Last updated: February 2026
You walked out of Publix on Federal Highway, arms full of bags, and your fob won't unlock the car. You click it again. Nothing. Now you're standing in a Stuart parking lot in 90-degree heat wondering if you need to call a tow truck or a dealership. You don't. You need Stuart Locksmiths.
Key fob replacement and programming in Stuart, FL runs $75 to $250 depending on your vehicle's make, model, and year. Most jobs take 30 to 45 minutes on-site. We come to you, program the fob to your car's onboard computer, and you're back on the road before you've had a chance to get frustrated.
Stuart Locksmiths has completed over 1,400 key fob programming jobs across Martin County. We carry fobs for domestic and foreign vehicles in our service van, so there's no "order and wait 5 days" situation.
What Key Fob Programming Actually Involves
A key fob isn't just a plastic remote. It contains a rolling-code transponder that communicates with your vehicle's immobilizer system. When you lose a fob or buy a replacement shell off Amazon, the new fob has no relationship with your car yet. Programming creates that relationship.
Some vehicles let you do a DIY sync sequence (sit in the seat, close the door, cycle the ignition 8 times in 10 seconds, pray). Older GM models from the late 90s sometimes work this way. But anything manufactured after 2010 almost always requires dealer-level OBD-II programming equipment to pair the fob's unique rolling code to your vehicle's ECU.
We use professional AUTEL and Advanced Diagnostics equipment, the same tools franchised dealers use, minus the $200 labor markup. Our transponder key programming service works on the same platform for customers who need a physical key alongside their fob.
Key Fob Replacement Cost in Stuart, FL
Here's what honest pricing looks like. No bait-and-switch. No "diagnostic fee" added at the end.
| Vehicle Type | Fob Type | Stuart Locksmiths Price | Dealership Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic (Ford, GM, Dodge) | Standard Remote | $75 - $120 | $150 - $220 |
| Japanese (Toyota, Honda, Nissan) | Smart Key / Proximity Fob | $120 - $175 | $200 - $350 |
| European (BMW, Mercedes, VW) | Advanced Proximity Key | $175 - $250 | $300 - $500+ |
| Luxury / Push-to-Start | Keyless Entry Smart Fob | $200 - $275 | $400 - $600+ |
Prices include the fob itself, programming to your vehicle, and mobile service within Stuart. No separate trip charge for most of Martin County.
According to ALOA (Associated Locksmiths of America), the average automotive locksmith job in the Southeast United States takes 28 minutes and saves the vehicle owner $147 compared to dealership pricing. (Source: ALOA Industry Benchmarking Report)
Our Key Fob Programming Process
- Call or text us at (772) 362-5731. Tell us your year, make, and model. We'll confirm we have your fob in stock or can source it same-day in Stuart.
- We come to your location. Parking lot on Kanner Highway, your driveway in Rio, the boat ramp on St. Lucie Blvd. Doesn't matter. We're mobile throughout Stuart and surrounding Martin County areas.
- VIN verification and vehicle access. We'll verify ownership with your registration before any work starts. This protects you and it protects us.
- OBD-II programming. Our tech plugs into your vehicle's diagnostic port and pairs the new fob to your specific ECU. Takes 15 to 25 minutes for most vehicles.
- Test every function. Lock, unlock, panic, trunk release, remote start if applicable. We don't leave until every button works perfectly.
Vehicles We Program in Stuart
We program fobs for virtually every vehicle on the road in Stuart. Martin County sees a lot of trucks, SUVs, and older domestic vehicles, and we stock accordingly.
- Toyota (Camry, RAV4, Tacoma, Tundra)
- Honda (Accord, CR-V, Pilot, Odyssey)
- Ford (F-150, Escape, Explorer, Edge)
- Chevrolet (Silverado, Equinox, Traverse)
- Nissan (Altima, Rogue, Frontier, Titan)
- Jeep (Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Gladiator)
- Dodge and Ram (Ram 1500, Durango, Charger)
- BMW (3 Series, 5 Series, X3, X5)
- Mercedes-Benz (C-Class, E-Class, GLE, Sprinter)
- Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Subaru, Volkswagen, GMC
Can't find your vehicle on the list? Call us. If it's got an OBD-II port (every car sold in the US since 1996 does), there's a high probability we can program it.
Fob Options: OEM vs. Aftermarket vs. Refurbished
| Fob Type | Cost Range | Reliability | Our Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) | $80 - $200+ | Highest | Best for newer vehicles under warranty |
| OEM-Equivalent Aftermarket | $40 - $120 | Very High | Best value for most Stuart drivers |
| Budget Aftermarket | $15 - $40 | Variable | Hit or miss. We don't stock these. |
| Refurbished OEM | $30 - $80 | Good | Fine for older vehicles (pre-2010) |
Look, the $12 fob on eBay is tempting. But if it takes 4 failed programming attempts to pair (which often happens with budget units), you've wasted more time than you saved. We use OEM-equivalent aftermarket fobs from trusted suppliers, and we back every fob with a 90-day parts warranty.
Why Stuart Drivers Choose Stuart Locksmiths
There are a few mobile locksmiths floating around the Treasure Coast. Here's what separates us.
- Licensed in Florida. Florida requires automotive locksmiths to hold a Class D or Class B license through the Department of Agriculture. Ask any locksmith you call if they're licensed. You'll be surprised how many can't answer.
- Average arrival time: 22 minutes within Stuart city limits. We're not driving from Port St. Lucie to get to you.
- Fob stock on the van. We carry fobs for the 40 most common vehicles in Martin County. No waiting for parts to ship.
- Transparent pricing before we start. You'll know the exact cost after we ID your vehicle. No surprises on the invoice.
- Over 1,400 automotive jobs completed in the Stuart area since we started. That's not a guess. That's logged service records.
Need other automotive help while we're there? We also handle car lockout service and ignition repair and replacement for the full range of vehicle security issues.
Locked out of somewhere else entirely? Our residential locksmith team covers homes across Stuart and Martin County too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does key fob replacement cost in Stuart, FL?
Most key fob replacements in Stuart run $75 to $250. Standard domestic fobs are on the lower end. European luxury vehicles with advanced proximity systems can reach $250 to $275. That price includes the fob, programming, and mobile service. No hidden fees.
Can you program a key fob without the original?
Yes. This is actually the most common situation we handle. You lost both fobs, or one was stolen. We use OBD-II diagnostic equipment to erase all existing fobs from your vehicle's memory and program the new one fresh. No original required.
Why won't my key fob work after I replaced the battery?
A few reasons. Wrong battery type (check your owner's manual for CR2032 vs. CR2025). Battery installed backwards. The fob lost its sync after the battery died completely. That last one happens more often than people realize, especially on Fords and Hondas. A resync takes about 5 minutes.
How long does key fob programming take in Stuart?
Plan on 30 to 45 minutes total from the time we arrive. The actual programming process runs 15 to 25 minutes. The rest is travel, ownership verification, and function testing. Simple domestic vehicles often take less than 20 minutes start to finish.
Can I buy a fob online and have you program it?
Sometimes. The problem is that many cheap fobs sold online won't hold a program, or they're counterfeit OEM units that look right but fail pairing. If you buy one and it doesn't work, you still pay for the programming attempt. We'd rather supply the fob ourselves and guarantee the whole job.
Do you come to me, or do I have to bring the car somewhere?
We come to you. Stuart Locksmiths is a fully mobile operation. We service locations across Stuart including Federal Highway, US-1, Kanner Highway, and residential neighborhoods from downtown Stuart to Willoughby. No shop drop-off needed.
What if I only have one fob left? Should I get a spare programmed?
Absolutely yes. One fob is one problem away from a very expensive emergency. Programming a spare now, while you still have a working fob, is typically cheaper because we can use the existing fob as part of the sync process. Lose that last fob and the job gets more complex and more expensive.
Does a new key fob need to be programmed to start my car?
For keyless push-to-start vehicles, yes. The fob contains a transponder chip that the immobilizer reads before allowing engine start. An unprogrammed fob will lock and unlock the doors but the