How Much Does an Automotive Locksmith Cost?

November 4, 2026 · 7 min read

Automotive locksmith cost starts at $65 for a car lockout, $120 for car key replacement or lost car keys, and $80 for key fob programming. The right starting price depends on whether you need entry, a replacement key, or fob programming.

Our Starting Prices in Salt Lake City

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What Changes Automotive Locksmith Cost?

The starting price is tied to the service you need, not just the fact that you are locked out or missing a key. A car lockout, a replacement for a lost key, and key fob programming are different jobs, so identify the problem as clearly as you can before asking for a total.

The listed amounts are starting prices. Before approving work, describe your situation and ask what service applies and what the full amount will be. If the problem turns out to be a damaged key or ignition rather than a missing key, say so; those are separate auto locksmith services.

You can review our prices alongside the service descriptions. That makes it easier to compare the same kind of job rather than weighing a lockout price against a key replacement quote.

Which Auto Locksmith Service Fits Your Situation?

Choose based on what has happened to the car and the key. If you are unsure which issue you have, explain what you see and what you have already tried; do not force a key or fob that is not working.

What Do Common Car Locksmith Situations Start From?

If your key is locked inside, our Car Lockout service starts at $65. If you have lost the key and need another, Lost Car Keys starts at $120; Car Key Replacement also starts at $120. For a fob that needs programming, Key Fob Programming starts at $80.

These examples show why it helps to name the actual problem instead of asking only for a general car locksmith price. If you are not sure whether you need a replacement key, a fob battery, or programming, explain what works and what does not. We can help identify the service to discuss before you decide.

A dealer is another option for some vehicle key issues, but we do not have dealer pricing to compare here. Ask both providers about the same requested service and the full amount, then compare what each quote includes.

Need help now? (385) 853-5247

What Should You Check Before Calling About Your Car Key?

A few simple details can help you explain the issue clearly and avoid confusing a lockout with a key or fob problem. Stick to checks you can make without forcing a lock, key, or ignition.

• Confirm the immediate problem — Note whether the key is locked in the car, lost, damaged, or present but not working.
• Check for a spare key — If you have a spare, see whether it works. Keep it available so you can describe the difference between the two keys.
• Look at the fob battery guidance — If the fob has become unreliable, check the owner’s manual for its battery type and replacement instructions. Do not guess at the battery or force the fob case.
• Gather vehicle details — Have the vehicle’s year, make, and model ready if you know them. Do not post personal vehicle or ownership details publicly.
• Describe what you already tried — Mention whether the spare key works, whether the fob shows any sign of power, and whether the key turns normally. Stop if a key sticks or the ignition resists.

How Can You Narrow Down a Car Key Problem Safely?

Use these owner-level checks to give a locksmith useful information. They do not involve opening, bypassing, or defeating a vehicle lock.

1. Make sure the vehicle is safe — If anyone is at risk inside or near the vehicle, contact emergency services. Otherwise, move to a safe place before checking the key or calling for help.
2. Identify where the key is — Check whether the key is with you, visible inside the car, or missing. Do not try to reach through a gap or manipulate the door.
3. Test a spare key if you have one — Use the spare in the normal way. Check whether it starts the vehicle or operates the fob functions you need; stop if it sticks or behaves unusually.
4. Check the fob battery instructions — Use the owner’s manual to identify the correct fob battery and the maker’s replacement directions. Afterward, check whether the fob responds as expected; do not pry the case open if the instructions do not call for it.
5. Look for a clear sign of damage — Inspect the key and fob for visible cracks, bending, or a loose part without taking them apart. If you find damage, tell the locksmith what you see and avoid inserting a damaged key.
6. Stop if the ignition or key resists — Do not force the key, twist it harder, or add a product to the ignition. Check whether a spare behaves the same way, then report the result.
7. Ask for the matching service and total — Explain whether you need a lockout, a lost-key replacement, key repair, or fob programming. Ask what service applies and what the full cost will be before authorizing work.

When Is It Time to Call an Automotive Locksmith?

Call when the key is locked inside, you have no usable key, the fob still fails after you follow its battery instructions, or a key or ignition appears damaged. Stop troubleshooting if the key sticks, the ignition resists, or a fob case will not open according to its manual. Forcing parts can turn a key problem into damage that needs a different repair.

We provide mobile locksmith service and are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For help with a vehicle lockout, replacement key, or fob issue, see our auto locksmith service or contact us to explain what happened.

If you are checking a locksmith’s credentials, the Associated Locksmiths of America is a trade body with information that can help consumers evaluate locksmiths. We are licensed and insured.

Need help now? (385) 853-5247

How Can You Compare Automotive Locksmith Quotes Fairly?

Compare quotes for the same job and share the same details with each provider: whether the key is lost or locked in, whether you have a spare, and whether the problem involves the fob or ignition. A quote for vehicle entry is not directly comparable to a quote for a replacement key or programming.

Ask whether the quote is for the service you described and what the full amount will be before work begins. Starting prices are useful for planning, but they do not replace a clear discussion about the specific job. If you are comparing a dealer with a mobile locksmith, request matching service descriptions from both rather than assuming one option costs less.

For broader home and business locksmith pricing, see how much a locksmith costs. That article covers general locksmith pricing; this guide focuses on automotive situations and how to identify the service your car needs.

Frequently asked questions