2023 Toyota Corolla Doors and Locks | How to Fix

Sometimes troubleshooting your 2023 Toyota Corolla’s door and lock problems is like solving a puzzle. But do not worry! It is possible to become proficient in troubleshooting common issues like sticky locks and stubborn doors. We’ll solve the puzzles surrounding door and lock issues in the 2023 Toyota Corolla with this in-depth guide. With these step-by-step solutions at your disposal, you’ll quickly become skilled at fixing these problems and guaranteeing safe locking mechanisms and easy access. Together, let’s explore the world of resolving door and lock issues for your 2023 Toyota Corolla!

Doors

Unlocking and locking the doors from the outside

Smart key system (if equipped)
Carry the electronic key to enable this function.

1. Grip the driver’s door handle to unlock the door. Holding the driver’s door handle for approximately 2 seconds unlocks all the doors. Grip the front passenger’s door handle to unlock all the
   doors.*
   Make sure to touch the sensor on the back of the handle.
   The doors cannot be unlocked for 3 seconds after the doors are locked.
   *: The door unlock settings can be
2. Touch the lock sensor (the indentation on the side of the front door handle) to lock all the doors.
   Check that the door is securely locked.

Wireless remote control (if equipped)

• Vehicles without a smart key system

1. Locks all the doors
   Check that the door is securely locked.
2. Unlocks all the doors
   Pressing the button unlocks the driver’s door. Pressing the button again within 3 seconds unlocks the other doors.
   Press and hold to open the windows*1and moon roof*1, 2.

Vehicles with a smart key system

1. Locks all the doors
   Check that the door is securely locked.
2.  Unlocks all the doors
   Pressing the button unlocks the driver’s door. Pressing the button

Vehicles with a smart key system

1. Locks all the doors
   Check that the door is securely locked.
2. Unlocks all the doors
   Pressing the button unlocks the driver’s door. Pressing the button again within 3 seconds unlocks the other doors.
   Press and hold to open the windows*1and moon roof.*1, 2

• This setting must be customized at your Toyota dealer.
• If equipped

Key
Turning the key operates the doors as follows:

Vehicles without a smart key system

1. Unlocks all the doors Turning the key unlocks the driver’s door. Turning the key again unlocks the other doors.
   Turn and hold to open the windows*1 and moon roof.*1, 2
2. Locks all the doors
   Turn and hold to close the windows*1 and moon roof.*1, 2

* 1:This setting must be customized at your Toyota dealer.
* 2:If equipped

Vehicles with a smart key system
The doors can also be locked and unlocked with the mechanical key.

Switching the door unlock function (vehicles with a smart key system)

It is possible to set which doors the entry function unlocks using the wireless remote control.

1. Turn the engine switch off.
2. When the indicator light on the key surface is not on, press and
   hold , or for approximately 5 seconds while
   pressing and holding .

The setting changes each time an operation is performed, as shown below. (When changing the setting continuously, release the buttons, wait for at least 5 seconds, and repeat step 2.)

Multi-information display/Beep	Unlocking function
Exterior: Beeps 3 times Interior: Pings once	Holding the driver’s door handle unlocks only the driver’s door.
	Holding the front passenger’s door handle unlocks all the doors.
Exterior: Beeps twice Interior: Pings once	Holding either front door handle unlocks all the doors.

For vehicles with an alarm: To pre-vent unintended triggering of the alarm, unlock the doors using the wireless remote control and open and close a door once after the set-tings have been changed. (If a door is not opened within 60 seconds after is pressed, the doors will be locked again and the alarm will automatically be set.)
In case that the alarm is triggered, immediately stop the alarm.

Operation signals (with a wire-less remote control function)

• Vehicles without a smart key system

A buzzer sounds and the emergency flashers flash to indicate that the doors have been
locked/unlocked using the wireless remote control. (Locked: Once; Unlocked: Twice)

• Vehicles with a smart key system

A buzzer sounds and the emergency flashers flash to indicate that the doors have been locked/unlocked using the entry function or wireless remote control. (Locked: Once; Unlocked: Twice)
A buzzer sounds to indicate that the
windows and moon roof*are operating.
*: If equipped

Security feature (with a wireless remote control function)

• Vehicles without a smart key system

If a door is not opened within approximately 60 seconds after the vehicle is unlocked using the wire-less remote control, the security feature automatically locks the vehicle again.

• Vehicles with a smart key system

If a door is not opened within approximately 60 seconds after the vehicle is unlocked using the entry function or wireless remote control, the security feature automatically locks the vehicle again.

• When the door cannot be locked by the lock sensor on the surface of the front door handle (vehicles with a smart key system)

If the doors cannot be locked by touching the lock sensor with a finger, touch the lock sensor with the palm of your hand.
If you are wearing gloves, remove them.

Door lock buzzer (vehicles with a smart key system)

• If an attempt to lock the doors using the entry function or wireless remote control is made when a door is not fully closed, a buzzer will sound continuously for 5 seconds. Fully close the door to stop the buzzer, and lock the doors again.

Alarm (if equipped)
Locking the doors will set the alarm system.

Conditions affecting the operation of the smart key system or wireless remote control (if equipped)

• Vehicles without a smart key system
• Vehicles with a smart key system

If the smart key system or the wireless remote control does not operate properly (if equipped)

• Vehicles without a smart key system

Replace the key battery with a new one if it is depleted.

• Vehicles with a smart key system
  Use the mechanical key to lock and unlock the doors.
  Replace the key battery with a new one if it is depleted.

If the battery is discharged (vehicles with a smart key system)
The doors cannot be locked and unlocked using the smart key system or wireless remote control. Lock or unlock the doors using the mechanical key.

Rear seat reminder function
In order to remind you not to forget luggage, etc. in the rear seat, when the engine switch is turned off after any of the following conditions are met, a buzzer will sound and a message will be displayed on the multi-information display for approximately 6 seconds.

• The engine is started within approximately 10 minutes after opening and closing a rear door.
• A rear door has been opened and closed after the engine was started.

However, if a rear door is opened and then closed within approximately 2 seconds, the rear seat reminder function may not operate.
The rear seat reminder function determines that luggage, etc. has been placed in a rear seat based on opening and closing of a rear door. Therefore, depending on the situation, the rear seat reminder function may not operate and you may still forget luggage, etc. in the rear seat, or it may operate unnecessarily.

Customization
Some functions can be customized.

WARNING
To prevent an accident

Observe the following precautions while driving the vehicle.
Failure to do so may result in a door opening and an occupant being thrown out of the vehicle, resulting in death or serious injury.

• Ensure that all doors are properly closed and locked.
  Do not pull the inside door handle while driving.
  Be especially careful of the front doors, as the doors may be opened even if the inside lock buttons are in the locked position.
• Set the rear door child-protector locks when children are seated in the rear seats.

When opening or closing a door
Check the surroundings of the vehicle such as whether the vehicle is on an incline, whether there is enough space for a door to open and whether a strong wind is blowing. When opening or closing the door, hold the door handle tightly to prepare for any unpredictable movement.

WARNING
When using the wireless remote control or the key and operating the power windows or moon roof (if equipped)
Operate the power windows or moon roof after checking to make sure that there is no possibility of any passenger having any of their body parts caught in the windows or moon roof. Also, do not allow children to operate the wireless remote control or the key. It is possible for children and other passengers to get caught in the power windows or moon roof.

Unlocking and locking the doors from the inside
Door lock switches (to lock/unlock)
For driver’s side

• For passenger’s side

• For passenger’s side

1. Locks all the doors
2. Unlocks all the doors

Inside lock buttons

1. Locks the door
2. Unlocks the door

The front doors can be opened by pulling the inside handle even if the lock buttons are in the lock position.

Locking the front doors from the outside without a key

1. Move the inside lock button to the lock position.
2. Close the door.

Vehicles without a smart key system
The door cannot be locked if the key is in the engine switch.

Vehicles with a smart key system
The door cannot be locked if the engine switch is in ACC or ON, or the electronic key is left inside the vehicle.
The key may not be detected correctly and the door may be locked.

Open door warning buzzer
If a door or the trunk is not fully closed, a buzzer will sound when the vehicle speed reaches 3 mph (5 km/h).
The open door(s) or trunk is indicated on the multi-information dis-play.

Rear door child-protector lock

The door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle when lock is set.

1. Unlock
2. Lock

These locks can be set to prevent children from opening the rear doors. Push down on each rear door switch to lock both rear doors.

Automatic door locking and unlocking systems

The following functions can be set or canceled:
For instructions on customizing.

Function	Operation
Speed linked door locking function	All doors are automatically locked when vehicle speed is approximately 12 mph (20 km/h) or higher.
Shift position linked door locking function	All doors are automatically locked when shifting the shift lever out of P.
Shift position linked door unlocking function	All doors are automatically unlocked when shifting the shift lever to P.
Driver’s door linked door unlocking function	All doors are automatically unlocked when driver’s door is opened.

Trunk

The trunk can be opened using the trunk opener, entry function or wireless remote control or key.

WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.

Before driving

• Make sure that the trunk lid is fully closed. If the trunk lid is not fully closed, it may open unexpectedly while driving and hit near-by objects or luggage in the trunk may be thrown out, causing an accident.
• Do not allow children to play in the trunk.
  If a child is accidentally locked in the trunk, they could suffer from heat exhaustion, suffocation or other injuries.
• Do not allow a child to open or close the trunk lid.
  Doing so may cause the trunk lid to open unexpectedly, or cause the child’s hands, head, or neck to be caught by the closing trunk lid.
• Remove any heavy loads, such as snow and ice, from the trunk lid before opening it. Failure to do so may cause the trunk lid to suddenly shut again after it is opened.
• When opening or closing the trunk lid, thoroughly check to make sure the surrounding area is safe.
• If anyone is in the vicinity, make sure they are safe and let them know that the trunk is about to open or close.
• Use caution when opening or closing the trunk lid in windy weather as it may move abruptly in strong wind.
• The trunk lid may suddenly shut if it is not opened fully. It is more difficult to open or close the trunk lid on an incline than on a level surface, so beware of the trunk lid unexpectedly opening or closing by itself. Make sure that the trunk lid is fully open and secure before using the trunk.

When closing the trunk lid, take extra care to prevent your fingers etc. from being caught.

WARNING

• When closing the trunk lid, make sure to press it lightly on its outer surface.
• Do not attach any accessories other than genuine Toyota parts to the trunk lid. Such additional weight on the trunk lid may cause the lid to suddenly shut again after it is opened.

Opening the trunk

Trunk opener
Pull the lever upward to release the trunk lid.

Trunk release button (vehicles with a smart key system)

While carrying the electronic key, press the button on the trunk lid.
When all the doors are unlocked using one of the following methods, the trunk can be opened without the electronic key:

• Entry function
• Wireless remote control
• Door lock switches
• Automatic door unlocking system
• Mechanical key

• Vehicles without a smart key system

Press and hold the switch. A buzzer sounds.

• Vehicles with a smart key system

Press and hold the switch.
A buzzer sounds.

Key (vehicles with a key cylinder on the trunk lid)
Turn the key clockwise to release the trunk lid.

Trunk light

• The trunk light turns on when the trunk is opened.
• If the trunk light is left on when the engine switch is turned off, the light will go off automatically after 20 minutes.

Function to prevent the trunk being locked with the electronic key inside (vehicles with a smart key system)

• When all doors are locked, closing the trunk lid with the electronic key left inside the trunk will sound an alarm.
  In this case, the trunk lid can be opened pressing the trunk release button on the trunk lid.
• If the spare electronic key is put in the trunk with all the doors locked, the key confinement prevention function is activated so the trunk can be opened. In order to pre-vent theft, take all electronic keys with you when leaving the vehicle.
• If the electronic key is put in the trunk with all the doors locked, the key may not be detected depending on the location of the key and the surrounding radio wave conditions. In this case, the key confinement prevention function cannot be activated, causing the doors to lock when the trunk is closed. Make sure to check where the key is before closing the trunk.
• The key confinement prevention function cannot be activated if any one of the doors is unlocked. In this case, open the trunk using the trunk opener.

Internal trunk release lever
The trunk lid can be opened by pulling up the glow-in-the-dark lever located on the inside of the trunk lid.
The lever will continue to glow for some time after the trunk lid is closed.

If the smart key system or the wireless remote control does not operate properly (if equipped)
Replace the key battery with a new one if it is depleted.

Open door warning buzzer

Customization
Some functions can be customized.

Smart key system

*: If equipped
The following operations can be performed simply by carrying the electronic key on your person, for example in your pocket. The driver should always carry the electronic key.

• Locks and unlocks the doors
• Opens the trunk
• Starts the engine

The system can be operated when the electronic key is within about 2.3 ft. (0.7 m) of either of the front out-side door handles. (Only the doors detecting the key can be operated.)

When starting the engine or changing engine switch modes

The system can be operated when the electronic key is inside the vehicle.
When opening the trunk
The system can be operated when the electronic key is within about 2.3 ft. (0.7 m) of the trunk release button.

Alarms and warning messages
A combination of exterior and interior buzzers as well as warning messages shown on the multi-information display are used to prevent theft of the vehicle and accidents resulting from erroneous operation. Take appropriate measures based on the displayed message
When only an alarm sounds, circumstances and correction procedures are as follows.

• Exterior buzzer sounds once for 5 seconds

Situation	Correction procedure
An attempt was made to lock the vehicle while a door was open.	Close all of the doors and lock the doors again.
The trunk was closed while the electronic key was still inside the trunk and all the doors were locked.	Retrieve the electronic key from the trunk and close the trunk lid.

• Interior buzzer sounds continuously

Situation	Correction procedure
The engine switch
was turned to ACC	Turn the
while the driver’s	engine
door was open (or	switch off
the driver’s door was	and close
opened while the	the driver’s
engine switch was in	door.
ACC).
The engine switch
was turned to off	Close the
while the driver’s	driver’s door
door was open.

Battery-saving function
The battery-saving function will be activated in order to prevent the electronic key battery and the vehicle battery from being discharged while the vehicle is not operated for a long time.

• In the following situations, the smart key system may take some time to unlock the doors.
• The electronic key has been left within approximately 11 ft. (3.5 m) of the outside of the vehicle for 2 minutes or longer.
• The smart key system has not been used for 5 days or longer.
• If the smart key system has not been used for 14 days or longer, the doors cannot be unlocked from any door except the driver’s door. In this case, hold the driver’s door handle, or use the wireless remote control or mechanical key to unlock the doors.

Electronic key battery-saving function

• When battery-saving mode is set, battery depletion is minimized by stopping the electronic key from receiving radio waves.

Press twice while pressing and  holding . Confirm that the electronic key indicator flashes 4 times.
While the battery-saving mode is set, the smart key system cannot be used. To cancel the function, press any of the electronic key buttons.

Electronic keys that will not be used for long periods of time can be set to the battery-saving mode in advance.

Conditions affecting operation
The smart key system uses weak radio waves. In the following situations, the communication between the electronic key and the vehicle may be affected, preventing the smart key system, wireless remote control and engine immobilizer system from operating properly.

• When the electronic key battery is depleted
• Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large display, airport or other facility that generates strong radio waves or electrical noise
• When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or other wireless communication device
• When the electronic key is in contact with, or is covered by the following metallic objects
  • Cards to which aluminum foil is attached
  • Cigarette boxes that have aluminum foil inside
  • Metallic wallets or bags
  • Coins
  • Hand warmers made of metal
  • Media such as CDs and DVDs
• When other wireless keys (that emit radio waves) are being used nearby
• When carrying the electronic key together with the following devices that emit radio waves
  • Another vehicle’s electronic key or a wireless key that emits radio waves
  • Personal computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs)
  • Digital audio players
  • Portable game systems
• If window tint with a metallic con-tent or metallic objects are attached to the rear window
• When the electronic key is placed near a battery charger or electronic devices
• When the vehicle is parked in a pay parking spot where radio waves are emitted

If the doors cannot be locked/unlocked using the smart key system, lock/unlock the doors by performing any of the following:

• Bring the electronic key close to either front door handle and operate the entry function.
• Operate the wireless remote control.
  If the doors cannot be locked/unlocked using the above methods, use the mechanical key.

If the engine cannot be started using the smart key system.

Note for the entry function

• Even when the electronic key is within the effective range (detection areas), the system may not operate properly in the following cases:
  • The electronic key is too close to the window or outside door handle, near the ground, or in a high place when the doors are locked or unlocked.
  • The electronic key is near the ground or in a high place, or too close to the center of the rear bumper when the trunk is opened.
  • The electronic key is on the instrument panel, rear package tray or floor, or in the door pockets or glove box when the engine is started or engine switch modes are changed.
  •  Do not leave the electronic key on top of the instrument panel or near the door pockets when exiting the vehicle. Depending on the radio wave reception conditions, it may be detected by the antenna out-side the cabin and the door will become lockable from the outside, possibly trapping the electronic key inside the vehicle.
• As long as the electronic key is within the effective range, the doors may be locked or unlocked by anyone. However, only the doors detecting the electronic key can be used to unlock the vehicle.
• Even if the electronic key is not inside the vehicle, it may be possible to start the engine if the electronic key is near the window.
• The doors may unlock or lock if a large amount of water splashes on the door handle, such as in the rain or in a car wash when the electronic key is within the effective range. (The doors will automatically be locked after approximately 60 seconds if the doors are not opened and closed.)
• If the wireless remote control is used to lock the doors when the electronic key is near the vehicle, there is a possibility that the door may not be unlocked by the entry function. (Use the wireless remote control to unlock the doors.)
• If the doors have been locked from outside of the vehicle and are then not unlocked using the wire-less remote control or smart key system, the engine cannot be started using the smart key system. (However, if the doors have been locked from inside the vehicle, the engine can be started using the smart key system.)
  If it is necessary to start the engine, it can be started using the procedure in “If the electronic key dose not operate properly”
• Touching the door lock or unlock sensor while wearing gloves may prevent lock or unlock operation.
• When the lock operation is per-formed using the lock sensor, recognition signals will be shown up to two consecutive times. After this, no recognition signals will be given.
• If the door handle becomes wet while the electronic key is within the effective range, the door may lock and unlock repeatedly. In that case, follow the following correction procedures to wash the vehicle:
  • Place the electronic key in a location 6 ft. (2 m) or more away from the vehicle. (Take care to ensure that the key is not stolen.)
  • Set the electronic key to battery-saving mode to disable the smart key system.
• If the electronic key is inside the vehicle and a door handle becomes wet during a car wash, a message may be shown on the multi-information display and a buzzer will sound outside the vehicle. To turn off the alarm, lock all the doors.
• The lock sensor may not work properly if it comes into contact with ice, snow, mud, etc. Clean the lock sensor and attempt to operate it again.
•  A sudden handle operation or a handle operation immediately after entering the effective range may prevent the doors from being unlocked. Touch the door unlock sensor and check that the doors are unlocked before pulling the door handle again.
• If there is another electronic key in the detection area, it may take slightly longer to unlock the doors after the door handle is gripped.

When the vehicle is not driven for extended periods

• To prevent theft of the vehicle, do not leave the electronic key within 6 ft. (2 m) of the vehicle.
• The smart key system can be deactivated in advance.
•  Setting the electronic key to battery-saving mode helps to reduce key battery depletion.

To operate the system properly

• Make sure to carry the electronic key when operating the system. Do not get the electronic key too close to the vehicle when operating the system from the outside of the vehicle.

Depending on the position and holding condition of the electronic key, the key may not be detected correctly and the system may not operate properly. (The alarm may go off accidentally, or the door lock prevention function may not operate.)

• Do not leave the electronic key inside the trunk.
  The key confinement prevention function may not operate, depending on the location of the key (the inside edge of the trunk), conditions (inside a metal bag, close to metallic objects) and the radio waves in the surrounding area.
• If the smart key system does not operate properly

Customization
Some functions can be customized.

If the smart key system has been deactivated in a customized setting

• Locking and unlocking the doors: Use the wireless remote control or mechanical key.
• Starting the engine and changing engine switch modes:
• Stopping the engine:

WARNING
Caution regarding interference with electronic devices

• People with implantable cardiac pacemakers, cardiac resynchronization therapy-pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators should keep away from the smart key system antennas. The radio waves may affect the operation of such devices. If necessary, the entry function can be disabled. Ask your Toyota dealer for details, such as the frequency of radio waves and timing of the emitted radio waves. Then, consult your doc-tor to see if you should disable the entry function.
• Users of any electrical medical device other than implantable cardiac pacemakers, cardiac resynchronization therapy-pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators should consult the manufacturer of the device for information about its operation under the influence of radio waves.

Radio waves could have unexpected effects on the operation of such medical devices.

Ask your Toyota dealer for details on disabling the entry function.

FAQs

Useful Link

View Full PDF: Toyota Corolla 2023 User Guide| Auto User Guide
 2023 Toyota Corolla Keys and Remote Controls Instructions