2001 Honda Civic Key Replacement

The 2001–2005 Civic uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Honda Civic key guide.

2001 Honda Civic: key facts

Key type: Transponder chip key
Push-to-start: No
Transponder chip: Megamos 13
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

US vendor catalogs consistently list the HD106-PT (Megamos 13 fixed chip) for 2001-2002 Civic; European catalogs list Megamos Crypto 48 for the same years, so an odd key is confirmed by chip read. All-keys-lost is usually OBD-doable, but the earliest immobilizer units can need bench or dealer work.

What kind of key does a 2001 Civic use?

The 2001 Civic uses a transponder key. There is a metal blade that turns the door locks and the ignition, and a chip sealed in the plastic head that talks to the car's immobilizer. US vendor catalogs consistently list a Megamos 13 fixed chip for this year, and that is what we expect to find. There is no push-to-start and no proximity fob on this car, so it is a regular key you put in the ignition.

What that means for you is simple. A key that is only cut to shape will often open the doors and turn in the ignition, but the engine will not stay running because the chip was never paired with the car. Both parts have to be right: the cut and the chip programming.

Key type: transponder, blade plus chip
Chip family: Megamos 13 (fixed chip)
Push-to-start: no
Programming method: through the OBD port, with no NASTF SDRM access required

Copy a key or replace every key: what is the difference?

If you still have one working key, duplication is the easier job. For this car the original key needs to be present, and we cut a new blade and program the new chip to match. Having a spare made before you lose the last one is the more economical route, and it spares you a bad day.

If every key is gone, an all-keys-lost job is still possible on a 2001 Civic. We cut a key from the lock or by code information, then program the new key to the car through the OBD port. It takes more steps than a copy, and that is reflected in the cost.

Tell us the year, model and where the car is parked, and whether you have any key at all.
We confirm the car by VIN and check what chip it actually has.
We cut the blade so it turns both the door and the ignition.
We program the chip through the OBD port and test that the engine starts and stays running.
We check the door locks and trunk with the new key, and cut extra keys if you want them.

What goes wrong with 2001 Civic keys?

On a car this age, the key is often not the only thing that has worn. These are the problems we see described most often for this setup:

Worn ignition lock wafers on high-mileage cars. The key sticks or stops turning, even when the key looks fine.
Worn key blades. The chip still works, but the blade no longer moves the lock tumblers properly.
Hardware-store copies cut without a chip. They open the doors but will not start the engine.

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 2001 Civic key?

We do not quote numbers on a web page, because the real cost depends on your situation. The things that move it are fairly clear:

Whether you have a working key to copy or all keys are lost
How many keys you need cut and programmed
Whether the ignition is worn enough that the key will not turn, which can mean ignition repair on top of the key
Where the car is, and whether we come to you or you bring it to our Westwood storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd
Whether the car turns out to be one of the odd cases described below

What we confirm by VIN on a 2001 Civic

Here is the honest part. US catalogs list the Megamos 13 chip and the HD106-PT key for 2001 and 2002 Civics, but European catalogs list Megamos Crypto 48 for the same years. So if your car came with an unusual key, we confirm by reading the chip and checking the VIN before we cut or program anything.

All-keys-lost is usually doable through the OBD port, but the earliest immobilizer units can need bench work or the dealer. If your car is one of those, we will tell you plainly before you pay for anything.

Wilshire Lock & Key has been in business since 1987, with a storefront and mobile vans, and you deal with one company rather than a dispatcher passing you along. David oversees the work. California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, so ask any locksmith for it before they start. For more on this model, see our Honda Civic key pages, the wider Honda key guide, or all car key services. To book, use our contact page or call (213) 577-1366.

Frequently asked questions

Does a 2001 Honda Civic need a chip in the key?

Yes. It is a transponder car, and the data points to a Megamos 13 chip. A blade-only copy may open the doors but will not start the engine.

Can you make a 2001 Civic key if I lost all of them?

Usually yes. All-keys-lost is generally done through the OBD port. The earliest immobilizer units can occasionally need bench or dealer work, and we tell you if yours is one of them.

Do I need my original key to get a copy?

For duplication on this car, yes, an original key needs to be present. If you do not have one, the job becomes an all-keys-lost replacement instead.

Why does my 2001 Civic key stick or not turn in the ignition?

On high-mileage cars the ignition lock wafers wear down. Worn key blades can cause it too, so we check both the key and the lock before deciding what to fix.

My hardware-store copy opens the door but the car will not start. Why?

The copy was cut without a chip, or the chip was never programmed to the car. The immobilizer needs a programmed transponder to allow the engine to run.

Is there a push-to-start or smart key on this Civic?

No. The 2001 Civic uses a standard transponder key that goes into the ignition.

Why do you check the VIN if the chip is known?

Vendor catalogs conflict on this year: US lists list Megamos 13, European lists show Megamos Crypto 48. A VIN check and chip read means we do not guess.

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

Last updated 2026-10-11.