2018 Honda Accord Key Replacement

The 2018–2022 Accord uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Honda Accord key guide.

2018 Honda Accord: key facts

Key type: Smart / proximity key
Push-to-start: Yes
Transponder chip: 4A (NXP Hitag AES, NCF29A3M)
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

Tenth generation: push-button start standard on all trims (CWTWB1G0090 fob). US vendor listings identify the chip as Hitag AES 4A, and OEM listings describe it as NXP AES (128-bit) — consistent with 4A, not ID47, so treat 4A as controlling for tool menus despite some overview catalogs labeling this fob ID47. Aftermarket all-keys-lost coverage lagged early in the run; current pro tools handle it.

What kind of key does a 2018 Accord use?

The 2018 Accord is the tenth generation, and push-button start is standard on every trim. That means a smart-proximity fob, not a blade you turn in an ignition. The car senses the fob nearby, unlocks the doors, and lets you start the engine with the button.

The fob carries a 4A chip, which is NXP Hitag AES (NCF29A3M). You may see some overview catalogs label this fob as ID47. Vendor listings that identify the chip point to Hitag AES 4A, and the OEM listings describe 128-bit NXP AES, which fits 4A and not ID47. We treat 4A as the controlling answer when we pick the tool menu.

Inside the fob is a mechanical backup key. Slide it out and you can open the driver's door by hand. That blade only opens the door. It does not start the car.

Is your Accord key lost, or is the battery just dead?

Check this first, because the fix is very different. A common complaint on this generation is the dash saying the key was not detected when the fob is simply out of battery. The emergency blade still works in the door, so if you can get in and the message appears, the fob may be fine.

The other common problems are worth knowing too:

A dead fob battery, which is a small, simple repair and does not need a new key.
Water-damaged or crushed fobs, which usually need replacement because the circuit board is the part that fails.
A lost fob, which costs more to replace than the older bladed keys did, because a smart fob has to be bought and programmed rather than just cut.

Duplicate key or all keys lost: what changes?

For this Accord, making a duplicate works best when we have an original working key to start from. Adding a spare while you still hold a fob is the more economical route, and it is worth doing before you are stuck.

If every key is gone, we can still help. All-keys-lost programming is possible on this car. Aftermarket coverage lagged early in this model's run, but current professional tools handle it. Programming is done through the OBD port under the dash, so we need to reach the car and connect to it.

Here is how an all-keys-lost job usually goes:

You call (213) 577-1366 and tell us the year, model, and where the car is parked.
We confirm you own the car by checking your ID and registration or title.
We confirm the key details by VIN, since that tells us the exact fob to supply.
We bring the fob and equipment to the car with a mobile van, or you can come to our Westwood storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd if the car can get there.
We program the new fob through the OBD port, then test the start button, the locks, and the emergency blade.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

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

Call (213) 577-1366

What affects the cost of a 2018 Accord key?

We will not quote a number on a web page, because the real price depends on your situation. The main factors are:

Whether you have a working key to copy, or all keys are lost.
Whether you need a new fob at all, or just a battery or a repair.
How many fobs you want programmed at once.
Whether the car can be driven to us or we need to come to it.
The time of day, since we answer around the clock and night calls take different staffing than a weekday visit.
The fob itself, since a proximity fob costs more than an old bladed key.

What we confirm by VIN, and why call us

The data we hold for this year is verified, but vendor catalogs are not always consistent. The ID47 versus 4A labeling is a good example. So before we order or cut anything, we confirm the fob by VIN and, when needed, in person at the car. If something does not match what we expect, we will tell you plainly instead of guessing.

We have been in business since 1987 and work from a storefront with mobile vans, so one company handles your call from start to finish with no dispatch middlemen. 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. For more on makes and models, see all Honda key guides or the Honda Accord key page. If you want to talk it through first, use our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

My 2018 Accord says key not detected. Do I need a new key?

Not necessarily. A dead fob battery is a common cause. The hidden emergency blade will still open the door. Try a fresh battery first, and call us if the message continues.

Can you make a key if I lost all my 2018 Accord fobs?

Yes. All-keys-lost programming is possible on this car with current professional tools. We confirm ownership and check the key details by VIN before starting.

How is the 2018 Accord fob programmed?

Through the OBD port under the dash. We connect our equipment to the car, so we need access to the vehicle itself.

What chip does the 2018 Accord key use?

The chip is 4A, NXP Hitag AES. Some catalogs label this fob ID47, but the vendor and OEM data point to 4A, so that is what we go by.

Does the hidden blade start the car?

No. The mechanical backup key opens the driver's door. Starting the car requires a working, programmed fob.

Is it cheaper to add a spare before I lose the last one?

Usually yes. Copying from a working original is generally the more economical route than all-keys-lost work. See our car key services overview for more.

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

Last updated 2026-10-11.