2020 Nissan Versa Key Replacement in Los Angeles, CA

The 2020–2025 Versa uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Nissan Versa key guide.

2020 Nissan Versa: key facts

Key type: Transponder chip key
Push-to-start: No
Transponder chip: 4A (Hitag AES)
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

N18: the base S keeps a keyed column ignition with a bladed 4A transponder key (an owner forum confirms the S has no start button), while SV/SR have push-button Intelligent Key standard — pushToStart reflects the base S.

What kind of key does a 2020 Versa use?

It depends on the trim, and that matters more than most owners expect. The base Versa S still has a keyed column ignition. You put a metal blade in the lock and turn it. There is no start button on the S. The blade carries a transponder chip from the 4A (Hitag AES) family, and our reference for that chip family is transpondery.com. The car will not start unless the chip in the key is programmed to the car.

The SV and SR are different. They come with the push-button Intelligent Key as standard, so there is no key to turn in the ignition. The key-facts table above reflects the base S, since that is the version with verified chip data.

For you, the practical meaning is this. A plain metal key cut at a hardware store will turn the lock on an S, but the engine will not start, because it has no programmed chip. That is one of the most common problems we see on this generation of Versa.

What goes wrong with these keys

The problems listed for this car are ordinary wear-and-tear ones:

Worn ignition wafers and key blades, mostly on high-mileage cars. A worn blade can make the key feel loose or hard to turn, and a fresh copy of a worn key can inherit the problem.
Cracked key shells, broken remote buttons and dead remote batteries.
Hardware-store copies cut without a transponder. They open the door but will not start the engine.

Spare key or all keys lost: what changes?

For the Versa S, the data says duplication needs an original key. If you still have one working key, that is the easier situation. We cut a new blade, then program the new transponder to the car. Programming on this car is done through the OBD port, the diagnostic connector under the dash, so the work happens at the vehicle.

If you have lost every key, we can still make one. All-keys-lost replacement is possible for this setup. It takes more steps because there is no working key to learn from, so the car has to be set up to accept a new one from scratch. We would rather you call before attempting anything yourself, and we do not tow the car to a dealership just to cut a key.

If you have only a broken key, keep the pieces. A cracked shell with the chip still inside can sometimes be moved into a new shell, and that is usually the more economical route. We will tell you plainly if the chip is damaged and a new key makes more sense.

Call (213) 577-1366 and tell us the trim if you know it (S, SV or SR) and whether you have any working key.
We confirm the key type by VIN, so we bring the right blank and chip.
A technician comes to the car, or you bring it to our Westwood storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd.
We cut the blade, program the transponder through the OBD port, and test that the key starts the car and works the lock.
If you want a spare, we make it in the same visit, because it is much easier than doing it after a second key is lost.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

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

Call (213) 577-1366

What affects the cost of a 2020 Versa key?

We will not quote a number in a web page, because the real price depends on your situation. Here is what moves it:

Trim: a bladed transponder key on the S is a different part from the Intelligent Key on an SV or SR.
Whether you have a working key to copy from, or all keys are lost.
How many keys you want made. A spare cut during the same visit is generally more economical than a separate trip later.
Whether the shell and remote buttons are fine and only the battery is dead, or the whole unit needs replacing.
Where the car is, and whether it comes to our storefront or we come to you.
Condition of the ignition and blade. A badly worn ignition wafer set may need attention too.

What we confirm in person rather than guess

Our verified data covers the base S and its 4A (Hitag AES) transponder. We do not have verified chip details for the SV and SR Intelligent Key on this page, so we confirm those by VIN and by looking at the key in person. We also do not state here whether any extra security-access registration is needed for this model. We check that when we have your VIN, not before.

If you are not sure which trim you own, the VIN settles it. So does the ignition: a keyhole on the column means S, a start button means SV or SR.

Why call Wilshire Lock & Key

We have been in business since 1987, with a storefront in Westwood and mobile service vans. When you call, you reach us directly, around the clock, any day of the year, not a dispatch middleman who passes your job to a stranger. David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work.

California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license. Ask any locksmith for it before they start, including us. For more on other models, see our Nissan key pages, the Versa overview, or all car key services. You can also reach us through the contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2020 Nissan Versa have push-to-start?

It depends on the trim. The base S has a keyed column ignition and no start button. The SV and SR come with a push-button Intelligent Key as standard. If you are unsure, we confirm by VIN.

Can you make a 2020 Versa key if I lost all of them?

For the base S, yes. All-keys-lost replacement is possible, and programming is done through the OBD port. It takes more work than copying from an existing key, so call us before trying anything else.

Will a hardware-store copy start my Versa?

On the S, no. A copy cut without a transponder chip may turn the lock, but the engine will not start. The chip has to be programmed to the car.

What transponder chip does the 2020 Versa S use?

The base S uses a 4A (Hitag AES) transponder, verified through transpondery.com. We still confirm the exact key by VIN before we cut anything.

Do I need to bring the car to you?

Not necessarily. We have mobile vans and a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood. Because programming is done through the OBD port, the work can usually be done where the car is parked.

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

Not always. Dead remote batteries, worn buttons and cracked shells are common on this car. Sometimes the fix is a battery or a new shell, and that is usually more economical than a full replacement. We will look at it first.

How do I know a locksmith is legitimate?

Ask for their BSIS LCO license. California requires locksmith companies to hold one, and any honest company will show it to you.

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

Last updated 2026-10-11.