Replacing a key fob for a car

Legume

I believe I have lost a key fob for my 2018 Ford F-150.  I was at the local dealer today picking up my truck after getting some recall reprogramming done on the truck and I asked about a replacement.  $460ish for the fob, cutting the emergency key that’s inside of it and programming it. And I think that’s before taxes.

A few googles shows there are a ton of businesses that sell OEM replacement hardware for anywhere from $80 to $250, but it’s not one you can program yourself, has to be a dealer or locksmith with the right setup.

Does anyone have experience with this?  I didn’t ask the dealer what they would charge to just program and I haven’t called locksmiths yet either.  I do want to get the right fob for the truck, not a 3rd party ‘universal’ one.

Thoughts?  Horror or success stories?   Am I trust buying “OEM” off some internet site? (Key fobs r us)

RRP

Sounds like a dealer rip off to me! When my wife lost her key ring I was able to replace the fob with a similar one bought at ACE for $80 dollars and they programmed it for free.

SamIAm2

A little googling for "Program 2018 Ford F-150 Flip Key Remote Fob" should help. As for the emergency key, isn't that only to unlock the door? Once the fob is programmed you should be able to unlock the truck.  You may need two working fobs to perform the programming.

Legume

Ace programmed it or the dealer?

lousubcap

I have never been down that need road but having key fob vehicles and wondering about that issue, the trick-sack you are confronted with is consistent with my findings. The OEM dealer quote is within the lines of  what I have found.  I also have read where going with a 3rd party website replacement has had about a 50% success rate.
To me, not worth the challenges and angst.  FWIW-
(no affiliation with any of the above services or products.)

Legume

SamIAm2 said:

A little googling for "Program 2018 Ford F-150 Flip Key Remote Fob" should help. As for the emergency key, isn't that only to unlock the door? Once the fob is programmed you should be able to unlock the truck. 

It’s the five button fob, the one you can’t program yourself.

True, the key is really only to unlock the door of the battery is completely dead.

I’m not locked out, I have the other fob, so I’m fine, just don’t have a second set and I need to get that second one replaced.

Legume

lousubcap said:

I have never been down that need road but having key fob vehicles and wondering about that issue, the trick-sack you are confronted with is consistent with my findings. The OEM dealer quote is within the lines of  what I have found.  I also have read where going with a 3rd party website replacement has had about a 50% success rate.
To me, not worth the challenges and angst.  FWIW-
(no affiliation with any of the above services or products.)

I know, I feel similarly, but then I asked myself, WWNolaD?

nolaegghead

Depending on the type of smart key, this will cost $10 to cut the key and you can reprogram with your old fob and truck

KeylessOption Keyless Entry Car Remote Uncut Ignition Flip Key Fob for Ford F150 F250 N5F-A08TAA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V6M72WQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_2C5STV4NB4HED2E64XGP?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Moleman

All I can do is laugh. I’m not shocked at all. The things I learn here are amazing. Please keep us informed as to how this goes. 

Botch

Legume said:
It’s the five button fob, the one you can’t program yourself.

I wonder if this falls under the recently-passed "Right-to-Fix" law (the computer/smartphone/iThingie crowd has been very happy about this recently).  

CTMike

We lost a fob for the wife’s GC - was able to buy a new OEM fob on the interwebz for $50 or so, dealer charged me $65 to program it.

alaskanassasin

Where did you loose them?

Legume

alaskanassasin said:

Where did you loose them?

Several states away.  No risk of them finding their way back to where the truck is.  I believe it was in a field where we were camping.

RRP

Legume said:

Ace programmed it or the dealer?

I assumed you asked me and yes it was some lady clerk!   I only saw her there for maybe 2 times and she sure wasn’t the owner nor any special clerical person! 

caliking

When I bought my Ram 1500 from Carmax a few years back, they lost one key fob in the process of washing/detailing the truck,  when I picked it up. It was on them to provide me with 2 key fobs at the time of sale. I had to schedule a time with them, to meet a guy with a backpack, who was their key fob guy. 

So, there has to be a place (other than the dealer) that can program your key fob. The app Nextdoor is "hyperlocal", and often has good recs for service vendors (plumbers, garage door repair, in my own experience). 

Also, Ebay may be an option to purchase the key fob. Then, have it programmed somewhere locally. 

Mickey

Wife lost hers to 17 Sienna Van. Not going to pay the $400+. Just take the chance of not losing the other before trade-in. 

Very few of the Internet work and some will cost you a bunch to fix ignition after trying. 

That’s about all i learned after 40+ years with Toyota. 

Ozzie_Isaac

caliking said:

When I bought my Ram 1500 from Carmax a few years back, they lost one key fob in the process of washing/detailing the truck,  when I picked it up. It was on them to provide me with 2 key fobs at the time of sale. I had to schedule a time with them, to meet a guy with a backpack, who was their key fob guy. 

So, there has to be a place (other than the dealer) that can program your key fob. The app Nextdoor is "hyperlocal", and often has good recs for service vendors (plumbers, garage door repair, in my own experience). 

Also, Ebay may be an option to purchase the key fob. Then, have it programmed somewhere locally. 

Did he sell meat as a side gig too?

Photo Egg

Ozzie_Isaac said:

caliking said:

When I bought my Ram 1500 from Carmax a few years back, they lost one key fob in the process of washing/detailing the truck,  when I picked it up. It was on them to provide me with 2 key fobs at the time of sale. I had to schedule a time with them, to meet a guy with a backpack, who was their key fob guy. 

So, there has to be a place (other than the dealer) that can program your key fob. The app Nextdoor is "hyperlocal", and often has good recs for service vendors (plumbers, garage door repair, in my own experience). 

Also, Ebay may be an option to purchase the key fob. Then, have it programmed somewhere locally. 

Did he sell meat as a side gig too?

No, just lump charcoal.lol

caliking

Photo Egg said:

Ozzie_Isaac said:

caliking said:

When I bought my Ram 1500 from Carmax a few years back, they lost one key fob in the process of washing/detailing the truck,  when I picked it up. It was on them to provide me with 2 key fobs at the time of sale. I had to schedule a time with them, to meet a guy with a backpack, who was their key fob guy. 

So, there has to be a place (other than the dealer) that can program your key fob. The app Nextdoor is "hyperlocal", and often has good recs for service vendors (plumbers, garage door repair, in my own experience). 

Also, Ebay may be an option to purchase the key fob. Then, have it programmed somewhere locally. 

Did he sell meat as a side gig too?

No, just lump charcoal.lol

I know a guy like that

Legume

Mickey said:

Wife lost hers to 17 Sienna Van. Not going to pay the $400+. Just take the chance of not losing the other before trade-in. 

Very few of the Internet work and some will cost you a bunch to fix ignition after trying. 

That’s about all i learned after 40+ years with Toyota. 

@Mickey what’s the deal with fixing the ignition?  

littlerascal56

Secret recipe is don’t lose either of the 2 factory ones before it’s time to trade vehicles!

Mickey

Legume said:

Mickey said:

Wife lost hers to 17 Sienna Van. Not going to pay the $400+. Just take the chance of not losing the other before trade-in. 

Very few of the Internet work and some will cost you a bunch to fix ignition after trying. 

That’s about all i learned after 40+ years with Toyota. 

@Mickey what’s the deal with fixing the ignition?  

Sorry. Old school administrator term calling anything to do with key.  It’s electronic and can’t name exactly without a tech talking in my ear. 

Legume

Found a local locksmith that ordered the right one and will be able to program it.  As it turns out there are multiple versions that are identical except for the chip, all for 2018 F150, so I’m glad I didn’t go the internet route.  Cost was about half of Ford.