Is your Hyundai Sonata 2015 key fob falling apart? You’re not alone. Many owners of the 2015 Sonata, especially the Sport model, are experiencing the frustrating issue of their key fob casings disintegrating, particularly around the buttons. Even spare, unused fobs seem to suffer the same fate, suggesting a flaw in the plastic itself rather than simple wear and tear.
Like many, you might think a quick and cheap fix is to grab a generic replacement key fob body online. The internet is full of videos promising an easy DIY transfer of your existing key fob internals – the chip and the key blade – into a new casing. Sounds simple, right? That’s what I thought when I ordered a $20 generic key fob body.
The initial steps were indeed straightforward. Opening the generic fob was a breeze, designed to easily snap open for component transfer. However, the real challenge began when I tried to open the original Hyundai fob. Unlike the generic version, the factory casing is fused or glued together. There’s no gentle way in – you essentially have to destroy it to get inside. So, armed with determination, I proceeded to carefully pry and break open the original fob.
This is where the DIY dream started to crumble. While I successfully extracted the internal components, transferring them to the new generic fob body proved far from seamless. The internal dimensions were just…off. The compartment for the chip in the generic casing was slightly too deep and wide, causing the chip to rattle around loosely. And the original key blade? It was a hair too thick where it met the casing, preventing the new fob from closing completely unless significant force was applied – or modification was undertaken.
As those YouTube videos vaguely hinted, these generic fob bodies often require “some degree of modification.” Undeterred, I grabbed my Dremel and attempted to file down the key blade to fit. It was then I discovered another issue: even with thinning, the pin insertion point for the blade was slightly offset in the generic fob. Frustration mounting, I conceded defeat with the generic option.
Surely, the obvious solution is to skip the cheap generics and go for an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) key fob body, right? Thinking that paying double for an OEM casing would solve all the fitment issues, I ordered one for around $40. However, another surprise awaited. The OEM casing, unlike the generic snap-together versions, is also sealed shut! It’s designed to be just as destructively opened as the original.
So, what are the alternatives? Taking the OEM casing to a locksmith becomes necessary. They can program the key fob and cut a new key blade, but this service comes at a significant cost – around $175 in my research. Alternatively, a dealership replacement key is an option, but expect to pay even more, with quotes starting at $350.
At this point, you have to ask: Is there an easier, more cost-effective way? It seems the most reliable approach is indeed to opt for an OEM key fob and have a professional locksmith handle the programming and key cutting. Unless you’re willing to gamble on ordering multiple generic fob bodies from Amazon or eBay, hoping to find one that fits your Hyundai Sonata 2015 components with minimal modification – a gamble that, based on my experience, is likely to end in more frustration than success. For a reliable and less headache-inducing solution for your Hyundai Sonata 2015 key fob body woes, professional help with an OEM casing appears to be the most sensible route.
