Lost your Dodge Durango key fob or need to program a new one? No need to rush to the dealership immediately. You might be able to program a new key fob yourself right in your driveway, saving you both time and money. This guide, based on owner’s manual information, will walk you through the process of programming additional key fobs for your Dodge Durango, assuming you already have one working fob.
Before you begin, it’s important to understand a few key points. Your Dodge Durango from the factory is shipped with two key fobs already programmed. The system can handle up to a total of four fobs. When you enter programming mode using your existing working fob, all previously programmed fobs will be erased, and you’ll need to reprogram them along with any new fobs you want to use. So, gather all the fobs you intend to use with your Durango before starting this process.
Here’s how to reprogram your Dodge Durango key fob using an existing, programmed fob:
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Get Inside and Close the Doors: First, enter your Dodge Durango and make sure all doors are completely closed. This is crucial for the programming sequence to work correctly.
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Fasten Your Seat Belt: Buckle your seat belt. This step is recommended to prevent any distracting chimes during the programming process that might confuse you.
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Insert the Key into the Ignition: Place your existing, working key fob into the ignition cylinder.
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Turn the Ignition to the ON Position (Do Not Start the Engine): Turn the ignition key to the “ON” position. This means turning the key as far as it will go without actually starting the engine. The dashboard lights should illuminate.
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Press and Hold the UNLOCK Button: On your working key fob, press and hold down the “UNLOCK” button. Keep holding it.
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Press the PANIC Button (While Still Holding UNLOCK): While continuing to hold the “UNLOCK” button, press and release the “PANIC” button on the same key fob within 6 seconds of starting to hold the UNLOCK button.
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Release Both Buttons: Let go of both the “UNLOCK” and “PANIC” buttons simultaneously. You should hear a single chime sound. This chime indicates that your Durango has successfully entered the key fob programming mode. You now have 30 seconds to complete the programming of all your key fobs.
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Program the New Fob (and Reprogram Existing Fobs): Take the new key fob you want to program (or an existing fob you need to reprogram due to the memory reset). Press and release both the “LOCK” and “UNLOCK” buttons on this fob at the same time.
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Listen for the Chime: You will hear another single chime sound. This confirms that the Durango has recognized the fob you are currently programming.
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Press a Button on the Fob: Within four seconds of hearing the chime in step 9, press and release either the “LOCK” or the “UNLOCK” button on the key fob you are programming.
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Repeat for Additional Fobs: If you have more key fobs to program (up to a total of four), repeat steps 8 through 10 for each additional fob you want to program. Remember, you must program all fobs you want to use within 30 seconds of the initial chime in step 7.
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Programming Mode Ends: After 30 seconds from the initial chime (step 7), the vehicle will automatically exit the programming mode. All successfully programmed key fobs should now function normally. Test each fob to ensure it locks and unlocks the doors remotely.
Important Note if You Don’t Have a Programmed Fob: If you’ve lost all your key fobs and do not have an existing programmed transmitter to start this process, you unfortunately cannot use this DIY method. In this situation, you will need to contact your local Dodge dealership. They have specialized equipment to program new key fobs for your Durango even without an existing working fob.
While dealerships offer key fob programming services, they typically charge for both the key fob itself and the programming service. Following these steps can potentially save you a significant amount compared to dealership costs, especially if you only need to reprogram a fob or are adding a spare. Always refer to your Dodge Durango owner’s manual for the most accurate and model-specific instructions. Dealerships may charge around $100 for a new FOB, and an additional $40 to program it, so this DIY method can be a considerable saving.
