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23 model years · 2002–2024

Ford Explorer key fob reference.

Year-by-year OEM part numbers, transponder chip family, fob form factor, button configuration, and aftermarket programmer compatibility for the Ford Explorer. Pick your year below.

Latest year2024 Latest fob typeProximity Smart Key Latest chipPCF7953 (Hitag-PRO) Aftermarket$45–$120

Pick your year

Each year links to the full per-vehicle reference: part numbers, FCC IDs, chip details, buttons, programmer compatibility.

2024Smart 2023Smart 2022Smart 2021Smart 2020Smart 2019Smart 2018Trans 2017Trans 2016Trans 2015Trans 2014Trans 2013Smart 2012Trans 2011Trans 2010Trans 2009Basic 2008Trans 2007Trans 2006Trans 2005Basic 2004Basic 2003Trans 2002Trans

Why model year matters for the Explorer

The Ford Explorer doesn't use one key fob — it uses several, and which one your vehicle takes is dictated almost entirely by model year and trim. The data is unforgiving: ordering the wrong fob is the most common reason a fob "looks the same" but fails to pair, and it's a $40–$120 mistake you can avoid in five minutes by checking the year-specific page.

The latest year we track for the Explorer is 2024, which uses a Proximity Smart Key built around the PCF7953 (Hitag-PRO) transponder chip. That fob carries an OEM MSRP in the $220–$420 range; reputable aftermarket equivalents run $45–$120. Pairing on this generation requires a scan tool with the vehicle's security PIN read over OBD-II — this is not a DIY-eligible model year, and our per-year page tells you exactly which aftermarket programmers handle it.

Cross-reference your existing fob. Before you buy a replacement, compare the FCC ID printed on the back of your current Explorer fob with the FCC IDs listed on the year-specific page. Don't recognize a term? Our glossary explains every acronym in plain language.

What the per-year pages cover

  • OEM part numbers — manufacturer reference codes you can quote at a dealer parts counter.
  • Aftermarket part numbers — common aftermarket SKUs that match the OEM fob's chip and FCC ID.
  • FCC IDs — printed on the back of every legal fob; the most reliable cross-reference for compatibility.
  • Transponder chip details — chip name, manufacturer, encryption tier, and operating frequency.
  • Button configuration — which buttons appear on the OEM fob (LOCK, UNLOCK, PANIC, REMOTE_START, TRUNK / LIFTGATE, etc.).
  • Programmer compatibility matrix — full / partial / dealer-only rating for every aftermarket programmer in our index.
  • OEM vs aftermarket pricing — realistic ranges so you know if a deal is too-good-to-be-true.
  • Battery type — CR2032, CR2025, or CR1632 depending on year and trim.

Picking the right replacement Explorer fob

Before clicking buy on any aftermarket fob for the Explorer, confirm three things: (1) the FCC ID on the listing matches one of the FCC IDs we list for your year, (2) the transponder chip family inside matches your year's chip, and (3) the button layout matches your existing fob (no point buying a 5-button fob if your truck didn't ship with remote-start hardware to receive the signal). Reputable aftermarket sellers list both the FCC ID and the chip in the product description; if a listing doesn't, scroll past it.