Losing or damaging your car key fob can be a major headache. If you own a 2016 Jeep Renegade, you know how crucial a key fob is for daily driving. The good news is, replacing your key fob doesn’t have to be as stressful or expensive as you might think. This guide will walk you through the process, drawing from real-world experiences to help you navigate getting a new key fob for your 2016 Jeep Renegade.
Finding the Right Key Fob: OEM vs. Aftermarket
When it comes to replacing your key fob, you’ll encounter two main options: Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) fobs and aftermarket fobs. OEM fobs, like the one discussed in a recent user experience, are the same type of fob that came with your Jeep Renegade from the factory. These are generally considered to be of higher quality and guaranteed to be compatible with your vehicle’s system.
Aftermarket fobs, on the other hand, are produced by third-party manufacturers. They can be more budget-friendly upfront, but compatibility and quality can vary significantly. For a 2016 Jeep Renegade, ensuring compatibility is key, especially with the vehicle’s security and remote start features if equipped.
One Jeep Renegade owner decided to take the OEM route, purchasing a key fob online:
“I decided to get an OEM Jeep Renegade key fob on Amazon for 70 bucks. Came with an uncut emergency key (mine is the squared-off laser cut key). The edge cut key fobs are a lot cheaper, but not compatible with my 2017.”
This experience highlights a crucial point: compatibility is paramount. Even within the same vehicle model like the Jeep Renegade, key fob types can differ based on the year. A key fob for a 2016 model might not work for a 2017 or later model due to changes in security systems or radio frequencies. Always double-check the part number and compatibility information when purchasing a key fob online.
The Dealership Programming Experience: What to Expect
Once you have your replacement key fob, the next step is programming it to work with your 2016 Jeep Renegade. While some locksmiths offer key fob programming services, dealerships are often considered the most reliable option, especially for newer vehicles with complex security systems. However, dealership experiences can be a mixed bag, as illustrated in the following account:
“Today I took it to the dealer for programming. I called ahead to see if they could fit me in. They could. When I walked in, one of the service techs asked, ‘Are you the one that just called about getting a key programmed ?’. ‘Yes I was, why ?’. ‘I meant to ask you, did you buy it online ?’ ‘Yes I did, but this is OEM, not a knock-off.’ ‘I have to let you know that chances are high it won’t work but we’ll have to still charge you the $145 programming fee.'”
This interaction reveals a common concern: dealerships sometimes express skepticism about customer-supplied parts, even OEM ones. They may suggest a higher chance of failure and emphasize that the programming fee applies regardless of success. It’s essential to be prepared for this possibility and to confirm the programming fee upfront.
Despite the initial warning, another service technician offered a more balanced perspective:
“Another service tech was logging me in, not the one ‘warning’ me about the possible fail. He said, ‘I’ve seen several fobs not purchased here programmed with no problems, don’t be concerned. But she’s right, pass or fail it’s still 145 bucks.’.”
This highlights that experiences can vary even within the same dealership. While some personnel might be cautious, others are more optimistic based on past experiences. The key takeaway here is to manage expectations and be prepared for the programming fee, whether or not the process is successful on the first attempt.
Potential Programming Challenges with Renegades
The narrative further delves into specific concerns related to Jeep Renegade key fob programming, particularly for certain model years:
“As he was logging me in he asks for my vehicle. I said 2017 Renegade Latitude that I bought here. He paused. ‘Oh…. Renegade.’ he says. I ask, ‘Problem ?’ ‘Could be. Renegades are real picky about reprogramming keys. 2015’s and 16’s are easy. 17’s and 18’s are more finicky. We can try.'”
This is valuable information for Jeep Renegade owners. It suggests that while 2015 and 2016 models are generally easier to program, 2017 and 2018 models can present more challenges due to changes in security systems. If you own a 2016 Jeep Renegade, this is encouraging news, as your model year is indicated as being less problematic. However, it’s still wise to be aware of potential complexities.
The Risk of Losing Existing Keys?
A particularly alarming concern was raised regarding the programming process potentially affecting existing keys:
“Service tech meets me outside and said he was just talking to the shop foreman and he said that there was a slight chance that while they were trying to program the ‘unknown history’ key that I brought in, it could fail and dump my original key also !! So I’d have NO keys !! I’d have to buy one of their keys (and pay full price, naturally) and end up with….one key. Just like when I came in.”
This scenario, while presented as a possibility, seems highly unusual and caused understandable anxiety. It’s crucial to note that this is presented as a potential risk mentioned by a foreman, not a common occurrence. The service technician who actually performed the programming seemed less convinced of this risk:
“Just then the service guy that does the programming came out to grab my Jeep. My service tech called him over and said what the foreman told him. He made a fart face and said he’s never experienced that, he’s programmed a LOT of Renegades, but not 2017’s or 18’s. He said the security has changed on the 17’s and 18’s making it a lot harder to program to avoid thieves ‘hi-jacking’ the ‘puter to program fobs among other things. As a sort of disclaimer he added, ‘But yours may be the first I’ve done to take out 2 fobs.'”
This programmer’s experience is more reassuring. While acknowledging the increased security complexity in later Renegade models, he hadn’t encountered the specific issue of programming a new fob deleting existing ones. This suggests that while caution is warranted, the extreme scenario described by the foreman might be an overestimation of the risk, especially for a 2016 model.
Success and Unexpected Features
Despite the initial warnings and anxieties, the key fob programming was ultimately successful:
“He comes out with a big smile and gives me a thumbs up. He drives my Jeep out, gets out and apologizes for the long wait. I asked if there was any problems, he said none at all. It took longer because the fob I brought in had remote start and he was trying to see if he could get it to work. My original fob doesn’t have remote start. He didn’t think it’d work, he knew it was more than just a button, he just wanted to try and see. I said I appreciated the effort. (that woulda been cool). They also did a 27 point inspection (whatever that is, I was focused on the fobs). We test both fobs, all good.”
The successful programming of the OEM key fob purchased online is the most important takeaway. It confirms that buying an OEM fob online can be a viable and cost-effective solution for replacing a key fob for a 2016 Jeep Renegade.
The attempt to enable remote start is an interesting bonus. It highlights that some key fobs might have features that weren’t originally active in your specific vehicle. While remote start didn’t work in this case, it demonstrates the programmer’s willingness to go the extra mile.
Key Takeaways for Your 2016 Jeep Renegade Key Fob Replacement
Based on this real-world experience, here are some key points to consider when replacing your key fob for a 2016 Jeep Renegade:
- OEM is a reliable choice: Investing in an OEM key fob increases the likelihood of compatibility and successful programming.
- Online purchase is possible: You can source OEM fobs from reputable online retailers, potentially saving money compared to dealership prices for the fob itself.
- Dealership programming is common: Dealerships are generally equipped to program key fobs for Jeep Renegades, but be prepared for a programming fee.
- 2016 Renegades are generally easier to program: Compared to 2017 and 2018 models, 2016 Jeep Renegades are reported to be less problematic for key fob programming.
- Confirm programming fees upfront: Always ask about the programming cost and whether it applies even if the programming is unsuccessful.
- Emergency key cutting: Dealerships may not always be able to cut emergency keys on-site, which might require sending it out or finding a locksmith.
Ultimately, replacing your key fob for a 2016 Jeep Renegade can be a straightforward process. By being informed about your options and potential dealership experiences, you can navigate the process with confidence and get back on the road with a fully functional key fob.
