Ford Explorer Key Fob Replacement
Lost the key or need a spare fob for your Ford Explorer? A mobile locksmith comes to you and programs it on-site, same day, well under dealer pricing.
Locked out of your Ford Explorer or down to one key? We replace and program Ford Explorer keys and fobs on-site, cutting and coding to your VIN right in your driveway. Most jobs are done the same day, and you'll pay well under what the dealer quotes since there's no tow and no appointment wait.
- Key or fob cut to your VIN
- Programmed & tested on-site
- Mobile: we come to your car
- Usually well under dealer pricing
*Flat estimate for a standard transponder key. Proximity / push-to-start smart fobs cost more, and the exact price is quoted on the call before any work.
Ford Explorer Keys & Fobs
The Explorer's key changed a lot over the years, so the right fix depends on your generation. Older Explorers (mid-2000s) used a transponder chip key with a metal blade. Around 2011 to 2019 the fifth-gen ran an 80-bit transponder, mostly as a remote-head key with a laser-cut (sidewinder) blade, and higher trims offered push-to-start with a proximity smart fob. The sixth-gen Explorer (2020 and up) uses Ford's proximity smart fob with push-button start across most trims, plus a hidden emergency blade inside the fob for the door. Every one of these has to be programmed to the car's immobilizer, not just cut. We pull your VIN, cut the laser-cut blade on-site, and program the transponder or proximity fob to your Explorer so it starts and the buttons work. Push-to-start fobs cost more than a basic transponder key because of the proximity electronics.
A common one on the fifth-gen Explorer (2011-2019): the smart fob stops unlocking or starting reliably, and owners assume the fob died. Usually it's just the CR2450 coin cell inside going flat after a few years. If a fresh battery doesn't fix it, the rubber button pads wear through from daily use, or the fob itself fails and needs to be replaced and re-synced to the car. We test the fob first, swap the coin cell if that's all it is, and only cut and program a new one if the old fob is actually dead.
Ford Explorer Key Fob FCC IDs
Flip your fob over: the FCC ID is printed on the back of the case. Find it below, or just read it to our dispatcher. It tells us the exact remote your Ford Explorer takes before the van rolls out.
| Years | Key type | FCC ID |
|---|---|---|
| 2011-2019 | Proximity smart fob | M3N5WY8609 |
| 2020-2023 | Proximity smart fob | M3N-A2C93142600 |
Spare key with a working key in hand: from $75. Full replacement, no key at all: from $189. Smart and proximity fobs price above basic chip keys; the exact flat number comes with your VIN on the call.
Trim and market can change the fob, and several IDs often fit one model year. We confirm the exact part by VIN on every job, so a mismatched guess never reaches your driveway.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your year. A transponder or remote-head key for an older or mid-gen Explorer usually runs less than a push-to-start smart fob, which carries more electronics. Most Explorer jobs land in the low-to-mid hundreds, and we'll quote you the exact number for your VIN before we cut anything. Either way it's below the dealer, with no tow.