The moment you realize you have zero working keys for your car is genuinely stressful. Unlike a flat tire with a familiar fix, losing your only car key is a problem most people have never navigated before. The uncertainty about who to call, how long it takes, and what it costs adds anxiety on top of inconvenience.
This guide cuts through all of that. Clear steps, honest expectations, real costs.
Step 1: Breathe and Assess — Do Not Panic
Your instinct is to solve this immediately, which is the right instinct. But panic produces poor decisions: calling the first number in a search result (which may be a scam), attempting DIY forced entry, or agreeing to quoted prices without verification.
Take 60 seconds. If there is a child or pet in a hot vehicle, that is a genuine emergency — call 911 first, then us. In all other scenarios, proceed through these steps.
Step 2: Do a Systematic Search First
About 15% of "all-keys-lost" calls to Lock Busters resolve themselves before we arrive. The key was in an unusual pocket, under a car seat, or in a bag compartment that was checked too quickly.
Search: every pocket of every garment, every wallet compartment, inside the car through windows (are they visible on the seat?), the last place you definitely had the key, every bag and backpack compartment.
Three minutes, no cost. It eliminates one in six emergency locksmith calls.
Step 3: Check Your Vehicle's Connected Services App
If your car was made after 2017, it may have remote unlock capability. This does not solve the missing key for driving, but if your keys are locked inside the vehicle, a connected app gets you back inside for free — changing the situation entirely.
Check apps by brand: Toyota Connected Services, Ford Pass, OnStar, BMW ConnectedDrive, Honda Link, Hyundai Blue Link, Kia Access, NissanConnect.
Log in, select Remote Door Unlock, and confirm your location.
Step 4: Call Lock Busters — Not the Dealership
This is the critical decision. Here is the honest comparison:
Calling a Dealership:
- Requires your car in their service bay
- Tow needed since you have no working key: $85–$160
- Tow wait: 30–75 minutes
- Service queue: 1–3 additional hours
- Total time: 3–7 hours from first call to driving
- Total cost: $350–$750 for most vehicles
Calling Lock Busters:
- We come to your vehicle's current location
- No tow needed
- Response time: 25–40 minutes
- Service time: 45–75 minutes
- Total time: 70–120 minutes
- Total cost: $145–$280 for most vehicles
Call (909) 935-8844. Have ready: year/make/model, your current location, your driver's license (we need the physical ID on arrival).
Step 5: What Happens During the Service
Identity verification: Driver's license matched against vehicle registration or title. Required before any key is cut.
Vehicle assessment: We confirm key type and verify blank inventory and software compatibility for your specific vehicle.
Key blade cutting: We cut to your vehicle's lock profile specification. For all-keys-lost, we pull the key code from professional automotive databases via VIN.
All-keys-lost programming: We connect to OBD-II, authenticate with manufacturer-level credentials, perform the security reset, and enroll new keys as the only authorized credentials. This step:
- Accesses the immobilizer/smart key control module
- Clears the existing key database (security requirement)
- Enrolls new keys from scratch
- Confirms full immobilizer acceptance
Full function testing: Door locks, ignition start, remote functions, push-button start, trunk/tailgate — all verified before we leave.
Spare key recommendation: Making a second key at the same appointment costs significantly less than a separate visit. The spare eliminates the next emergency.
All-Keys-Lost Pricing for Common IE Vehicles
- Toyota Camry (2015–2023): $165–$280
- Honda CR-V (2017–2023): $195–$265
- Ford F-150 (2015–2022): $175–$240
- Chevrolet Silverado (2014–2022): $170–$245
- BMW 3 Series (2012–2022): $260–$340
- Mercedes C-Class (2015–2022): $275–$360
- Dodge Ram (2013–2022): $165–$240
- Toyota Tacoma (2016–2023): $195–$285
All prices include cutting, programming, all labor — no separate fees.
If the Keys Were Stolen, Not Just Lost
Stolen keys require two additional steps:
1. Reprogram your vehicle's immobilizer. The stolen key must be made cryptographically invalid so it can no longer start your car. We perform this on-site during the same service call.
2. Rekey your home locks. If the thief had access to your address through documents in a stolen wallet or bag, rekeying your home locks is a critical security step. Lock Busters handles residential rekeying — ask about combining both services in one appointment.
After the Emergency: Prevent the Next One
Once you are back on the road, do three things:
- Make a spare key today, while you are already with the locksmith. Same-visit pricing is the lowest you will ever pay.
- Store that spare separately — trusted family member, home safe, or vehicle magnetic box (non-smart keys only).
- Save Lock Busters in your contacts: (909) 935-8844, CA License #LCO 7776.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a locksmith make a new key with absolutely no original?
Yes. This is the all-keys-lost procedure. Using your VIN and ownership documents, we cut a new blade and program a new transponder or smart key from scratch — no reference to any original required.
Do I need to tow my car to get a replacement key?
No. A mobile locksmith comes to your vehicle's current location. No towing needed — saving you $85–$160 compared to the dealership route.
What documents do I need to prove ownership?
Driver's license plus vehicle registration or title showing your name. Insurance cards supplement. Fleet vehicles or family-owned vehicles — call us and we will discuss verification options.
If my keys were stolen, do I need to do anything differently?
Yes. Stolen keys require reprogramming your vehicle's immobilizer so the stolen key no longer starts the car. If the thief had access to your address through documents, also rekey your home locks. Lock Busters handles both.
How long does the all-keys-lost procedure take?
Most procedures take 45–90 minutes depending on vehicle type and key complexity. We provide a time estimate before beginning.