So, you’re a proud owner of a 2016 Jeep Renegade and find yourself in need of a spare key fob? The thought of dealership prices might send shivers down your spine, leading you to explore online options. I recently went through this exact scenario, purchasing an OEM key fob for my Jeep Renegade from Amazon for a fraction of the dealership cost. Here’s my experience, detailing whether it worked, the potential pitfalls, and what to expect when you decide to program a key fob purchased outside the dealership.
Like many, the allure of saving money led me to Amazon, where I snagged an OEM Jeep Renegade key fob for around $70. This included an uncut emergency key, crucial because my 2016 model uses the laser-cut, squared-off type. Edge-cut keys are cheaper, but compatibility is key – they simply won’t work with my vehicle.
Confident with my online purchase, I scheduled an appointment at my local Jeep dealership for programming. A quick call ahead confirmed they could fit me in. However, upon arrival, the service advisor’s first question was laced with skepticism: “Are you the one who called about getting a key programmed? Did you buy it online?”
When I confirmed, mentioning it was an OEM part and not a knock-off, I was met with a cautionary statement: “I have to let you know that chances are high it won’t work, but we’ll still have to charge you the $145 programming fee.” This initial warning was unsettling, to say the least.
Luckily, another service tech, handling my check-in, offered a more balanced perspective. He reassured me, “I’ve seen several fobs not purchased here programmed with no problems, don’t be concerned.” He did, however, reiterate the non-refundable programming fee: “Pass or fail, it’s still 145 bucks.” Fair enough, I thought, proceeding with a mix of hope and apprehension.
The plot thickened when I mentioned my vehicle year – a 2016 Renegade Latitude. “Oh… Renegade,” he paused, “Problem?” I inquired. “Could be. Renegades are real picky about reprogramming keys. 2015s and 16s are easy. 17s and 18s are more finicky. We can try.” This was news to me. It seemed my ‘easy’ 2016 might not be so straightforward after all.
Stepping outside to wait, the anxiety definitely crept in. Then came another service tech with more unsettling news. He’d spoken to the shop foreman who cautioned that attempting to program a key with an “unknown history” (my online purchase) could potentially wipe out my original, working key as well! The prospect of ending up with no keys after paying for programming was a significant concern. The proposed solution if this happened? Buy a key from them, at full price, naturally.
This sounded illogical. My existing key was already programmed to the vehicle; simply adding another shouldn’t erase the first unless something went seriously wrong. I voiced this, and the service tech, while reiterating the foreman’s warning, conceded my point made sense. Despite the escalating uncertainty, I decided to proceed.
Just then, the technician responsible for programming came to get my Jeep. My service advisor relayed the foreman’s double-key-wipe-out warning. The programmer’s reaction? A dismissive “fart face.” He’d programmed numerous Renegades, though admitted fewer 2017s and 2018s, acknowledging the increased security measures in later models designed to deter theft. His disclaimer: “But yours may be the first I’ve done to take out 2 fobs.” Not exactly comforting, but I was committed. “Go for it,” I said, figuring it was worth the risk.
The waiting game resumed, anxiety levels fluctuating. The thought crossed my mind: was this a ploy to force me into buying a dealership key? “Crap out the key you brought in so you HAVE to buy theirs or you can’t go home!” – the cynical thought echoed.
Then, a welcome sight – the programmer emerged with a broad smile and a thumbs up. He drove my Jeep out, apologizing for the wait. Relief washed over me. No issues programming, he explained. The extra time was spent exploring if the remote start function, present on the new fob but not my original, could be activated. He knew it was a long shot, requiring more than just a button press, but wanted to try. I appreciated the effort, even though it didn’t work out. They also performed a 27-point inspection, though my focus remained firmly on the key fob situation. We tested both fobs – success! Both worked flawlessly.
Long story short – the OEM key fob I bought on Amazon for my 2016 Jeep Renegade worked perfectly after dealership programming. They couldn’t laser cut the emergency key in-house, requiring it to be sent out, but I opted to skip that for now.
Now, I have two fully functional key fobs for my 2016 Jeep Renegade! The experience was a rollercoaster of uncertainty and warnings, but ultimately, purchasing an OEM key fob online and getting it programmed at the dealership was a successful, cost-effective solution. If you’re considering the same route, be prepared for potential skepticism at the dealership, but armed with the right OEM part, it’s definitely achievable for your 2016 Jeep Renegade. Whether I should buy a third… that’s a question for another day!
