Nissan Frontier Key Replacement in San Diego

A 2005 to 2019 Frontier chip key runs $135 cut and coded at the truck, about half a dealer's $260. A 2022 or newer Frontier's Intelligent Key is $249.

The Frontier kept a key you turn for a long stretch. The 2005 to 2019 pickup starts on a chipped NSN14 key, while the redesigned 2022 and newer truck generally starts from an Intelligent Key.

Both generations report to NATS, which normally holds out for a security PIN ahead of learning any new key; on most trucks we pull that code at the curb or the job site. Registering a key on most Frontiers also wipes any key that is not in the cab at the time, so round up the spare from the glovebox of the other truck and the one hanging on the crew hook.

Nissan Frontier keys by model year

Find your year, and the row shows the key it takes, what the dealer charges and what we charge at the car.

Prices as of 2026-09-30. Every price includes the drive to you anywhere in San Diego County. There is no trip fee and no after-hours rate inside our open hours. All keys lost adds $60.
Model years	Typical dealer	Value Car Keys	You keep
2005 to 2019: Transponder chip key (Trucks whose key head carries lock buttons take the $175 remote head key)Plastic head over a Philips 46 chip on most trucks, on the NSN14 blade. A kiosk copy of the blade opens the cab and even rotates the ignition, yet with no chip aboard NATS will not let the engine keep running.	~~$260~~	$135	$125
2022 to 2025: Smart key for push-to-start (Most trims)The redesigned Frontier moved to push-button start on most trucks; a slide-out blade in the fob handles the door. With the FCC ID from its case in hand, we bring the right part and know which PIN the truck will want.	~~$520~~	$249	$271

The new key next to the original.

Lost every Frontier key?

Trucks lose keys in places cars rarely do: a job site, a boat launch, the tailgate at a dirt lot. With no Frontier key left, we translate the VIN into a cut code, the van's cutter makes a blade, the PIN comes off the Frontier itself, and registration happens right where the pickup is parked.

The $60 lost-keys charge goes on top: $195 for a chip key, $235 with buttons in the head, $309 for a 2022 or newer Intelligent Key.

Before any cutting, show us ownership: the pink slip or registration, and an ID bearing your name. On most trucks, once registration finishes, the one you lost no longer runs the engine, and that erase is included. On a turn-key truck its blade still fits the ignition and door locks, which is worth knowing if it went missing at a public site.

Nissan Frontier key questions

What key does a 2020 or 2021 Frontier take?

We confirm it by VIN before quoting rather than guess. Those were the last two years of the older truck. If yours has a key slot, the chip key is $135, or $175 with lock buttons on the head; a start button means the $249 Intelligent Key. The VIN shows through the windshield at the base of the driver's side, so a photo of it is enough.

Can you make a Frontier key at a job site?

Yes, provided the pickup is reachable and you can prove it is yours: pink slip or registration, plus an ID in your name. Our key machine and programmer travel aboard, so the key gets made beside the tailgate anywhere in San Diego County, drive included. We usually pull up 45 to 90 minutes later inside open hours, and you settle up only after the new key has the motor idling.

What is the price of an extra key for a 2005 to 2019 Frontier?

$135 for a chip key with a bare head and $175 for one whose head carries lock buttons, both cut and registered at your truck. Nissan dealers usually ask about $260 and $330 for those keys and bill programming labor as its own line. Bring every key you want to keep, since registration normally clears any that are missing.

Will a 2022 or newer Frontier need the 20-digit PIN?

Possibly, and it does not change your price. The truck generally wants a security PIN before key registration opens, and whether it is the shorter code or the 20-digit one follows the fob part fitted, which the FCC ID tells us. On most trucks we produce the code at the curb as part of the $249, with no separate dealer visit.

What about a 1998 to 2004 Frontier?

Those trucks get confirmed one at a time. Text the VIN first; from it we can usually tell whether the truck wants a chip key, $135 at the truck, or an unchipped key, and you hear the figure while the van is still parked. Either way, a year of warranty comes with it.

Other Nissan models

Text us your Nissan Frontier year and trim

Call or text (619) 340-1518 with the car's year, make and model. If a dealer already quoted you, send that quote over for our answer on the same key.

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