Honda HR-V Key Replacement in Los Angeles

Honda HR-V keys by year

Year	Key type	Chip	Push-to-start
2026	Smart / proximity key	4A (NXP Hitag AES) (unconfirmed)	Yes
2025	Smart / proximity key	4A (NXP Hitag AES) (unconfirmed)	Yes
2024	Smart / proximity key	4A (NXP Hitag AES)	Yes
2023	Smart / proximity key	4A (NXP Hitag AES)	Yes
2022	Remote-head key	G (ID47, Hitag 3)	No
2021	Remote-head key	G (ID47, Hitag 3)	No
2020	Remote-head key	G (ID47, Hitag 3)	No
2019	Remote-head key	G (ID47, Hitag 3)	No
2018	Remote-head key	G (ID47, Hitag 3)	No
2017	Remote-head key	G (ID47, Hitag 3)	No
2016	Remote-head key	G (ID47, Hitag 3)	No

Which Honda HR-V key do you actually have?

The HR-V has two distinct key eras in the US, and they share little beyond the badge. The first generation (code RU) ran 2016 through 2022. The second (code RZ), built on the Civic platform, runs 2023 through 2026. Before anyone quotes you anything, the first question is which side of that line your vehicle sits on. For the older cars, the second question is which trim you own.

The year-by-year table on this page lists key type, chip family and programming method for each model year. The text here covers what a table can't: what each era means for you when a key is lost, cracked or dead. If your situation doesn't fit neatly, call (213) 577-1366, answered 24 hours a day, and we'll sort it out from your VIN. You can also browse our Honda key services or the wider car key replacement section.

What do 2016–2022 HR-V owners need?

First-generation HR-Vs split by trim, and that split decides your key. Honda's own feature guides place Smart Entry and push-button start at EX and above. The LX keeps a keyed ignition and uses a remote-head key, part MLBHLIK6-1T, with a G-chip transponder (ID47, Hitag 3). The smart-key trims use the KR5V1X fob, which is also ID47.

So if you drive an LX, you carry a metal key with the remote built into the head. The chip inside the plastic is what lets the engine start; the buttons only handle the locks. If you drive an EX or higher, you carry a fob with a hidden emergency blade, and the car reads it by proximity. The hardware is different, the chip family is the same, and both are programmed through the OBD port.

One note on the table: its push-to-start column for these years reflects the keyed base trim, so it reads 'no' from 2016 through 2022. That does not mean your EX is keyed. If you're unsure what you have, look at the dash. A key slot means LX-style. A start button means a smart trim. Or just give us the VIN.

What do 2023–2026 HR-V owners need?

The redesigned HR-V moved to a smart-proximity key. Per 2023 spec listings from Edmunds and KBB, push-button start is standard on every trim, though hands-free door entry stays on upper trims. LX owners unlock with the fob buttons instead of touching the handle. The fob is the KR5TP-4 on the Hitag AES 4A platform, a newer system than the G chip on earlier cars.

For 2023 and 2024, our chip data is verified against several sources. For 2025 and 2026 it is not. These years look like a carryover of the same 4A platform, but we have not checked the newest model years against a catalog, and aftermarket coverage for the latest production can lag behind tool releases. So for those two years we confirm the exact chip and tool coverage by VIN before we quote, not after we've arrived at your car.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

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

Call (213) 577-1366

Duplicate key or all keys lost: what's the difference?

Every model year in our data needs an original key to make a duplicate, and that matters more than any other detail here. With a working key in hand, we copy and program a new one, which is usually the more economical route. Without one, you're in all-keys-lost territory, which is a bigger job.

2016–2022 with a working key: we duplicate the remote-head key or smart fob and program it by OBD.
2016–2022 with no keys: all keys lost is possible on these years.
2023–2024 with a working fob: we duplicate it on the Hitag AES 4A system.
2023–2024 with no fobs: all keys lost is possible, and the replacement fob costs more than an older bladed key.
2025–2026: whether all keys lost is possible is unverified in our data. We confirm tool coverage by VIN and tell you plainly if the dealer is the only option.

Is HR-V key programming dealer-only?

Not according to our data. Every model year lists OBD programming: we connect to the diagnostic port under the dash and pair the key there. Nothing in the data marks the HR-V as dealer-only, so you shouldn't need a tow to a dealership just to get a key made.

There are honest caveats. For 2016–2022, programming does not require NASTF SDRM secure-data registry access. For 2023 and newer, our data doesn't settle that point, so we check by VIN before starting. For 2025 and 2026, the dealer could still end up being the route if tool coverage hasn't caught up. We would rather say that now than after you've waited.

Also, a cut key is not a working key. Remote-head keys and fobs both have to be paired with the car. A non-transponder hardware-store copy, even a precise one, may turn in the ignition and still won't start the engine.

What affects the cost of an HR-V key replacement?

We don't print numbers on a web page because the honest answer depends on your car and your situation. Here is what actually moves the cost:

Key type. A remote-head key for an LX is a simpler part than a smart fob, and our data notes that lost-fob replacement is costlier than older bladed keys.
Duplicate or all keys lost. Having a working key is the biggest single factor.
How many keys you want programmed. A spare added during the same visit is usually the more economical route.
Model year. For 2025 and 2026 we do extra VIN confirmation first.
Condition of your current key. A cracked shell or worn buttons are a different problem from a water-damaged or crushed fob.
Where and when. Our mobile vans come to you, or you can visit the Westwood storefront, and after-hours calls differ from daytime ones.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

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

Call (213) 577-1366

What goes wrong with HR-V keys most often?

These are the problems our data lists for the HR-V, and what they usually mean.

Cracked remote-head shells and worn buttons on the keyed LX. We look at whether the electronics are still sound before suggesting a full replacement.
Remote battery failure. Locks stop responding, but the key can still start the car.
A dead smart-fob battery on push-button trims. The dash reports 'key not detected', yet the hidden emergency blade still opens the door.
Non-transponder hardware-store copies. They fit the lock and will not start the car.
Water-damaged or crushed fobs on 2023 and newer. These are often a full fob replacement.
Costly lost-fob replacement on the 2023-and-newer platform compared with older bladed keys.

How we replace an HR-V key, step by step

Here is how a typical job runs, from the first call to a working key.

You call (213) 577-1366 and tell us the year, whether your dash has a key slot or a start button, and how many working keys you have.
We confirm the chip and tool coverage by VIN. This is always done for 2025 and 2026.
We explain what affects your price and give you a clear quote before any work begins.
A van comes to your HR-V, or you bring it to 10740 Wilshire Blvd. We ask you to show the car is yours.
We prepare the key or fob and program it through the OBD port.
We test every key: locks, unlock, start, and the spare, before we leave.

When should you call us instead of the dealer?

Call us if you've lost every key and the car is stuck somewhere inconvenient, if you want a spare while you still have one, if a fob has been damaged, or if it's evening or a weekend. Our line is answered around the clock, every day of the year.

The dealer is a fair choice in one case we've already covered: a 2025 or 2026 HR-V where tool coverage for all keys lost isn't there yet. If that's your car, we'll say so after checking the VIN rather than guess.

One more tip for any locksmith job. California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license. Ask for it before work starts, from anyone you call.

Why HR-V owners across Los Angeles call Wilshire Lock & Key

We've been in business since 1987, with a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood (90024) and mobile service vans that reach 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. When you call, you reach one company, not a dispatch middleman who passes your job to a stranger.

David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work. If your HR-V needs something unusual, reach out through our contact page or start from our homepage to see everything we do.

Frequently asked questions

Can you make a Honda HR-V key if I have no keys at all?

For 2016 through 2024, yes. All keys lost is possible on those years. For 2025 and 2026 we confirm tool coverage by VIN first and tell you plainly if the dealer is the only route.

Does my 2019 HR-V have push-button start?

It depends on trim. Honda places Smart Entry and push-button start at EX and above for this generation. The LX keeps a keyed ignition. If you can't tell, a VIN settles it quickly.

Will a hardware-store copy start my HR-V?

No. A non-transponder copy may turn in the ignition, but the car won't start without a programmed chip. We cut and program the key properly.

My dash says 'key not detected'. Do I need a new fob?

Probably not yet. A dead fob battery is the common cause on push-button trims, and the hidden emergency blade will still open the door. If a fresh battery doesn't fix it, we test the fob.

Do I have to go to the dealer for a 2025 or 2026 HR-V key?

Not automatically. Our data shows OBD programming, but coverage for the newest production can lag tool releases. We confirm chip and tool coverage by VIN before quoting and say so honestly if the dealer is the only route.

How much will my HR-V key cost?

It depends on key type, whether you have a working key, how many keys you need, the model year, and where and when we come out. We explain these factors and quote before starting.

Do you come to me, or do I bring the car in?

Either works. Our mobile vans serve 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and the storefront is at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood.

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.