2020 Ford Explorer Key Replacement

2020 Ford Explorer: key facts

Key type: Smart / proximity key
Push-to-start: Yes
Transponder chip: Varies by trim — we confirm by VIN
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

Sixth generation: push-button start with a smart proximity fob standard. Chip family is our era knowledge, not verified this session; proximity all-keys-lost can require an active-alarm adapter.

What kind of key does a 2020 Explorer use?

The 2020 Explorer is a sixth-generation model, and push-button start with a smart proximity fob is standard. There is no key to turn in the ignition. The truck checks for a valid fob nearby, and when it finds one, the start button works. That is why a plain hardware-store copy will not do anything here.

Every fob also carries a mechanical backup key, a hidden emergency blade. It slides out of the fob and opens the driver's door if the fob stops working. It will not start the vehicle by itself, but it can get you out of a bad spot.

The era information we have points to a 128-bit chip in the Hitag Pro family. We have not verified that for this specific year, so treat it as background, not a promise. We confirm the actual fob and chip by VIN or in person before we order or cut anything.

Key type: smart proximity fob, push-to-start
Hidden mechanical emergency blade included
Programming method: OBD port
No NASTF/SDRM secure-data access required for programming

Duplicate key or all keys lost: what changes?

If you still have a working fob, making another is the simpler job. The original key needs to be present so the vehicle can be taught the new one. We cut the emergency blade, then program the new fob to the truck through the OBD port. It is usually the more economical route compared with starting from nothing.

If every fob is gone, a replacement is still possible. It is a bigger job, because there is no existing key to work from. Proximity vehicles can also require an active-alarm adapter when all keys are lost, and that is one of the reasons we want the VIN and the vehicle in front of us before we describe the exact steps.

Either way, the work is done by us directly. If the Explorer cannot be driven to the shop, our mobile vans can come to it, and the storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood is there if you would rather bring it in.

Call (213) 577-1366 and give us the year, model, and VIN if you have it.
Tell us whether you have any working fob, and whether the truck currently starts.
We confirm the correct fob and programming path for your VIN.
We cut the emergency blade and program the new fob through the OBD port.
We test the door, the push-button start, and the remote functions before you leave.

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 2020 Explorer key?

We do not quote numbers on a web page, because honest pricing depends on specifics. Smart fobs cost more than older bladed keys, and that is the most common surprise for Explorer owners. Here is what moves the total:

Duplicate versus all keys lost. A duplicate works from an existing fob; all-keys-lost needs more labor and possibly the alarm adapter.
The exact fob your VIN calls for, including which buttons it carries.
How many fobs you want programmed. Adding a spare while we are already connected is usually the lighter-cost way to get one.
Whether the job is at the shop or at your vehicle.
Condition of an existing fob. A dead battery is a small fix, while a water-damaged or crushed fob usually has to be replaced.

What we have not verified, and how we handle it

The chip family for this year is era knowledge, not something we have confirmed against a source for this exact model year. We would rather say that than guess. Our practice is simple: we confirm by VIN, and where the answer needs the vehicle itself, we confirm in person before we commit to a part.

Before you assume you need a new fob, check the basics. The three problems we see most on this setup are a dead fob battery, a lost fob, and a fob damaged by water or impact. A dead battery often shows up as a "No key detected" message while the hidden blade still opens the door. That is a quick fix compared with replacement, and we will tell you if that is all you need.

Why call Wilshire Lock & Key

We have been in business since 1987, and we serve 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. You reach one company, not a dispatch middleman who passes your job to whoever is free. 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 theirs before they start. That applies to us and everyone else you might call.

Our phone is answered 24 hours a day, every day of the year. For more on this model, see our Ford Explorer key pages, the wider Ford key replacement section, or our full car key services overview. You can also contact us directly.

Frequently asked questions

Can you replace a 2020 Ford Explorer key if I lost all of them?

Yes, all-keys-lost is possible for this setup. It takes more work than a duplicate, and proximity vehicles can require an active-alarm adapter. We confirm the details by VIN first.

Do I need my original fob to get a copy made?

For a duplicate, yes, the original key needs to be present. If you have no working fob, the job becomes an all-keys-lost replacement instead.

My Explorer says no key detected. Is the fob broken?

Often the fob battery is simply dead. The hidden emergency blade should still open the door. Try a fresh battery first; if the message stays, call us and we will check the fob.

How is the new fob programmed?

Programming is done through the OBD port. For this year, NASTF/SDRM secure-data access is not required for the programming itself.

Is the chip type confirmed for the 2020 Explorer?

Not yet. The chip family we expect is a 128-bit Hitag Pro type, but that is not verified for this year, so we confirm by VIN or in person before ordering.

Will you come to my vehicle?

Yes. We run mobile vans as well as our Westwood storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd. Call (213) 577-1366 and tell us where the Explorer is.

We cover all these cities

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

Last updated 2026-10-11.