Lost Car Keys Replacement

All You Need to Know about Car Keys, Programming and more

Kia Sephia Lost Car Key Replacement – All the Information You Need to Get a New Kia Sephia Key. Tips, Costs, Your Options, and More.

Kia Sephia car keys replacement
Kia Sephia car keys replacement

 

Call Us Now: 800-223-1453

 

In this article:

Kia Sephia replacement car keys – Introduction

Kia Sephia keys replacement by year – not sure which key you had: Was it a regular key, transponder chip, or remote key fob? Find out here

Automotive locksmith coding a Kia key fob
Automotive locksmith coding a Kia key fob

Have you lost your Kia Sephia car key? – How do I get a replacement key? What options do I have?

Kia Sephia key replacement near me – things to remember before calling a locksmith

Kia Sephia car key replacement cost

Can I get a replacement Kia Sephia key by Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)?

Key programming machine for Kia keys
Key programming machine for Kia keys

Kia Sephia key programming – which keys can you program yourself? how to program your key & more.

Keyless entry information Kia Sephia

Keyless entry remote - Kia
Keyless entry remote – Kia

 

Introduction:

Kia Sephia key replacement - All you need to know

Kia Sephia was introduced in 1994. This model has two versions (Kia Sephia, Kia Sephia (Canada)) and three types of keys.

Transponder chip key: 2004.

Non-transponder keys: 1994 to 2004.

An automotive locksmith coding a new Kia Sephia key
An automotive locksmith coding a new Kia Sephia key

 

Quick access or go to FAQ

 

Click on the type of key you had or your year model below to get the most accurate information:

 

Kia Sephia:

 

1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004: (X253/KK3)

1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 Kia Sephia non-transponder key replacement (X253/KK3)
1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 Kia Sephia non-transponder key replacement (X253/KK3)

 

1994, 1995, 1996, 1997: (X233/KK1)

1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 Kia Sephia non-transponder key replacement (X233/KK1)
1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 Kia Sephia non-transponder key replacement (X233/KK1)

 

Kia Sephia (Canada):

 

2004: (KIA3R)

2004 Kia Sephia (Canada) transponder key replacement (KIA3R)
2004 Kia Sephia (Canada) transponder key replacement (KIA3R)

 

 

 

Call Us 24/7: 800-223-1453

 

FAQ:

 

Q: I lost my Kia Sephia car keys. I don’t have a spare, so need a replacement. How and where can I get a replacement key?

How to get a Kia Sephia replacement key

 

Generally speaking, you have three options:

First, call an automotive locksmith near you that offers a mobile service for Kia Sephia cars. We can connect you with a locksmith near you.

Second, tow the car to a Kia Sephia dealership.

Third, order a key online and have the dealer or locksmith cut and program it for you (if necessary).

A word of caution: The type of key you need depends on the year and model of your Kia Sephia. Therefore, the options for getting a new key made and programmed depend on whether you need a remote key fob, a transponder chip key, or a regular metal key.

 

Let’s review each option.
Locksmith:
Kia chip keys coding by an automotive locksmith
Kia chip keys coding by an automotive locksmith

An automotive locksmith can make most car keys on-site, including keys for the newest Kia Sephia models. Most automotive locksmiths offer a mobile service because most Kia Sephia keys made after 1998 need to be programmed or coded to the car.

This Coding process can’t be done remotely and involves connecting the coding machine physically to the car’s OBD (like in the picture below) and therefore the car must be present.

Car OBD and coding machine
Car OBD and coding machine

Saying that, you will have to make sure that the locksmith carries the necessary equipment to cut and program a replacement key, including the right coding machine (e.g. T-Code Pro Car Key Programmer or ANCEL DS700) and the right key blank (remote key fob or chip key).

The best way to do that is to provide the locksmith with the year make and model or VIN number when you call.

Because Kia Sephia is a very common car, chances are they will have the right key blank for your model.

"Lishi tools" used by an automotive locksmith to decode Kia Sephia keys
“Lishi tools” used by an automotive locksmith to decode Kia Sephia keys

Usually, a locksmith would be your fastest, most convenient and cheapest option overall to get a replacement key.

 

Order the key online:
New Kia key fob on a computer operated cutting machine
New Kia key fob on a computer operated cutting machine

Today you can get most Kia Sephia keys online (with the exception of the most recent model) and relatively fast within 24 Hr. Getting a replacement key online has its pros and cons.

This option is mostly relevant for people who need a duplicate or spare key and can drive the car.

For people who have lost their Kia Sephia keys and don’t have a spare, it may not be as relevant.

The reason is that when you order a key online, it is what we call a “blank key”.

A blank key is a key that needs to be cut, and, as mentioned above for most Kia Sephia keys made after 1998, programmed or coded with a special machine.

Advanced Diagnostics "Smart Pro" coding machine for Kia Sephia car keys
Advanced Diagnostics “Smart Pro” coding machine for Kia Sephia car keys

Therefore, ordering a replacement key online is only the first step. You will still have to contact and pay either the dealer or locksmith to have the key cut and programmed.

Moreover, remember that although many car keys may look alike, they have different security features and chip values. This is especially true for remote key fobs sold online and so it’s very easy for most people to get confused and order the wrong key.

 

The third option- Kia dealership:

The last option to get a Kia Sephia key replacement without the original is to look for a Kia dealership near you.

The plus side is that they will have the right key blank in stock and should be able to program the key for you as well, even for the latest model as they carry the newest coding machines for Kia models.

MaxiIM 508 car key programming machine for Kia models
MaxiIM 508 car key programming machine for Kia models

The downside is that the dealership usually charges more for a replacement key than a locksmith would.

Another major downside of getting a replacement key at the dealership is that if you had a transponder chip key or key fob (or in other words if your car was made after 1998 as explained above) you will have to tow the car there, which will make the process even more expansive.

Automotive locksmith cutting a new Kia key
Automotive locksmith cutting a new Kia key
In conclusion,

If your Kia Sephia had a chip key or key fob, and you need a replacement ASAP, a locksmith would be your best bet.

The only exception for that is if you just bought a brand-new car, and then a Kia dealer would be the best way.

In case you only need a spare key, you can try and get it online, but make sure you know exactly which key blank or part number you need.

 

Not ready to call for service just yet? Click here for some GREAT ideas on how to find lost car keys.

Tool to check chip value of Kia car key
Tool to check chip value of Kia car key

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Q: Kia Sephia key replacement near me – How to find a locksmith or dealer and what should you tell them?

Kia Sephia key replacement service near your location - Tips

First, make sure you have the exact year, make, and model, e.g., 2004 Kia Sephia.

In addition, write down the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) of the car located on the left side of the dashboard near the mirror. The VIN helps the locksmith or dealer verify the year, make, and model of the car and determine which key you had.

Check a few locksmiths near your location

Also, keep in mind that many locksmiths offer mobile service and travel up to 30 miles radius from where their store is located. Therefore, depending on your location, it might be a good idea to expand your search and call for a few additional quotes, even if on the map, these locksmiths seem to be far from you.

All Kia Sephia transponder keys must be coded with the car on-site
All Kia Sephia transponder keys must be coded with the car on-site
Remember,

Their distance as you see on the map, is their business address, not their physical and current location. All you have to make sure is that they carry the right equipment to cut and program your Kia Sephia key.

You can also try and call a few Kia dealers near your location, but remember that you will need to tow the car there.

Kia car key programming machine
Kia car key programming machine

 

Finally, make sure you can show ownership of the car by having the necessary documents – title, ID, insurance card, etc.

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Q: Kia Sephia key replacement cost – How much does it cost to replace a Kia Sephia key without the original? What is the average price?

Kia Sephia key replacement cost - estimate only

 

In short, replacing a Kia Sephia key can cost between $130 to $200. The cost depends on a number of factors:
  1. The type of key you need
  2. The car’s year of manufacture
  3. Time of day & your location
  4. Where you get a key replacement (dealer, automotive locksmith, online, etc.)
  5. Availability of code to cut a new key
  6. Original ignition or not

Factors to consider about key replacement cost

The type of key you had and the year the car was manufactured are the most important factors for identifying if you need a chip, intelligent fob, “push to start”, remote, regular “non-transponder” key. The newer the car is, the better the security features the key has. On later models, you can therefore expect to pay more than $250 for a replacement key.

Rekey kit to change Kia Sephia ignition cylinder parts
Rekey kit to change Kia Sephia ignition cylinder parts
Also,

the price depends on where you get a key replacement. Did your replacement key come from the dealer, or an automotive locksmith? Or did you get it online? Click here to get a more detailed explanation of how to get a replacement key.

The dealer usually charges about 10% to 15% less for the replacement key than a locksmith would charge. However, you will likely have to tow the car there to program the new key or remote. Therefore, the total price is usually higher.

New Kia chip keys coded on-site
New Kia chip keys coded on-site
Furthermore,

consider that if you have a locksmith come out and make you a new key outside regular business hours, the price may increase.

Finally,

If you have previously had your ignition cylinder replaced, which is quite common in older cars, this probably means that the code for the key may not be useful. In such cases, the key will have to be cut manually by a locksmith, or you will have to change the ignition again, and here the dealer can’t help.

For a more detailed explanation and GREAT TIPS on how to save money, please visit our blog post: Car keys replacement costs

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Q: Can I get a Kia Sephia key replacement by its VIN?

Kia Sephia key replacement by VIN

A: That depends on the year of manufacture of your car and the type of key you had.

The VIN gives dealers or automotive locksmiths the option of accessing the key code on file – i.e., to cut you a replacement key by code which makes the process fast and easy. There are however two things to consider:

Lonsdor coding machine for Kia car keys

  1. If your vehicle is older than 10 years, Kia dealers will no longer have its key code record, so an automotive locksmith will be your only option to get a replacement key.
  2. For vehicles equipped with a transponder system and/or a remote/intelligent key/fob key, the codes should be available. However, as coding is required, you will have to either tow the car to the dealer, or have an automotive locksmith come and code the key on site.

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Q: Kia Sephia key programming – which keys can you program yourself? Which keys require a programming tool? & more

Automotive locksmith programming a Kia Sephia key on-site

A: Kia Sephia has different types of keys. Some require programming, and some don’t. All transponder chip keys and/or smart key fobs need to be programmed. This process requires a special programming machine that only an automotive locksmith or the dealer has. There is no need to program non-transponder metal keys.

To make things simple, we divided all Kia Sephia keys into two categories:

  1. No programming needed (Non-transponder keys).
  2. Keys that need to be programmed (Transponder or remote keys). These keys required the expertise of an automotive locksmith or dealer.

 

No programming needed:
Car key cutting machine
Car key cutting machine

Kia non-transponder keys are metal keys that have no chip in them, so no programming is needed.

X253/KK3, X233/KK1.

 

For Kia Sephia keys that need to be programmed, you will need an automotive locksmith or the dealer:
Car key coding machine for Kia key fobs and transponder keys
Car key coding machine for Kia key fobs and transponder keys

These keys, also known as remote smart keys, intelligent keys or key fobs, and transponder keys, have a security chip. Programming is needed. Also, a special machine is needed to program them. An automotive locksmith or dealer should do it for you. This process must be followed for most models made after 1998.

KIA3R.

 

Keyless entry information for the Kia Sephia:

There is no available keyless entry for this model.

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