A starter assembly for a vehicle includes a housing adapted to be coupled to a vehicle ignition system. A carrier has a key opening and is movably mounted within the housing. A latch is movably mounted to the carrier and is movable between a first latch position and a second latch position. An electronic key is provided to be received in the key opening of the carrier. The key has a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis. The first end includes a first end wall. The first end wall has an opening defining an axially extending cavity therein.