Quick Facts About Replacing Key Fobs
- Keyless entry became a common automotive feature in the 1990s, and nearly every new model today uses a key fob for unlocking doors and starting the ignition.
- Key fobs can perform many functions, and having that technology means replacing them costs from $150 up to several hundred dollars.
- Changing a key fob battery is simple and inexpensive, but a new fob is needed if the device’s transmitter becomes faulty.
Today’s key fobs do more than unlock and start a vehicle. They double as convenience devices and a significant theft deterrent. But key fob replacement is an issue.
All that complexity makes them expensive to replace if you lose or break your car’s key fob. The days of getting a new key cut by a corner locksmith are long gone. In some cases, the only way to replace a car key is to visit a dealership and shell out hundreds of dollars.
Your car insurance may cover the fob replacement, though going this route counts against your deductible. Replacing the key may not be a great plan if the automaker charges $400 for a new key fob and you have a $500 insurance deductible.
In this article, we’ll tackle the following challenges of key fob replacement.
Types of Car Keys and Fobs
There are several different types of car keys. Older keys — those usually from the mid-1990s or before — are simple to replace. Anything newer than that will require a little more effort.
A Simple Key
Like the key that opens your home or a padlock, the keys that started cars built for the better part of a century are plain cut metal. Newer cars may have a chip embedded in the plastic key head that talks to a transponder located in the instrument column, but even these are relatively simple for a locksmith to program in many cases.
A Key With a Remote Fob
Keyless entry became commonplace in the late 1990s. These systems can unlock or lock the car, and maybe even arm an alarm at the tap of a button. However, the key needs to be inserted into the ignition to start the vehicle. Sometimes, the metal key and the remote are a single switchblade-style unit. Most of today’s new models have moved on from this key fob type and utilize keyless ignition.
A Single Fob For Access and Starting
You’ve probably seen these fobs by now because nearly every new model uses a remote device enabling push-button ignition instead of a traditional metal key. Although these fobs look like they are missing a key, they have one integrated. Some of these are pretty attractive, such as a leather-wrapped fob that comes with some Volvo models.
Single key fobs are generally standard equipment when buying a vehicle. However, Tesla charges $175 for a fob for its cars. The electric carmaker charges for the fob — in the shape of a Tesla — since it offers a smartphone digital key and smart key card, which will work and unlock your vehicle if your smartphone is out of battery.
The single key fob can be kept in a pocket or bag for both access and starting in most cases.
Key Fob Capabilities
Key fobs do more than just lock and unlock your car. They serve very useful purposes, like rolling down your windows or even summoning and auto-parking your car. While you won’t find these features on every key fob, many newer cars are adding additional features to their fobs.
Controlling Windows, Doors, Liftgates
Car manufacturers have come a long way from windows where drivers manually rolled them down. These days, newer cars like the Volkswagen Tiguan allow you to roll down the windows by simply holding down a button. However, you’ll need to roll them up on your own. Also, don’t leave the windows down too long, or you might allow some unwanted bugs inside your car.
For minivans, key fobs remotely open the sliding side doors for easy access.
[Editor’s Note: I often use the feature to open the doors and liftgate remotely on hot days to let scorching heat out of my Chrysler Pacifica as I approach the van. — Chris Hardesty, senior advice editor.]
Self-Parking and Summoning
One of the coolest features that some car key fobs offer now is the ability to summon your car with the press of a button. This feature is offered in vehicles like the Genesis GV60, Hyundai Sonata, and Kia EV6. These cars do not come and find you like Tesla’s summon feature, but if the car is parked in a tight spot, you can hold the button and it will pull or back out of the spot and stop wherever you want it to.
Just as you can pull the car out of the spot, you can park the car from the key fob, too. If the space is tight and you don’t think you will be able to open the car door, you can hop out and make the car park itself. Every car with a fob doesn’t do this, but this high-tech feature is becoming more common.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace a Key Fob?
There’s no simple answer, but few modern key fobs are inexpensive. Even basic remotes may require special programming with computer software only accessible by a dealership.
Though the repair won’t take more than a few minutes to replace, this can get expensive.
Kelley Blue Book contacted dealerships across the country for replacement costs of key fobs for some popular and high-end models. Quotes we got for replacing key fobs for a 2020 Subaru Forester with a push-button start ranged from about $200 to $400. A 2020 Toyota Sienna fob was about the same. However, dealers quoted as little as $150 to replace a 2017 Honda Accord key fob.
The more advanced security features embedded in the fob for a 2023 X7 justify the roughly $500 they charge to replace and program one. If you think that’s a lot, consider that the crystal fob Aston Martin included with some of its models might cost $2,000 to replace and reprogram.
Where Can I Get a Replacement Key Fob?
The best place to get a high-quality key fob guaranteed to work with your vehicle is from an authorized dealership service center. Aftermarket key fobs exist, but they may not be of the same quality as the originals. In general, using OEM replacement parts is preferred to help retain your car’s value when it’s time to sell your vehicle or trade for a new automobile.
Key Fob Programming
Every dealer we surveyed said they wouldn’t program a key fob unless you visit the parts department and show proof of ownership or registration.
This level of security is an asset since it means a would-be thief can’t write down your vehicle identification number (VIN) and get a new key fob programmed at a dealer.
Some locksmiths may program specific keys, though they will likely need a second, functioning fob to do so. Online sites advertising programmed remotes shipped to your door may not be reputable unless they ask for ownership verification, so shop wisely.
Key Fob Battery Replacement
Automakers make it reasonably easy to swap in a new battery, though you may need to use a small screwdriver to pry the key fob open.
Generally, these coin-shaped batteries cost $10 or less, though some fobs require two batteries. Battery specialist shops and dealers will often replace the battery for free since it only takes a moment or two. If you’re handy, you can save time by buying a battery at a hardware store, a big-box retailer, or online, and then swap it yourself. Your owner’s manual — which is often available in PDF form on the automaker’s website if you’ve lost it — or online videos explain how to replace a key fob battery.
And if you’re in doubt, YouTube is full of videos from users explaining how to replace a key fob battery.
TIP: Keep an extra battery in your glove box or center console along with whatever tool is needed to pry it open for emergencies. Some cars will alert you to a key fob battery that needs replacement, though.
Why Does My Key Fob Not Work After Replacing the Battery?
In rare instances, a new battery may still leave you with a non-functional fob.
If you have a second key fob, try using it to unlock the vehicle and then swap batteries between the two. If it’s still not working, the fob might need reprogramming by a dealer, which can be done at a lower cost than replacement. However, you will need to replace the key fob if its internal transmitter is faulty.
Accessing and Driving Your Car When The Key Fob Is Dead
If your car offers keyless access and engine start, you can still access your vehicle with a dead fob. You can release a physical key found inside the fob (consult your owner’s manual). In some cases, you can also open the trunk or liftgate.
You can also hold the key fob up to the start and stop button (or another location in the car) to start the vehicle. Again, your owner’s manual will contain vehicle-specific information about where to hold the key fob.
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Editor’s Note: This article has been updated since its initial publication.
