Model Year 24/25 Key issues

[Cupra Jon]

Anyone else had any issues with the key and the car not starting and also random "key not detected in vehicle" alerts while driving?

I learnt pretty quickly after delivery that the Formentor key does not like to be in the same pocket as your mobile when getting into the car so I make it habit to just put the key into the cupholder where the key recognition symbol is when I get in the car..

Having said that, I have had in the first 5 months of ownership, the following key related issues...

The car not starting when I get in the car (it recognises the key to unlock but then wont start until I've tried 2/3 times) other times it will start first time!!!
The car failing to pick up the key is in the car during driving with an audible and visual alert
The car not recognising the key despite allowing me to unlock the vehicle and wouldnt go past ignition stage one - I ended up calling the AA who replaced the CR2032 battery in the fob

And its a lottery whether the car will unlock when I walk towards it or lock when I walk away from the vehicle...

It really is a lottery what the key will and wont do on a daily basis, Cupra CS say take it to the dealer but I'm not sure other than replace the key what they will do?

 

[Syphon]

Might be worth replacing the key battery. The batteries do drain quickly on these due to the keyless stuff. Have you found the same with the spare key? If you put the CUPRA carbon fibre cover on that comes with some cars as a freebie that affects the range too I found.

 

[Cupra Jon]

Might be worth replacing the key battery. The batteries do drain quickly on these due to the keyless stuff. Have you found the same with the spare key? If you put the CUPRA carbon fibre cover on that comes with some cars as a freebie that affects the range too I found.

I replaced the battery a month back when I couldnt start the car and had to call Cupra Care!

Interesting to know about the key cover - I'll try the spare to see if it improves, but having spoken to a lad I know at VW Customer service I know, key issues are rife on the VW too (similar issues to mine)

 

[serdar_18fr]

Might be worth replacing the key battery. The batteries do drain quickly on these due to the keyless stuff. Have you found the same with the spare key? If you put the CUPRA carbon fibre cover on that comes with some cars as a freebie that affects the range too I found.

Excuse me for going off topic, but maybe I can stop people from trying to use that stupid freebie carbon-looking cover.
I did put it using the sticker that came with it, as per the instructions, unfortunately without thinking through what would happen when the battery needed replacing. There is no way to do that without removing the cover and that leaves an awful lot of sticky residue on the key fob. It's the worst & stupidest accessory ever, I believe.

 

[Cupra Jon]

Excuse me for going off topic, but maybe I can stop people from trying to use that stupid freebie carbon-looking cover.
I did put it using the sticker that came with it, as per the instructions, unfortunately without thinking through what would happen when the battery needed replacing. There is no way to do that without removing the cover and that leaves an awful lot of sticky residue on the key fob. It's the worst & stupidest accessory ever, I believe.

Strange - the current ones are direct replacements that clip into the key and replace the OEM one - no stickers needed...

 

[serdar_18fr]

Strange - the current ones are direct replacements that clip into the key and replace the OEM one - no stickers needed...

Mine is this one:

CUPRA Accessories General Catalogue https://cupraaccessories.com/xx/product/product/29004/290043/29072

Ateca still uses this old-style key fob with foldable metal key. Maybe they changed the cover later with the new style fobs.

 

[James_R]

Anyone else had any issues with the key and the car not starting and also random "key not detected in vehicle" alerts while driving?

I learnt pretty quickly after delivery that the Formentor key does not like to be in the same pocket as your mobile when getting into the car so I make it habit to just put the key into the cupholder where the key recognition symbol is when I get in the car..

Having said that, I have had in the first 5 months of ownership, the following key related issues...

The car not starting when I get in the car (it recognises the key to unlock but then wont start until I've tried 2/3 times) other times it will start first time!!!
The car failing to pick up the key is in the car during driving with an audible and visual alert
The car not recognising the key despite allowing me to unlock the vehicle and wouldnt go past ignition stage one - I ended up calling the AA who replaced the CR2032 battery in the fob

And its a lottery whether the car will unlock when I walk towards it or lock when I walk away from the vehicle...

It really is a lottery what the key will and wont do on a daily basis, Cupra CS say take it to the dealer but I'm not sure other than replace the key what they will do?

You don't have a ghost immobiliser fitted do you?

 

[Cupra Jon]

You don't have a ghost immobiliser fitted do you?

Yes - Ghost II, the deactivation phase comes after the car is started, and before gear selection. Is this the issue?

 

[James_R]

Very interesting. I have a 2025 Golf with a Ghost that's doing the very same thing.

 

[Cupra Jon]

@Syphon - superstar dude!

Ditched the carbon key cover and went back to the standard key backing and its like all the problems have disappeared with the car... fingers crossed!!!

 

[Syphon]

@Syphon - superstar dude!

Ditched the carbon key cover and went back to the standard key backing and its like all the problems have disappeared with the car... fingers crossed!!!

Awesome. I do think it's bizarre they have supplied an accessory that buggers up the key signal. It's a nice thought that clearly wasn't tested.