Quick facts about key fob replacement
- Keyless entry became a common automotive feature in the 1990s, and today almost every new model uses a key fob to unlock the doors and start the ignition.
- Key fobs can serve many functions, and if they have this technology, they cost anywhere from $150 to several hundred dollars to replace.
- Replacing a key fob battery is easy and inexpensive. However, if the device’s transmitter is defective, a new key fob is required.
Today’s key fobs can do more than just unlock and start a vehicle. They serve as both a convenience device and a significant theft deterrent. However, replacing the key fob is a problem.
Because of this complexity, if your car’s key fob is lost or broken, it will be expensive to replace. The days when a locksmith had a new key made are long gone. In some cases, the only way to replace a car key is to visit a dealer and spend hundreds of dollars.
Your car insurance may cover key fob replacement, but choosing this route will count toward your deductible. Replacing the key may not be a good plan if the car manufacturer charges $400 for a new key fob and you have a $500 deductible.
In this article, we’ll address the following key fob replacement challenges.
Types of car keys and fobs
There are different types of car keys. Older keys – usually those from the mid-1990s or earlier – can easily be replaced. Anything newer requires a little more effort.
A simple key
Like the key that opens your home or a padlock, the keys that have built cars for nearly a century are made of simply ground metal. Newer cars may have a chip embedded in the plastic key head that communicates with a transponder in the instrument cluster, but even these are relatively easy for a locksmith to program in many cases.
A key with a remote control fob
Keyless entry became commonplace in the late 1990s. These systems can unlock or lock the car and possibly even activate an alarm system at the push of a button. However, to start the vehicle, the key must be inserted into the ignition lock. Sometimes the metal key and remote are a single switchblade-style unit. Most of today’s new models are evolved from this type of key fob and feature keyless ignition.
A single key fob for entry and start
You’ve probably seen these fobs before, as almost every new model uses a remote control instead of a traditional metal key, allowing for push-button ignition. Even though these keychains look like they are missing a key, one is integrated. Some of them are quite attractive, such as a leather-wrapped key fob that comes with some Volvo models.
Individual key fobs are usually standard equipment when purchasing a vehicle. However, Tesla charges $175 for a key fob for its cars. The electric car maker is charging for the key fob – shaped like a Tesla – because it offers a digital smartphone key and smart key card that work to unlock your vehicle when your smartphone battery dies.
The single key fob can be stored in a pocket for both access and starting in most cases.
Keychain features
Key fobs can do more than just lock and unlock your car. They serve very useful purposes, e.g. B. rolling down the windows or even summoning and automatically parking your car. While you won’t find these features on every key fob, many newer cars add additional features to their key fobs.
Control of windows, doors, tailgates
Car manufacturers have come a long way from windows that required drivers to manually roll them down. Nowadays, newer vehicles like the Volkswagen Tiguan allow you to roll down the windows by simply holding down a button. However, you have to roll them up yourself. Also, don’t leave the windows open for too long, otherwise unwanted insects could get into your car.
On 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 now offer is the ability to summon your car with the push of a button. This feature is offered in vehicles such as the Genesis GV60, Hyundai Sonata and Kia EV6. These cars don’t come at you like Tesla’s summon feature, but if the car is parked in a tight spot, you can hold down the button and it will move to or back from the spot and stop where you want it to.
Just like you can pull the car from the spot, you can also park it using the key fob. If space is tight and you think you can’t open the car door, you can get out and arrange the parking space yourself. This isn’t the case with every car with a key fob, but this high-tech feature is becoming more and more common.
How much does it cost to replace a key fob?
There’s no easy answer, but few modern keychains are cost-effective. Even simple remote controls may require special programming using computer software that only a dealer can access.
Although the repair doesn’t take more than a few minutes, it can be expensive.
Kelley Blue Book contacted dealers across the country to inquire about key fob replacement costs for some popular and high-end models. The quotes we received for key fob replacements for a 2020 Subaru Forester with push button start ranged from approximately $200 to $400. A 2020 Toyota Sienna trailer was about the same. However, dealers quoted only $150 to replace a 2017 Honda Accord key fob.
The advanced security features included in the key fob of a 2023 If you think that’s a lot, consider that replacing and reprogramming the crystal fob that Aston Martin includes in some of its models costs $2,000 could cost.
Where can I get a replacement key fob?
The best place to get a quality key fob that is guaranteed to work with your vehicle is an authorized dealer service center. There are aftermarket keychains available, but they may not be of the same quality as the originals. Generally, using OEM replacement parts is preferred to preserve the value of your vehicle when it comes time to sell your vehicle or trade in for a new car.
Keychain programming
Every dealer we interviewed said they would only program a key fob if you visit the parts department and provide proof of ownership or registration.
This level of security is beneficial because it means a potential thief cannot write down your vehicle identification number (VIN) and have a new key fob programmed at a dealer.
Some locksmiths may program specific keys, but this will likely require a second, working key fob. Online websites that advertise programmed remote controls delivered to your door may not be legitimate unless they require proof of ownership. So shop wisely.
Key fob battery replacement
Car manufacturers make replacing a new battery reasonably easy, although you may need to use a small screwdriver to pry the key fob open.
Generally, these coin-shaped batteries cost $10 or less, although some trailers require two batteries. Battery shops and retailers will often replace the battery for free, as the replacement only takes a moment or two. If you’re handy, you can save time by purchasing a battery from a hardware store, wholesaler, or online and then replacing it yourself. Your owner’s manual – often available in PDF format on the car manufacturer’s website if you’ve lost it – or online videos will explain how to replace a key fob battery.
And if you have any doubts, you can find numerous videos on YouTube from users explaining how to replace a key fob battery.
TIP: Keep an extra battery in your glove compartment or center console, along with the necessary tools to break it open in case of emergencies. However, some cars will alert you that the key fob battery needs to be replaced.
Why is my key fob not working after changing the battery?
In rare cases, you may still have a non-functional trailer despite a new battery.
If you have a second key fob, try using it to unlock the vehicle and then swap the batteries between the two. If it still doesn’t work, the key fob may need to be reprogrammed by a dealer, which can be done at a lower cost than a replacement. However, you will need to replace the key fob if its internal transmitter is defective.
Accessing and driving your car when the key fob is dead
If your car offers keyless entry and engine start, you can access your vehicle even with a broken key fob. You can unlock a physical key in the fob (see user manual). In some cases you can also open the trunk or tailgate.
You can also hold the key fob against the start and stop button (or anywhere else in the car) to start the vehicle. Again, you will find vehicle-specific information in your owner’s manual about where to store the key fob.
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Editor’s Note: This article has been updated since it was first published.