2016 Toyota Tundra Key Replacement

The 2016–2017 Tundra uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Toyota Tundra key guide.

2016 Toyota Tundra: key facts

Key type: Transponder chip key
Push-to-start: No
Transponder chip: Varies by trim — we confirm by VIN
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

G-to-H boundary years: transpondery.com lists the 128-bit H chip from 2016, Southern Lock lists G-chip keys through 2017, and UHS lists TOY44H from 2017 — we identify the chip from the blade stamp or a key reader before cutting.

What kind of key does a 2016 Tundra use?

The 2016 Tundra uses a transponder key with a metal blade. It is not a push-to-start truck, so there is no smart key and no start button. You turn a cut key in the ignition, and the truck also has to recognize the chip inside the plastic head before it will run. A blade that turns the lock is only half the job.

That is why a plain hardware-store copy so often disappoints. It may slide into the ignition and even turn, but a non-transponder copy will not start the truck. The chip has to be present and programmed to the truck.

The truck also has a mechanical backup key, so the blade works as a real physical key. The key is cut to the lock, and the chip is programmed separately. We handle both parts, and the programming is done through the OBD port. For this year, the data does not call for NASTF SDRM access, so programming does not have to wait on that extra credential step.

Two problems come up often on these trucks. High-mileage Tundras can have worn ignition wafers, and a worn key blade can stop turning the lock. Both can look like a key problem when the cause is the wear. We check the blade, the ignition, and the chip before recommending a fix.

Duplicate key or all keys lost: what changes?

For this setup, making a duplicate requires an original key to work from. If you still have one working key, that is the easier route. We cut the blade, program the new transponder to the truck, and test it in the ignition and the door lock before you leave.

If every key is gone, a replacement is still possible on this truck. It takes more steps, because there is no original to copy. We work out the right blade and chip for your VIN, cut a key from the lock or code information, and program it through the OBD port. You do not need to tow the truck to a dealer for this to happen.

One working key: duplicate by cutting the blade and programming the new chip.
No working key: all-keys-lost replacement, cut and programmed from your VIN and the truck itself.
A worn blade on your only key: copy it soon, because a worn key can cut a poor duplicate or stop working.

What we have not been able to verify for 2016

Honesty matters here, because the sources do not agree. The 2016 model year sits on the boundary between two Toyota chip generations. One reference lists the 128-bit H chip starting in 2016. Another lists G-chip keys through 2017. A third lists the TOY44H key starting in 2017. We have no confirmed chip family for this year, and we are not going to guess.

What we do instead is identify the chip before cutting anything. We read the stamp on the blade or use a key reader, and we confirm against the VIN when the truck is in front of us. If you have a key already, a quick look at it often settles the question. Buying a blank online based on a forum post is where people get burned on boundary years like this one.

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 2016 Tundra key?

We do not quote numbers on a web page, because the real figure depends on your situation. These are the things that move it:

Whether you have a working key to duplicate or all keys are lost.
How many keys you need made and programmed.
Which chip the truck takes, once we confirm it by blade stamp, key reader, or VIN.
Wear on the existing key or the ignition, which can add work if wafers need attention.
Whether we come to you in a mobile van or you visit our Westwood storefront.
Whether you call during the day or need us in the middle of the night.

Why call Wilshire Lock & Key

We have been in business since 1987, and the same company answers the phone, sends the van, and runs the storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles. There is no dispatch middleman passing your call along. David, the owner and lead technician, oversees how we handle car key work.

Our line, (213) 577-1366, is answered 24 hours a day, every day of the year. We serve 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. If you are not sure which situation you are in, contact us or call, and we will walk through it with you. You can also read about Toyota car keys in general, or see the page for the Toyota Tundra across other model years.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Toyota Tundra push-to-start?

No. The 2016 Tundra uses a transponder key that you turn in the ignition. There is no smart key or start button for this year.

Can you make a key if I lost all of my keys?

Yes. All-keys-lost replacement is possible on this truck. We identify the correct key for your VIN, cut it, and program it through the OBD port. It takes more steps than a duplicate, but you do not need an existing key.

Do I need my original key to get a duplicate?

For this setup, yes. A duplicate is made from a working original. If you only have a worn key, bring it in or tell us when you call, and we will check its condition first.

Will a hardware-store copy start my Tundra?

No. A non-transponder copy may fit the lock but it will not start the truck, because the truck needs a programmed chip in the key.

Which transponder chip does the 2016 Tundra take?

That is disputed. Sources split between the 128-bit H chip starting in 2016 and G-chip keys through 2017. We identify the chip from the blade stamp or a key reader, and we confirm by VIN before cutting.

My key is hard to turn in the ignition. Do I need a new key?

Not always. High-mileage Tundras can have worn ignition wafers, and a worn key blade can also stop turning the lock. We look at both the key and the ignition so you do not replace the wrong part.

Where can I get the key made?

We come to you with a mobile van, or you can visit our storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles. You can also browse our car key services before you call.

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.