Toyota Safety Features: Can I lock my Smart Key inside my Car?

Welcome to Belleville Toyota!

Today we are answering the question: "So, can I accidentally lock my smart key inside my car?".

In this video, I will demonstrate a few different scenarios for you that involve locking the smart key in the vehicle. Please note that this feature is specifically for smart keys and therefore is not applicable to all Toyota vehicles.

As long as your smart key's battery is not depleted and you are not in battery saving mode, your vehicle will not allow you to lock the smart key inside the cabin. This is a great feature for those who are getting used to the smart key system or who prefer to keep the smart key in the cupholder while driving than in their pocket or purse.

Love the smart key system and looking for an upgrade? Call our sales team at Belleville Toyota (613-968-4538) to book an appointment or test drive.

We're here for you.

[joyanderson]

Today I put my 3 year old nephew in the car seat of my 2013 Toyota
Avalon after we had finished shopping. I threw my purse in the front seat with the key fob in my purse. I shut the door and everything locked!
I immediately called 911 from the store because my phone was also in the car. The firemen came within 6 minutes and used a slim Jim to open the drivers door.
The fireman took my 3 year old nephew out of the backseat baby seat and he was already drenched in sweat and whimpering.
I don’t know why my car would lock immediately like that but I’m going to find out.
Thank God for the wonderful firemen response team in my town.

[cindyprice]

I have a 2018 rav4 xle. Twice it has locked the keys in the car. My purse with the key in it was on the front passenger seat. I now always make sure to leave the window down some so I can reach in and unlock it.

[ericarobertson]

Thank you for posting this! This video was a big help for me this morning when I accidentally hit the lock button and didn’t close the door all the way with the car on. I thought I was locked out and called a locksmith which is an hour away from me but saw this and as soon as I closed the door all the way it unlocked 🙏❤️ edited to include I have the car in video so it worked for me

[primarysupport]

Just got locked out too. Forgot my keys inside the 2018 Toyota Camry xse and closed the drivers side. It automatically locked when I tried to open drivers side. And I just changed the battery on the FOB. Idk this is the 2nd time.

[blazinlatino]

Well I'm currently sitting outside my vehicle while the key fob is in the backseat with a full battery so this was unhelpful

[TheCleanseCoach]

So this just happened to me and I was locked out 😭. We have a 2017 Highlander.

[sharonputney]

I actually locked both my keys in my car 2022 RAV4 last night.

[Cayden]

My 2013 Toyota Camry XLE Hybrid autolocks with walking away WITH my key fob in the cup holder (for a fact, I'm waiting on AAA as I write this). It will also auto lock with me in the car if I haven't started the car quick enough and if I touch anything (door, brake pedal) it'll set off the panic alarm. And it will pop the trunk with the key fob button but simultaneously set off the panic alarm because it doesn't disarm the security system. I can't find ANY help online or in the manual (just bought it last month) on how to remedy these backwards settings...

[USPS_BldgMechanic]

My 2021 Toyota let me lock the key in the trunk today. When i tried to start the car it said key not detected. Good thing i wasn’t trying to lock the door because it appears it would have let me. 😮

[susanna]

Today, my 2014 Toyota Avensis locked my key inside the car! I put my jacket with my phone and keys on the passenger seat, closed the door, walked around the car and it just locked right in front of me. I will never leave the key inside the car anymore.

[dorisrodriguez]

I have a 2017 Highlander and forgot my key inside and it definitely lock itself with the key in it. It also happened to my sister and she has a rav4.

[williamf.]

Is there a way to lock a 2018 Toyota Tundra with the spare key fob with the truck running?

[dannywhatley]

You can accidentally lock your smart key "inside" your car, overriding this safety feature. My wife had placed her purse with the smart key inside, had placed both her laptop and purse, back of our Rav4. Guess what, we found out this safety feature only works if your fob is near the driver seat.

[greghudson]

Hmm.
Well our 2009 Highlander Limited USED to work like that. Also would not let you manually lock doors WITHOUT fob present. (Never liked that feature.)
Recently the door lock sensor is about 50/50 whether it senses you (fob) at the driver or passenger doors. Today my wife locked the doors (door lock button) with fob inside and left the vehicle. The doors and hatch all locked and she could not get it to open.
The fob batteries were both replaced only about two weeks ago.
Any thoughts?

[dbocanegra]

MY DOG locked the door with key inside on a 2024rav4, i had window open so i was able to stretch my arm and unlock it, my prius never had this happen it would not lock with key inside

[tico]

Hi. Question.i have 2021 platinum highlander. I've had my car beep when I was getting everyone out but somehow my key ended up inside car. Thankfully it wouldn't lock. My husband is very forgetful, and when tired he leaves everything anywhere. It was in kids carseat cup holder. It took us a minute to locate it. Sigh.

However, my question is about when we are in car and lock the door, can intruder tough the door handle and unlock the door when fob is inside with us?

Example, camping and I put my kids inside with 1 responsible teen or me when traveling. I always worry that someone can walk up and unlock it by touch because fob is nearby. Is it possible?

[beachboy]

This video is very inspiring but not true. My wife’s 2021 Highlander has locked it’s keys inside three times so far. All auto locks and her phone isn’t allowed to unlock it anymore 😅 A little embarrassing for her when I get to use my remote start on my 2011 truck while her fancy-schmancy app takes a password authentication, load up screen, and maybe… start up IF the connection to the car doesn’t drop, 20 ft away

[josevelasquez]

My corolla 2022 it locked the other day I forgot the key in the car it made the noise but i was in a rush that I left when I returned car was locked thanks God i have a second key

[afbenspeter]

I wanna know if I locked my Toyota rav4 and then someone come to try to break the windows did the alarm going to scream out?

[youdagoob]

My 2011 RAV4 has a little cubby on the dash to the left of the steering wheel. It even looks like it is made to hold the "smart" key fab, because it wouldn't hold much else. Unfortunately, if I leave the key in that cubby, it works to lock me out when using the outside handle button. Found this out the hard way.