Nissan Sentra Key Replacement in San Diego

A 2020 or newer Sentra Intelligent Key costs $249 programmed on the spot, next to roughly $520 from a Nissan dealer. The 2013 to 2019 turn key with lock buttons on its head is $175.

The Sentra held on to a turned key longer than most Nissans. Through 2019 most trims started that way, and the 2020 redesign put push-button start and an Intelligent Key on every trim, going by most trim listings.

Either way, Nissan's NATS immobilizer typically wants its security PIN entered before it learns a key: the shorter code on the turn-key cars, and usually the 20-digit one on 2020 and newer fobs. We generate it on site for most years. Expect most Sentras to forget any key that sits outside the cabin while registration runs, so gather them all first.

Nissan Sentra 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
2004 to 2006: Transponder chip keyFinal years of the body Nissan launched for 2000. A plain-headed chip key on the NSN14 blade, usually carrying a Philips 46. For a 2000 to 2003 Sentra, send the VIN and the chip gets confirmed before any quote.	~~$260~~	$135	$125
2007 to 2012: Transponder chip keyA new body on the same style of chip key. If the door buttons are on a stand-alone remote, keep it: we pair one you supply for $79 to $119, and the key itself is $135.	~~$260~~	$135	$125
2013 to 2019: Remote head key (Turn-key trims such as the S and SV; many SL cars had an Intelligent Key instead)A chunky key head carrying three or four rubber buttons, with the chip sealed inside. Blade cutting, NATS registration and pairing the buttons to the locks all happen in one stop. A Sentra with a start button takes the $249 fob instead.	~~$330~~	$175	$155
2020 to 2025: Smart key for push-to-start (Every trim by most listings; the S usually unlocks by pressing the fob, not by touching the handle)Push-button start on most or all of the line. The fob generally carries the AES chip, and the car asks for the 20-digit PIN on most builds. KR5TXN and a digit on the fob case identifies the part we bring.	~~$520~~	$249	$271

The new key next to the original.

Lost every Sentra key?

Starting a Sentra from zero keys follows a fixed order. The VIN supplies the cut code, our van cutter shapes the blade, the PIN comes out of the car, and the new key or fob is registered and test-started.

Totals, $60 lost-keys charge included: $195 for a chip key on a 2004 to 2012 car, $235 for a 2013 to 2019 key with buttons, $309 for a 2020 or newer Intelligent Key.

A lost turn key still fits the ignition cylinder of a 2019 or older Sentra, yet once registration rebuilds the key list without it, NATS will usually refuse to run the engine on it. That erase costs you nothing. Proof of ownership comes first, meaning a title or registration plus matching photo ID.

Nissan Sentra key questions

Why does my 2020 Sentra S unlock only when I press the fob?

Because some base S cars were built that way: the car senses the fob for the start button, but touching the door handle does nothing. It is still a full Intelligent Key, and replacing it is the same $249 as an SV or SR fob, blade and PIN work included. Where the handles do respond to touch, a tired fob battery is the first suspect once they stop.

What does a key for a 2013 to 2019 Sentra run at my car?

$175 for the turn key with buttons in the head, cut, registered to NATS and paired to the locks while you wait. Nissan dealers usually land near $330 for that key, and a Sentra that cannot be driven there means a tow billed at $125 to $200. If your Sentra has a start button, it takes the $249 Intelligent Key instead.

Should I bring my working Sentra key to a spare key appointment?

Yes, and every other key you own. On most Sentras, registering a new key wipes the memory and writes back only the keys inside the car at that moment, so one sitting at home will probably quit starting the engine. A working key on hand also means the job is priced as a spare, without the $60 lost-keys charge.

Do I need to get the 20-digit Sentra PIN from Nissan first?

Usually not. The 2020 and newer Sentra generally asks for that code before registration opens, and in most cases our programmer produces it on site inside the $249. There is no separate code fee from us and no dealer call on your end. If your car turns out to need a different route, you will hear it before we head out.

My 2010 Sentra's separate remote died, yet the car starts fine. Do I need a key?

No. If the engine starts on the key, the chip is doing its job and only the remote needs attention. Put a fresh battery in it first. If it still does nothing, a replacement remote you provide gets paired for $79 to $119. The $135 key replacement only comes into it if the key itself stops starting the car.

Other Nissan models

Text us your Nissan Sentra 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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