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Lost All Your Car Keys? What to Do and What It Costs

Losing all your car keys is stressful and expensive. This guide walks you through exactly what to do, what it costs for your specific vehicle, and how to avoid overpaying in a panic.

Immediate Steps

  1. 1

    Check Your Insurance and Roadside Assistance

    Many auto insurance policies include roadside assistance that can dispatch a locksmith or tow truck at no extra cost. Check your insurance app or call the number on your insurance card.

  2. 2

    Have Your VIN Ready

    The Vehicle Identification Number is visible through the windshield on the driver's side dashboard. It is also on your vehicle registration and insurance documents. The locksmith needs this to create a key from scratch.

  3. 3

    Call 2 to 3 Locksmiths for Quotes

    Tell them all keys are lost. Give them year, make, model. Prices vary 30% to 50% between providers. Do not accept the first quote. Even in an emergency, a 10-minute comparison call saves $50 to $200.

  4. 4

    Verify They Can Handle Your Vehicle

    Not all locksmiths have the tools for every make. Ask specifically: "Can you do an all-keys-lost replacement on a [year] [make] [model]?" If they hesitate, call someone else.

  5. 5

    Get a Spare Made Immediately

    Once you have your new key, get a spare made right away. Having a working key makes the second copy $100 to $200 cheaper. Do not wait.

All-Keys-Lost Cost Premium

Key TypeStandard CostAll Keys LostExtra Premium
Basic metal key$5 - $50$75 - $200+$50 - $150
Transponder key$100 - $250$200 - $400+$100 - $200
Remote head key$150 - $300$250 - $450+$100 - $200
Smart key / key fob$200 - $500$350 - $600++$150 - $200

"Standard cost" assumes you have at least one working key. "All keys lost" pricing includes lock decoding and ECU reprogramming. Emergency/after-hours service adds another $50 to $100.

Guidance by Car Make

Ford, GM, Chevrolet

Easier

VIN cutting is straightforward. Most locksmiths carry blanks in stock. Same-day service usually available. Expect $200 to $400 total.

Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai

Moderate

Good locksmith support. VIN decoding available for most models. May need to special-order the blank for newer smart keys. Expect $250 to $450 total.

Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge

Moderate

Shared Fobik system. Locksmiths generally well-equipped. VIN cutting available. Expect $250 to $400 total.

BMW

Difficult

Dealer involvement usually required. The dealer must order the key, which takes 2 to 5 business days. You will need to tow the vehicle to the dealer. Expect $400 to $700 total including towing.

Mercedes-Benz

Difficult

Similar to BMW. Dealer-only for most 2015+ models. Key must be ordered from Mercedes. Multi-day wait. Expect $400 to $650 total.

Tesla

Easy (if you have app access)

If you can access the Tesla app on your phone, you can unlock the car and order new key cards ($25-$35 each). If you have lost app access too, contact Tesla Service for remote unlock and new key pairing.

VW, Audi

Difficult

MQB platform vehicles often need dealer tools. Older models (pre-2015) have better locksmith support. Expect $350 to $600.

Towing Considerations

When you do NOT need a tow: For most standard makes (Toyota, Honda, Ford, GM, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Jeep), a mobile locksmith comes to your car with all equipment. No tow needed.

When you DO need a tow: BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and some VW/Audi models that require dealer-only programming. The vehicle must go to the dealership.

Towing cost: $75 to $150 for distances under 10 miles. Most roadside assistance programs cover towing at no extra cost. AAA, your auto insurance, and some credit cards include towing benefits.

Before calling a tow truck: Check if your insurance app has a "request service" feature. It is usually faster and automatically covered under your roadside assistance benefit.

Prevention: Avoid This Situation

Get a Spare Key Now

A spare costs $100 to $200 less when you have a working key. Keep it somewhere safe at home, not in the car.

Use a Key Tracker

Attach an Apple AirTag ($29), Tile ($20-$35), or Samsung SmartTag ($20-$30) to your keychain. Track your keys from your phone.

Register with the Manufacturer

Some manufacturers can look up key cut codes by VIN if the key is registered. This speeds up replacement and may reduce the cost.

Dealer vs Locksmith

Compare where to go for emergency replacement

Insurance Coverage

Check what your insurance covers for lost keys

Cost by Make

Exact pricing for your specific brand

Save Money

Tips to reduce cost even in an emergency

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I lost my only car key?
Step 1: Do not panic. Step 2: Check if your insurance includes roadside assistance, which can dispatch a locksmith or tow truck. Step 3: Have your VIN ready (it is on the driver-side dashboard, visible through the windshield, and on your registration). Step 4: Call 2 to 3 automotive locksmiths for quotes. Give them your year, make, model, and tell them all keys are lost. Step 5: Verify they can handle your specific vehicle before they come out. Step 6: After getting the new key, immediately get a spare made while you have a working key.
Why does the all-keys-lost scenario cost more?
When a locksmith has a working key, they can simply clone it. When all keys are lost, they must: 1) Decode the lock cylinder or use VIN records to determine the correct key cut. 2) Reprogram the vehicle's ECU/immobilizer from scratch, which erases all previous keys. 3) Use more advanced diagnostic equipment. This adds $100 to $200 in labor and equipment time on top of the standard key replacement cost.
Can a locksmith make a key without the original?
Yes. Most automotive locksmiths can create a new key without any existing key by using your VIN to determine the correct key cut, then decoding the lock or using manufacturer databases. They then program the new key's transponder to the vehicle's immobilizer. Not all locksmiths have the equipment for every make, so always call ahead and verify they can handle your specific year, make, and model.
Do I need to tow my car to the dealer?
For most standard makes (Toyota, Honda, Ford, GM, Nissan, Hyundai), a mobile locksmith can come to your car and create a new key on-site. No towing needed. For BMW, Mercedes, and some VW/Audi models that require dealer-only programming, you may need to tow the vehicle to the dealership. Towing costs $75 to $150 for distances under 10 miles. Check if your insurance includes towing coverage.
How long does it take to replace a key when all keys are lost?
A mobile locksmith can typically complete an all-keys-lost replacement in 45 to 90 minutes on-site for standard makes. A dealer takes 2 to 7 business days because they must order the key blank and schedule the programming appointment. For luxury brands requiring dealer service, the total timeline from losing the key to having a replacement can be 3 to 10 days.
Will I lose my car's settings when the immobilizer is reprogrammed?
No. Reprogramming the immobilizer for new keys does not affect your radio presets, seat memory, mirror settings, or any other vehicle customizations. The immobilizer system only manages key authentication. All other vehicle settings are stored in separate modules.