2015 Lexus NX Key Replacement

The 2015–2021 NX uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Lexus NX key guide.

2015 Lexus NX: key facts

Key type: Smart / proximity key
Push-to-start: Yes
Transponder chip: 8A (128-bit DST-AES)
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

HYQ14FBA smart fob (AG board 2110), 8A chip. Add-a-key over OBD is routine; all-keys-lost uses a DST-AES emulator with professional tools.

What kind of key does a 2015 Lexus NX use?

The 2015 NX is a smart-proximity car. You carry the fob, press the start button, and the car checks for the key without you inserting anything. The fob we work with for this year is the HYQ14FBA, built on an AG board (2110), and it carries an 8A chip, which is a 128-bit DST-AES transponder family. That chip detail comes from verified hardware data, not a guess.

For you as the owner, three things follow from that setup:

The fob is a small computer, not a cut piece of metal. A hardware store cannot copy it, and it has to be programmed to the car.
There is a mechanical backup key built into the fob. It is there so you can get into the car if the fob battery dies, but a backup blade alone does not start the engine.
The most common complaint is the car reporting that the key is not detected. Often that is only a weak fob battery, so check that before assuming you need a new fob.

Spare key or all keys lost: what changes?

If you still have a working fob, adding another one is routine. We program the new fob to the car through the OBD port. For this year, that programming does not require NASTF SDRM access. The one catch is that duplication needs an original key present, so the working fob has to be with the car when we start.

If every fob is gone, the job can still be done. All-keys-lost on this NX is handled with a DST-AES emulator and professional tools, which takes more equipment and more steps than adding a spare. It is a different job from a simple duplicate, and it is the reason a lost-fob call usually costs more than a spare-key call.

If you are down to your last fob, make the spare now. It is the easier, lighter-cost route compared with waiting until the last one goes missing, gets crushed, or goes through the wash.

How do we handle a 2015 NX key job?

The process is straightforward, and we tell you what we are doing as we go.

You call (213) 577-1366 and tell us whether you have a working fob or none at all. We answer 24 hours a day.
We confirm the year, model and VIN so the right HYQ14FBA-type fob is on hand.
We come to you in a mobile van, or you can come to our storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024.
We connect to the OBD port, then program the new fob, using the emulator process if no original key is available.
We test the fob: unlock, start, shut down, then restart. We also check the backup key and any older fob that you plan to keep using.

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 replacement fob?

We do not quote numbers on a web page, because the real figure depends on your situation. These are the factors that move it:

Whether you have a working fob. Adding a key is simpler than all-keys-lost.
The fob itself. Smart fobs cost more than bladed keys, which is a known pain point for this vehicle.
The condition of your old fob. Water-damaged or crushed fobs often cannot be reused, so a fresh one is needed.
Where the car is. A mobile visit and a drive-in to our shop are not the same job.
The hour. Late-night and weekend calls are different from a weekday-daytime appointment.

What do we confirm in person?

The data for this year is verified, but we still check every car by VIN or in person before we order or program anything. Parts can differ between builds, and we would rather catch that before cutting or programming than after. If anything about your NX does not match what we expect, we will tell you plainly.

Wilshire Lock & Key has been in business since 1987. We run one company with a storefront and our own mobile vans, so there are no dispatch middlemen between your call and the technician. 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 that number before work begins.

For wider information, see our Lexus NX key page, the full Lexus key guide, or our overview of car key services. You can also use the contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Can you make a 2015 Lexus NX key if I lost all of them?

Yes. All-keys-lost is possible on this model. It uses a DST-AES emulator and professional tools, so it takes more work than adding a spare. Call (213) 577-1366 and we will go over your situation.

Do I need my original key to get a spare?

Yes. For duplication on this NX, an original key needs to be present. If you have no working key, we use the all-keys-lost process.

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

Not necessarily. A dead smart-fob battery is a common cause of that message. Try a fresh battery first. If the message continues, or the fob has been wet or crushed, the fob itself may be damaged.

What chip does the 2015 NX fob use?

It uses an 8A chip, a 128-bit DST-AES transponder family. The fob is the HYQ14FBA on an AG board (2110). We still confirm your car by VIN before ordering or programming.

Does the fob have a physical key inside?

Yes, there is a mechanical backup key. It opens the door if the fob battery is dead. It is not a replacement for a programmed fob when you need to start the car.

Will a dealer be required for programming?

No. For this year, programming goes through the OBD port and does not require NASTF SDRM access, so we handle it from our van or storefront.

Why does a lost smart fob cost more than a regular car key?

The fob is an electronic part that has to be matched and programmed to the car, and a lost-key job takes extra equipment and time. Whether you have a working key, the fob's condition, location and hour of the call all affect the final cost.

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

Last updated 2026-10-11.