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I know what it feels like to lose your car keys: that uncomfortable panic isn’t something I want to repeat in a hurry. No matter how careful you are, accidents can happen, and it’s easy to lose or damage your key fob.
If you’re reading this article, I’ll assume it’s because you own a Ford vehicle and are looking for a key fob replacement. If that’s the case, it can be a tricky process. Going direct to a dealership may work out pretty costly, but you can reduce the cost by buying online.
While that sounds easy, there are still some questions you might have: how can you find the right car key fob for your Ford vehicle? Is it possible to program a Ford key fob replacement at home? And is it possible to find genuine factory Ford key fobs online?
I’ve got the answers to those questions, and I’ll give you eight of my top recommendations if you’re in the market for a Ford key fob replacement.
Table of Contents
The Bottom Line Up Front
I like the Ford Mustang Cobra Smart Remote Key Fob – it’s exactly the same as the one you would get from a dealership and even includes the iconic Cobra logo on the back. The quality is great, and it has a good returns policy, too.
However, for a cheaper third-party option, the ADAURIS Proximity Smart Keyless Entry Replacement is good. It’s durable and tough for the price, and it’s compatible with a few different models.
Visit CarAndTruckRemotes.com to find backup or replacement key fobs for any vehicle. Since 2003, they have been the go-to source for replacement key fobs, transponder keys, and keyless entry remotes at up to 75% savings.
Best Ford Key Fob Replacements at a Glance
- Ford C-Max Remote Key Fob – a high-quality, genuine factory key fob
- Ford Edge ST Smart Remote – a slightly pricier but excellent quality factory Ford key fob
- Keyless Entry Ford Replacement Key Fob – a third-party key fob with good buttons and a great price point
- ADAURIS Proximity Smart Keyless Entry Replacement – another great third-party key fob that works with several Ford models
- Ford F150 Lightning Smart Remote Key Fob – an official factory key fob, excellent quality
- Ford Mustang Cobra Smart Remote Key Fob – another high-quality factory key fob with the iconic Cobra logo included
- VOFONO Car Key Fob Keyless Entry Smart Remote– a third-party key fob that can be programmed at home
What to Look for in a Replacement Ford Key Fob
Here are a few key features I’d recommend looking out for if you’re looking for a replacement key fob:
Models/Compatibility
Even generic, unbranded key fobs are only designed to work with specific models, so it’s always a good idea to check that your car matches the new key fob you’re looking at.
Some Ford key fobs work with several different models, but they may not be compatible with the year of manufacture of your specific car. Look closely at both the product name and the description, which should tell you clearly if your model is compatible.
Electronics
Always double-check that the electronics are actually included! This sounds obvious, but sometimes you can get key fob cases that look almost identical in their product photos, but they don’t have the electronics included.
These can be useful if the original electronics are intact on your current key fob: you can just swap them out into a brand-new, undamaged case. This is a lot cheaper than buying a new key fob and having to deal with professional programming/key blade cutting.
However, if you need a whole new key fob, you’ll need both the electronics and the casing. Also, you’ll need to check that the emergency blank key blade is included.
Sometimes you can get a new outer casing for your key fob, which is a fun accessory if you’re into that kind of thing: they’re usually very easy to snap over your current key fob.
Buttons
The buttons you’ll need will depend on the model of the car you have. As a standard, they should include the lock, unlock, trunk unlock, and emergency buttons. (The emergency button causes your car to make a beeping sound: this is useful if you’re parked in a huge parking lot and you can’t remember where it is.)
You may sometimes find other buttons like left-side unlock, right-side unlock, and power tailgate. If your car has a smart start function, look for a key fob that includes these buttons, too. These key fobs may be slightly more expensive than the basic ones.
Which type you go for will depend on your car, of course, along with the buttons you use regularly. If you don’t want to invest in an official factory key fob but you really need to get a replacement sorted quickly, you could go for a simple one for now and upgrade it later.
Quality
Cheaper key fobs will, of course, feel slightly cheaper: the materials won’t be as good, and you may find that the buttons are less durable. This isn’t always the case: you can sometimes get hold of some low-price, decent-quality replacement Ford key fobs. But still, it’s a risk that comes from buying online.
However, you can get factory key fobs, which are exactly the same as the keys from a Ford dealership and usually have the Ford logo on the back. These are good quality and should last for a long time.
As a minimum, look for a key fob with thick, easy-to-use buttons that don’t look flimsy or get stuck when you use them.
Programming
Your new key fob will need a few extra steps before it will work. You’ll need to get the key blade cut, which isn’t too costly, and will allow you to at least get into your car again. Getting the key fob programmed is a little pricier. You’ll need to take it to a professional automotive locksmith, and you can even take it to a Ford dealership and ask them to program it for you.
However, you also have the option of programming it yourself. This can be done at home fairly easily, and in my experience, it’s nowhere near as difficult as it sounds, especially if you get a decent video tutorial from YouTube.
I’d say it’s worth trying if you want to save a little cash: you can always take it to a dealership if it doesn’t work out!
The first step to getting your new key fob to work is to get the key blade cut, which is a simple and quick process. It shouldn’t cost too much and will allow you to get into your car in an emergency situation if the key fob buttons no longer work.
Top 8 Ford Key Fob Replacements
Here are my eight recommendations for Ford key replacements.
Some of these are factory models, meaning they’re exactly the same as the ones you’d get from a dealership. Others are third-party options, but these tend to work out cheaper. Hopefully, you’ll be able to find something that suits both the model of your car and your budget.
Ford C-Max Remote Key Fob
The Ford C-Max Remote Key Fob is a good key replacement available for 2013-2018 models. It’s a good choice in terms of quality: it’s an original factory model, so it’s the same as one you would buy from a Ford dealership, including the Ford logo on the back.
The quality is good, and the buttons are durable. It has three buttons (lock, unlock, and trunk unlock) and an uncut key blade included.
It comes in at a decent price, despite the quality. At around $90, it’s pricier than some others on this list but cheaper than going directly to a dealer, even with the cost of programming and having the key blade cut.
Pros
- Good quality
- Decent price point
- Durable buttons
Cons
- A little pricier than some of the others on this list
Ford Edge ST Smart Remote Key Fob Performance SUV
The Ford Edge ST Smart Remote is a great pick if you have an Edge between the years 2015 – 2022. It includes all the buttons you would get from a genuine key fob (a factory model, so the Ford logo is included).
It’s a durable key fob with all the buttons you’d expect, including the lock, unlock, and alarm buttons if you lose your vehicle in a parking lot. It also includes the uncut key blade for emergencies if the key fob itself doesn’t work.
The price is great, given the quality. It comes in at just under $140, which is a good chunk of cash, but still cheaper than going straight to a Ford dealership. It needs to be cut and programmed, of course, but it’s still a good way to save money.
Pros
- High quality
- Ford logo included
- Durable
Cons
- One of the priciest options on this list
Visit CarAndTruckRemotes.com to find backup or replacement key fobs for any vehicle. Since 2003, they have been the go-to source for replacement key fobs, transponder keys, and keyless entry remotes at up to 75% savings.
Keyless Entry Ford Replacement Key Fob
The Keyless Entry Ford Replacement Key Fob is not a factory model, so it doesn’t have the Ford logo like you would get if you went straight to a dealership for a replacement. However, the quality is excellent given the price, and it’s compatible with the following models:
- Ford Explorer 2011-2015
- Ford Edge 2011-2015
- Ford Taurus 2013-1019
- Ford Flex 2013-2019
- Lincoln MKT 2013-2020
It has five buttons including the obvious lock, unlock, and emergency alert button. It’s durable, and it includes the uncut key blade, too. At just under $40, this is great value for money.
There are instructions online on how to program the electronics. You can give it a try, as this could be another great way to cut costs. The key blade will need to be cut, of course, but cutting out the need for professional programming is helpful if you’re on a tight budget.
Pros
- Great price point
- Durable for the money
- Electronics can be programmed at home
Cons
- No Ford logo on the key fob
ADAURIS Proximity Smart Keyless Entry Replacement
The ADAURIS Proximity Smart Keyless Entry Replacement is a good option if you’re willing to forgo the Ford logo. The quality is great, and it’s compatible with a few models:
- Ford Edge 2017-2022
- Ford Mustang 2018-2022
- Ford Fusion 2017-2021
- Mustang Cobra 2019-2022
The button quality is good, so it should last for a long time, and it has five buttons and an emergency uncut key blade included.
It will need to be programmed by a professional, so that will be an extra cost, along with having the key blade cut. Still, at just over $40, it’s a good price point and way lower than an official factory model.
Pros
- Good price
- Durable
- Compatible with a few different models
Cons
- No Ford logo
Ford F150 Lightning Smart Remote Key Fob
The Ford F150 Lightning Smart Remote Key Fob is great if you need a replacement key for your Ford F150. It’s an official factory key fob, meaning you’ll still have the Ford logo on the back, and it’s a perfect replacement for your original key fob. It’s available for several years, from 2015-2023.
It has all the buttons you need (lock, unlock, front trunk release, power tailgate, and panic alarm), and the quality is excellent, so it should hopefully be the last replacement key fob you need to buy for a while!
This key fob will need to be programmed by a professional, and the key blade will need to be cut. The price is a little higher than the off-brand models you can get, too. At $109.95, it’s still a bargain compared to going to a Ford dealership directly.
It has a 90-day returns policy as standard, and you can go for a 1,2, or 3-year guarantee if you want to pay a little extra.
Pros
- Good quality
- Durable
- Good returns policy
- Ford logo included
Cons
- A little pricier than the off-brand options on this list
HelloAuto Key Fob for Ford Explorer
The HelloAuto Key Fob for Ford Explorer is a good third-party option. While it doesn’t have the Ford logo, the quality is still good. It works with the following models:
- Ford Edge 2013-2019
- Ford Explorer 2013-2019
- Ford Flex 2015-2017
- Ford Flex 2015-2017
- Ford Expedition 2020
- Ford Maverick 2012-2015
- Lincoln MKX 2013-2016
- Lincoln MKS 2013-2019
- Lincoln MKT 2015-2017
- Lincoln Navigator
It has five buttons, and while it looks pretty plain, the key fob is durable, and it has the uncut key blade included.
The good thing about this is the price: it comes in at around $30, which is great, and it can be programmed at home using the video they will send you after purchase. It’s easy enough to do if you follow the instructions, and it means you only have to pay around $30 and the cost of having the key blade cut.
It also has a six-month warranty which means if anything goes wrong in that time, the manufacturer can help to replace or repair it.
Pros
- Durable
- Low price point
- It can be programmed at home
Cons
- It doesn’t have the Ford logo
Ford Mustang Cobra Smart Remote Key Fob w/Engine Start
The Ford Mustang Cobra Smart Remote Key Fob is a great option if you’ve lost the keys to your Cobra! While it’s not the cheapest on this list, it does have the iconic Cobra logo on the back, and it’s a genuine factory key fob, so it’s the same as one you’d get from a Ford dealership.
They offer key fobs for Cobras between 2018-2022 and aftermarket key fobs for other years, too (but these don’t have the logo on the back).
It has all the buttons you need (lock, unlock, remote engine start, trunk release, panic alarm), and the quality is great. It will need to be programmed by a professional, so you’ll have to factor in those costs, along with the cost of having the key blade cut.
It also comes with a 90-day returns policy, and you have the option of purchasing a warranty for 1, 2, or 3 years at checkout.
Pros
- Great quality
- Cobra logo included
- Good returns policy
Cons
- Quite pricey
VOFONO Car Key Fob Keyless Entry Smart Remote
The VOFONO Car Key Fob Keyless Entry Smart Remote is a decent third-party option for a smart key if you want to try to save money. While it doesn’t have the Ford logo, it works well for the following models:
- Ford Edge 2011-2015
- Ford Explorer 2011-2015
- Ford Flex 2015-2017
- Ford Taurus 2015-2017
- Ford Expedition 2015-2019
- Ford Focus 2020
It has five buttons, including the standards (lock, unlock, trunk unlock, emergency alert, etc.), and it includes the uncut key blade.
Plus, it can be programmed at home, but only if you have two working remotes already: if not, you’ll have to take it to a professional. It’s cheap at just over $30, and even with the cost of programming and having the key blade cut, it still works out fairly cost-effective.
Pros
- Cost-effective
- Durable
- Works with several models
Cons
- Doesn’t have the Ford logo
FAQs
Answer: It depends on where you get them from. Going straight to a dealership is always going to be the most expensive option; older cars tend to have cheaper key fobs, whereas new cars with more features on the key fob are going to cost more.
You can save money by buying online and programming the Ford key fob replacement yourself. This isn’t always possible with Ford key fobs, but it may work out depending on the model of the car you have.
Answer: That comes down to the model of the Ford vehicle you have. I have reprogrammed car keys before, and I can say, in my experience, it’s way easier than you would imagine it to be, especially if you find a good YouTube tutorial. If you want to learn another car maintenance skill, it’s worth a try.
(If you are looking for new skills, I’d recommend checking out our guides to car painting and detailing and the best car oil guide to learn even more about car maintenance.)
If you have bought a third-party vehicle key online, you should have an instruction video either sent to you or be able to find it in the product description.
Answer: That is possible, yes. You can buy a key fob case, which is slightly different than a car key replacement, as it doesn’t include electronics. You can carefully remove the insides of the old key and insert it into the new case, which will solve the issue of a busted button.
Again, this is easily done if you can follow a YouTube instruction video, and it works out cheaper than buying a whole new Ford car key fob.
In Summary…
I like the Ford Mustang Cobra Smart Remote Key Fob. It’s a great option if you need to replace your Cobra key fob: it’s the same as the one you’d get from a Ford dealership, and it’s a good investment.
The quality is excellent, and you won’t lose the Cobra logo, which you wouldn’t get with a third-party key fob.
However, if you’re happy to have a third-party key fob and forgo the Ford logo, you could check out something like the ADAURIS Proximity Smart Keyless Entry Replacement. It works well, is durable, and won’t cost much, even if you factor in the programming and key blade cutting.
Visit CarAndTruckRemotes.com to find backup or replacement key fobs for any vehicle. Since 2003, they have been the go-to source for replacement key fobs, transponder keys, and keyless entry remotes at up to 75% savings.