2009 Chevrolet Traverse Key Replacement

The 2009–2017 Traverse uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Chevrolet Traverse key guide.

2009 Chevrolet Traverse: key facts

Key type: Remote-head key
Push-to-start: No
Transponder chip: ID46 (PK3+ circle-plus, Hitag2)
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

Circle-plus remote-head key shared with the Buick Enclave/GMC Acadia/Saturn Outlook family. GM's 30-minute (3x10-minute) onboard relearn covers all-keys-lost on most PK3+ vehicles without special tooling; OBD programming with a pro tool is faster.

What kind of key does a 2009 Traverse use?

The 2009 Traverse uses a remote-head key. That means the metal blade and the remote buttons are built into one piece, and there is a transponder chip inside the plastic head. The chip family is ID46, which you may also hear called PK3+ or the "circle-plus" key. Chip type is verified for this year against industry references, not guessed. This is not a push-to-start truck: you put a physical key in the ignition and turn it.

In practical terms, the engine will not start unless the truck recognizes the chip in the key. Cutting the blade is only half the job. The same circle-plus style key is shared with the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook family, which is useful to know if you have seen one of those keys and wondered whether it fits.

A few problems come up again and again on this truck:

Worn ignition lock wafers on high-mileage vehicles, which make the key feel loose or catch when you turn it.
A worn key blade that no longer turns the lock, even though the chip inside is still perfectly good.
Hardware-store copies cut without a transponder chip. They open the doors and turn in the ignition, but the engine will not start.

Spare key or all keys lost: what is different?

Making a duplicate when you still have a working key is the simpler situation. For this setup an original key is needed to clone or copy from, so bring the one you have. We cut a new blade, add a chip, and program the key to the truck. Doing this before the last key fails is usually the more economical route, because nothing has to be recovered from scratch.

All keys lost is also possible on a 2009 Traverse. We do not need to tow it to a dealer for this. The key is cut by the vehicle's code and programmed through the OBD port. GM also has an onboard relearn procedure that covers all-keys-lost on most PK3+ vehicles without special tooling, but it is a long, timed process run in three cycles. Programming with a professional tool is faster, which is why we normally go that route.

No NASTF secure-data registration is required for this year's programming, so there is no dealer-only barrier to worry about on this truck.

How we replace a 2009 Traverse key

Here is how a typical job goes, whether we come to you in a mobile van or you visit the storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood.

You call (213) 577-1366 and tell us the year, model and whether you have any working key.
We confirm the truck by VIN and verify that you are the owner before any key is made.
We cut the blade, using your original key as the pattern if you have one, or the vehicle's key code if you do not.
We program the transponder and remote through the OBD port so the truck accepts the new key.
We test the door lock, the ignition, the remote functions and the engine start before we finish. If the ignition feels worn, we tell you what we see.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

We answer around the clock, every day of the year.

Call (213) 577-1366

What affects the price of a Traverse key?

We do not quote numbers on a web page because the job decides the price, not the model name. These are the things that move it:

Whether you have a working key to copy, or all keys are lost and a key must be made from the code.
How many keys you need programmed, since a second key is usually done in the same visit.
Whether you bring the truck to the shop or need a mobile visit to where it is parked.
Whether the ignition or blade wear means the lock needs attention as well as the key.
The time of day, since we answer around the clock and night calls are different from a scheduled daytime visit.

What we confirm by VIN before we cut

The data on this year's key is verified, but we still confirm by VIN and in person before cutting. Chevrolet used shared parts across several models, and a key that looks right can still be the wrong one. We match the chip and remote to your specific truck rather than trusting the badge on the tailgate.

If you want help choosing between a spare now and an emergency call later, our Chevrolet Traverse key page covers the model overall, and the Chevrolet key overview lists the other models we handle. For anything else on your vehicle, see all car key services.

Wilshire Lock & Key has been in business since 1987, and David oversees our automotive work. We are one company with a storefront and our own vans, serving 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, with no dispatch middlemen. California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, and you should ask any locksmith for it before they start work. If you would rather write than call, use our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Does a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse have a transponder chip in the key?

Yes. It uses an ID46 chip, also called PK3+ or circle-plus, inside a remote-head key. The truck will not start unless it recognizes that chip.

Is the 2009 Traverse push-to-start?

No. It uses a physical key that you turn in the ignition, so there is no proximity fob on this year.

Can you make a key if I have lost every key?

Yes. All keys lost is possible on this truck. We cut the key by code and program it through the OBD port, and we confirm the VIN and ownership first.

Why does my hardware-store copy open the doors but not start the truck?

A basic copy has the right blade shape but no programmed transponder chip. The doors and ignition cylinder accept it, but the truck's immobilizer blocks the engine.

My key turns the ignition poorly. Is it the key or the lock?

Either can be the cause. A worn blade will stop turning the lock even when the chip works, and worn ignition wafers are common on high-mileage trucks. We check both before recommending anything.

Do I need to go to the dealer for a 2009 Traverse key?

No. This year does not require NASTF secure-data registration, and OBD programming is handled by a locksmith with the right tool.

Will a Buick Enclave or GMC Acadia key work on my Traverse?

They share the same circle-plus key family, but we still match the key to your VIN and program it to your truck in person before we call it a fit.

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Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.

Last updated 2026-10-11.