I bought a 370z... but it didn't come with the right key.
 

Greetings. Thank you in advance for any replies to my questions.

Quick story:

Two and a half years ago I purchased a used 2013 370z. I've been very happy with it. I purchased it from a Mitsubishi Dealership. Although the car was used, there were less than 3,000 miles on it, so I certainly felt like I was getting a brand new car.

Two days after I purchased it I discovered the physical key they gave me wouldn't lock or unlock the door. It just wouldn't turn. Of course I took it back to that same dealership that same day.

They confirmed it wasn't just me. Sure enough, the key didn't work. But they did not want to get in there and fiddle around with the inside of the door, to see what was causing the problem. They said it would "void all of the warranty if they did that." They suggested I take it to a Nissan Dealership, since it was still under warranty. Okay, fine.

Well, I never got around to it. After all, I didn't really "need" a physical/mechanical key. I could start, lock, and unlock the car without it. I figured I'd mention it the next time I did need to go to the dealership.

Fast forward to this past Friday. My "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" light came on, on the drive to work. The manual said much of the time this is related to an emissions problem, but not necessarily so. So this morning I took it to a nearby Nissan Dealership so they could check it out.

Do you want to know WHY that "Service Engine Soon" light came on?

Yep, you might have guessed the reason. It's because I don't have the original key! That key they gave me is not the right key for this car. (THAT, of course explains why this key wouldn't lock or unlock the doors.)

Furthermore, the service advisor told me that the service engine soon light will continue to come on, and eventually it will lock me out. It will lock the steering column, I believe he said, so that I'm not able to drive the car. (Some kind of a safety feature, or something.)

Nissan can set me up with a "good" key, or course... but it will cost me about $475, with parts and labor. (That's for just one key. An additional key will cost a bit more.)

A couple of questions:

Have you heard of this? A service light coming on after 2.5 years of driving, because I don't have the original key? Any idea why it didn't come on earlier than this? (I asked my service advisor this exact question and he didn't have an answer.)

Any idea how long I have until I'm "locked out?"

Note: I WILL go STRAIGHT BACK to that Mitsubishi Dealership at my very first opportunity, (probably tomorrow) and demand, politely, that they reimburse me for the cost of getting a new key. As I recall, I spent nearly $30,000 for this car. At that price it should come with a key that isn't going to eventually lock me out. Does anyone think this is an unreasonable request? How do you think they will respond?

Again, thank you for taking the time to respond.

The Mitsu dealership should be paying for at least one key for you.

Also, I have no idea how your car was starting if the key wasn't programmed for it. That makes no sense. I can see the physical key not matching the door tumblers, but the other part makes no sense.

So.. I have no basis for my thoughts, but I can't possibly believe the physical key being incorrect can cause what the dealership is saying.

This is part of the report given to me by Nissan:

Error Code B2191 Difference of Key

Description:

Performs ID verification through BCM and Intelligent Key when push-button ignition switch is pressed. Prohibits the release of steering lock (models with steering lock unit) or start of engine when an unregistered ID of Intelligent Key is used.

And yes, I agree, the physical key not matching the door tumblers shouldn't matter at all... but apparently I do need a whole new "registered" keyfob. But I still don't understand why I didn't have this problem a long, long time ago.

Well, hopefully the Mitsu dealer doesn't try to screw you over. I can easily see them saying screw off because it's been so long and you never properly addressed issue. But a good dealer will recognize their error and correct it at no cost to you. Good luck.

In the meantime, I wonder if pulling the fuse to the ESCL (steering lock) might be a good idea.

It's been 2.5 years and it was a used off brand car. I would be shocked if the dealership didn't just politely (or not so politely) ask you to leave.

You would be lucky if the Mitsu dealer will fix it for you. Should have got it fixed when you found out.

I'm with chuckles on this one.
Should the Mitsubishi dealer make it right? Yes.
Will they? I ain't holding my breath.
Make sure you bring your original paperwork with you. That will at least give you a timeframe for the original service call.
Good luck.

Kirk B.

It sounds to me like you got an electronic key that had been re-programmed to work with your car and they didn't bother the change the physical key. After a few years of use, the electronic key has started to fail.

Thanks to everyone who tossed in their two cents!

I'm actually one who enjoys going to court, whether it be for jury duty or for a small claims issue. I grew up reading Erle Stanley Gardner Perry Mason novels (the tv show was just okay) and I love that entire courtroom scene. If the Mitsubishi dealer doesn't make it right, I will definitely plan on taking them to small claims court. I do think I will have a pretty good case.

My point will be, of course, that even if I had "properly addressed the issue..." if I had taken it to a Nissan Dealer back then, Nissan would have come to the same conclusion... you have a key issue/problem. Mitsubishi would have had to address the issue then, too.

The fact that a couple of years have passed should be completely irrelevant.

We'll see what a judge says. (Assuming, of course, I don't get anywhere at Mitsubishi.)

reading this thread gave me a headache.. hope u found da solution.

next time just post da key points and get rid of all da tangents.

"I bought a 370z... but it didn't come with the right key".
Kinda sounds like the title of an old acoustic blues song.

It's a scam. Look up some of the YouTube videos regarding key fob scams. Dealers get a lot of repo and auction cars that unfortunately are always missing one or both key fobs. Since they're extremely expensive, dealers will either give you only one key fob hoping you don't complain, or provide you with one good and one from another car hoping you never use it. It's their way of saving $500 or more on the preparation of the car. Some high end marques key fobs cost thousands.
I'll bet Mitsubishi will not make it right because it was part of the sales strategy. All cars, whether new or slightly used, should come with two functional key fobs. Period!


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--> They confirmed it wasn't just me. Sure enough, the key didn't work. But they did not want to get in there and fiddle around with the inside of the door, to see what was causing the problem. They said it would "void all of the warranty if they did that." <--

Dealer knew it was not the "right" key. They just didn't want to make it right with you.

If one physical key works and the other didn't, we know what's the problem. Unless you only bought it with one car key.

I would have put in writing about the dealership buying the correct key for you at the time of the sale.
Please keep us informed on your situation.