Car Key Replacement in Louisville: What It Costs and How It Works
- Spare, chip key
- $70 to $180 rough
- All lost, chip key
- $150 to $300 rough
- All lost, push-start
- $250 to $550+ rough
A car key used to be a piece of brass. Now it is a tiny radio with a security chip that has to be paired to your car. That is why a new key can cost $25 or $600. This page shows you which end of that range you are on, and how to keep it low.
Rough Cost Estimator
Pick your situation. You get a planning range, not a quote, so you know if a phone price sounds sane.
These are rough planning ranges drawn from published national price guides in early 2026. They are not quotes and not Louisville prices from any one shop. Your make, model, year, time of day and how many keys you still have will move the number.
Cost Ranges by Key Type
| Key type | Spare, one key still works | All keys lost |
|---|---|---|
| Plain metal key, no chip | $10 to $40 | $80 to $180 |
| Key with a chip, separate remote | $70 to $180 | $150 to $300 |
| Key and remote in one, or flip key | $120 to $280 | $200 to $400 |
| Push-start fob, most Asian and American cars | $180 to $400 | $250 to $550+ |
| Push-start or fob, many German, Swedish, British cars | $300 to $700+ | $400 to $1,000+, sometimes dealer only |
Not sure which you have? Our key types guide shows you in about 30 seconds.
Why "All Keys Lost" Costs So Much More
With a working key, the tech copies the cut and adds one more key to the car's memory. With no key, they must first make a key that turns the lock, by code or by decoding the lock. Then they often need a security PIN from the carmaker, and on some cars they reset the whole key list. More time, more tools, more risk. That is the price gap. It is also why a spare is the best $100 most drivers never spend.
What to Bring
- Photo ID.
- Registration or title in the same name. If it is locked in the car, the tech can check it once inside.
- The VIN, from the dashboard through the windshield or your insurance card.
- Every key and fob you still have, even broken ones. Some cars need all keys present when the list is reset, or the old ones stop working.
Look Up Your Make
Each page covers the key systems by era, what a locksmith can usually do, and when only the dealer can help.
- Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, CadillacOne GM key family
- Ford, LincolnPATS chip keys and keypads
- Toyota, LexusG and H chips, smart keys
- Honda, AcuraImmobilizer keys and smart fobs
- Nissan, InfinitiNATS chips and Intelligent Key
- Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, RamSentry Key, Fobik, secure gateway
- BMW, MiniEWS, CAS, FEM and BDC
- Mercedes-BenzInfrared keys, FBS3 and FBS4
- Volkswagen, AudiImmo 3, 4, 5 and MQB
- VolvoOlder CEM keys, newer dealer keys
- Land Rover, Range Rover, JaguarSmart keys and relay theft
- MazdaFord-era chips, then smart keys
- Hyundai, Kia, GenesisTurn keys, smart keys, theft fix
Questions to Ask Before You Say Yes
- What is the total, with the key, cutting, programming and trip fee?
- Can you do my exact year, make and model on site?
- Will my old keys still work, and do you need them here?
- Is the fob new, and what is the warranty on it?
Questions People Ask
Can I buy a key fob online and have it programmed?
Sometimes. Many cheap fobs are the wrong part or already locked to another car. Ask the locksmith for the exact part number first, and expect them to charge for programming even if your fob fails.
Will my old key still work after a new one is made?
It depends on the car. Some add the new key and keep the old ones. Others erase the list and re-add only the keys present. If you think a key was stolen, ask to have it erased.
How long does it take to make a new car key?
A spare often takes 20 to 45 minutes. An all-keys-lost job can take an hour or more. Some dealer-only keys are ordered and take several days.