Key replacement - California

[jwight]

Several threads about how difficult and expensive it is to get a smart key replaced. Found the following concerning key replacement in California:

Key Codes. SB 1542 gives motorists a convenient and secure option for getting replacement keys when theirs have been lost, stolen, or damaged. Automakers must provide, at any time, the key codes necessary for a licensed and registered locksmith to make a replacement key for vehicles sold or leased in California on or after January 1, 2008. Exceptions include automakers that sell fewer than 2,500 vehicles annually, and manufacturers that make their own keys—i.e. BMW and Mercedes-Benz— who have until 2013 to comply with the law provided that, in the interim, they send a replacement key by overnight mail.

Can anyone in California verify the part about having to send a replacement key via overnight mail?

[Smart Enuf]

Here's the relevant language from Vehicle Code section 9954(d)(1) (SB 1542, Stats. 2006, ch. 433):

(d) (1) This section does not apply to a vehicle line of a motor vehicle manufacturer that on January 1, 2006, does not provide for the production of a replacement key or other functionally similar device that allows the vehicle to be entered, started, and operated, by anyone other than the
vehicle manufacturer itself and only itself, provided that the vehicle manufacturer operates a telephone or electronic request line 24 hours a day and seven days a week, and upon a request of the registered owner or family member of the registered owner of the vehicle, a replacement key or other functionally similar device that will allow the vehicle to be
entered, started, and operated, is furnished to the registered owner at a reasonable cost within one day of the request or via the next overnight delivery. (emphasis added)

Full text of the statute can be found here: http://leginfo.ca.gov/pub/05-06/bill..._chaptered.pdf

I have heard that the replacement cost for the smart's key is something like $200 or more (I have not confirmed this). Because the Legislature did not define "reasonable cost," Daimler's charge of $200+ or whatever it is could be "reasonable" under the circumstances -- I don't think anyone's challenged them on this yet.

[Godfather]

And I thought it was bad that a programmed key for the PT Cruiser cost $70........

[karen103a]

I don't see how Smart would be able to satisfy that condition, because I think they get the key blanks from France.

We lost one key. It cost well over $300 total to get it replaced. They had the fob end on hand (which alone is around $150) but they had to send to France for the two blanks (which cost around $70). It took a week for those to come in. Then it was another $100+ for programming both keys with a new code.

Supposedly, if you lose BOTH keys, it's even worse because they need to replace the computer brain in the car. Supposedly $1800, which is crazy...