Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac Key Replacement
- Covers
- Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac
- Key systems
- One GM key family
- Bring
- ID, registration, VIN
All four GM brands share their key systems, so a Silverado and a Sierra, or an Enclave and a Traverse, are the same job to a locksmith. That is why they share this page. What changes the price is the era of your truck or car.
Your Key by Era
| Years | Key system | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Mid 1980s to early 2000s, some models | VATS key | A plain key with a small resistor pellet in the blade. Common on Corvette, Camaro, Firebird and many Cadillacs. The pellet value has to match or the car will not start. |
| Late 1990s to mid 2000s | Passlock | No chip in the key. The security sensor sits in the ignition. A plain cut key plus a timed relearn on the car, often three ten minute waits or one thirty minute wait. |
| Mid 2000s to late 2010s | Chip key, then flip key | Transponder keys, then flip keys with the remote built in. Very locksmith friendly. |
| 2010s to now | Push-start smart key | Most new Chevy, GMC, Buick and Cadillac models. Cadillac moved to smart keys earlier than the others. |
| Newest models | Newer GM electrical platform | Some of the newest GM vehicles use an updated electrical system. Programming tools are catching up, and some jobs still go to the dealer. Ask with your exact year. |
What a Locksmith Can Usually Do
Most GM keys from the 1980s through the late 2010s are routine for a mobile locksmith, including all keys lost. Passlock cars cost little in parts but take time on the relearn, so do not be surprised by a 30 to 45 minute visit.
When the Dealer Is the Better Call
Some of the newest models, and some all-keys-lost jobs on newer smart key trucks, may still need the dealer or a tech with newer online access.
Tips Worth Knowing
- If your older Chevy cranks but will not start and the security light flashes, it may be a Passlock fault, not a key problem. A relearn may fix it without any new key.
- Many GM trucks and SUVs from the 2000s let an owner add a third chip key at home with two working keys. Check the owner's manual.
- A cracked flip key shell is common on GM. A new shell moved onto your old chip and board is far cheaper than a new key.
What It Should Cost
Price follows key type more than brand. Find your key type in our cost table and estimator, then ask for the all-in price with your exact year and model.
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.
Questions People Ask
How much is a replacement key for a Chevy Silverado?
It depends on the year. A flip key spare on a 2010s Silverado is often in the $120 to $280 range. A push-start fob on a newer truck runs higher. These are rough ranges, not quotes.
What is a GM Passlock relearn?
A timed procedure that teaches the car to accept the ignition again. You turn the key on and wait while the security light flashes, often about ten minutes, sometimes repeated. A locksmith can do it, and some owners do it themselves.