2011 Ford Mustang key replacement

The 2011–2014 Mustang uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Ford Mustang key guide.

2011 Ford Mustang: key facts

Key type: Remote-head key
Push-to-start: No
Transponder chip: 4D63 (80-bit)
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

80-bit 4D63 remote-head keys (CWTWB1U793-type) with confirmed 2011-2014 Mustang fitment.

What kind of key does a 2011 Mustang use?

The 2011 Mustang is not a push-to-start car. It uses a remote-head key: a metal blade with the lock and unlock remote built into the plastic head. Inside that head is a transponder chip from the 4D63 family, an 80-bit chip. The remote-head keys we match to this year are the CWTWB1U793 type, which have confirmed fitment on 2011 through 2014 Mustangs.

What that means for you: the key has to do two separate jobs. The blade must turn the ignition and door locks, and the chip must be recognized by the car's anti-theft system, which Ford calls PATS. A key that is cut correctly but not programmed will turn in the ignition and the engine will crank, but it will not start. The remote buttons are programmed as their own step.

There is also a mechanical backup key for this car. That is useful to know if the remote head is cracked or the battery is dead, because the door can still be opened mechanically.

Duplicate key or all keys lost: how each works for this car

With a 2011 Mustang, the easier job is copying a key you still have. The original key needs to be present for a duplicate, because we cut the blade from it and program the new chip and remote alongside it. If you only have one key left, make the spare now. It is the lighter-cost route compared with starting from nothing.

You call us and give the year, model, and whether you have any working key. We confirm details against your VIN.
We come to you with a mobile van, or you visit the storefront on Wilshire Boulevard if the car can get there.
We cut the blade, either from your existing key or, if all keys are lost, from the car's lock information.
We program the 4D63 chip to the car through the OBD port. This does not require special manufacturer-only access.
We program the remote buttons, then test the ignition, door locks, and remote before we leave.

Can you get a key if all keys are lost?

Yes. All-keys-lost replacement is possible on this setup. The car can be programmed from scratch over OBD, which means it usually does not need to be towed to a dealer. A tow is only worth considering if the car cannot be reached by a van at all.

The practical difference from a duplicate is extra steps: we have to produce the blade without a pattern key and clear the way for new chips to be learned. It takes more time and more of the technician's work, which is why it costs more than a copy.

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 2011 Mustang key?

We do not quote numbers on a web page, because the real figure depends on your situation. These are the factors that move it:

Duplicate versus all keys lost. Copying from an original is simpler than building a key from nothing.
How many keys you need. Programming a second key during the same visit is usually more economical than coming back later.
The condition of your key. A cracked shell or worn buttons may only need a new housing, but if the chip or remote board is damaged, the key needs to be replaced.
Where the car is. A van visit to a driveway, a parking structure, or a roadside differs from bringing the car to our storefront.
The hour. Calls in the middle of the night involve different logistics than a daytime appointment.

Common problems on 2011 Mustang keys

These are the issues we see most often with this year's key setup:

Cracked remote-head shells and worn buttons. The housing takes years of pocket wear.
Key or remote battery failure. If the buttons stop working but the key still starts the car, try the battery first.
A flashing PATS theft light, where the engine cranks but will not start. That usually means the chip was not read, which can be a damaged key or one that was never programmed to the car.
Worn ignition lock wafers on high-mileage cars. If a key sticks or turns roughly, the lock may be the problem, not the key.

One honest note: we confirm by VIN

The data for this year is verified, but we still confirm the exact key against your VIN before we cut or program anything. Ford made small running changes across model years, and aftermarket keys sold online are not always what they claim. A quick VIN check costs you nothing and keeps us from cutting the wrong blank.

California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS locksmith company license, and you should ask any locksmith for it before they start work.

Why call Wilshire Lock & Key

We have been in business since 1987, with a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood and mobile vans for on-site work. You deal with one company, not a dispatch service that sends the job to a stranger. David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work. Our phone is answered around the clock at (213) 577-1366.

If you want more on this model, see our Ford Mustang key page or the wider Ford key replacement section. To describe your situation, use our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Mustang key a push-button start?

No. The 2011 Mustang uses a remote-head key that goes into the ignition. It is not a push-to-start car.

What transponder chip does a 2011 Mustang use?

It uses an 80-bit 4D63 chip. The chip must be programmed to the car, or the engine will crank but not start.

Do you need my original key to make a copy?

Yes, for a duplicate we need a working original. If every key is lost, we can still make a new one, but it is a longer job.

Can you make a Mustang key if I lost all of them?

Yes. All-keys-lost replacement is possible for this year, and it is programmed through the OBD port without a manufacturer-only tool.

Why does my Mustang crank but not start with a new key?

Most often the chip was not read. The PATS theft light will usually flash. The key may be unprogrammed or the chip may be damaged.

Does the car have a spare mechanical key?

Yes. There is a mechanical backup key for this car, which helps when the remote head fails.

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.