2016 Nissan Pathfinder Key Replacement

2016 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

Documented split year: vendor listings warn that 2016 Pathfinder keys must match part number, IC and FCC exactly — both IC-014 (ID47) and IC-204 (4A) keys appear for 2016, so we identify the fob on the vehicle before quoting.

What kind of key does the 2016 Pathfinder use?

The 2016 Pathfinder came with a smart proximity key and a push-to-start ignition. The fob stays in your pocket or bag, the vehicle senses it, and the start button does the rest. Tucked inside the fob is a mechanical backup key, which is there for the day the fob stops working or the door needs to be opened without power from the fob.

That design is convenient, but it also means a replacement is not a simple metal cut. The fob has to be paired electronically with the vehicle, and the pairing is done through the OBD port under the dash. The common problems on this setup are fairly short:

A dead fob battery, which shows up as a 'key not detected' message. As a backup, hold the fob right against the start button and try again.
Water-damaged or crushed fobs, usually from a trip through the wash or a seat or bag that put weight on it.
Aftermarket fobs whose FCC ID and IC numbers do not match the original, which then fail to pair.

Why do we identify the fob before quoting a 2016 Pathfinder?

2016 is a documented split year for this model. Vendor listings warn that 2016 Pathfinder keys must match the part number, the IC number and the FCC ID exactly, and both IC-014 (ID47) and IC-204 (4A) keys appear for this year. In plain terms, two Pathfinders from the same model year can need different fobs, and a fob that looks identical on a website can still refuse to pair.

We also want to be straight about what is not settled. The chip family for this year is not verified in the information we work from, and our source references on it conflict. So we do not guess. We confirm by VIN and by looking at the fob on your vehicle, then we cut or program to what is actually there.

If you are thinking of ordering a fob online first, send us the numbers printed on your current fob, or call before you buy. Matching the part number, IC and FCC exactly is the whole game with this year.

Duplicate key or all keys lost: what changes?

For this setup, making an additional key is straightforward when you still have a working original. The original key is needed for duplication, and the new fob is programmed to the vehicle by OBD. The programming method for this year does not require NASTF SDRM access, so it is not a job that has to wait on a special registry login.

If every key is lost, that is still possible to solve. It takes more steps because there is no working fob to work from, but it does not automatically mean a tow to the dealer. We will ask you to show the vehicle is yours before we make a key for it, and that applies to anyone honest in this trade.

Call (213) 577-1366 and tell us the year, model and whether you still have any working fob.
Send us the part number, IC and FCC ID from the back of your fob if you have one, or let us check it on the vehicle.
We confirm the correct fob family by VIN and in person, because 2016 is a split year.
We program the new fob by OBD and test the push-to-start, the doors and the backup key.
If a fob is damaged or aftermarket and will not pair, we tell you why and what the right replacement is.

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 2016 Pathfinder key?

We do not quote numbers on a web page, because for this year the honest answer depends on a few specific things:

Which fob your Pathfinder actually takes. Given the IC-014 and IC-204 split, the correct part is not the same for every 2016.
Whether you still have a working key. A duplicate from an existing original is usually the more economical route compared with an all-keys-lost situation.
How many fobs you want programmed in one visit.
Whether you are bringing the vehicle to our storefront or need a mobile van to come to you.
The condition of what you have now. A water-damaged or crushed fob may not be a candidate to work from, and an aftermarket fob that does not match may have to be replaced with the correct one.

Why call Wilshire Lock & Key about this key?

We have been in business since 1987, with a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood, Los Angeles, and mobile service vans that cover 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. It is one company. Your call is not passed to a dispatch middleman, and David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work.

Our phone, (213) 577-1366, is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which matters when a smart key quits at night. For more on the model across years, see our Nissan Pathfinder key pages, the wider Nissan key information, or all car key services. If you would rather write first, use our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder have a push-to-start key?

Yes. It uses a smart proximity key with push-to-start. The fob also contains a mechanical backup key.

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

Not necessarily. A dead fob battery is a common cause. As a backup, hold the fob against the start button and try to start it. If that works, the battery is the likely culprit. If it does not, call us and we can check the fob.

Can you make a key if I lost all of my 2016 Pathfinder keys?

Yes, all-keys-lost is possible for this vehicle. It involves more steps than a duplicate, and we will ask you to show the vehicle is yours. Call (213) 577-1366 to start.

Do I need my original key to make a copy?

For duplication, yes, an original key is needed. If you have lost every key, that is a different job, and we handle it as an all-keys-lost replacement.

Why can't you quote my 2016 Pathfinder key over the phone without checking the fob?

2016 is a split year. Both IC-014 (ID47) and IC-204 (4A) keys appear for it, and the part number, IC and FCC ID must match exactly. We confirm by VIN and by identifying the fob on the vehicle so we do not quote or order the wrong one.

Will an aftermarket fob from an online seller work?

Only if its FCC ID and IC numbers match the original. Aftermarket fobs that do not match fail to pair. Check those numbers, or call us first.

What should I ask any locksmith before they work on my car?

California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, so ask for the license number. Also ask which fob they plan to use and whether it matches your part number, IC and FCC ID.

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.