Hi everyone, I bought a 2005 Nissan 350Z.

The following weekend my daily driver was broken into and the keys for the Nissan were stolen out of it. (The Nissan was not on the same lot at the time.)

I had the car loaded on a roll-off and taken to the nearest Nissan dealership to have a key cut based on the VIN number.

The dealership has cut a couple "dumb" keys and a couple "smart" keys, and NONE of them turn the ignition and NONE of them unlock the driver's side door.

This is not a push-button start vehicle, so I have no way of driving this car.

Any ideas why the VIN-cutting approach might not be working? We've confirmed the VIN multiple times. The Nissan dealership is reaching out to a different dealership to have a key cut and shipped to them, telling them ONLY the VIN number (and not the cut code).

If this doesn't work, what are some of my options that don't break the bank?

 

Is there possibly an aftermarket anti theft device installed?

 

No, or at least there was never a third-party locking system or mechanism in the 5+ times I test drove it and in the week or so I owned it and drove it.

Its a stock security system, ignition, and locks.

 

maybe someone had changed the lock key cylinder before you purchased the car?

 

While not impossible, it seems unlikely. I bought the vehicle from the original owner who bought it from factory. I've known him since he had it, and nothing was changed to his knowledge.

 

What happened to the second key or valet key? The original owner was issued three keys and two FOBs.

 

All keys were on the same ring. I purchased it, left it at owner's house a couple days, picked the vehicle up, did all the paperwork and titling, and then that evening the keys were stolen along with a few other things when my Kia Soul had the window broken. (I know and have known the owner for many years, so he didn't sell it to me then "repo" it. The city the keys were stolen in is 200+ miles from where the vehicle is physically located, so I doubt it is an "inside job" somewhere along the way.

 

I've reached out to a respected locksmith in the area, he's going to get an OEM blank and cut his own key based on VIN, and compare it to one of the keys cut by the dealer. He advised there are times that he can cut a key successfully that they can't, and vice versa.

 

File an insurance claim with your house insurance for stolen property; let them deal with it.

 

Does the dealer cut key open the drivers door?
If it does then you may have to turn steering wheel a bit to left or right to be able to turn ignition.
Dealer my have cut key right to left - instead of left to right for key tooth; 12345 tooth depth instead of 54321 common issue

 

Have you tried buying a universal car remote? I know it seems pretty stupid, but this worked for me once. It's also very cheap on websites like eBay or Alibaba(though I suggest buying from a specialized store since it will also be delivered faster). You'll need to activate it at your local dealership after you get it. I don't understand why cutting the keys didn't work. Have you tried going to a locksmith as well? They are usually even more specialized than dealers since they tend to have years of expertise in this field. I hope this helped. Let me know if you try this idea out!