How Much To Rekey A Car?

October 16, 2025

At some point in time, drivers may be faced with the need to have their car rekeyed. Why is this process necessary and what are the average costs associated with this issue?

What Does It Mean To Rekey A Car?

Keys are uniquely crafted or programmed to unlock a specific car, which means you can’t simply order a new key any time one is damaged or lost. Instead, drivers will need to have their vehicle rekeyed, making it compatible with a new set.

Essentially, rekeying a car refers to the alteration of the internal components of the lock. The components include the disks, sliders, and wafers. These will be repositioned to be compatible with a replacement key.

This process is in place of a complete vehicle locks replacement, ultimately rendering your previous key useless. After the lock is reconfigured, you will be given a new set of keys to unlock and start the vehicle. Unfortunately, if the lock itself is damaged, the rekeying process will not suffice. In this event, you will need a complete lock replacement.

How Much Does It Cost To Rekey A Car?

The total cost to rekey a car will vary depending on type of key, service provider, and location. There are two kinds of rekeying that can be done with a car: ignition and door locks. Ignition rekeying allows drivers to turn the car on with a different key. Usually, this is done when a key has become damaged, lost, or even stolen.

Each rekeying type comes with a different cost, with ignition rekeying typically the most expensive option. This is due to the fact that ignition cylinders are expensive on their own.

Meanwhile, rekeying a car’s door locks will be less costly, overall. Prices will depend on a few factors, such as vehicle make, model, age, necessary equipment, and a transponder, if needed. The total cost to rekey a car should be between $70-$180.

Here is a quick breakdown of costs associated with rekeying a car’s door locks:

Lowest Cost	$70
Average Cost	$125
Highest Cost	$180

When To Rekey Your Car

If you lose both your key and its spare, rekeying your car is only way to remain using it. It is also a wise idea to rekey your car if you believe your keys were stolen. Many drivers simply choose to rekey a car because of the additional security it offers.

For drivers of used cars, it’s always smart to rekey the car because there may be a spare key in circulation somewhere. If the key becomes damaged, rekeying is the best way to go. While you may wish to attempt to fix the key, this may lead to broken car locks that end up being quite costly to repair.

Rekey your car in the following situations:

Keys are lost.
Keys are stolen.
Keys are damaged.

Conclusion

The costs associated with rekeying your car are quite low, especially when considering the inconvenience of the issue. To avoid any potential problems, rekeying your car can be a sound investment.

*These are cost estimates according to Treads. Contact the team at Heath’s Auto Service for more information!

Heath’s Auto Service In Cottonwood, AZ

At Heath’s Auto Service, our comprehensive range of services covers everything from routine maintenance to complex repairs. Our certified technicians are skilled in handling oil changes, brake inspections, engine diagnostics, tire rotations, and much more. Whether it’s a minor tune-up or a major overhaul, trust us to get you back on the road with confidence. Contact our team at Heath’s Auto Service today!