Toyota Now Charging Subscription for Key Fob Remote Start

welcome to everything as a service paradigm.

 

Same for my truck. We’ve talked about it a lot here. Guess new owners the past few years have been the test subjects

 

Does your 21 actually show window status on the app? My 20 does not, only doors and hood. I wish it did. Edit: Mine doesn't show moonroof status on the app either, and yes, I do have the sunroof / moonroof.

 

It did not. Windows or moonroof, which seems strange given there's an alert in the dash when you turn off the ignition with the moonroof open.

 

Thanks yeah, seems like a bit of an oversight.

 

https://youtu.be/km4DhjjPbdo

Key fob will work for free for 10 years. After that u can pay for it. App is free for first year then 8$ a month.

I don’t think it’s that big of a deal.

 

Screen shot from above video

 

Talk about going soft!

 

Confirm that when I had the master data consent on, my fob worked (1-year trial of connected services expired early November).

When I turned off the master data consent two nights ago, the fob no longer works. I don’t understand why Toyota made one a prerequisite for the other.

 

I believe this is fundamentally the misleading part of that video. This system isn't free...first, you're paying for (at least some of) it in the cost of building out the car. Additionally, the telemetry has value to Toyota, so when you opt out of the data consent they're no longer going to provide any "free" services. It's the "if you're getting something for free, you're the product" thing in play. I don't inherently have an issue with that (it really depends on the company), and I think there is a lot to be gained by Toyota receiving our telemetry data to improve their products and services. However, I recognize it also gives them insight into how we use the vehicles so that they can maximize their revenue.

I'm glad there is more clarity around what actually happens after the trial though. Thank you for sharing, @kmangino47!

 

When I purchased my 2020 over 2 years ago, I did hear rumblings about the remote start on the fob only working during the first year, unless you continued the subscription to connected services. I never initially subscribed or registered to connected services, never downloaded the app, was not into too much tech as I'm a bit of an old school guy. I made it clear to the dealer that I was not going to register for any of the connected services and to remove me from any promotions or further contact. I didn't even give them my real cell number A year after owning the truck, I received a letter in the mail telling me they have extended my connected services subscription. I called immediately and spent over an hour talking to various representatives and explained that I never subscribed to any subscription plans and to remove them immediately. I was concerned that the fob remote start would now stop working.
As of yesterday I used the remote start before I left work, and it is still working on my end.

 

curious if you could check in the app whether your master data consent is still enabled. You can disable all the other consents related to services to you, but the master data consent seems to disable the fob remote start.

also, doesn’t appear that I can reverse the master data consent either without now subscribing for connected services.

 

I did the the exact same thing and my remote start no longer worked as well. I have an obd2 and carista and there is no option to change it. If you don't consent to give them all your data they shut off your remote start. Not sure what to do other than install an aftermarket remote start and flip toyota the bird.

 

The level of information they demand in order for us to use a feature we paid for is unacceptable. Remote start from the fob on my f250 isn't contingent on giving them access to all my data.

Toyota really is souring me on their invasion of privacy to use what I paid for.

 

I understand it being a sour point, but I'd argue it being a feature you paid for. It's all in the fine print.

 

Like I stated, I don't have the app and don't plan on ever having it or registering on it. Sooooo, I can not check the info you are in search of

 

I am sure there will be a class action coming in 3... 2... 1...

 

You'd argue 60k for a truck that has auto start from the key fob doesn't actually come with auto start from the key fob?

Toyota doesn't make it clear they are holding auto start hostage and demanding your privacy be forked over to them. If they were more open about this I'd say your right, if they told you that and you still bought it you'd know what you were getting into.

 

I think remote start is a feature than any vehicle at these price points should include, but I don’t agree, in the case of Toyota, that paying for the truck covers paying for the system. Like it or lump it, they’ve structured payment for this system in a way that won’t appeal to all consumers. Specifically for the fob-based remote start, you are paying for this functionality with both payment for the truck and payment via allowing them access to telemetry data.

 

I understand what you're saying, our data is worth money, what are they doing to compensate us for our data? Instead, the collect our data and make us pay them for key fob auto start despite the fact that the hardware for a key start needs zero telemetry or data to be sent.

If people want the use the app, fine charge them. I don't want the app, and I just want remote start to work on my expensive truck. My 2012 super duty came with a auto start that didn't require my data or subscription. What toyota is doing is unnecessary and intrusive. People just accepting it is why they continue their shenanigans, if more owners spoke up they'd listen.

I'll purchase an aftermarket auto start and be done with it.

 

I think this is BS, especially when I specifically asked the salesman about losing the remote start feature after 1 year and he ensured me it would not lose it as they cant control the fob's function from the app. Here is a 2021 brochure (it does not mention the start function from the key fob) (unless I missed it) Look under the Audio packages (starting on page 17) for durations.
https://www.toyota.com/content/ebrochure/2021/tundra_ebrochure.pdf


Connected Services

Our available suite of Connected Services11 provides

added convenience and peace of mind.

Safety Connect®

Emergency SOS assistance and 24/7 Toyota

Roadside Assistance.12, 13

Service Connect

Get personalized maintenance updates and vehicle

health reports.14

Remote Connect

Start, lock/unlock your doors and more, using your

compatible smart device.15

Wi-Fi Connect

Turn your Toyota into a hotspot with 4G connectivity.16

Destination Assist

24/7 live agent assistance to locate your next destination.17

To view included trial details, please visit

toyota.com/connected-services.


Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation37 and JBL®25 — includes 8.0-in. touchscreen, 12 speakers including subwoofer and amplifier, AM/FM/HD Radio,™36 USB media port,34 two USB charge ports,34 Dynamic Navigation37 with up to 3-year trial,54 Dynamic POI Search, Dynamic Voice Recognition,55 hands-free phone capability and music streaming33 via Bluetooth®33 wireless technology, Android Auto™21 & Apple CarPlay®18 compatible, SiriusXM®22 with 3-month All Access trial subscription.23 Connected Services11 — Safety Connect®12 with 1-year trial,50 Service Connect14 with 10-year trial,52 Remote Connect15 with 1-year trial,53 Wi-Fi Connect16 with up to 2 GB within 3-month trial,51 Destination Assist17 with 1-year trial.56 See toyota.com/audio-multimedia for details.

 

It does not mention anything about the key fob function on this website either.
https://www.toyota.com/connected-services/remoteconnect/

 

My buddy has a 2021 Corolla hybrid, I was talking to him he did not know a Toyota app even exists, and said he doesn’t have a remote start on his key fob.

we tested “lock lock hold down lock” and the remote start worked. He had no clue.

my question to anyone that knows the answer is, if you never opt into the app and never give consent to data, are they tracking you anyway? Like is it part of the paperwork you sign at purchase? If not then someone can just never get the app and have the fob for free for 10 years without being tracked? Could this be a work around for new purchases?

 

If his sos button works, and it does by default then they are collecting data. You're opted in on purchase. He'd have to call them or press the button to opt out.

 

Thanks. Figured Toyota attorneys jammed it in the fine print. Thanks for this info.

 

These are the sections of the Privacy Policy which seem to apply. Depending on the type of data, Toyota holds onto it from 4~15 years. Per the other comments, nothing mentioned about the fob as a service.

 

Just got off the phone with toyota. You need to be subscribed to remote connect on the app which mean you give them permission to collect all your data, to use your key fob to auto start the truck. I logged a complaint (like that does any good lol) maybe if more guys call and complain we can get something done.

 

So I thought I would explore some of the "Connected Services" available on my 2022 Tundra via the Toyota mobile app.

One thing I found to be just wee bit sketchy that gave me pause was the way Toyota positions the fees in the mobile app. ALL of the physical & electronic marketing material I saw said the connected services cost was $8 per month or $80 per year.

However...when you go into the app to actually purchase it, the app gives you zero option to purchase $80 per year. The only option I can find in the app is to pay the $8 per month. There's no way, that I can find, to purchase the cheaper option of the $80 per year. See the image.

Side note: I did look on Toyota.com in my "Owner" section where you can manage your vehicle, schedule service, etc. It refers you back to the app to purchase any of the connected services.