2005 Nissan Altima Key Replacement

The 2005–2006 Altima uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Nissan Altima key guide.

2005 Nissan Altima: key facts

Key type: Transponder chip key
Push-to-start: No
Transponder chip: ID46 (Philips Hitag-2)
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

Catalogs split at this boundary: NI04T/ID46 listings cover the 2005-2006 Altima, while transpondery.com carries the 4D60 listing through 2006 — we confirm from the key stamp or VIN before cutting.

What kind of key does a 2005 Altima use?

The 2005 Altima is a transponder-key car with a conventional ignition. There is no push-to-start system on this year, so you are dealing with a metal blade, a chip inside the head of the key, and a car that checks for that chip before it will run. The chip family we have verified for this year is ID46, which is the Philips Hitag-2 type. The car also has a mechanical backup key, so the physical lock side of the job is separate from the electronic side.

For the owner, the practical meaning is simple: a blade that is cut correctly is only half the key. If the chip is missing or has not been programmed to the car, the key may fit the ignition and still not start the engine. That is exactly what happens with the hardware-store copies we see on these cars.

Key type: transponder, no push-to-start
Chip family: ID46 (Philips Hitag-2), verified
Programming: through the OBD port, with no NASTF SDRM access required
Mechanical backup key: yes

Duplicate key or all keys lost: what changes?

On this setup, making a duplicate is easier when you still have an original key to work from, and that is the route we recommend if you only have one key left. Do it before the last one breaks or disappears, because it usually is the more economical route.

If every key is gone, that is still possible to solve. An all-keys-lost job on a 2005 Altima can be done, and we handle it from the vehicle itself. It takes more steps than a duplicate, which is why the two jobs are not priced alike.

Confirm the car is yours and match it to the VIN and the key stamp if there is one.
Cut the blade to fit the locks, working from an original key if you have one or from the vehicle if you do not.
Prepare a transponder chip of the correct type for this car.
Program the new key to the Altima through the OBD port.
Test the key in the ignition and the door lock, and check every function before we leave.

What affects the cost of a 2005 Altima key?

We do not quote numbers on a web page, because the price depends on the actual job. For this year, these are the things that move it:

Duplicate versus all keys lost. Working from an original key is the lighter-cost job.
Key style. A basic transponder key and a key with a remote are different parts.
Condition of the car. On high-mileage Altimas, worn ignition wafers or a worn key blade can add work, because a new key will not turn smoothly in a worn cylinder.
Where the car is. A shop visit at our Westwood storefront is different from sending a mobile van to you.
Time of day. We answer around the clock, and after-hours calls take different scheduling than a daytime appointment.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

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

Call (213) 577-1366

One thing we confirm before cutting

The catalogs disagree on this year. Listings for the NI04T key with the ID46 chip cover the 2005 and 2006 Altima, but at least one catalog carries a 4D60 listing through 2006. Because the sources conflict, we do not cut from a guess. We confirm from the key stamp or the VIN before we order a blank or prepare a chip, and if you only have a broken key, we can read the stamp from that.

This matters because a wrong chip type means a key that looks right and does not start the car. Telling you plainly that the data is split is better than selling you the wrong part.

Why call Wilshire Lock & Key for this

We have been in business since 1987, with a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood and mobile service vans. When you call (213) 577-1366, you reach us, not a dispatch middleman, and 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 it before they start.

If you want to look at other models, start with our Nissan key pages or the Altima overview. For the general picture, see car key replacement. If you would rather write to us first, use the contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Does a 2005 Nissan Altima have a push-to-start ignition?

No. It uses a standard key in the ignition, and the key carries a transponder chip. The verified chip family for this year is ID46 (Philips Hitag-2).

Can a hardware store copy my 2005 Altima key?

They can cut the metal blade, but a copy without a programmed transponder will not start the engine. The chip has to be matched to the car, and that is done through the OBD port.

Can you make a key if I have lost every key to my 2005 Altima?

Yes. An all-keys-lost job is possible on this car. It takes more steps than a duplicate, and we start by confirming the car and its VIN.

Do I need to bring an original key?

It helps. Duplicating from an original key is the easier job and the lighter-cost one. If you do not have one, we can still do the work from the vehicle.

Is the chip ID46 or 4D60 on a 2005 Altima?

Sources disagree. NI04T/ID46 listings cover the 2005 and 2006 Altima, while one catalog lists 4D60 through 2006. We confirm from the key stamp or VIN before cutting or ordering anything.

Do you need special dealer access to program this key?

No. For this year, programming is done through the OBD port and does not require NASTF SDRM access, so it is not a dealer-only job.

My key works but the remote buttons are broken. Do I need a whole new key?

Not always. Dead remote batteries, cracked shells, and worn buttons are common on these cars. We look at the key first, then tell you whether it needs a battery, a new shell, or a replacement.

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

Last updated 2026-10-11.