-keys-lost situation.

Why does the fob board letter matter?

Fobs that look the same can have different boards. For this IS, the board letter must match when replacing a fob, so we check it by VIN and in person before programming.

Will I have to go to the dealer?

Not for this year, according to our data. Older methods for this generation required smart-ECU work or dealer service, but OBD programming is now available. If your car turns out to need dealer work, we'll tell you.

Do you come to me, or do I come to you?

Either. Our mobile vans come to your location, or you can visit our storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood. Call (213) 577-1366 to arrange it.

We cover all these cities

Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.

Last updated 2026-10-11.