I am posting out of frustration. I lost one set of my keys to my 2012 Transit Connect. Apparently, they are called Tibbe Keys and nobody cuts them locally. The dealer wants over $300 to replace the key. They tell me that they need to cut the key, then program it. Since they need two keys to program the vehicle, there is something else they need to do because only having one key wont allow the new key to be programmed. Is this for real? Or am I getting duped.

 

That's the truth. You never want to get down to one key, extra money for the programming that wouldn't be needed if you had two.

 

My brother-in-law bought a BMW with one key. His replacement ran $400.00. A sign of the times.

 

This has been a thing since at least the 90s.

 

It is a money grab technique done by all manufacturers and dealerships. They have you over a barrel. Consider it a "tax" on long term ownership of a vehicle....

George

 

For what it's worth, at the end of negotiating for my TC I requested and received extra keys. Even a blind hog finds an acorn once in a while.

 

I think I've seen "2 extra keys" as a low cost option on Transits or Transit Connects and even if they are not available as an option, negotiating at purchase would be the smart thing to do.

On my '02 Econoline, I could buy extra remotes on Amazon for $15 and the keys were not chipped, so $5...I had an extra couple remotes and keys for that. Those days are gone, though.

George

 

Yo, George;


Ah...the good old days.

 

Two extra keys is a smart option, we get it on pretty much all ours, however, we can't get replacements for the same cost as the Ford option. You're best off ordering with it.

 

We found a place that can cut the Tibbe keys locally so they can be found but it is the same price as Ford only difference is it is faster, so that means they are out there. If you still have 2 keys it is easy to program a third key but without the first 2 only a dealer can do it. Also I am pretty sure you can only program a maximum of 4 keys.

 

I am an automotive loclocksmith and make these kind of keys all day long. Search your area for an automotive locksmith as we are often half the price of the dealer. If you can't find anyone send me a message and i can send you a key precut and just needing programming.

 

There is very little demand at the dealership level to have locksmith on staff. Most dealerships will call in a locksmith to handle keys. Even in major metropolitan areas, there may only be a few locksmith who have the equipment to handle the job. Those few locksmiths will probably do work for every brand in the area. A locksmith with that type of equipment will handle Mercedes, Honda, Ford, Toyota, et cetera. If you are not in a major metropolitan area, such a specialist may be hours away, and either you go to him, or pay him to come to you.

 

Where I am the only place for that key is a dealer

 

Unless the dealership keeps the locksmith on payroll, then they are contracting the work to a locksmith. Find out who the dealership calls.

 

The Ford dealership orders them directly from Ford Canada warehouse