2013 Nissan Altima Key Replacement

The 2013–2015 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.

2013 Nissan Altima: key facts

Key type: Smart / proximity key
Push-to-start: Yes
Transponder chip: ID47 (Hitag-3)
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

Fob KR5S180144014 with IC ending 014. Do not substitute the visually identical 2016-2018 key — same FCC ID, different chip.

What kind of key does the 2013 Altima use?

The 2013 Altima has a smart proximity key. There is no blade you turn in the ignition. You carry the fob, and the car starts from the push-button when it detects the fob nearby. Inside the fob is an ID47 (Hitag-3) chip, and that chip is what the car actually checks before it lets the engine run.

The fob for this year is part number KR5S180144014, with an IC number ending in 014. Those identifiers matter more than the way the fob looks. A fob has to match the car's original FCC ID and IC numbers, or it will not pair.

Key type: smart proximity fob with push-to-start
Chip family: ID47 (Hitag-3), verified against two supplier references
Programming method: through the OBD port
Mechanical backup key: yes, built into the fob

Can you copy a 2013 Altima key, or is it all keys lost?

Both situations are workable on this car. If you still have one working fob, we can use it to make an additional one. That is the simpler path, and usually the more economical route, because the car already recognizes a key and we are adding to it.

If every fob is gone, an all-keys-lost job is still possible for this setup. It takes more steps, because we have to work with the car itself rather than an existing key. If the car is not at our storefront, our mobile vans can come to it, so you do not need to tow it first.

Either way, bring proof you own the vehicle, and expect us to ask for it. Anyone who hands out keys without checking is not doing you a favor.

What affects the cost of replacing this key?

We do not quote numbers in a web page, because the real answer depends on your situation. These are the things that move the cost:

Whether you have a working fob to copy from, or all keys are lost
Whether the replacement fob matches the original FCC ID and IC numbers. A mismatched aftermarket fob can fail to pair, which wastes the money you spent on it
Whether the old fob is water-damaged or crushed, which can decide whether it is worth reusing at all
Whether the car is at our Westwood storefront or needs a mobile van
How many fobs you want programmed in one visit, since the setup work is shared
The hour you call. We answer 24 hours a day, but late-night service is not the same job as a scheduled visit

What we confirm by VIN, and what we are not guessing

The details above come from verified data for this model year, including the chip family and the OBD programming method. This year's data does not call for special security-registry access, which keeps the job straightforward.

There is one trap worth knowing. The 2016 to 2018 Altima key looks the same and carries the same FCC ID, but it has a different chip. A fob for one will not substitute for the other. That is why we check your VIN and your original fob's numbers before cutting or programming anything, and why we will tell you plainly if a fob you bought online does not match.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

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

Call (213) 577-1366

How we handle a 2013 Altima key job

The process is the same whether you walk in or we come to you.

Call (213) 577-1366. We answer around the clock and ask for your VIN and what has happened to the key.
We confirm the fob that fits your car by part and FCC/IC numbers.
We verify you own the vehicle.
We cut the mechanical backup key and prepare the fob.
We program the fob through the OBD port and test push-to-start, locking, and the backup start method.
If you have an old fob that still works, we check it and tell you whether it should stay in use.

Why call us for this

Wilshire Lock & Key has been in business since 1987, with a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood and mobile vans serving 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. You reach us directly, not a dispatch middleman, and David 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 more background, see our car key services, the Nissan key page, or the general Altima key overview. You can also contact us directly.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Nissan Altima have a chip in the key?

Yes. The fob carries an ID47 (Hitag-3) chip, and the car checks it before the engine will start. A fob without the correct chip will not start the car.

My Altima says key not detected. Is the fob dead?

Often it is just a dead fob battery. Hold the fob against the start button and try starting the car. That backup method works when the battery is weak. If it still fails, the fob may be damaged and we can test it.

Can I use a 2016 to 2018 Altima key on my 2013?

No. The two fobs look the same and share an FCC ID, but the chip is different. Using the wrong one will not work, so we match the fob to your VIN.

Can you make a key if I lost every fob?

Yes, an all-keys-lost replacement is possible for this car. We ask for proof of ownership and your VIN first, and we can come to the car with a mobile van.

Will an aftermarket fob from the internet work?

Only if its FCC ID and IC numbers match the original. Fobs with mismatched numbers commonly fail to pair. Check the numbers before you buy, or bring it to us and we will tell you if it will pair.

Is there a physical key inside the fob?

Yes. The 2013 Altima fob includes a mechanical backup key, so you can still open the door if the fob battery dies.

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

Last updated 2026-10-11.