How much does programming the key fob typically cost?

[MerlintheMad]

My daughter just got gouged to replace a lost key (not a Kia). I was flabbergasted: $380, most of which was the dealer programming the danged thing. I said that to the best of my recollection our key fobs cost $130 to replace, including programming. Am I up in the night?

 

[Dave Miller]

I believe the smart keys can be in the ballpark of $200+ from the dealership before programming. It can be best to buy your own online and bring it in if you have the time to wait for shipping.

 

[Mach_Tuck]

I believe the smart keys can be in the ballpark of $200+ from the dealership before programming. It can be best to buy your own online and bring it in if you have the time to wait for shipping.

Is this possible with a Kia? Wouldn't the RF Transponder signal not work or is that where the program comes into play.

My ref is BMW in which keys with the transponder MUST come from dealer and only 10 keys ever can be paired with any EWS module.

So for Kia I can buy a "blank" and then have it coded and cut to match?? Does this mean I could get one with the "E" on it from Korea as a blank and use that??

I also have key replacement coverage through DriverOne membership and they cover up to $400 per key per year for loss, damage whatever.

Cheers

 

[MerlintheMad]

My finance guy at Kia offered me "key insurance" too. I rejected it. According to that "stinger tv" YouTube guy from Colombia, you can get a "Korean" key, take the plastic halves of both keys apart and switched your car key's "guts" to the Korean "E" fob. Voila! you have an "E" logo key fob without having to program a new key. But if you lose your key(s) and have to start from scratch, you must get the dealer to program the new keys, which you can buy cheaper online, probably, than through the dealer. $200 is a lot of money for a danged key! And my daughter paid almost twice that to replace a lost key (she still has the lost key wandering about somewhere, potentially ready to 'jack her car).

 

[Mach_Tuck]

Key insurance came with a package deal that also includes 1 of each...battery, alignment, belts/hoses, brake pad set, wiper blades. Also includes the one key per year as well as trip interruption and towing. All for $400 bucks. It's a 4yr/60k mile. Battery alone will cover my cost. The rest is gravy.

I know only two transponder at a time can be registered to the car.

I hadn't considered just swapping the plastic fob cover...brilliant. Now question is can I find one for reasonable amount.

FWIW...my BMW key was quoted at $480

 

[Ucinn]

My finance guy at Kia offered me "key insurance" too. I rejected it. According to that "stinger tv" YouTube guy from Colombia, you can get a "Korean" key, take the plastic halves of both keys apart and switched your car key's "guts" to the Korean "E" fob. Voila! you have an "E" logo key fob without having to program a new key. But if you lose your key(s) and have to start from scratch, you must get the dealer to program the new keys, which you can buy cheaper online, probably, than through the dealer. $200 is a lot of money for a danged key! And my daughter paid almost twice that to replace a lost key (she still has the lost key wandering about somewhere, potentially ready to 'jack her car).

The dealer when programming the new key should have disabled the lost key so jacking the car shouldn't be possible.

 

[MerlintheMad]

The dealer when programming the new key should have disabled the lost key so jacking the car shouldn't be possible.

It's worse than that: it isn't a keyless entry setup. She physically inserts the key and turns the ignition "old school" style. The programing is all about IDing her car, locking it, etc. Why such a simple programming should cost so much is beyond me. I asked if they had rekeyed her car and she said no. I hope that she's mistaken!

 

[Ucinn]

It's worse than that: it isn't a keyless entry setup. She physically inserts the key and turns the ignition "old school" style. The programing is all about IDing her car, locking it, etc. Why such a simple programming should cost so much is beyond me. I asked if they had rekeyed her car and she said no. I hope that she's mistaken!

Sorry, my misunderstanding, I would be a little worried too then.