Do you own a Kia and find yourself constantly setting off the panic alarm or accidentally opening the hatch with your key fob? If you’re nodding in frustration, you’re definitely not alone. Many Kia owners experience the annoyance of overly sensitive key fob buttons. It’s a common problem, especially with models like the Kia Sorento and others using similar key fob designs. The buttons are just too easy to press, leading to embarrassing panic alarms in parking lots or your hatch unexpectedly opening in the garage, potentially hitting the door.
It’s puzzling why Kia key fobs are designed with such easily activated buttons compared to other car brands. While key fobs are convenient, the hypersensitivity of Kia Key Fob Buttons often feels like a design flaw. Searching online, you’ll find countless Kia owners sharing similar stories and seeking solutions for these accidental button presses. Some suggest avoiding putting the key fob in your pocket, but for most of us, that’s simply not practical. We want our keys readily accessible!
Initial attempts to solve this issue, like using a key fob jacket or cover, often backfire. The wide, prominent buttons on Kia key fobs make it difficult to design a cover that effectively recesses the buttons and prevents accidental activation. Instead of solving the problem, bulky covers can sometimes make the fob even less convenient.
Frustrated with the lack of readily available solutions, a DIY approach is often the most effective. One drastic “solution” found online involves placing plastic rods around the buttons to prevent presses – but this completely disables the button functionality, which isn’t ideal. We want to prevent accidental presses, not eliminate the button functions altogether! Luckily, a much simpler and more effective fix exists.
The solution is surprisingly straightforward and requires minimal effort. By disassembling the Kia key fob, you can access the problematic buttons. In this example, the panic alarm and hatch release buttons are the main culprits for accidental presses. While the lock and unlock buttons are less frequently triggered accidentally, focusing on the most sensitive buttons is key.
The simple yet ingenious fix involves using a thin rubber “gripper” mat, commonly found in toolboxes or kitchens to prevent items from slipping. Cut small squares from this mat, just large enough to cover the button area inside the key fob. Using a leather punch or similar tool, create small holes in the center of these rubber squares. These holes will allow the small locating pins inside the key fob to pass through.
Place these rubber squares around the locating pins within the key fob shell, effectively adding a thin layer of resistance behind the problem buttons. Then, simply snap the key fob back together. Reassemble the remote, and that’s it!
This modification adds a subtle but significant amount of resistance to the buttons. Now, the Kia key fob buttons require a more deliberate press to activate, drastically reducing accidental triggers of the panic alarm and hatch release. However, the buttons remain fully functional when you intentionally press them.
This easy DIY modification is a game-changer for Kia owners plagued by accidental key fob button presses. It’s a quick, inexpensive, and reversible solution that restores peace of mind and eliminates the frustration of unwanted alarms and hatch openings. Give this simple fix a try and finally enjoy using your Kia key fob without the constant worry of accidental button activations!
