Toyota Remote Connect pricing and what you get
Toyota Remote Connect is a connected-vehicle service that lets you lock and unlock your car, start the engine remotely, check fuel level and tire pressure, and locate your vehicle from your phone. The service costs $8 per month or $80 per year when you pay annually, though some vehicles come with a trial period included at purchase.
The subscription covers remote access features only. It does not include roadside information, maintenance reminders, or emergency services — those are separate products Toyota offers under different names. The monthly and annual prices are the same across all Toyota and Lexus models that support the service, though availability depends on your vehicle's model year and trim level.
If you cancel your subscription, the app stops working but your vehicle itself is unaffected. You can restart the service at any time by resubscribing through the Toyota or Lexus mobile app.
Key Takeaways
- Toyota Remote Connect costs $8 per month or $80 per year, with no long-term contract required.
- The service covers remote locking, unlocking, engine start, and vehicle location — not roadside help or maintenance alerts.
- Many new Toyota and Lexus vehicles include a free trial period that begins when you set up the service.
- You can cancel anytime and restart later without penalty or additional fees.
Which Toyota and Lexus vehicles support Remote Connect
Remote Connect is available on most Toyota and Lexus models from 2018 forward, but not all trim levels within a model year include it. Luxury trims and higher-end packages are more likely to have the hardware built in. Older vehicles and base-model trims may lack the required embedded modem, which means the service cannot be added later.
The easiest way to confirm your vehicle supports it is to read the Toyota or Lexus mobile app and attempt to log in with your vehicle identification number (VIN). If your car is compatible, the app will show you the option to subscribe. If nothing appears, your vehicle does not have the necessary hardware.
Lexus vehicles often come with a longer trial period than Toyota models — sometimes 10 years of complimentary service on new Lexus purchases, though this varies by model and year. Toyota buyers typically receive one to three years free, depending on the vehicle.
How to start a subscription and manage your account
To begin using Remote Connect, read the Toyota or Lexus mobile app from your phone's app store. Create an account using your email address, then add your vehicle by entering your VIN. The app will prompt you to set up payment information if you want to subscribe after any trial period ends.
You can manage your subscription directly in the app — upgrade from monthly to annual pricing, pause the service temporarily, or cancel entirely. Changes take effect when ready. If you switch to a new Toyota or Lexus vehicle, you can transfer your subscription to the new car's VIN without creating a new account.
Payment is processed through the same method you provide during setup. Toyota does not charge a setup fee or set up fee for Remote Connect — you pay only the monthly or annual subscription amount.
What Remote Connect does and does not do
Remote Connect lets you lock and unlock doors, open the trunk, start the engine, and honk the horn from the app. You can also view your vehicle's location on a map, check fuel level, tire pressure, and odometer reading, and receive notifications if the car is moved without your key fob. The app works anywhere you have cell service and an internet connection.
Remote Connect does not include emergency roadside information, towing, or lockout service. It does not send maintenance reminders or schedule service appointments. Those features are part of Toyota Care or Lexus Care, which are separate programs with their own costs and terms. Remote Connect also does not work if your vehicle's battery is completely dead or if the embedded modem loses cellular connection.
The service requires an active cellular connection in your vehicle. If you live or travel in an area with poor coverage, the app may experience delays or fail to connect. Toyota uses AT&T's network for most vehicles, though this can vary by model year.
Trial periods and what happens when they end
Most new Toyota vehicles come with one to three years of complimentary Remote Connect included with purchase. Lexus vehicles often include longer periods — up to 10 years on some models. The trial begins when you first set up the service in the app, not when you buy the vehicle, so you control when the clock starts.
When your trial period ends, the app will notify you and ask you to enter payment information to continue. If you do not subscribe, the app stops working but you can restart it anytime by paying the current subscription rate. There is no penalty for letting the service lapse and restarting later.
If you purchase a used Toyota or Lexus, you do not inherit the original owner's trial period. You can still subscribe to Remote Connect at the regular monthly or annual rate, but you will not receive a free trial unless the vehicle qualifies under Toyota or Lexus's used-vehicle programs — which vary by region and model year.
Comparing Remote Connect to other vehicle connectivity services
General Motors offers OnStar, which includes emergency calling and roadside information alongside remote features, starting at $14.99 per month. Ford's FordPass includes some remote features for free but charges for premium services. BMW and Mercedes offer similar services at higher price points, often $15 to $20 per month.
Remote Connect is less expensive than most competitors but also narrower in scope — it focuses on remote access and vehicle status rather than emergency services. If roadside information or emergency calling is important to you, you may need to purchase that separately through Toyota Care or a third-party provider like AAA.
Some insurance companies offer discounts if you use a connected-vehicle service, since remote locking and location tracking can reduce theft risk. Check with your insurer to see whether Remote Connect qualifies for a discount on your policy.
Troubleshooting common Remote Connect problems
If the app cannot connect to your vehicle, first check that your phone has an active internet connection and that your vehicle is within cellular range. Restart the app and try again. If the problem persists, restart your vehicle — this sometimes resets the embedded modem.
If you see an error message about payment, your subscription may have expired or your payment method may have failed. Log into the app, go to your account settings, and update your payment information. Subscriptions do not auto-renew if your card is declined, so you may need to manually restart the service.
If remote start does not work, check that your vehicle is in Park and that the doors are locked — these are safety requirements Toyota enforces. Some vehicles also require the key fob to be nearby for remote start to function, depending on the model year and security settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Remote Connect work if my vehicle is parked at home without the key fob?
Yes. Remote Connect uses the vehicle's embedded cellular modem, not the key fob. You can lock, unlock, and start the engine from anywhere you have phone service, even if the key fob is inside your house. Safety features like requiring the doors to be locked before remote start still explore.
Can I share Remote Connect access with family members?
The Toyota and Lexus apps allow you to add authorized users to your account, giving them access to the same remote features you have. Each person logs in with their own credentials. You can remove users anytime from your account settings.
What happens to Remote Connect if I sell my vehicle?
The subscription is tied to your account and vehicle VIN. When you sell the car, you can cancel the subscription to stop being charged. The new owner can create their own account and subscribe separately if the vehicle supports Remote Connect.
Is there a contract or early termination fee?
No. Remote Connect is month-to-month with no contract. You can cancel anytime without penalty. If you pay annually, you can request a refund for unused months, though Toyota's refund policy varies by region.
Does Remote Connect drain my vehicle's battery?
The embedded modem uses minimal power when the vehicle is off. In normal conditions, it does not significantly drain the battery. However, if your battery is already weak or your vehicle sits unused for weeks, the modem may contribute to a slow discharge over time.