Subaru “Access Key Disabled” – What's This and How to Fix?

Almost all modern Subaru vehicles come with a keyless access system and push-button start. This is a convenience function that lets you forget about the existence of the key fob as long as it's somewhere on you - in the pocket or in your bag. But it also comes with several specific problems and errors that you should know about.

Access key disabled message highlights

• Common reasons:dead key fob battery, bad 12V battery, broken key fob, software issue
• How to fix:change the key fob battery, check the 12V battery, disconnect the 12V battery for some time
• Possible consequences:car will only start by touching the start button with the key
• Priority level:Medium
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$5-$300

Explaining the "Access Key Disabled" message in Subaru

So, the Subaru cars that have the keyless entry system communicate with the key fob wirelessly with the help of the chip that is located in the fob. This chip is powered by a small battery, usually the CR2032 model. This battery gives the chip the power to send the signal to the vehicle's antenna. This is how the car knows that you are near it way before you approach the vehicle.

Also, this is why the doors will only unlock if you or someone else press the button on the door handle when the key is around the car. If the key is not in the range of reach, pressing this button won't allow you to open the door.

If you get the "Access Key Disabled" message, it may mean the following:

1) Your key fob is dead

In most cases, this message will appear on the dash when the key fob battery is dead. The battery can't power the chip and the chip can't send the signal to the vehicle's antenna to verify that the proper key is in the car.

The message will also not allow you to start the car just by pressing the push button. But I will tell you later how exactly you can start the engine even if the key fob has no battery in it at all.

2) The key is not there

You may have got into the vehicle because it wasn't locked. But now, when you are trying to start the car, you will see this message. It means that the key may be calmly waiting for you somewhere in your house while you are trying to start the car in your garage.

Just check that the key fob is somewhere on you.

Also, the signal may be blocked by certain materials. I know about cases when people saw this message when the key was in the jacket pocket. But the jacket had insulation layers that didn't let the signal come through.

3) The key fob is broken

It's not uncommon for a key fob to lose some contact after it falls onto something hard like asphalt or tiles. When it happens, the fob may seem to be OK, but inside it, the battery may disconnect and some other parts may lose connection. Such key fob will require repair or even replacement.

4) Vehicle battery is low

The 12V battery in your Subaru may be low and this is why it may throw this "Access Key Disabled" error message. In this case, the message may be random. Just check the battery and make sure it has about 12.5 volts while the engine is not running. If it doesn't have that voltage, it may need recharging or replacement depending on its age and overall condition.

5) Vehicle antenna problems

This is a super rare situation but sometimes the vehicle's antenna may malfunction. It may happen after water damage like floods or car accidents with serious body damage. In such a case, there is no way you can start your vehicle - a tow truck and a good repair shop will help you deal with the problem.

Solving the problem - what are your options?

In most cases, you can deal with this problem on your own without paying even a dollar to a dealership. Depending on what the reason is for this error message, you will have several ways to deal with it.

Here is what you can try:

• Replace the battery in your key fob. This is the easy way to start. Such batteries are sold in any supermarket for less than a dollar. Insert the new one and try starting the car.
• Use the backup start procedure. For this, take your key fob and press the engine start button with it. This will allow the vehicle to recognize the fob even if it has no battery inside.
• Take the spare fob. One of the easiest things you can do is to take the spare key fob that's probably stored in your house. Check if the vehicle will work with it.
• Check the 12V battery in your Subaru. This will help you understand if the battery may be the reason for the issue. If it shows 12.5 volts, it should be fine.
• Try resetting the ECU by disconnecting the battery for a while. Disconnect the battery for 5 minutes to let the ECU reset and "forget" about this problem. Maybe, you will be able to start the car after reconnecting the battery terminals.
• Call for help. If nothing works and you see this annoying error message on the dash whatever you try, you may want to call your dealer or just a good repair shop and ask for help.

Usually, you will be able to solve the problem on your own by trying one of the proposed solutions. But in rare cases, it may be a problem with the vehicle's security system and you may need some professional help. Before calling for help, anyway, try all the DIY repair methods that are listed above.

How often to change the battery in your Subaru's key fob?

If your previous car had a simple metal key, you may remember that the battery in that fob could last 8 or 10 years. Now, when you have the modern keyless entry system, the battery needs to be changed once every 10-12 months. Why is that?

The new keyless entry key fob powers the chip at all times so that it can immediately communicate with the car. Also, the chip in such fobs always emits the signal trying to pair with the car as soon as possible. In older fobs, the chip would only be powered when you pressed the key on the fob to lock or unlock doors.

So, it's quite natural that you need to change the battery in the Subaru's fob more often than once a year. Just watch some YouTube tutorials to know how you can do this on your own. Paying money for that every time is not a good idea.

Also, I recommend you have the spare battery for your fob in the glovebox at all times. This may help you keep using all the functions of your car without any problems or limitations.

How to get into your Subaru if the fob battery is dead?

There is a backup plan for any Subaru car with the keyless entry system. First of all, you need to know that the metal key is always there with you - just press the little button on the fob to release the metal key and take it out.

Then, you will need to do the following:

• with the metal key, unlock the door if you see the keyhole on the driver's side door handle;
• if you don't see that keyhole, you will need to take off the plastic panel of the handle that covers the keyhole;
• for this, use the metal key and insert it into the tiny gap on the downside of the plastic cover, press the key up and the cover will get loose;
• open the door and quickly get into the car - you have only 10-15 seconds till the alarm starts going off;
• hold the key fob with its larger (upper) side right on the engine start button, and the alarm should go off immediately;
• after that, press the brake pedal and press the start button with your key fob.

This way, you will be able to get into the car and start it even though it shows the "Access Key Disabled" error message. Don't forget to insert that metal key back into your fob because otherwise, you may lose it.

Final thoughts

Subaru may attack you with different kinds of messages. I've already written about the RAB disabled message and also about "2 hours from ignition on". Also, I keep covering common problems in almost all models of vehicles in the US, so stay updated!

New technologies may be really cool and convenient. But that feeling disappears when they start malfunctioning. If you see the "Access Key Disabled" in your Subaru vehicle, don't panic. It just tells you that it doesn't see the proper key. Check that the fob is on you and use the fob to press the start button. After that, you may also change the battery in the fob and check if it works.

If the problem is more serious than just the low battery, you will most likely need professional help. But before you ask for it, check all the DIY methods that I've listed in this article above.