Electric Cars
Key Fob or Phone Key Not Working
The car won't unlock or start using the key fob, and phone-as-key also fails.
What causes it
Dead key fob battery, a low 12V car battery, phone Bluetooth glitch, or the fob out of sync with the car.
What to do
- Replace the fob battery - a CR2032 coin cell lasts 1-2 years; this is the #1 cause.
- Try the emergency blade - hidden in most fobs, it opens the door manually; then place the fob on the marked spot to start.
- Check the 12V battery - if it's low, the car may ignore the fob entirely.
- Re-pair the phone - toggle Bluetooth, restart the app, then remove and re-add the key.
- Hold the fob to the door handle - some cars use NFC for a backup unlock.
If the car starts with the fob placed in the backup zone but not from your pocket, the fob battery is simply too weak to transmit - replace it.