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Losing or breaking a car key is a nightmare, and it can be super expensive if you go direct to a dealership. I know that feeling, having been there myself (more than once). I’m presuming that you have a Nissan vehicle, and you’re either in need of a spare key, or a disaster has struck, and you need a replacement key fob. Either way, buying online can save you some cash.
But buying online can be risky. How can you find the right key fob for your vehicle? What features do you need? And once you’ve bought it, how can you get it to work with your vehicle? We’ll cover all that in detail. If you’re in a rush, check out the next section for my top pick, but if you want my in-depth recommendations for your car key replacement, keep reading.
Table of Contents
Bottom Line Up Front
I like the 2022 Nissan Altima Smart Remote Key Fob – it’s affordable, it’s a genuine Nissan factory key with the logo included, and it has a great returns policy included. If you want a high-quality key fob, this is the one to go for.
If you want a third-party replacement, I also like the Simple Key Fob and Key Fob Programmer – it comes with both the key fob and a special tool to program it at home, so it works well to keep costs down.
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 Nissan Key Fob Replacements at a Glance
- 2022 Nissan Altima Smart Remote Key Fob – an affordable, genuine Nissan key fob
- Keymall Keyless Entry Remote Car Key Fob – a super-cheap but durable third-party key fob
- 2022 Nissan Rogue Smart Remote Key Fob – a genuine factory Nissan key fob with a good returns policy
- Car Key Fob Keyless Entry Remote for Nissan Sentra – another affordable key fob that can be programmed at home to keep costs down
- GT-R Smart Remote Key Fob – an official Nissan factory key fob, available second-hand to keep costs down
- Simple Key Fob and Key Fob Programmer – includes both a key fob and a special kit to program it at home
What to Look for in a Nissan Key Fob Replacement
There are a few key things to look for if you’re shopping for replacement Nissan car keys:
Models/Compatibility
Of course, the main thing to check is if the key fob is compatible with the model and year of your car. A lot of the third-party key fobs look identical, but they’re designed to work with specific vehicles.
You’ll need to check both the product name and description to be completely sure that it will work with your car: it should list compatible years in the product description.
Electronics
The key fob will be made of three main ‘parts’ – the outer casing, the key blade, and the electronics.
Not all third-party key fobs have the electronics included: they may just have the outer casing, even though the product photos look identical. Look for the word ‘case’ in the title or product description. If the key fob seems unbelievably cheap, chances are it’s because it just contains the outer casing.
Sometimes the outer casing is all you need. If you have damaged buttons on your current key fob, you may not even need to replace the whole thing. Buying a case is a good option here, as you can carefully remove the original electronics and key blade from your original and place them into the new casing. You can even get replacement cases designed to look fancier than the plain black casing, a nice optional accessory.
If you need a new key fob, make sure that the electronics are included.
Buttons
The buttons should be durable and hard-wearing because you’ll be using them a lot. There are usually four basic buttons included:
- Lock
- Unlock
- Trunk unlock
- Panic button
Some models may have extra buttons like right-side unlock, left-side unlock, etc. These may be a little more expensive. I’ve found that most Nissan key fobs have just four buttons (which is all I’ve ever needed, personally).
There are Nissan key fobs on this list with quick-start functionality. If you have a quick-start vehicle, you’ll usually need to buy an official Nissan key fob, which must be programmed professionally.
Durability/Quality
Official factory Nissan key fobs are durable and made from high-quality materials. They may be a little more expensive, but they have the Nissan logo included and are the same as key fobs you’d get if you went straight to a dealership.
Third-party key fobs won’t have the Nissan logo, and they tend to look a little cheaper in general. The buttons may not last as long, and super-cheap fobs may need to be replaced more frequently. Having said that, I’ve sometimes found some third-party key fobs that are very tough and can withstand a lot of use!
Third-party key fobs are great to use as spare keys or if you’re car-sharing and need a new key cut for another driver.
Warranty/Returns Policy
There are always some risks when buying online. If you accidentally buy the wrong fob or it doesn’t work, you may need to return it. In that case, a good returns policy is vital. The more you spend, the more important this is.
You may also be able to purchase an additional warranty, sometimes up to three years. If you’re spending a couple of hundred dollars, this may be worth the cost, just in case.
Programming
Your key fob will need some work before you can use it. It will have a blank key blade, which will need to be cut. You will also need to have the electronics programmed before any of the buttons will work.
This can sometimes be done at home, depending on the model itself. The product description will state clearly whether this is possible or not. Usually, you’ll receive a link to video instructions, which should be pretty straightforward. (If they’re not provided, you can almost always find instructions on YouTube.)
I’ve programmed key fobs before, and I can tell you from experience that it’s way simpler than it sounds! If programming at home isn’t possible, you can take your new key fob to a Nissan dealership or an automotive locksmith. You’ll need to pay for this service.
A locksmith can cut the key blade, and this is a pretty quick and low-cost endeavor. However, programming can be slightly more expensive and must be done by an automotive locksmith. Alternatively, you can take it to a Nissan dealership.
Top 6 Nissan Key Fob Replacements
Here are 6 of my favorite Nissan key fob replacements. I’ve tried to include a variety of price points. Some are official factory Nissan key fobs, so they have the logo included. Others are third-party options, but they’re still durable and usually cheaper than the official ones!
2022 Nissan Altima Smart Remote Key Fob w/Engine Start
The 2022 Nissan Altima Smart Remote Key Fob is a high-quality key fob. It’s a genuine factory key fob with the Nissan logo included. It has five buttons (remote engine start, lock, unlock, trunk release, and panic alarm), so you can continue to enjoy the engine start feature (which you may not get with third-party key fobs).
Their Altima range starts from 1997 aftermarket key fobs through to the 2022 factory key fob, so there should be something there to suit your needs if you have an Altima. You can also buy second-hand if they are available, which can save you some money.
It’s actually pretty affordable despite being a genuine Nissan smart key – coming in at just under $100, it’s much cheaper than going direct to a dealership. This is a little more expensive than some of the others on this list, but still a decent price.
You will need to get it programmed professionally, and you’ll need to get the key blade cut, too.
It comes with a 90-day returns policy and an additional 1, 2, or 3-year warranty at an extra cost. Plus, each key fob is tested before being sent, so it should be in working order by the time it gets to you.
Pros
- High-quality key fob
- Second-hand fobs available
- It comes with a good warranty/returns policy
Cons
- A little more expensive than some of the others 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.
Keymall Keyless Entry Remote Car Key Fob
The Keymall Keyless Entry Remote Car Key Fob is a great budget-friendly key fob. While it doesn’t have the Nissan logo, the quality is still good, and it has durable buttons. It has three buttons (lock, unlock, and panic button), and it is compatible with the following models:
- Nissan Cube 2010 – 2014
- Nissan Juke 2011 – 2017
- Nissan Quest 2011 – 2017
- Nissan Leaf 2011 – 2015
It’s pretty cheap at just under $30 and would make an excellent spare key to have at home in case of emergencies. It comes with an uncut key blade, which needs to be taken to a locksmith.
You’ll also have to take an automotive locksmith or dealership to be programmed. It can’t be programmed at home, but even with those costs, it’s still way cheaper than going to a Nissan dealer to get an official replacement.
The key fob will be tested before it is sent, and the battery is included too.
Pros
- Good quality for the price
- Durable buttons
- Very affordable
Cons
- It doesn’t have the Nissan logo
2022 Nissan Rogue Key Fob Replacement
The 2022 Nissan Rogue Smart Remote Key Fob is a genuine factory Nissan car key. It has an uncut key blade and four buttons (remote engine start, lock, unlock, and panic alarm). This means you can use your remote engine start button, which you may not be able to do with a third-party key.
It’s available for several years, from 2008-2022, so you should be able to find your model. Some key fobs are available second-hand, which can help to save more money.
Speaking of money, this is an affordable key fob at just under $100 for the 2022 version; this is pricier than some of the others on this list and needs to be programmed and cut by an automotive locksmith. Still, it’s cheaper than going to your local Nissan dealership for a replacement car key.
It comes with a 90-day returns policy, and you can buy an additional warranty of 1,2, or 3 years on top of that for an extra cost. Plus, they test all the fobs before they send them, so it should work perfectly when it gets to you.
Pros
- Good-quality, genuine Nissan key fob
- Available for several years
- Good returns policy
Cons
- Slightly more pricey than third-party options
Car Key Fob Keyless Entry Remote for Nissan Sentra
The Car Key Fob Keyless Entry Remote for Nissan Sentra is perfect for Sentra owners. It’s a basic car key with four buttons (lock, unlock, trunk unlock, and panic button), and while the quality isn’t as good as a factory model, it’s still a great option for a spare key.
This key fob works for models between 2000-2004, so it’s good for older Sentra owners.
It’s super affordable at just over $30, and the best part is that it can be programmed at home, which means you can save even more money. It’s far cheaper than going to a Nissan dealership. It may not be as durable as an official Nissan replacement key, but it’s so cheap that you could even buy two and keep them around as emergency spare keys.
The downside is that they don’t offer the same warranty as other key fobs on this list, which means that if something goes wrong, you may not be covered. You might decide that the low price is worth the risk, however.
Pros
- Good option as a spare key
- Affordable
- It can be programmed at home
Cons
- Not as durable as some of the others on this list
- The returns policy isn’t as extensive as pricier key fobs
GT-R Smart Remote Key Fob
The GT-R Smart Remote Key Fob is an official Nissan key – it comes with the GT-R logo included, and it’s the same as the replacement key you’d get from a dealership. It has four buttons (lock, unlock, trunk unlock, and panic button).
You can get key fobs for GT-R models between 2009 – 2020, and they’re all similarly priced. Some are available second-hand, too, which can save a little cash. All the car keys are tested before they’re sent out, so you won’t have to worry about used versions not working properly.
It’s affordable at just under $100 (or less if you choose the second-hand version). You’ll still have to pay to have the key cut and programmed, which means the total cost will be a little more than a third-party option.
Like other key fobs from Car and Truck Remotes, it comes with a standard 90-day return policy, and you can purchase a longer warranty for an additional cost.
Pros
- Good quality, genuine factory Nissan key fob
- Comes with a good return policy
- It can be bought second-hand to save money
Cons
- A little pricier than some of the others on this list
Simple Key Fob and Programmer
The Simple Key Fob and Key Fob Programmer are compatible with Nissan & Infinity vehicles. It comes with an entire kit to program your key at home. The key fob has five buttons (lock, unlock, trunk unlock, panic button, and remote start button. It doesn’t have the Nissan logo, but the quality is still good.
It’s compatible with the following vehicles:
- Nissan Altima 2011 – 2018
- Nissan Maxima 2016 – 2017
- Nissan Murano 2015 – 2017
- Nissan Pathfinder 2013 – 2017
It’s also compatible with various Infiniti vehicles, too.
This is an entire kit with a key fob and a gadget, which you will use to program your key. You need to have an already working key fob at home to make this work, which is a crucial fact to consider. Still, if you can program it at home (following the instructions included), you can save a ton of money rather than going direct to a dealership.
Pros
- Easy to program at home using the kit
- Works for various Nissan models
- Good quality key fob
Cons
- It doesn’t have the Nissan logo
- It can’t be programmed unless you have a fully working key fob at home
FAQs
Answer: It depends on the model of your car, but it can range from $150 all the way through to $400 dollars. Usually, it’s cheaper to buy one online than to get it direct (although it does involve a few more steps in ordering the right one, programming it, taking it to have the key blade cut, etc).
Answer: If you’ve bought a snap-on case, you can snap it over your current key fob, which works well. However, you may need to carefully remove the electronics and key blade from your original key fob and place it into the new one. I’d recommend watching a YouTube video about this; it’s a fiddly but straightforward job and a useful skill to add to your knowledge.
Answer: It depends on the fob itself. You will be sent instructions if you can program your Nissan key fob at home, which should be fairly simple to follow (if not, you can find them online with a little searching.)
I’d say that it’s a task worth mastering to save the cost of programming – this can cost anywhere between $50 to $200, depending on the complexity of your key fob and whether or not it has quick-start functionality.
Some key fobs cannot be programmed at home, but if possible, it’s a good idea to try. You can always take it to a dealership if it doesn’t work out.
Best Nissan Key Fob Replacements: In Summary
While the key fob you go for will depend on your vehicle, I like the 2022 Nissan Altima Smart Remote Key Fob. It’s a genuine factory Nissan key fob. It’s affordable, even after the programming costs, and it has the Nissan logo included.
Plus, it has the benefit of having a great returns policy, too. And you can try to buy second-hand to keep the costs down. Overall, it’s a good choice!
However, I also like the Simple Key Fob and Key Fob Programmer. It’s a useful kit that contains a blank key fob and a tool to program it at home. This means you don’t have to have it programmed professionally, making the programming process a little easier.
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.