Guide
Dealer or locksmith for a replacement car key?
For most cars, a mobile locksmith is the cheaper and faster option, especially if you have no working key and the alternative is a tow. Kelley Blue Book says a locksmith might save 10% to 25%. Some newer models can only be programmed by the dealer, so ask first.
On this page
Side by side
| Locksmith | Dealer | |
|---|---|---|
| Comes to the car | Yes, usually | No; the car comes to them, by tow if no key works |
| Price | Often lower; KBB says 10% to 25% savings are possible | Original parts at list price |
| Newest models | Some can't be programmed outside the dealer | Can program its own brand |
| Proof of ownership | Should ask for it | Requires it |
Published prices
| Job | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Car key replacement | $70 to $250 | Fixr, Jan 2025 |
| Transponder key | $125 to $250 Part plus programming | Kelley Blue Book, Jul 2025 |
| Switchblade (flip) key | $150 to $300 | Kelley Blue Book, Jul 2025 |
| Smart key (push-to-start) | $200 to $400 | Kelley Blue Book, Jul 2025 |
AAA puts a transponder key at about $200 and a smart key at $200 to $500, and says some smart keys only come from the dealer. Fixr lists locksmith car key replacement at $70 to $250.
A cheaper spare that only opens the doors
On many cars, a plain metal key with no transponder chip will open the doors but not start the engine. It costs a fraction of a programmed key, and it turns a future lockout into a non-event. Ask for one when you get your next key made, with your registration in hand.
Bought a fob online?
Cheap fobs from online marketplaces are a running complaint among locksmiths: some won't program, some fail early, and the programming fee is the same either way. A dealer in one Omaha thread wanted more than $200 just to program a fob the owner bought online. Before you buy one, ask the locksmith whether they will program it and what happens if it doesn't take.
How to decide
- Have a working key? Getting a copy is the cheap case at either place. Get one now.
- No working key? Call a locksmith first and ask whether they can do your model. If not, ask the dealer and your roadside plan about the tow.
- Under warranty or a recall? Check with the dealer.
Questions people in Omaha ask
Are aftermarket fobs OK?
Some work fine, some don't program or fail early. Ask the locksmith what they supply and whether they stand behind it.