Vehicle keys · Kenner, LA
Car Key Replacement in Kenner
Cut and programmed at your vehicle — usually $200 to $400 less than the dealership, with no tow.
Car key replacement in Kenner costs $125 to $250 for a transponder key, $150 to $300 for a switchblade fob, and $200 to $400 for a push-to-start smart key. If you have lost every key, expect $225 to $595 because the key must be originated from the VIN rather than copied. We come to the vehicle.
Prices
What each key type costs
| Key type | Parts | Programming | Total | Dealer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plain mechanical | $5–$15 | — | $5–$15 | $40–$120 |
| Transponder | $50–$100 | $75–$150 | $125–$250 | $180–$400 |
| Switchblade fob | $75–$150 | $75–$150 | $150–$300 | $220–$450 |
| Smart / push-to-start | $125–$250 | $75–$150 | $200–$400 | $300–$600 |
| All keys lost | Varies | Varies | $225–$595 | $300–$600 + tow |
An independent reference: platform data covering 105 completed car key replacement jobs in Metairie put the local average at $140 to $201, spread $47 to $333. Ten minutes from Kenner, and consistent with what we see.
Why “all keys lost” costs more
With a working key, we clone it — the vehicle already trusts that key and we are copying trust that exists. With no key at all, there is nothing to copy.
- Cut to code from the VIN. The blade profile is derived from the manufacturer’s code rather than traced from an original.
- Program to the immobiliser. A scan tool on the OBD-II port introduces the new key to the vehicle. Some manufacturers add a security wait period.
- Delete the lost key. We remove the missing key from the vehicle memory so it can no longer start the car. In a city with Kenner’s vehicle theft rate — roughly a 1-in-372 annual chance — this step matters. Not every operator does it. Ask whoever you use.
Reviews
Reviews from Kenner customers
We do not write our own reviews. When Kenner Lock & Key was set up, we made a deliberate call not to publish testimonials until they came from real customers who had approved them. That has not changed. A wall of five-star reviews posted in the same week is one of the clearest warning signs in this trade, and we are not going to be another site that does it.
Reviews will appear here as customers leave them. In the meantime, three recent jobs from around Kenner are written up in full below — real problems, real numbers, real outcomes.
Had a job done? Leave us a review.
Google Business Profile is the one that matters most. It takes about a minute and it helps other Kenner residents find an honest locksmith rather than the $19 sites.
Something not right? Tell us first.
Complaints come straight to the owner rather than a ticket system. We would far rather fix it than read about it later.
Questions
Car key questions
How much is a replacement car key in Kenner?
$125 to $250 for a transponder key cut and programmed, $150 to $300 for a switchblade fob, and $200 to $400 for a push-to-start smart key. A plain mechanical key is $5 to $15. All keys lost runs $225 to $595.
Is a locksmith cheaper than the dealer for a car key?
Usually by $200 to $400. Dealers charge $150 to $600 for programming and normally want the vehicle brought to them — which means a tow if you have no working key. We come to the vehicle.
Can you make a key with no original?
Yes. That is an all-keys-lost job. We cut to code from the VIN and program to the immobiliser on site, then delete the lost key from the vehicle memory. $225 to $595 depending on the vehicle.
How long does it take?
A duplicate transponder key is usually 20 to 30 minutes. All keys lost is typically 45 to 75 minutes because the key has to be originated rather than cloned.
What do I need to prove the car is mine?
Photo ID plus title, registration or an insurance card. If the paperwork is locked in the vehicle we can open the door first and verify after — but we do verify.
Why is my key more expensive than my friend’s?
Key technology, not the badge. A 2012 turn-key transponder is a different job from a 2023 push-to-start proximity key that needs a scan tool on the OBD-II port.
Can I buy a fob online and have you program it?
Sometimes, and we will tell you honestly whether it is worth it. Aftermarket fobs vary considerably in quality and some will not accept programming at all. If you have already bought one, bring it — if it works, you save on parts.
Do you replace keys for trucks and motorcycles?
Yes, including work trucks and most motorcycle ignitions. Tell us the year and model when you call so we bring the right blanks and equipment.
My fob works intermittently. Do I need a new one?
Usually not. Start with the battery and a reprogram at $35 to $85. Corroded contacts inside the fob are common in this climate and often cleanable.
Should I get a spare made now?
Yes, and it is the single cheapest piece of advice on this page. Duplicating while you still have a working key is $125 to $250. Waiting until you have none is $225 to $595 and usually happens at the worst possible moment.
Need a car key in Kenner?
Tell us the year, make and model, and whether you have a working key. You will get a firm price on the call.
Kenner Lock & Key · Louisiana State Fire Marshal licensed · Insured and bonded
Kenner 70062 · 70063 · 70064 · 70065