2023 Toyota Highlander Key Replacement in Los Angeles

The 2023–2024 Highlander uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Toyota Highlander key guide.

2023 Toyota Highlander: key facts

Key type: Smart / proximity key
Push-to-start: Yes
Transponder chip: 8A-BA (128-bit DST-AES smart)
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

8A-BA fob type per transpondery.com. For all-keys-lost on 2020+ smart-key cars, US jobs generally require Toyota server codes with locksmith-credentialed (LSID/NASTF VSP) TIS access; add-a-key with a working fob is less restricted.

What kind of key does a 2023 Highlander use?

The 2023 Highlander is a push-to-start vehicle with a smart proximity key. You do not insert anything to start it. The car senses the fob nearby, and the chip inside answers the car's security system. The chip family listed for this fob is 8A-BA, a 128-bit DST-AES smart-key type, per transpondery.com. That is a verified entry in our data, not a guess.

For you as the owner, that has a few practical consequences. The fob cannot be cut like an older bladed key and dropped into the ignition. A new fob has to be programmed to the vehicle, and on this model that is done through the OBD port. The fob also carries a mechanical backup key, so you are not locked out of the car when the fob battery dies, though the backup alone is not what starts the engine.

Three problems show up most with this setup, and they match what we would expect for a car like this:

Fob battery failure, which usually appears as a 'key not detected' message.
Water-damaged fobs, such as one that went through the wash or sat in a wet pocket.
A lost fob costing more to replace than the older bladed keys did.

Duplicate key or all keys lost: what is the difference?

Our data for this vehicle says an original key is needed for duplication. In plain terms, if you still have one working fob, adding another is the more straightforward and less restricted job. The working fob lets us program an additional one to the car without starting from scratch.

All keys lost is possible on this vehicle, but it is a different level of work. On 2020 and newer smart-key cars, jobs like this generally require Toyota server codes, which come through locksmith-credentialed access to Toyota's technical information system. This is the NASTF (LSID/VSP) process. The programming method is OBD, and NASTF SDRM participation is flagged as required for this model.

Because of that, an all-keys-lost 2023 Highlander is not something to assume will be done the same way every time. When you call, we will tell you plainly whether the job can be handled on our side or whether it ends up being a dealer job. If a dealer is the only route in your situation, we will say so rather than take you down a path that goes nowhere.

If you have one fob left, the best advice is simple: do not wait for it to fail or get lost. Adding a spare while you have a working one is the easier path.

Tell us whether you have one working fob, a dead fob, or none.
Give us the VIN and confirm the vehicle is a 2023 Highlander.
We confirm the key type and the correct route for your specific car.
We program the fob through the OBD port and test starting, locking and the backup key.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

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

Call (213) 577-1366

What affects the cost of a new Highlander fob?

We will not quote a number on a web page, because the real price depends on your situation. Here is what moves it:

Whether you have a working fob. Adding a key is generally less involved than an all-keys-lost job.
The fob itself. Smart keys cost more than bladed keys did, which is the most common surprise for owners.
The access route. Jobs needing Toyota server codes through credentialed access carry more steps than simple add-a-key programming.
Where the car is. A vehicle that can be brought to our Westwood storefront is easier than one we drive out to with a van.
Fob condition. A water-damaged fob may be beyond saving, and a dead battery alone may be a much smaller fix.

What we confirm by VIN before we promise anything

The 8A-BA fob information is verified. Even so, we still confirm by VIN and in person, because trims and production runs can differ and the access route on a late-model smart-key car is not something we want to guess at over the phone. If anything about your vehicle does not match what we expect, we tell you before any work begins.

California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, and you should ask any locksmith for it, especially on a modern vehicle with security programming involved.

Why call Wilshire Lock & Key about your Highlander?

We have been in business since 1987, with a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood, Los Angeles, plus mobile service vans serving 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. You reach us directly, not a dispatch middleman, and David oversees the work as owner and lead technician. The line at (213) 577-1366 is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you need broader information, see our car key services, our Toyota key page, or the general Highlander key overview. You can also contact us to describe your situation.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2023 Toyota Highlander use a push-to-start key?

Yes. It uses a smart proximity key with push-to-start. The car detects the fob nearby, so there is no ignition slot to insert it into.

My Highlander says 'key not detected'. Is the fob broken?

Often it is the fob battery. That is one of the most common problems on this setup. If a new battery does not fix it, the fob may be water-damaged or have another fault, and we can check it.

Can you make a copy if I still have one working fob?

Yes, that is the simpler route. Our data says an original key is needed for duplication, and a working fob makes adding another less restricted than an all-keys-lost job.

Can a 2023 Highlander be done if I lost every key?

It is possible, but it is more involved. Newer smart-key Toyotas generally need Toyota server codes through credentialed access. We confirm by VIN and tell you honestly if your case ends up being dealer-only.

How is the new fob programmed?

Through the OBD port. The new fob is programmed to the vehicle, then we test starting, locking and the mechanical backup key.

Does the fob have a physical key inside?

Yes. The fob has a mechanical backup key. It helps if the battery dies and you need to get into the car, but it is not what starts the engine.

Will you quote a price over the phone?

We explain what affects the cost, such as whether you have a working fob and which access route your car needs. A firm figure comes after we confirm your VIN. Call (213) 577-1366.

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

Last updated 2026-10-11.