Bought an L663 awhile ago that was shipped cross country from a dealer. When it arrived, the shipping guys said they only had 1 key from the dealer, and it was noted as such. Bummer but they handled it well and profusely apologized.

Bit the bullet & bought a new fob ($650 programmed) and metal key shank ($250) from Land Rover Portland -- all in $900 OUCH -- the shank comes from UK pre-cut, coded to my VIN.

I had thought based on what the local dealer said, that if the original (now 3rd) key was ever located, that it would no longer work. + Today the selling dealer sends a FedEx with the original key which is unused (and the window sticker that was also MIA). Turns out it was in a drawer somewhere -- they were so great about it. Tested all 3 keys, all 3 work. So -- moral of the story: You do *not* need to have all vehicle keys with you to code in an additional key fob on at least a 2020. Which is what I'd thought based on what the dealership had told me.

 

Interesting. Did you buy it new or used? Did the dealer make you whole for the $900 spent?

 

Moral of the story: Dealers knowing all the details is a myth.

Glad it ended well! (Except the extra $900 spend, which of course sucks).

 

Some dealers still don't seem to know how to handle the missing keys. I called last week, at the 6-month mark, and they still had no info from the factory so they ordered one (allegedly) on their dime and took it in for programming last week.

Curious to see if another one shows up from the factory in the future. Won't complain about a third key

 

And as far as three keys working, everybody who ordered an activity key, myself included, has three working keys. Two came with my truck, but the activity key was back ordered for about nine months I guess. It came in a month ago, the dealer had my truck for about 30 minutes to program it, and everything works great.

 

Oh, that reminds me. I ordered an activity key ($450). Another "no show due to supply problems". Now if I want one it will be closer to $1k for them to get it and program it. Yeah, I'm not that Active in my life.

 

Bought used from LR dealer across country. 100% match for the spec I had on order and was waiting on from another LR dealer locally (seemingly forever)... Nah, I just paid for the key myself. Bigger fish to fry than pursuing the selling dealer for it and it's been a busy year.

Keys seem to be quite the fiasco, I guess many ppl got their new Defenders with only 1 key and a promise, is that right? I was not aware of this.

 

Mine was $200 (ordered with the truck) and now that I have it I wouldn’t pay that for it. It’s not like I go kayaking every weekend; when I kayak or SUP I haul them in the pickup I keep at the beach, a truck so old that it just has “a key” made out of flat metal with a sort of tooth-like arrangement cut into one side that you stick into a slot in the side of the steering column and turn. Riding around in the pocket of my bathing suit wouldn’t hurt it a bit, but I don’t even bother with that — I throw it under the rubber mat.

So I don’t really know why I have the thing. I guess if I ever drive to the start of a bike ride I can wear that and not have to keep up with the big-*** key, so that’s something. But I always ride to wherever my ride is.

 

You can add the activity key much cheaper than 1k. It can be retrofitted easily.

 

@markjlr - Probably. I should factor in "my rate" to call the dealer, drive the 1.5 hours each way, wait for the PITA, go thru the hassle, etc. I guess I'm spoiled. I just want to go to a website, fill out some fields, drop a credit card and just wait for it to arrive!