Suzuki Vitara Lost Car Key Replacement
All the Information You Need to Get a New Suzuki Vitara Key. Tips, Costs, Your Options, and More.
Table of Contents
Introduction:
Suzuki Vitara was introduced in 1999. This model has three versions (Suzuki Vitara, Suzuki Grand Vitara w/Prox, Suzuki Grand Vitara w/o Prox) and two types of keys.
Remote key fob: 2006 to 2013.
Non-transponder key: 1999 to 2010.
Please keep in mind that while some keys may look the same, they have different capabilities/frequencies/keyways. Therefore, having the right key is essential.
Suzuki Grand Vitara w/o Prox:
1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010: (SUZ20-P)
Suzuki Vitara w/o Prox:
1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004: (SUZ20-P)
I lost my Suzuki Vitara car keys. I don’t have a spare, so need a replacement. How and where can I get a replacement key?
Generally speaking, you have three options:
- Call an automotive locksmith that offers a mobile service for Suzuki Vitara cars. We can help you with that.
- Tow the car to the dealer.
- Order a key online and have the dealer or locksmith cut and program it for you (if necessary).
- Order a key online, cut it by code at a locksmith shop or home depot, and code it yourself with a coding machine such as ANCEL DS700 if necessary.
A word of caution: The type of key you need depends on the year and model of your Suzuki Vitara. Therefore, the options for getting a new key made and programmed depends on whether you need a transponder or a regular key.
A: For a more detailed explanation, including tips on SAVING TIME AND MONEY, please visit our blog post: How to get a replacement key.
Not ready to call for service just yet? Click here for some GREAT ideas on how to find lost car keys.
Suzuki Vitara key replacement near me – How to find a locksmith or dealer and what should you tell them?
A: First, make sure you have the exact year, make, and model, e.g., 2013 Suzuki Vitara.
Also, 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.
Finally, make sure you can show ownership of the car by having the necessary documents – title, ID, insurance card, etc.
Suzuki Vitara key replacement cost – How much does it cost to replace a Suzuki Vitara key without the original? What is the average price?
In short, replacing a Suzuki Vitara key can cost between $130 to $360. The cost depends on a number of factors:
The type of key you need.
The car’s year of manufacture.
Time of day & your location.
Where you get a key replacement (dealer, automotive locksmith, online, etc.).
Availability of code to cut a new key.
Original ignition or not.
Here is an average price as of July 2024:
Remote Key Fob: (Relevant for KBRTS003)
Dealer: About $215 (Not including towing)
Locksmith: $330 (On site service including parts and labor)
Online: $100 for parts only.
Non-transponder Key: (Relevant for SUZ20-P)
Dealer: About $50 (Not including towing)
Locksmith: $55 (On site service including parts and labor)
Online: $8 for parts only.
Here is a more detailed explanation:
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.
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.
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.
Tips for Suzuki Vitara key fob replacement – What to ask and verify before and after you get a new key fob:
Very often when people get a replacement key fob, there are certain things they forget to check and ask the dealer or locksmith.
We gathered here the most relevant information and tips to make sure you won’t face a problem down the road.
First,
Make sure to get the key code of your Suzuki Vitara key fob – Every key fob, has a unique code that locksmiths and dealers use to know the exact cuts to match your ignition, door and trunk cylinders.
Obviously, this code is different from one car to another. This key code costs money, and before the locksmith or dealer cut you a new key fob, they must pay to get the code from the Suzuki database, which may cost them up to $100. Make sure you write down this key code and keep it in a safe place. In case you lose your Suzuki Vitara key fob again in the future, it will cost you less to get a replacement, and the process will be faster.
Second,
Verify they cut you the emergency key, and that it works on the doors cylinders and trunk – Every key fob comes with an emergency key attached to it. The emergency key can be used to access the car in case the battery is dead.
Sometimes, when locksmiths or dealers program a new replacement key fob, they forget to cut the emergency key as well.
Make sure they cut you the emergency key and that it works for each door and the trunk to avoid a future lockout situation. It should work smoothly, just like your house key. Don’t be lazy, check it on site.
Finally,
know which battery your Suzuki Vitara key fob has – These key fobs, like all key fobs, are battery operated. Make sure you know the type of battery you need and keep a spare one. (Suzuki Vitara key fob usually use CR-2032 battery).
Can I get a Suzuki Vitara key replacement by its VIN?
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:
First, If your vehicle is older than 10 years, Suzuki dealers will no longer have its key code record, so an automotive locksmith will be your only option to get a replacement key.
Second, 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.
Suzuki Vitara key programming – which keys can you program yourself? Which keys require a programming tool? & more
Suzuki Vitara 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 Suzuki Vitara keys into two categories:
No programming needed (Non-transponder keys).
Keys that need to be programmed (Transponder or remote keys). These keys required the expertise of an automotive locksmith or dealer.
No programming needed:
Suzuki non-transponder keys are metal keys that have no chip in them. Therefore, no programming is needed.
SUZ20-P.
For Suzuki Vitara keys that need to be programmed, you will need an automotive locksmith or the dealer:
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.
KBRTS003.
Q: I have a Suzuki Vitara key and would like to get a keyless entry system to unlock all doors as well. Can you tell me which one I should get? Will it need to be programmed and can I program it myself or not?
A: Suzuki Vitara has one option for keyless entry system. For newer models, the key you have contains a built-in keyless entry system (a remote master key or key fob/smart key). Some need to be programmed by a professional locksmith or dealer and some don’t. Below you will find all the information relevant to the Suzuki Vitara entry system.
Keyless entry information for the Suzuki Vitara:
Suzuki Vitara/Grand Vitara has one keyless entry remote. Choose the year of your car:
For year models 2006 to 2013, there is a built-in keyless entry in the remote key fob.
2006-2013: KBRTS005.
Suzuki Vitara key fob battery – important information: How to replace, size, cost, and more.
Suzuki Vitara has different kinds of keys. If your model uses a key fob, here is some important information you should know about the battery.
Things to remember when your Suzuki Vitara key fob battery is dead:
First, even if the key fob’s battery is dead, you still can unlock and start your Vitara. You can use the emergency key provided with the key fob to unlock the doors as shown below:
How to start Suzuki Vitara with a dead key fob?
You can start your Suzuki Vitara by pushing the “Start” button with your key fob. The car’s computer recognizes the chip inside the key fob and authorizes the process.
This way, you will be able to start your vehicle EVEN if the key fob battery is dead.
Suzuki Vitara key fob battery information:
Suzuki Vitara key fob is battery operated. Every two years or so, or when the battery is low, you may need to change the key battery. Here is all the information you need.
The type of battery you need is a CR-2032. The average price for these batteries is about $5.
You can order CR-2032 online here.
Also, you can find it at Home Depot, Walmart, AutoZone, etc.
Here is some general information about the Suzuki Vitara key fob battery:
Type of battery: CR-2032 lithium
Size: Diameter – 20 mm, height – 3.2 mm.
Finally, remember that your battery life depends on several factors such as usage, weather conditions, etc. To better protect your Suzuki Vitara key fob and extend its battery life, it may be a good idea to have a key fob cover or a case. You can order a key fob cover here.