It’s a modern-day frustration: realizing your car key fob is lost, broken, or simply not working. For those with vehicles manufactured in the last five years, the immediate question arises: where can you get a reliable New Car Key Fob replacement? Often, the answer points towards your dealership, primarily due to the sophisticated programming technology now embedded in these devices.
Dealership vs. Aftermarket Key Fobs: Understanding Your Choices
While the allure of cheaper, aftermarket key fobs online is strong, it’s crucial to understand the potential pitfalls. Dealership service departments, particularly those for brands like Audi and Subaru, often caution against aftermarket options, sometimes refusing to program them altogether. As highlighted by a service advisor at Hoffman Audi, “If you want a new car key fob for your Audi, it has to come from us.” This is due to integrated security chips within the fob that are uniquely programmed to each vehicle and cannot be easily replicated for aftermarket fobs. This advanced security feature is why purchasing a new aftermarket Audi key fob online is typically not a viable solution. The increasing sophistication of key fobs has made them integral to vehicle security systems. For an Audi new car key fob replacement, including the necessary programming, expect to pay around $500.
This dealership dependency isn’t isolated to Audi. European car manufacturers, in general, frequently require customers to obtain replacements directly from dealers. The complex digital encryption within these keys often restricts programming capabilities to the manufacturer and a limited network of authorized outlets, particularly in North America.
While some dealerships, including those for Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge and Lexus, express a willingness to attempt programming aftermarket fobs, they often do so with reservations. A Lexus service advisor noted, “We shy away from working with aftermarket key fobs. We can’t warranty parts or labor, and if we try to program it and it doesn’t work, we still have to charge them for our labor.” This highlights the risk and potential costs associated with choosing aftermarket options.
The Process and Cost of Getting a New Car Key Fob
Despite the potential need to visit a dealership, the process itself is usually not overly time-consuming. Most dealerships report that new car key fob programming typically takes between 15 to 30 minutes. Including the physical spare key cutting, the entire process rarely exceeds an hour.
Concerns about exorbitant costs are also often allayed, even when dealing with dealerships, including European brands. For instance, a Volkswagen dealership quoted approximately $225 for a new car key fob with laser-cut key and programming for a 2015 VW Jetta.
Some manufacturers, like Chevrolet, offer cost-saving alternatives. General Motors key fobs are generally more affordable, with a quote of $147.98 for a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu new car key fob equipped with keyless entry, push-button start, and remote start. Furthermore, Chevrolet allows for customer programming in certain cases, meaning a dealership visit for programming isn’t always mandatory. According to a Chevrolet spokesperson, “The programming procedure is described in the vehicle owner’s manual, but the vehicle does need to be present.”
However, it’s important to note a common requirement across brands: customer-programmable new car key fobs typically necessitate the presence of two existing, functional keys. Without these, programming a third new car key fob often requires professional dealership service.
Conclusion: Making Informed Decisions for Your New Car Key Fob
Securing a new car key fob can range from a straightforward dealership visit to exploring potentially riskier aftermarket avenues. While dealerships often represent the most reliable path, particularly for newer and European vehicles, costs and programming procedures can vary. Understanding your car’s make and model, and weighing the pros and cons of dealership versus aftermarket options, is crucial in making an informed and cost-effective decision for your new car key fob replacement.
