Key Fob Replacement Cost

By Anthony Limpert, Supercanic, Riverside County, California

Author Source EEAT Authors · Anthony's Author Page

What a Fob Costs by Type

Kelley Blue Book breaks the price into the part and the programming. A switchblade or flip fob is 75 to 150 dollars for the part and 75 to 150 to program, so 150 to 300 in total. A smart key for push button start is 125 to 250 for the part plus 75 to 150 to program, so 200 to 400.

Dealer prices run higher. Kelley Blue Book says dealer replacement is usually 150 to 500 dollars or more. Its examples run from as little as 150 for a 2017 Honda Accord to about 500 for a 2023 BMW X7.

Consumer Reports found the fob alone can cost 50 to 400 dollars depending on the brand, with programming and a backup key blade adding 50 to 100.

Put together, most remote and flip fobs land at 200 to 400 dollars, and push button smart keys at 250 to 600. Some European and luxury models cost more. The car key replacement cost guide covers every key type.

Dealer or Locksmith

An automotive locksmith is often the cheaper choice. Kelley Blue Book puts the saving at 10 to 25 percent. Consumer Reports gives the example of a dealer asking 350 dollars for the fob alone, where a locksmith did the full job, cut and programmed, for 200 to 250.

A mobile locksmith also comes to the car. If you have no working fob, that saves a tow to the dealer.

The dealer is sometimes the only answer. Consumer Reports notes that many European brands need dealer or factory programming, and some very new models have no aftermarket option yet. A good locksmith tells you on the phone instead of driving out and failing.

Buying a Fob Online

An online fob can save money, but it is not always a win. Consumer Reports priced a Hyundai fob at about 80 dollars online against 236 dollars at the dealer. It also warns that some aftermarket fobs will not work with certain brands, such as Audi and Subaru.

The fob still has to be cut and programmed. Most locksmiths will program a fob you bought, but few will promise it works. Ask before you order.

Kelley Blue Book notes that some cars can be programmed at home with an OBD tool or steps in the owner's manual. That usually works only when you already have working keys.

Check These Before You Pay

Try a new battery. Kelley Blue Book says most fob batteries cost 10 dollars or less, and dealers and battery shops often fit them for free. A weak battery can look like a dead fob.

Check your cover. Consumer Reports says most new car warranties cover a fob that stops working. Some insurance policies, extended warranties and dealer plans cover lost keys too. Check the deductible first. Kelley Blue Book gives the example of a 400 dollar fob against a 500 dollar deductible, where a claim does not help.

If you need two fobs, have them programmed in one visit. Many shops charge one programming fee for the job.

What to Ask on the Phone

Give the year, make and model, and say whether it has push button start. Say how many working fobs you still have. That changes the price more than anything.

Ask if the price includes the fob, cutting the emergency blade, programming and the call out. Ask if they have done your model before.

If the fob was lost or stolen, ask for it to be deleted from the car. Otherwise whoever has it can still open the doors. A locksmith will ask for ID and proof the car is yours. See what a locksmith will ask you for.

Where These Numbers Come From

Sources. These ranges come from public pages we read on Kelley Blue Book, Consumer Reports and Fixr, checked against our car key replacement cost guide. Consumer Reports' examples date from 2019, so treat those as a guide to the gap, not today's price.