Are Key Fobs Covered Under Warranty?
Key fobs are the most common part of your car to stop working properly. Whether it be from damage, a dead battery or you lose it altogether. Key fobs can be expensive on their own, let alone having to program it to your vehicle. This can cause someone to question “Are Key Fobs Covered Under Warranty?”.
Warranty That Covers Your Key Fob
The main warranty that is going to cover your key fob is the Maximum Care Warranty. This warranty provides coverage for up to three key fob repairs or replacements. It includes coverage for anything ranging from damage or loss. It also covers towing and roadside assistance. If you lose your key or your battery dies you can have your vehicle towed to your nearest dealer. This is the only Mopar warranty that will cover your key fob. Warranties like Added Care Plus and Powertrain Care do not cover your key, although they do cover many other components of your vehicle.
What To Do If Your Key Fob Isn’t Working
There are many reasons why your key fob could stop working, ranging from age or damage. No matter the reason, it tends to be inevitable. We’ve put a few tips together to help get your key fob back to its original state.
What Is A Key Fob?
A key fob is a device that allows you to lock, unlock and start your car all from the push of a button. It can help you get your vehicle to a comfortable temperature before getting in it and without having to walk to your car.
Reasons Key Fobs Stop Working
- Damage. This is a popular reason for a key fob to stop working. Things like dropping it or getting it wet can damage it over time. Your key can start to malfunction and eventually stop working all together. At this point, you’ll have to get it replaced.
- Age. Sometimes the key fob can stop working because of old age. Dirt and other particles can get into the key fob causing it to fail, or the electronics can simply fail on their own. If this is the case with your key fob, you will have to get a replacement. In some cases, a simple cleaning can help.
- Battery. The most popular reason that a key fob stops working is because of a dead or faulty battery. The key fob batteries tend to last from 3 to 4 years, and can easily be replaced either at home or at your Local Dealership. A dead battery is the cheapest and easiest thing to fix on a key fob. If yours stops working, it’s best to check the battery as your first step.
Tips And Tricks
If you’re in a pinch and don’t have the time to go to your local dealer to get your key fob fixed, here are a few tricks that might help.
If you have a dead battery, taking it out and putting it back in can help for a short amount of time. Cleaning it can also improve the quality, if you have build up preventing the buttons from fully being pressed, it could be causing your key fob to not work properly. Another trick is to hold your key fob under your chin when pressing the buttons, doing this makes your head act as an “antenna” to get the signal to reach further. Some fobs also have a physical key inside of them to where you can still have access to your vehicle. You can look in your Owners Manual to see what options will work best for you.
Replacing A Key Fob
Before purchasing a new key fob, check your car’s basic warranty, insurance, or roadside assistance coverage to see if they cover lost or damaged keys. You want to do this to avoid paying for a new one if it’s unnecessary. Replacing a key fob that’s not under warranty can be expensive. They range anywhere from $150 to $400, depending on the brand of your vehicle.
To get your new Key Fob Programmed, you’ll have to provide proof of ownership to avoid the chance of theft.
