2020 Kia Telluride Key Replacement

The 2020–2025 Telluride uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Kia Telluride key guide.

2020 Kia Telluride: key facts

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

Push-button start with a 4A Hitag-AES smart key across US trims; the immobilizer is standard (the Telluride is not part of the Kia no-immobilizer theft issue). OBD programming; a Kia PIN (dealer/KDealer or NASTF-credentialed source) may be required depending on the tool.

What kind of key does a 2020 Telluride use?

The 2020 Telluride comes with a smart-proximity key. You keep the fob in a pocket or bag, the car senses it, and you start the engine with the push button. There is no ignition cylinder to turn. Inside the fob is a 4A (NXP Hitag AES) transponder chip, and that chip family is verified for this model year.

The immobilizer is standard on the Telluride. It is not part of the Kia no-immobilizer theft issue you may have read about on other models. A new fob therefore cannot just be cut and used. It has to be programmed to the vehicle before the car will start.

Every fob also holds a mechanical backup blade. That blade matters more than most owners realize, because it is how you get in when the fob stops working.

Key type: smart-proximity fob with push-button start
Chip: 4A Hitag-AES, verified
Backup: mechanical emergency blade included
Programming: through the OBD port

What if the fob just stops working?

The most common complaint with this setup is a dead battery in the fob. The dash tells you the key is not detected, yet the emergency blade still opens the door. If that is your situation, you may not need a new key at all. You may only need a fresh battery and a check that the fob still talks to the car.

The other two problems we see listed for this generation are more serious: fobs that have taken water damage, and fobs that have been crushed, often in a back pocket or under a seat rail. Those usually mean replacement rather than repair.

Duplicate or all keys lost: how does it differ?

If you still have a working fob, making another is the simpler job. For this vehicle the original key is needed for duplication. We use it as the starting point and program the new fob so the car accepts it. That is usually the more economical route compared with starting from nothing.

If every key is gone, replacement is still possible. All-keys-lost service is available for the 2020 Telluride. It takes more steps because there is no existing key for the car to recognize. We work through the OBD port, and the vehicle may need to be with us or we come to it with a mobile van.

One honest detail: depending on the programming tool, a Kia PIN code may be required. That code comes from the dealer, through KDealer, or from a NASTF-credentialed source. Whether we need it for your Telluride is something we confirm by VIN, not something we guess at over the phone.

Call (213) 577-1366 and tell us what you have: a working fob, a dead fob, or no fob at all.
Give us the VIN so we can confirm your exact setup.
We tell you whether a battery swap, a duplicate, or an all-keys-lost replacement fits your situation.
We cut or verify the emergency blade as needed and program the new smart key through the OBD port.
We test push-button start, door entry, and the backup blade with you before we finish.

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 Telluride key?

We don't quote numbers in a web page, because the real answer depends on your situation. The factors are fairly simple:

Whether you have a working fob to duplicate from or all keys are lost
Whether a battery alone fixes the problem, or the fob needs replacing
Whether a Kia PIN is required for the programming tool in use
Whether the vehicle is at our storefront or we travel to it with a mobile van
How much of the job is the fob itself, since smart keys cost more than older bladed keys

Why call us, and what we confirm by VIN

Wilshire Lock & Key has been in business since 1987. Our storefront is at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood, and our mobile vans serve 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. You reach one company, not a dispatch middleman, and our owner and lead technician, David, oversees the work. The phone is answered 24 hours a day, every day.

California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license. Ask any locksmith for it before they start work.

The data we rely on for this year is verified, but the PIN question above is the one open item, and we settle it with your VIN. For a wider look, see our Kia Telluride key pages, the Kia key overview, or all car key services. If you would rather write to us, use the contact page.

Frequently asked questions

My Telluride says the key is not detected. Do I need a new key?

Not necessarily. A dead fob battery is the most common cause. The emergency blade should still open the door. Try a new battery first, and call us if the message continues, since a damaged fob would need replacement.

Can you make a key if I lost every 2020 Telluride fob?

Yes. All-keys-lost replacement is possible for this model year. We program a new smart key through the OBD port, and we confirm by VIN whether a Kia PIN is required for the tool being used.

Do I need my original key to get a duplicate?

Yes, for duplication the original key is needed. If you have no working key, the job becomes an all-keys-lost replacement instead, which has more steps.

What chip does the 2020 Telluride key use?

It uses a 4A (NXP Hitag AES) transponder chip inside a push-button-start smart fob. This is verified for the 2020 model year.

Is the 2020 Telluride part of the Kia theft issue with no immobilizer?

No. The Telluride has a standard immobilizer, so new keys must be programmed to the vehicle. A cut blade alone will not start it.

Will a mechanical key still work if the fob dies?

The fob includes a mechanical emergency blade that opens the door. It is a backup for entry when the fob battery is dead or the fob is damaged.

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

Last updated 2026-10-11.