Last Updated on September 15, 2019 by Dave Farquhar
I got a scary message from my 2011 Toyota Camry. “Key battery low,” the message on the dashboard read. You can read that two ways. “Key” could mean they key fob that unlocks and starts the car. Or “key” could mean “critical.” Fortunately, when a Toyota says key battery low, it means the key that unlocks and starts the car. Or the key fob, if that’s what your car uses.
You can fix this yourself and you don’t have to find a Toyota dealer.
The cheap, easy fix for a Toyota key battery low
The batteries they use vary, but my 2011 Camry uses a CR2032 battery, which you can buy just about anywhere. The CR2032 is a common Lithium battery that many electronic devices use for power. In electronic devices like keyfobs, they’re supposed to last about five years. I guess mine was due.
The last time I needed one, for one of my kids’ toys, Batteries Plus refused to sell me one. They sold me a package of 10. That was six months ago, and of course that means the nine unused batteries have long since disappeared.
The CR2032 is common enough that almost any pharmacy, hardware store, or discount store carries it. You may not be able to find a package of one, but certainly you can find a quantity smaller than 10. Don’t buy a huge package unless you know you’ll use them quickly, or know where to put it that you’re certain you’ll find it again.
For the best deal, you can buy quality CR2032 batteries in quantity on Ebay for less than the cost of two batteries at the store down the street. Look for a major brand like Duracell, Energizer, Panasonic, or Sony. The best deals start at around the $2 price point. I don’t think it’s at all out of line to buy a package of five, replace the batteries in your keyfobs, then keep the extras in your glove compartment. That way, the next time it happens you can just grab a spare from the glove compartment.
Changing the battery
Changing the battery is easy and you can do it yourself in about three minutes. Rather than repeat or duplicate it, I’ll link to Dr. Drang’s illustrated guide. My key fob looks a little different from his but his instructions worked perfectly on mine.
So don’t panic when your Toyota says key battery low. You can fix it yourself. It won’t cost a lot. And you probably have a few days to do it. But I wouldn’t recommend waiting too long.
David Farquhar is a computer security professional, entrepreneur, and author. He started his career as a part-time computer technician in 1994, worked his way up to system administrator by 1997, and has specialized in vulnerability management since 2013. He invests in real estate on the side and his hobbies include O gauge trains, baseball cards, and retro computers and video games. A University of Missouri graduate, he holds CISSP and Security+ certifications. He lives in St. Louis with his family.
Thank you so much! Your information and the link to change the battery put my panic at ease!