2020 Nissan Sentra Key Replacement

The 2020–2026 Sentra uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Nissan Sentra key guide.

2020 Nissan Sentra: key facts

Key type: Smart / proximity key
Push-to-start: Yes
Transponder chip: 4A (Hitag AES)
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

Push-button start is standard on every 2020 Sentra trim (kbb.com spec table); the base S lacks the door-handle request switches but still uses the smart-key immobilizer. 20-digit rolling-PIN era.

What kind of key does a 2020 Sentra use?

The 2020 Sentra uses a smart-proximity key. Push-button start is standard on every trim, according to the Kelley Blue Book spec table. The car reads the fob when it is inside the cabin, so there is no blade to turn in an ignition. The fob carries a 4A (Hitag AES) transponder chip, which we have verified against two outside sources.

The base S trim is a small exception. It lacks the request switches on the door handles, so you unlock with the fob buttons. It still uses the same smart-key immobilizer as the other trims. A fob that has not been programmed to the car will not start it, even if it looks identical.

Every fob also holds a mechanical backup key. That matters because a fob that dies mid-day does not have to leave you stranded, and it gives us something to work from if a fob needs replacing.

Push-to-start on all 2020 Sentra trims
4A (Hitag AES) chip family, verified
Mechanical backup key inside the fob
Programming done through the OBD port

What should you try before replacing the fob?

The most common complaint on this setup is a dead fob battery, which shows up as a 'key not detected' message. Before you call anyone, hold the fob directly against the start button and press it. The car can read the chip at close range even when the battery is too weak to transmit. Many owners get home this way and then simply replace the battery.

If that works, you do not need a new key. If the fob is cracked, was through the wash, or has been crushed in a pocket or under a seat, the electronics are often finished and replacement is the real fix. Water-damaged and crushed fobs are the other two problems we see most often on this key.

Duplicate key or all keys lost: how does it differ?

For this car, making a duplicate normally requires an original working key. If you still have one, adding another is the more straightforward job. We program the new fob to the car through the OBD port, and your existing key keeps working.

All keys lost is also possible on the 2020 Sentra. It takes more steps, because there is no working key for the car to learn from. We set up the programming session through the OBD port, program new fobs to the vehicle, and test every one before we leave. This is an era of rolling security PINs, 20 digits long, so the process is more involved than on older chip keys. If you lost your only key, tell us up front. We can plan the job around it.

Either way, we work where the car is. Our mobile vans come to you, and if it is easier to bring the car in, our storefront is at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood.

Call (213) 577-1366 and tell us the year, model, and whether you have any working key.
We confirm the key details by VIN, and we ask for proof you own the car.
We cut or supply the fob and its mechanical blade as needed.
We program the fob through the OBD port.
We test starting, locking, and unlocking with every key before finishing.

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 2020 Sentra key?

We do not quote numbers in a web article, because the right figure depends on your situation. These are the factors that actually move the cost:

Whether you have a working key. Adding a key is generally the lighter-cost route, and all keys lost is more labor.
How many fobs you need programmed in one visit.
Whether the replacement fob is the correct match for your car. Aftermarket fobs whose FCC ID and IC numbers do not match the original often fail to pair, and that wastes money.
Whether the mechanical blade needs cutting.
Where the car is and when you call, since a mobile visit costs differently than coming to the shop.

What do we confirm by VIN?

The chip family and programming method above are verified for this year. One thing the data does not settle for us is whether a secure-data access step applies to your particular car, so we do not guess. We confirm by VIN and in person before we start, and we tell you plainly if anything about your car needs a different route. If a job ever required the dealer, we would say so rather than start something we cannot finish.

California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license. Ask any locksmith for that number before they touch your car. It is a fair question and a good habit.

Why call us for this?

Wilshire Lock & Key has been in business since 1987. You reach one company, not a dispatch middleman, and David oversees the work. We run a storefront plus mobile vans and serve 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The phone is answered 24 hours a day, every day.

For other models, see our Nissan key service page or the Sentra overview. You can also contact us directly.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2020 Nissan Sentra have a push-to-start key?

Yes. Push-button start is standard on every 2020 Sentra trim. The base S lacks the door-handle request switches, but it still uses a smart-key immobilizer.

My Sentra says 'key not detected.' What now?

Try holding the fob against the start button and pressing it. That works with a weak battery. If the car still will not start, the fob may be damaged and need replacement.

Can you make a key if I lost every key?

Yes, all keys lost is possible on this car. It takes more steps than adding a key to a car that still has a working one. Call (213) 577-1366 and we will explain the plan.

Do I need an original key to make a copy?

For duplication, an original working key is needed. If you have none, the job becomes an all-keys-lost job, which we can still do.

Can I buy a cheap fob online and have it programmed?

You can try, but aftermarket fobs whose FCC ID and IC numbers do not match the original often fail to pair. Check the numbers on your current fob first, or ask us before you buy.

Is there a physical key inside the fob?

Yes. The 2020 Sentra fob has a mechanical backup key. It opens the door if the fob battery is dead.

Where is the programming done?

Programming is done through the OBD port. We can come to you with a mobile van, or you can bring the car to 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood.

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.