2000 Ford Explorer Key Replacement

The 2000–2001 Explorer uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Ford Explorer key guide.

2000 Ford Explorer: key facts

Key type: Transponder chip key
Push-to-start: No
Transponder chip: 4C
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

H72-family 4C key; fitment lists cover the Explorer in this era, and PATS guides list the 1998-2001 Explorer on the early separate-module system.

What kind of key does a 2000 Explorer use?

The 2000 Explorer is a transponder-key vehicle. The head of the key holds a chip from the 4C family, and the blade is an eight-cut mechanical key. It is not push-to-start. You put a real key in the ignition and turn it. Fitment lists for this era place the key in the H72 family, and the 4C chip data for this year is verified against two key-supply references.

What that means for you is simple. The blade alone can open the doors, but the engine will not start unless the truck's anti-theft system reads a correctly programmed chip. Ford calls that system PATS. Guides for the 1998 to 2001 Explorer list it as the early version with a separate module. The truck also has a mechanical backup key, so the blade can work the locks even when the chip does not cooperate.

These are the problems we see most often on this year:

Worn ignition lock wafers on high-mileage trucks, so the key sticks or will not turn.
Worn eight-cut key blades that no longer turn the locks cleanly.
A flashing PATS theft light, where the engine cranks but will not start because the chip is not being read.
Hardware-store copies cut without a chip. They open the doors but will not start the engine.

Duplicate key or all keys lost: how the job differs

For this Explorer, a duplicate starts with an original key. If you still have one that works, we cut a new blade from it and program the chip to the truck. That is the more straightforward job and usually the more economical route. The programming goes through the OBD port, and it does not require NASTF SDRM access, so it is work we can do on site with our mobile vans.

If every key is lost, the job is still possible. Without an original to copy, we build the key from the truck itself: we cut a blade that fits the locks, then program a new chip through the OBD port. It takes more steps than a duplicate, and the truck has to be with us or reachable by a van.

One honest caution on worn trucks. If the ignition wafers are worn, a blade copied from a worn key can inherit that wear. When your old key is already sticking, tell us. We may suggest cutting a fresh blade to the correct specification instead of tracing the tired one, and we will look at the ignition lock itself.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

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

Call (213) 577-1366

How we handle a 2000 Explorer key, step by step

Whether you are at home, at work or stuck somewhere with the truck, the process is the same. If you want to compare other Ford models, our Ford key pages cover them, and the Explorer overview lists every year we handle.

You call (213) 577-1366. A person answers at any hour, every day of the year.
We confirm the truck by VIN and in person, and note whether you have a working key, a worn key or none.
We cut the blade to fit the locks and ignition, checking how the key turns before any chip work.
We program the 4C chip through the OBD port so the PATS system recognizes the key.
We test the key in the doors and ignition, start the engine, and make sure the theft light behaves normally.
If you want a spare, we program it in the same visit, since having two keys is far easier than losing the only one.

What affects the price of a 2000 Explorer key?

We do not quote numbers on a web page because the job decides the cost, not the model year alone. These are the factors that move it:

Having an original key to copy is the biggest one. A duplicate costs less than building a key from scratch after all keys are lost. The condition of the ignition and blade matters too. A worn lock may need work before any new key will turn smoothly. How many keys you want programmed also counts, since each chip is programmed to the truck separately.

Location plays a part. A van coming to you is a different job than you bringing the truck to our Westwood storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd. Time of day matters as well. We answer 24 hours, but a call in the middle of the night is handled differently from a daytime appointment. When you call, we tell you what applies to your situation before we start work.

What we confirm by VIN, and why call us

The data for this year is verified: a 4C transponder, OBD programming, and the PATS system with a separate module. Even so, we confirm by VIN and in person before cutting or programming, because trims, production dates and past repairs can change what is actually in a particular truck. If something does not match what we expect, we tell you rather than guess.

Wilshire Lock & Key has been in business since 1987. We run a storefront plus mobile vans, and we serve 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. You deal with one company, with no dispatch middlemen, and David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work. California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, and you should ask any locksmith for it before they start.

To book a visit, use our contact page or call (213) 577-1366. Our car keys hub covers other makes and situations.

Frequently asked questions

Does a 2000 Ford Explorer have a chip in the key?

Yes. It uses a 4C transponder chip, and the engine will not start unless the truck's PATS system reads a programmed chip.

Can you make a key if I lost all of mine?

Yes. All-keys-lost is possible on this Explorer. We cut a blade to fit the locks and program a new chip through the OBD port.

Will a hardware-store copy start my Explorer?

Usually not. A blade cut without a programmed chip can open the doors but will not start the engine.

Why is my PATS light flashing and the engine will not start?

A flashing theft light with an engine that cranks but does not start usually means the chip is not being read. It can come from a key with no programmed chip or one that cannot be read. We check the key and the system in person.

Is this a push-to-start truck?

No. The 2000 Explorer uses a conventional key turned in the ignition.

Do you need the dealer for programming?

Not for this year. Programming is done through the OBD port and does not require NASTF SDRM access, so we can handle it ourselves.

My key sticks in the ignition. Is it the key or the lock?

On high-mileage Explorers it is often worn ignition wafers or a worn eight-cut blade. We look at both before deciding whether a new key alone will fix it.

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

Last updated 2026-10-11.