Hi guys, looking for some insight.

Wife managed to lose her key to her '16 focus ST, and the car never came with a spare. So in the short-term (our dealership is booked out through the entire month) we decided on an aftermarket one and a locksmith. The locksmith (two separate ones over the phone) mentioned that aftermarket ford remote/keyless FOB's never work, and the ford dealer insists we buy two and tow the car in.

But we figured we'd give it a try, since worst case the car is now unlocked and I can flat tow it myself for a lot less money. Ordered an aftermarket key that looks/feels identical to the original (there are some truly awful looking cheap ones, and this one isn't)

Locksmith came out and gave it a try, but the car says it doesn't detect any key at all. The battery never went flat, the car's only had its key lost for about a week. He says we just need an OEM ford one, and he can program it no problem. The dealer wants to remove all keys from the car and program in two new ones (described to me as a way to prevent valet theft)

I did some googling, but couldn't find anything even remotely similar. I know nothing about keyless/remote start systems in cars, but can't really see how there would be options for aftermarket keys if they -never- work. I even opened it up and the thing looks extremely kosher, from the circuit board to the chassis being very cleanly made and the (charged) battery even being name-brand. Wasn't an ebay special or anything, seemingly kosher parts retailer with a return policy.

So, before I return this key and go pick up an OEM one from the dealer for the locksmith to program, is this something anyone else has run into? Is there a reason the aftermarket one shouldn't work to program? Do they just require a functional, programmed key present? i.e. would it be worthwhile to get one from the ford dealer, have it programmed by the locksmith and then the aftermarket one done as a backup?

So obnoxious, since cars are seemingly no harder to steal now than they were 20 years ago, but c'est la vie. Any advice at all would be hugely appreciated!

 

There are a lot of good aftermarket suppliers out there, but there are also a lot of "not so good ones" out there too . The challenge is to know the difference and if one has not been exposed to a lot of places out there, well, you're fair game. Welcome to automotive world.

Now, Ford vehicles mostly require 2 working keys to program addl keys and you can program up to 8.addl keys.
Now comes the difficult part, which are good and which are,,,,,,otherwise. If you have the time and $$$ to chase around and find a good one , fine, but most folks need stuff done yesterday. you will usually make out alright with staying with OEM , ORIGINAL EQUIP. MANUF.
If you can, strongly suggest you consider purchasing 2 keys from FORD, have them programmed by whomever you choose, and then you can usually program more yourself if you get good instructions and quality uncoded keys.
The sad thing about this and lots of other situations is,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,there is so much imported junk coming into the country and folks that don't know JUST GET TAKEN, simple.,but true.Unfortunately, the same applies to KEY FOBS !

 

I was able to add a key using forscan with only 1 key and not deleting any. I was never able to get the remote opener unit added using the learning processes, I read online that after 5 have been programmed on the vehicle it doesnt accept any more

 

Greetings Ya'll!

This post is old, but I have a similar problem,.... The 2012 E250 Van that I recently bought only has One "Key", with One separate "Fob".

The "Key" will only operate the Ignition, but will not physically open the Door locks.

The "Fob" Locks/Unlocks the doors with no problem.

I've contacted the previous Owner, about this "quirk", & he told me that "he thought that he'd used the "Key" to open the doors, while he was preparing the Van for sale, & suggested that the locks may be frozen". I thought that this was possible, but, when the temperature rose from 18 degrees to 40 degrees, nothing changed.

I've contacted two Ford Dealerships, & "Competition"between the Dealerships must be nonexistent for both quoted "Approx. $220.00" for a new "key" & "fob".

Hanky, you stated:

"consider purchasing 2 keys from FORD, have them programmed by whomever you choose"

Do you have a rough idea of the Cost Savings, by having a lock smith completing the process?

 

A very rough idea,,,,,,,,,,,,,, certified locksmith is less, if you bring the vehicle to him.

Keep in mind,,,, certified means he has security clearance and access to manufacture security info.

The 2 working keys means you need to insert and remove the 2 keys to allow the system to program any addl keys which you could do yourself if you have the right cut new programmable keys..