2000 Hyundai Elantra Key Replacement

2000 Hyundai Elantra: key facts

Key type: Mechanical (no chip)
Push-to-start: No
Transponder chip: None
Programming: NONE
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

Final US year of the 3rd-gen (RD) Elantra. Locksmith references list no chip and no immobilizer for 1996-2000 US cars — a plain mechanical key starts the car. Chip-key listings for this year apply to other markets; we confirm on the vehicle.

What kind of key does a 2000 Elantra use?

The 2000 model year was the last US year of the third-generation (RD) Elantra. For the 1996 to 2000 US cars, the locksmith references we work from list no transponder chip and no immobilizer. In plain terms, a mechanical key starts the car and opens the doors. There is no push-to-start, and there is no separate remote-head key to pair with the car.

That makes this one of the simpler key jobs we do. A metal key that lifts the wafers in the ignition and door locks is the whole system. The mechanical key is also your backup key, because nothing else in the car depends on a chip being recognized.

For you as the owner, that works out like this:

A new key is a cutting job, not a programming job. No programming method is needed and no NASTF or SDRM access is involved.
You don't have to tow the car to a dealer just to get a key made.
Because there is no immobilizer, anyone holding a copy of the key can start the car. Treat spare keys accordingly and keep track of who has them.
Chip-key listings you may find online for a 2000 Elantra apply to other markets, not to the US car.

Duplicate key or all keys lost: how does it work for this car?

With a working key in hand, duplication is straightforward. The original key is needed as the pattern, and we cut a new one from it. If your only key is badly worn, tell us up front. A copy of a worn blade inherits the wear, and it may feel rough or fail to turn the lock.

If every key is gone, a replacement is still possible on this setup. Without a chip to deal with, the work is about getting the lock's cuts right and producing a key that lifts the wafers correctly. Here is how we handle it:

You call (213) 577-1366 and tell us the year, the model, and whether you have any key at all.
We confirm what the car actually has. Our references say mechanical only, but we check on the vehicle.
If you have a working key, we cut a duplicate from it and test it in the ignition and the doors.
If you have no key, we work from the lock and cut a new key that fits, then test it in both the ignition and the door locks.
If the ignition or door lock is too worn to work reliably, we tell you before doing anything further, and you decide how to proceed.

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 2000 Elantra key?

We don't quote numbers on a web page because the job decides the price, and with this car the factors are easy to name:

Whether you have a working key to copy from, or we're starting from nothing.
The condition of the key. A worn original can mean extra time to get a copy that turns smoothly.
The condition of the locks. If the ignition or a door lock is sticking from worn wafers, a new key alone may not fix the problem.
Where the car is. A shop visit at our Westwood storefront is usually the more economical route than a mobile van call, though a van is what you want if the car can't move.
How many keys you want cut, and the time of day you need us.

Why does my Elantra key stick or stop turning?

The common problems on high-mileage cars of this age are mechanical. Ignition and door-lock wafers wear, and the key starts to stick or stops turning altogether. The key blade wears too, so it no longer lifts the wafers cleanly. Often the key and the lock have worn together, and a fresh key alone may or may not cure it. We look at both before recommending anything.

The other request we hear for this car comes from the lack of an immobilizer. Owners ask about steering-wheel locks and aftermarket immobilizers because the factory car has nothing stopping a copied or forced key. We can talk through those options when you call.

What we confirm in person, and why call us

Our data for this year is marked unverified. The references say mechanical key only, with no chip, but we don't treat that as final. Some cars get changed over the years, and chip-key listings do exist for other markets. We confirm by VIN or on the car before cutting anything, and we'll tell you plainly what we find.

Wilshire Lock & Key has been in business since 1987, with a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood and mobile service vans. You deal with one company, not a dispatcher passing your call along, and David oversees the work as owner and lead technician. We serve 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and the phone is answered around the clock.

California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license. Ask any locksmith for it before they start work, us included. For more on your car, see our Hyundai key page, the Elantra overview, or the full car keys section. You can also reach us through the contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Does a 2000 Hyundai Elantra have a chip in the key?

Locksmith references list no chip and no immobilizer for 1996 to 2000 US Elantras, so a plain mechanical key starts the car. Chip-key listings for this year belong to other markets. Our data is unverified, so we confirm on the vehicle.

Do I need the dealer to get a new key for a 2000 Elantra?

Not for programming, because there is nothing to program on a mechanical-only key. We cut the key. If we find anything unexpected on your car during the check, we'll explain it plainly.

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

Yes. All keys lost is possible for this setup. Since there is no chip, the work is cutting a key that fits the locks. Call (213) 577-1366 and we'll go over what you have.

Is a duplicate better than a new key made from scratch?

If you have a working key, a duplicate is the usual route. The original key is needed as the pattern. If it is badly worn, we may suggest a different approach so the new key turns smoothly.

My key sticks in the ignition. Is it the key or the lock?

On high-mileage cars of this age it can be either one or both. Worn wafers in the ignition or door locks and worn key blades are the common causes. We check both before recommending a fix.

Can someone start my Elantra with a copied key?

Yes. With no immobilizer, a mechanical key is all that is needed. Owners often ask about steering-wheel locks or aftermarket immobilizers for that reason, and we can talk through those options.

How do I know a locksmith is legitimate?

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

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

Last updated 2026-10-11.