Like many car owners, losing a key fob can be a frustrating experience. In my case, after misplacing my Kia Optima key fob, I turned to online marketplaces and found a used fob on eBay, matching the part number of my original one. Hoping to save some money, I purchased it, thinking programming a used key fob for my 2013 Kia Optima would be a straightforward process. However, my experience at the local Kia dealership turned out to be more complicated than anticipated, raising questions about used key fob programming and dealership service procedures.
Taking my 2013 Optima and the used key fob to the dealership, I expected a quick programming service. After an hour, I was informed that the technician was unable to program the used fob. The reason? Apparently, used key fobs remain programmed to their original vehicles and cannot be reprogrammed for a different car unless the original vehicle is present to “clear” the fob. While not entirely surprised that a used fob might retain its previous programming, this explanation seemed to contradict the idea of using used fobs at all.
This experience led me to question the common practice of buying used key fobs online. While the part and model numbers matched perfectly, the dealership’s inability to program the used fob due to its prior association with another vehicle casts doubt on the viability of this cost-saving approach. Is it truly impossible to reprogram a used key fob for a 2013 Kia Optima without the original car? Or was there another issue at play?
Adding to the frustration, the dealership’s attempt to program the key fob coincided with a scheduled computer update related to a recall. What was supposed to be a 20-minute update turned into a two-hour ordeal, ultimately crashing the system and rendering my car unable to start. The dealership had to keep my Optima overnight and contact “corporate” to obtain a “special code” to resolve the issue and complete the update.
This entire experience at the Kia dealership left me wondering about a few things. Firstly, is it generally true that a used key fob for a 2013 Kia Optima cannot be programmed if it’s still linked to another vehicle, as the dealership claimed? Secondly, could the programming failure have been due to technician error or some other factor unrelated to the used fob itself? Before dismissing the eBay purchase as a loss, I am seeking insights from the community: Has anyone else encountered similar issues when attempting to program a used key fob for their Kia Optima or other vehicles? Is there a different procedure or approach that could be successful in programming a used key fob, or is it indeed a gamble with limited chances of success? Any shared experiences or advice on 2013 Kia Optima Key Fob Programming, especially with used fobs, would be greatly appreciated.
