Nissan Altima Key Replacement Cost: $120 to $500 by Year

The Altima we replace keys for most is the 2019-onward L34, where the KR5TXN1 Intelligent Key is standard on every trim. The locksmith range for that fob is $240 to $380. The dealer range is $340 to $500. Both numbers include the cut emergency blade, the proximity pairing to the vehicle, and a verification drive. There is no cheaper base-trim key to fall back on from 2019, the smart fob is universal.

If your Altima is a 2013 to 2018 L33, the key depends on trim. SV and above use the KR5S180144014 Intelligent Key ($190 to $320 from a locksmith); the base S kept a bladed transponder key with a separate remote ($130 to $240). The 2007 to 2012 L32 works the same way: 2.5 SL and 3.5 SR got the earlier KR55WK48903 Intelligent Key ($170 to $290), while the base 2.5 S used a bladed transponder ($120 to $220).

The 2019 and newer L34 is the most expensive Altima key to replace. Nissan moved this generation to a HITAG-AES (4A) chip on the KR5TXN1 fob, a newer encryption than the fifth-gen KR5S180144014. Locksmith tool coverage is good but not universal, so pricing runs $240 to $380 from a locksmith or $340 to $500 at a dealer. Confirm your locksmith carries current 4A Nissan coverage before booking.

Generation by generation

Section 02 / Trim split

The base S and the Intelligent Key trims take different keys

On the 2007 to 2018 Altima, the single biggest thing that changes your bill is trim. The base 2.5 S came with a bladed transponder ignition key that you physically turn, paired with a separate keyless remote, and that is the cheapest Altima key to replace. The SV, SL, and SR trims got the Nissan Intelligent Key: a proximity fob with a push-button start and no key slot. That fob costs more to buy and program.

Before you ring a locksmith, look at your dashboard. A start button and a slot to insert the fob in an emergency means you have the Intelligent Key. A key you turn in the column means you have the base transponder key. Quote the wrong one and the price will be off by $50 to $150. From the 2019 L34, this distinction disappears, the Intelligent Key is standard on every trim. See the cost-by-make guide for the rest of the Nissan lineup.

Section 03 / The dispatch script

What to say when you ring an auto locksmith

“Hi, I need a replacement Intelligent Key for a 2019 Nissan Altima SV, FCC ID KR5TXN1. I have the VIN. I have one working key and want a spare. Can you cut and program at my location? What is the all-in price including programming, no extras? Do you accept customer-supplied OEM-spec fobs?”

• State the trim and whether the car has push-button start.
• Lock in a single all-in figure.
• Confirm coverage of your specific year for Nissan Altima.
• For a 2019 or newer, confirm 4A-chip (KR5TXN1) programming.
• Get the quote in SMS for a paper trail.

Section 04 / Provenance

Where the numbers come from

• FCC IDs verified against auto-locksmith supplier catalogues (Locksmith Keyless KR5TXN1, Locksmith Keyless KR5S180144014, Locksmith Keyless KR55WK48903), September 2026.
• RepairPal estimator for Nissan Altima parts and labour by ZIP, as of September 2026.
• YourMechanic labour-rate database for mobile-mechanic and locksmith hourly rates.
• Locksmith Ledger trade publication for typical auto-locksmith call-out and programming pricing.
• Nissan Genuine Parts list pricing for OEM Intelligent Key blanks from authorised parts e-tailers.

Ranges are dispatch-model estimates built from the inputs above, not vendor quotes. Actual pricing varies by ZIP, trim, and whether you keep a working key. Confirm the all-in figure with your locksmith before booking.

Frequently asked

1. 01

   How much is a key for a 2009, 2015, 2019, or 2023 Nissan Altima?

   A 2009 Altima (L32) higher trim uses an Intelligent Key, $170 to $290 from a locksmith or $250 to $390 at a dealer, while the base 2.5 S bladed transponder key is cheaper at $120 to $220. A 2015 Altima (L33) Intelligent Key runs $190 to $320 from a locksmith. A 2019 and a 2023 Altima (L34) both use the newer KR5TXN1 Intelligent Key, $240 to $380 from a locksmith or $340 to $500 at a dealer. Match your model year and trim to the generation table above for the exact range.

2. 02

   How much does a Nissan Altima key replacement cost in 2026?

   Between $120 and $500 depending on year, trim, and channel. A 2007 to 2012 base 2.5 S bladed transponder key is the cheapest, $120 to $220 from a locksmith. A 2019 to 2025 L34 Intelligent Key is the priciest at a dealer, $340 to $500. The most common Altima job, a 2019-onward Intelligent Key, runs $240 to $380 with a mobile locksmith.

3. 03

   Does the base Altima S use a cheaper key than the SV or SL?

   Yes, on the 2007 to 2018 generations. The base 2.5 S (and 2.5 S on the L33) kept a bladed transponder ignition key with a separate keyless remote, which is cheaper to cut and program ($120 to $240 from a locksmith). The SV, SL, and SR trims got the Nissan Intelligent Key with a push-button start and a proximity fob ($170 to $320). The quickest way to tell which you have is whether the dashboard has a start button or the column has a key slot. From the 2019 sixth generation, the Intelligent Key is standard across the lineup.

4. 04

   Can a locksmith program a Nissan Altima Intelligent Key?

   Yes, for every Altima generation. Nissan does not lock programming to dealers, and Altima coverage is well supported by mainstream locksmith tools (AutoProPad, Smart Pro, OBDStar). The one thing to confirm is the 2019 and newer sixth generation, which uses a HITAG-AES (4A) chip on the KR5TXN1 fob. Most auto locksmiths cover it, but ask specifically about 4A-chip Nissan programming for your year before you book.

5. 05

   Is the Altima Intelligent Key the same as the Sentra or Maxima fob?

   The 2019 to 2025 Altima, Sentra, and Versa share the KR5TXN1 Intelligent Key family, so the hardware is closely related and a locksmith who covers one covers the others. On the older 2007 to 2014 cars, the Altima and Maxima shared the KR55WK48903 fob. But the fobs are not interchangeable between cars: the internal pairing data written to the fob and the emergency blade cut are vehicle-specific. An Altima fob will not start a Sentra and vice versa.

6. 06

   What is the cheapest way to get a spare Altima key?

   On the 2019 to 2025 L34, order an OEM-spec aftermarket Intelligent Key (FCC KR5TXN1) from Tom's Key or Keyless2Go for $50 to $130, then pay a mobile locksmith $60 to $120 to cut the emergency blade and program the fob. Total runs $110 to $250 vs $340 to $500 at a dealer. Confirm the FCC ID matches your existing fob exactly. Program a spare while you still have a working key, all-keys-lost costs more.

7. 07

   What if I lose all my Altima keys?

   The locksmith or dealer reads the immobiliser code from the Nissan Anti-Theft System (NATS), decodes the door lock to cut a new blade, then programs every key on the car from scratch. Add $80 to $200 to the standard quote. On the 2007 to 2018 cars, all-keys-lost is doable at your driveway by a well-equipped mobile locksmith, no tow needed. On the 2019 and newer L34 with the 4A chip, confirm the locksmith carries current Nissan tool coverage before they roll out.

Related dispatches