Have you been driving your Jeep and you suddenly noticed the message “key fob has left the vehicle”? Well, this is unfortunate, and if you are in this situation, you are in the right place because, in this article, there will be a lot to cover.
What is the reason behind this error? We hear you ask. Generally, a bad key fob battery, a bad alternator, broken door locks, wiring issues, a broken key fob, radio interference, and a worn-out car battery can all result in the “key fob has left the vehicle” warning message popping up.
Anytime you face a problem, you should do proper research on it. By doing proper research, you will be able to tell what is causing this issue and how you can solve this issue as quickly as possible.
And this is why we are here to help you out and explain everything in great detail.
First, we will start with the basics and learn what a key fob is, then we are going to elaborate on the problem of the key fob has left the vehicle and also what are the main causes.
Once we clear that out of our way, we will elaborate on the top 7 hacks that you can try to solve the issue. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the article.
What Is A Jeep Key Fob?
Now before we start covering the problem of the key fob has left the vehicle, let’s first learn more about what is a Jeep key fob. We feel obliged to cover the basics since not a lot of people are quite familiar with the matter.
A key fob is simply your car key, but this is not any random key fob. Here we are interested in key fobs for remote start. So, what does this mean?
Well, a remote start key fob is a key fob that the car automatically recognizes without you doing anything. Just hop in the car and with a press on the push-to-start button, the car will start.
This means that you don’t have a regular key that you need to put into the lock mechanism and turn the ignition. It is a very convenient invention that in recent years has drawn a lot of traction.
All this is possible because the key is constantly emitting a signal that the vehicle can then read and recognize.
Unfortunately, there can be problems like the situation when the key fob has left the vehicle but it hasn’t done so. And in the following chapter, we are going to learn more about this problem.
Key Fob Has Left The Vehicle – Problem Elaboration!
Now let’s elaborate more on the problem and learn when and how Jeep says the key fob is not detected.
The key fob has left the vehicle is a message appears on the cluster because the key and car communication has malfunctioned.
Namely, the message can appear whenever you drive the car. The key doesn’t necessarily have to be out of the car to get this message that the key fob has left the vehicle.
You can be cruising at 60 mph on the highway and the computer tells you that your key has left the vehicle. Even if the key is in your hand or your pocket.
This is why we advise you that this message should not alarm you because the car will keep working until you turn off the engine.
Starting the vehicle with this message can be a problem because the car will not start in this situation.
In this situation, you can be left stranded in the middle of nowhere if you don’t know how to start the engine.
Later on, in the article, we are going to elaborate on this trick and see how you can start the Jeep with the key fob even if you get the message that the key fob is out of the vehicle.
Now, let’s move on and learn more about the common causes for this problem and see what can be triggering the vehicle to show this information on the cluster.
6 Causes For The Key Fob Has Left The Vehicle Jeep
Before we delve into the solutions to this problem, let’s first learn the common causes of this issue.
Everything happens for a cause and there is also the cause of this message. So, let’s elaborate on all of the causes in detail and see what can trigger this problem when the key fob has left the vehicle.
1. Bad Key Fob Battery
A bad Jeep key fob battery is one of the most common causes of this problem to appear. The key fob as you probably know is an electronic device with a chip. This chip needs power to work.
And this is where the battery comes into play, it powers the battery and helps the key fob function properly.
The only downside of these push-to-start key fobs is that they tend to drain the battery much more quickly compared to regular key fobs.
This will result in the key fob has left the vehicle message within only a year of the ownership of your Jeep. Something that can be very frustrating to a lot of owners. But luckily, this battery is not expensive to replace.
2. Worn Out Car Battery Or Bad Alternator
A worn-out car battery or an underperforming alternator can also cause this problem with the key fob that has left the vehicle Jeep to develop.
The car battery as you probably know is the battery from where all the computers and accessories are drawing the electric power. And the alternator is the component that helps to create all this power.
So, if the battery does not hold electricity, the internal components of the vehicle will start to malfunction and trigger errors such as this.
It is the same case with the alternator, the battery will be constantly empty and cause problems like in our case.
This is why we often advise that you measure the power that the alternator makes while the engine is running, and also when the engine is off to make sure that the alternator is good.
Same case with the battery, it should deliver at least 12v when the engine is off, and up to 13.6v, when the engine is working.
3. Poor Battery Wiring
Poor car battery wiring can also trigger this problem. And here we talk about the contacts of the car battery terminals.
There are two wires, a red wire, and a black wire. The red wire is in charge of delivering the 12v power supply, while the black is the ground wire.
What happens is that when they are connected to the terminal, the battery can release some of the acid inside and corrode the terminals.
When this happens, you can be left with poor power delivery and constant malfunctions, and this can trigger a problem like in this case with the key fob has left the vehicle.
4. Broken Door Locks
Broken door locks can also cause problems like this. This is the case because door locks are often made out of plastic and they can break.
Whenever the door lock breaks, the door can be constantly opened or closed. The computer might be confused and trigger a message on the cluster like in our case.
5. Broken Key Fob
A broken key fob can also cause a problem like this, the key fob can malfunction if you soak it in water, or from extreme cold weather.
Inside there are complex electronics that can simply break down and cause a problem like this.
This is why we advise that this is one of the probabilities of this problem.
6. Radio Interference
And last but not least is the situation when you experience radio interference. The key is an electronic device that works with a radio signal.
Whenever there is strong radio equipment in the rear that works at a similar frequency as the key fob. This can block the signal of the key fob to the transmitter.
Causing major headaches and the message that the Jeep key fob has left the vehicle.
How to Fix the Key Fob Has Left the Vehicle Problem? 7 Easy Hacks
Now that we learned the common causes for the key fob has left the vehicle message, we can now move on and learn more about the top 7 hacks and how you can tackle this problem.
So, without further ado, let’s cover the top 7 hacks and see what you can do to tackle the problem quickly and effectively!
1. Change The Battery
The first trick in the book when it comes to solving the key fob that has left the vehicle problem is to replace the key fob battery.
These coin-shaped batteries are fairly inexpensive and you can find them anywhere. You can also order them on Amazon.
Our favorite options are the following batteries:
Just pop off the back cover and replace the battery with a new one and this will do the trick in 95% of the cases.
2. Clean The Key Fob
If the new battery didn’t help you out by solving the problem with the key fob that has left the vehicle message, you can try cleaning the key fob.
For example, if the key fob was soaked in water or some other contaminants, the internals of the key fob are probably malfunctioning and the component has shorted out.
So, what you can do is to get isopropyl alcohol and clean any contaminants on the board, as well as contaminants where the key fob battery comes into contact with the board.
3. Warm The Key Fob
The next method that you can try to fix the issue is to warm the key fob. Many people experience this problem in very cold weather and to be honest with you, the key fob can malfunction in cold and if this happens, you will get the message that says “Key Fob Has Left The Vehicle”.
Remember, try this method only when the outside temperatures are freezing or somewhere at the limit of freezing.
Electronics, especially non-heavy-duty electronics often malfunction in these temperatures, and problems like these are fairly common.
Apart from this specific issue, adverse weather conditions can also lead to problems like the Electric Mode Temporarily Unavailable issue on the Jeep 4xe.
4. Reprogram The Key Fob
Another method that you can try to fix the problem is by reprogramming the key fob manually. And you can do this fairly easily by following a few simple steps.
For more in-depth steps on how you can do this, you can check the following article. Overall, it is a fairly simple process but you need to follow the exact steps involved to tackle the issue from the first try.
Still, we would advise that you visit the dealer when it comes to reprogramming a key fob since you never know if this will work or not.
5. Unblock Signals
If in case, there are radio signals that are blocking your key fob, you will have to unblock the signals.
By this, we mean driving to another area where there are no interference signals and this will hopefully solve the problem on your Jeep and the car will recognize the key.
Sometimes there are some major frequency blockers, especially if you drive through places where large antennas or other communication equipment are installed.
These devices produce a signal and if this signal overlaps with the one on the key fob it can block it and cause it to malfunction.
6. Replace The Car Battery Or Alternator
Another method that you can try is to replace the car battery or alternator. Sometimes these components can fail and cause problems with the accessories Including the key fob.
What you can do about this is to test the alternator and battery with a multimeter to make sure that they are producing enough voltage. If the voltage is lower than expected, you have a problem.
More about how this testing is done, you can check in the video that we attached above. Everything is explained in great detail.
7. Replace The Key Fob
If you tried everything, replaced the battery, and reprogrammed the key fob and the battery is in good condition, the only way around will be to replace the key fob with a new one to solve the key fob that has left the vehicle problem.
You can get a new key fob at your local Jeep dealership and replace the faulty key fob with a new one. The dealership will also program the key for you, so you will not have to worry about anything.
And if you are inexperienced, this is the route we recommend you go if, after the battery replacement, the problem persists.
How Long Will Jeep Run Without Key Fob?
Many people are asking themselves how long the Jeep will run without a key fob. For example, they drive on the highway and get the message on the cluster that says “key fob has left the vehicle”.
You can run the car like this until you turn off the engine. If you stop and turn off the engine, the car will not like to start because it will not recognize the key fob that you intend to use.
Luckily, there is a method that you can use to start your Jeep without a key fob, and more on this method we are going to discuss next.
How To Start А Jeep Without A Key Fob?
As we noted, many people are facing this problem and this situation can be annoying if you don’t know the trick that you can use to start the engine.
Even if the key fob fails completely, you will be able to start the engine. There is a backup method that Jeep incorporated so people do not end up stranded for a simple key fob problem.
You can operate the ignition switch by putting the nose side of the key fob against the START/STOP button and pushing this button with the key to start the engine.
This will work in 99.9% of the cases. And we recommend every Jeep owner learn this trick because you just never know when the key fob will fail.
These batteries do not last for a very long time and if they fail, knowing how to start your engine without calling a tow truck is crucial in our opinion.
Why Does My Car Keep Saying Key Fob Has Left the Vehicle?
Possible reasons for your car displaying the message key fob has left the vehicle could be:
The key fob battery is low or dead. The key fob is out of range or too far from the car. There may be interference from other electronic devices.
There could be a malfunction in the car’s keyless entry system.
What Happens If You Leave Your Key Fob in the Car?
The key fob can potentially unlock the car and start the engine if it is within range and the car is not equipped with certain advanced security features.
This could lead to unauthorized access or theft of the vehicle.
What Happens If the Key Fob Is Not in the Car?
The car may not start or the engine may shut off if the key fob is not inside the car.
Will My Car Shut Off If I Walk Away with the Key Fob?
No, your car will not shut off if you walk away with the key fob.
Conclusion
Overall, the problem with the key fob has left the vehicle can be really annoying to deal with since this problem can simply prevent you from driving the vehicle if you turn off the engine.
Luckily, the solution to this problem is often a simple key fob battery replacement. But are they expensive? These lithium batteries are dirt cheap and easily replaceable, just pop off the cover and you will be able to replace the battery with a new one.
And even if you cannot find a battery, you are still able to start the engine. Just get the key fob and make sure that the key fob is touching the push-to-start button. Then, give it a press and you will be able to start the engine and drive off without any worries.
The important thing is not to panic when it comes to these issues because there can be more harm done than good if you do so.
Last update on 2025-08-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
