Dealer wants $350 to program 2 key fobs

[GroovyGeek]

And people told me I was 100% crazy and wrong when I said in my accessories video that programming costs $300-$350…

- - -

Anyway… @fresnobrianb try a licensed locksmith.

Many locksmiths stay away from vehicles because the cost to obtain the equipment and necessary access is too high compared to the amount of work it brings in for them. But some locksmiths will do car programming.

But also don’t be surprised if you don’t find anyone. Only one out of the 8 locksmiths within 100 miles of me will program cars. And even if you do find one, I doubt many will be willing to wonder into a dealer parking lot and program a vehicle for you.

Bummer for the OP

h/t to @RagnarKon for his fob programming tip. I now have a third fob safely locked away at home.

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[HolidayDog]

Try a locksmith. They might not have dealer prices, nor ford oem parts.

 

[58james]

I just took delivery of my 2024 wildtrak and was quoted $550 for one fob with laser cut key , I purchased 2 oem fobs with uncut keys for $180 online but still getting quotes of $75 -90 to cut the key which if I can't find it cheaper I probably won't get done

 

[JC2DR]

That's a bad spot. I had 2 and bought the third fob and key that goes with it, I programed the fob myself (with the other 2) and had the key cut at the dealer. The whole thing cost about $100.
Always better to have three. I take 2 on long trips, stashing one in my bags so if I lose the one I'm using, I still get home and then just have to make the third.

 

[Freebird32]

You said they were stolen, file a claim with your insurance depending on your deductible it might cover some portion.

 

[lapazleo]

I can't help but wander if you bought the fobs through the dealer if the programming charge wouldn't be less.

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

Yup. Sounds about right.

Doesn't mean I agree - but yeah, that's the roughly the going dealer rate for programming new fobs

If you had 2 in your possession, you could program them for free in the Bronco and only pay about $45 for the fob. But it requires 2 pre-programmed ones to do so.

Wait, so are you saying I can buy an extra now for $45, then somehow program it myself as a spare?

I may just do that and keep it in my faraday box. That’s brilliant!

 

[straycatboat]

My dealer charged 1 hour labor $230 and hid the truck for 50 minutes so I could not complain that it took the tech 10 minutes, not an hour

 

[Ducati1098]

Wait, so are you saying I can buy an extra now for $45, then somehow program it myself as a spare?

I may just do that and keep it in my faraday box. That’s brilliant!

Yep. Here are the instructions to program additional fobs if you already have 2.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/additional-key-fob.71554/#post-1893520

 

[userdude]

Got a spare key for my 2010 Chevy pickup a few years ago at Lowes and the guy doing the key was in a foul mood. Really seemed like he didn't want to be there. Didn't really seem to know what he was doing. Finally get the key, buy it and am walking to my truck in the back of the parking lot.

I hear someone yelling and turn around to see what's going on. I have the key out and am maybe 30ft from trying it. Another Lowes employee is running after me, waving. I stop, they tell me don't use the key! Ok, what's going on? Oh, it has something in the key that has to be programmed or you'll lock your truck and have to tow it to the dealer. "We can't program your key, come in for a refund. Bob doesn't know what he's doing."

So I go to the dealer and the $12 key (which seemed kinda pricey at the time) is now $110. Nice!

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming...

 

[JBKO]

$350 for two sounds like a deal to me. Though, I bought my Bronco used, and it only came with one fob and I wanted a spare. I found a locksmith in one of the local FB groups that charged me $300 for one fob, key cutting, and the programming. I did that though because my dealers wanted $400 for one fob.

Of course, the guy that sold me the Bronco found the second key fob literally the same day I got the key from the locksmith. As a result, I now have three keys, so now one of them lives in a safe with the spare key for my wife's car.

FWIW, I need to pickup a spare key for my daughter's car, an older 2013 Dodge. Even a replacement fob from somewhere like Ace Hardware is still over $200. I really miss the days of just going to Kmart w/ $2 to get some spare keys cut…

 

[Mkass]

Had my only key stolen during a work trip. Bought 2 OEM fobs online. Towed truck to dealer to get them programmed and was quoted $350 in labor. I can’t imagine this is more than an hours work. Thoughts?

my son had to have his 2016 chevy fab programed. 140.00 at a independent

 

[ADK23]

Had my only key stolen during a work trip. Bought 2 OEM fobs online. Towed truck to dealer to get them programmed and was quoted $350 in labor. I can’t imagine this is more than an hours work. Thoughts?

If that’s the dealership, you bought your Bronco from that seems excessive and still excessive if it’s from a dealer that you did not buy your Bronco from! Additionally, it should not take one hour to program those keys, 15 minutes max. I could see a flat rate for a customer of $50. No way $350 that is taking advantage of the customer.

 

[Bill K]

Yep. Here are the instructions to program additional fobs if you already have 2.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/additional-key-fob.71554/#post-1893520

Ducati1098 noticed in the instructions this was for passive anti-theft equipped vehicles. Does the procedure change at all if you installed the OEM Perimeter Plus alarm?

 

[fresnobrianb]

$350 for two sounds like a deal to me. Though, I bought my Bronco used, and it only came with one fob and I wanted a spare. I found a locksmith in one of the local FB groups that charged me $300 for one fob, key cutting, and the programming. I did that though because my dealers wanted $400 for one fob.

Of course, the guy that sold me the Bronco found the second key fob literally the same day I got the key from the locksmith. As a result, I now have three keys, so now one of them lives in a safe with the spare key for my wife's car.

FWIW, I need to pickup a spare key for my daughter's car, an older 2013 Dodge. Even a replacement fob from somewhere like Ace Hardware is still over $200. I really miss the days of just going to Kmart w/ $2 to get some spare keys cut…

They are telling me they have to wipe the whole system so even if I find my other key, it will no longer work. Also, as I mentioned I purchased the fob’s myself, so the $350 doesn’t include them. I had a locksmith come out first, and called several, they all said they could no do it. Something about the software not being available. They could only do Sport’s. I’m going to try and negotiate my dealer down.

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