2013 Nissan Pathfinder Key Replacement in Los Angeles

The 2013–2015 Pathfinder uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Nissan Pathfinder key guide.

2013 Nissan Pathfinder: key facts

Key type: Smart / proximity key
Push-to-start: Yes
Transponder chip: Varies by trim — we confirm by VIN
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

Push-button standard on the R52. Catalogs genuinely conflict on the chip: the KR5S180144014 IC-014 fob platform used these years is confirmed ID47 on the Altima, but transpondery.com lists 4A for these Pathfinder years — we match part number (285E3-9PA5A/3KL4A), IC and FCC before ordering.

What kind of key does a 2013 Pathfinder use?

The 2013 Pathfinder is an R52-generation truck, and push-button start is standard on it. That means your key is a smart proximity fob: the truck senses it nearby, you press the start button, and the engine runs. There is no traditional key you turn in an ignition.

Inside the fob there is still a chip that has to be recognized by the vehicle, and there is a mechanical backup key hidden in the fob. That backup key opens the driver's door if the fob battery dies or the fob stops responding. It does not start the engine by itself.

Most of the calls we hear about this setup fall into three groups:

A dead fob battery, which shows up as a 'key not detected' message. As a temporary workaround, hold the fob right against the start button and try again.
Water-damaged or crushed fobs, usually from a pocket in the wash or a fob that got stepped on or caught in a door.
Aftermarket fobs bought online whose FCC ID or IC numbers do not match the original, which then fail to pair with the truck.

Duplicate a key or replace all keys lost?

For this truck, copying a key is easiest when you still have an original that works. A working fob lets us add another one to the vehicle, and that is usually the more economical route compared with starting from nothing.

If every fob is gone, that is still workable. All-keys-lost replacement is possible on the 2013 Pathfinder. It takes more steps because the truck has no working key to learn from, so we handle it as a separate job. Programming is done through the OBD port, and NASTF/SDRM access is not required for this setup.

Call (213) 577-1366 and give us the year, model and, if you can, the VIN. The VIN is on the dash at the base of the windshield and on your registration.
We check the part number on your old fob if you have it, along with the FCC ID and IC number, before anything is ordered.
We cut or supply the mechanical backup key and prepare the new smart fob.
We program the fob to the truck through the OBD port and test push-button start, door function and the backup key.
If you had a spare, we make sure that one still works afterward.

What affects the cost of a 2013 Pathfinder 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 original. Adding to an existing fob is a different job from all keys lost.
How many fobs you want programmed, including a spare.
Whether the fob is a correct match. A fob with the right part number, FCC ID and IC number pairs; a mismatched one may not pair at all, and that cost is wasted.
Whether we come to you or you come to the Westwood storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd. A truck that cannot move needs a mobile visit.
The time of day. We answer around the clock, and after-hours calls involve different scheduling than a daytime visit.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

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

Call (213) 577-1366

What we can't state for certain about this key

We would rather tell you plainly where the published information disagrees. For these model years, the fob platform is KR5S180144014 with IC-014. That platform is confirmed as an ID47 (Hitag-3) chip on the Nissan Altima. One catalog, transpondery.com, lists a 4A chip for these Pathfinder years, while other sources point to ID47. The chip for your truck is not verified in our data.

In practice, that conflict does not stop the job. We do not order by chip name; we match the part number (285E3-9PA5A or 285E3-3KL4A), the IC number and the FCC ID against your original fob and your VIN. If your fob is gone, we confirm by VIN and in person before ordering anything, so you are not paying for a fob that does not fit.

Please be cautious with cheap online fobs that list this truck as compatible. If the numbers on the label do not match, the fob can fail to pair.

Why call Wilshire Lock & Key

We have been in business since 1987, with a storefront in Westwood and mobile service vans, so we can either have you come in or come to the vehicle. You deal with one company, not a dispatch service passing your job to a stranger. David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work.

For more on the model across years, see our Nissan Pathfinder key page or the wider Nissan key service listing. If you want to describe your situation directly, use our contact page or call (213) 577-1366.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Pathfinder have push-button start?

Yes. Push-button start is standard on this R52-generation Pathfinder, and the key is a smart proximity fob with a hidden mechanical backup key.

My Pathfinder says key not detected. Do I need a new fob?

Not always. A dead fob battery is the common cause. Hold the fob directly against the start button and try to start the truck. If that works, the battery is the likely problem. If it does not, the fob may be damaged and we can look at it.

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

Yes. All-keys-lost replacement is possible on this truck. It takes more steps than copying from a working fob, and we confirm the correct fob by VIN before ordering.

Is programming done at a dealer only?

No. Programming for this setup is done through the OBD port, and NASTF/SDRM access is not required, so we can do it ourselves at the storefront or on location.

Which chip does the 2013 Pathfinder fob use?

Sources conflict. The fob platform is confirmed as ID47 (Hitag-3) on the Altima, but one catalog lists a 4A chip for these Pathfinder years. We match part number, IC and FCC numbers, and confirm by VIN.

Will an aftermarket fob from the internet work?

Only if its FCC ID and IC numbers match your original fob. Mismatched aftermarket fobs commonly fail to pair. Send us the numbers from your fob or call before you buy.

Can you come to me if the truck won't start?

Yes. We run mobile service vans as well as the Westwood storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd. Call (213) 577-1366 any hour, any day, and tell us where the truck is.

We cover all these cities

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

Last updated 2026-10-11.