Question 1

Why is Toyota key replacement so expensive?

Accepted Answer

A few real reasons, not just markup. The remote head key on your 2013 4Runner has a transponder chip inside the head that has to be cryptographically matched to your vehicle's immobilizer. The cut blade alone won't start the car. The remote functions also have to be programmed separately so the fob talks to the body control module for lock and unlock. That's two distinct programming operations, not one.

Dealers charge what they charge partly because of parts costs and partly because of how they bill labor. A dealer might have you scheduled for a service appointment, waiting on a key ordered from the distributor, and paying a flat-rate labor line whether the job takes 20 minutes or an hour. A mobile locksmith with the same professional equipment and the part on hand cuts that process down significantly. Same technology, different overhead.

Question 2

What exactly is a remote head key and how is it different from a smart key?

Accepted Answer

A remote head key is what your 2013 4Runner SR5 or TRD uses. The fob buttons are built into the top of the key, and a physical blade extends from the bottom. You turn that blade in an ignition cylinder to start the car. The transponder chip inside the fob head communicates with the immobilizer when the key is in the cylinder.

A smart key, by contrast, stays in your pocket. The car detects it wirelessly and a push-button starts the engine. The 4Runner Limited trim uses that system. They look similar from a distance, but they're programmed differently and they're not interchangeable. If someone quotes you a smart key replacement for a base or TRD 4Runner, that's the wrong part.

Question 3

How does a mobile locksmith compare to the Toyota dealer for this key?

Accepted Answer

Dealers on the 2013 4Runner remote head key tend to quote a parts charge for the fob, a cutting fee, a programming labor line, and sometimes a shop supply or diagnostic fee layered on top. 4Runner owners on the forums consistently report quotes that feel steep for what ends up being a 20-to-30-minute job once the car is actually in the service bay. The wait for a parts order adds time too.

With EZ Car Keyz, I come to you in Downtown Ventura, have the key on the truck, cut it on site, program it on site, and you're done in one visit. The total is a fraction of what the dealer route runs, and you're not dropping your car off or waiting on a parts order.

Question 4

Can I program a replacement remote head key for my 2013 4Runner myself?

Accepted Answer

Not on this vehicle. There's no owner-accessible add-a-key sequence for the 4Runner's immobilizer system. Some older Toyotas had ignition-turn relearn procedures, but the 4Runner in this generation doesn't give you that option. The transponder chip has to be enrolled using professional programming equipment connected to the OBD port. If you bought a replacement fob online, the remote functions can sometimes be self-programmed through a button sequence, but the transponder side that actually lets the car start still needs a tool. A fob that's only half-programmed will lock and unlock your doors and then refuse to start the engine. That's the most common complaint I hear from people who tried the DIY route first.

Question 5

My 2013 4Runner starts fine but the fob buttons stopped working. Do I need a new key?

Accepted Answer

Start with the CR2016 battery. Weak batteries on this fob cause intermittent or dead remote functions before they affect the transponder, so the car keeps starting while the lock and unlock buttons go silent. Swap the battery first and make sure it's seated flat against the contacts.

If a fresh battery doesn't fix it, the fob itself may need to be re-paired to the body control module. That's a programming step, not a hardware replacement. A new fob is the last resort, not the first one.

2013 Toyota 4runner
Key Replacement - Save vs Dealer in Ventura County

1,000+ Five-Star Reviews | Certified Pros

2013 Toyota 4runner
Key Options

Compare Toyota 4runner Key Credentials

2013 Toyota 4runner Remote Head Key Replacement - Fast, Affordable & Professional

Save vs the Dealer on Your Toyota 4runner Key

Toyota 4runner Rapid Response, Done Right

Five Stars From Verified Customers

Toyota 4runner Mobile Service FAQ

Toyota 4runner Key Service Areas

Certified Toyota 4runner Key Experts

2013 Toyota 4runnerKey Replacement - Save vs Dealer in Ventura County

1,000+ Five-Star Reviews | Certified Pros

2013 Toyota 4runnerKey Options