Dodge Charger Key Fob Guide: Battery Replacement, Programming, Dead-Fob Start and Hidden Tricks
A weak key fob battery or a dead fob is one of the most common things Dodge Charger owners run into, and it always seems to happen at the worst moment. The good news: most fob problems are easy to fix yourself once you know where to look.
In this guide we cover everything about the 2015–2023 Dodge Charger key fob. We start with which fob your Charger has and the right key fob battery, then walk you through the battery swap step by step (with a video). After that we get into what to do when the car says “Key Fob Not Detected”, programming, replacement cost, remote start and a few hidden fob tricks most owners never find.
In this guide
Which key fob your Charger has (2015–2023)
Every 2015–2023 Charger uses a proximity key fob and a push button start. The fob talks to the car by radio, so it can stay in your pocket while you drive. Inside it there is a small metal emergency key for the door lock, which you will need if the fob or the car battery ever dies.
The buttons depend on how the car was ordered:
- Lock and unlock: on every fob.
- Trunk: opens the trunk lid.
- Panic: sounds the horn and flashes the lights.
- Remote start: the button with a circular arrow. If your fob doesn’t have it, the car was built without factory remote start.
Most Chargers also have passive entry (Dodge calls it Keyless Enter-N-Go). With the fob in your pocket, you grab the front door handle to unlock and touch the textured lock area on the outside of the handle to lock. If you always have to press the fob button to get in, your car doesn’t have passive entry, or it is switched off in the settings.
Hellcat key fob: red key vs black key
Hellcat Chargers come with two fobs. The red key unlocks the full horsepower. The black key limits engine power, which is useful when someone else drives the car or it goes to the valet. Everything in this guide (battery, opening the fob, dead-fob start) works the same on both keys.
Dodge Charger key fob battery: type, size and where to buy
| Charger years | Battery type | Voltage | How many |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–2023 (all trims, red and black keys) | CR2032 coin cell | 3 volts | One |
The CR2032 is the most common coin battery there is. Every drugstore, supermarket and gas station sells it. Energizer, Duracell and Panasonic are all fine. A two-pack costs a few dollars, and a fob battery usually lasts around three to four years, depending on how often you use the buttons and remote start.
Two things we have learned from swapping a lot of these:
- Avoid no-name bulk packs. Dodge’s own manual warns that some aftermarket coin cells are not made to the exact original size. A battery that is a fraction too thin can lose contact when the fob is bumped, which feels like a “dead fob” even with a fresh battery.
The first sign of a weak battery is usually a warning on the dashboard display, or the fob working only when you are close to the car. Change it then, and you will never be stuck.
How to replace the Dodge Charger key fob battery (step by step)
All you need is a new CR2032 battery. You don’t need any tools, because the emergency key inside the fob is what you use to open it.
We filmed the whole swap step by step. The video takes just over a minute, and the written steps are below the video.
- Take out the emergency key. On the back of the fob there is a small slide release. Slide it and pull the metal key out with your other hand.
- Find the slot. With the key removed, you will see a small gap where the two halves of the fob meet, in the opening the key came out of.
- Twist the halves apart. Put the tip of the emergency key in that gap and twist gently. The halves pop apart. Work slowly, because the rubber seal between them is easy to tear.
- Note which way the battery sits. Look at the (+) mark before you take the old battery out. The (+) side of the battery matches the (+) mark on the battery clip in the back cover.
- Swap the battery. Push the old one out with your fingernail, not the metal key, so you don’t bend the contacts. Put the new one in with the (+) side the same way. Try not to touch the flat faces of the battery with your fingers, because skin oil shortens its life.
- Snap it closed. Line up the halves and press around the edge until the fob clicks shut all the way round. Check that the seal isn’t pinched.
- Put the emergency key back and test lock, unlock and the trunk button from a few steps away.
That’s it. There is nothing to reset and nothing to program. The car recognizes the fob again as soon as the new battery is in.
Key fob not working after a battery change? Do this
This happens more often than it should, and it is almost never the car. Go through these in order:
- Battery upside down. The most common mistake. Open the fob and check that the (+) side matches the (+) mark on the clip.
- Bad contact. If the clip got bent while you pried the old battery out, the new one may sit loose. Press the clip back very gently so it touches the battery, and make sure the halves are snapped together all the way. A fob that is not fully closed can work one moment and not the next.
- Wrong or weak battery. Check that it says CR2032. New batteries can be dead if they sat on a shelf for years, so try one from a different pack.
- Dirty or damaged board. Look at the circuit board inside. Green or white crust means the fob got wet. A cotton swab with a little isopropyl alcohol can clean light corrosion. Heavy corrosion usually means a new fob.
- Worn buttons. If only one button fails, the rubber pad or the switch underneath is worn. A new shell (see below) often fixes that for a few dollars.
- Try your spare fob. If the spare works fine, the problem is the first fob. If the spare fails too, the problem is in the car.
When both fobs fail, look at the car. A weak 12-volt car battery is the usual cause, especially in winter. After that comes radio interference (some phone chargers, dash cams and radar detectors cause it, so unplug them and try again), and finally the receiver in the car, which Dodge calls the RF hub. A failing RF hub is a known Charger problem and is a job for the dealer or a good auto electrician.
Key fob not detected or dead: how to start the car anyway
If the dash says “Key Fob Not Detected” or the car won’t start when you push the button, the car usually can’t hear the fob. The fob still has a small chip that works without a battery, and the car can read it when the fob is held right against the start button.
- Get in. If the doors won’t unlock, slide out the emergency key and use the keyhole in the driver’s door handle. The alarm may go off when you open the door. It stops when the car starts.
- Foot on the brake. Press it firmly, as you always do to start.
- Push the START/STOP button with the fob. Hold the nose of the fob (the end opposite the emergency key) against the button and push the button with it.
- If nothing happens, try again. The spot is sensitive. Try the fob at a slightly different angle or turn it over. Check the owner’s manual for your year, because it shows the exact position.
Once the engine runs, you can drive normally. Change the fob battery as soon as you can, because the backup method is fine for getting home but a pain every day.
If the backup method doesn’t work either, the problem is probably not the fob. Check the 12-volt battery (dim dash lights or clicking are the giveaway), make sure the gear selector is fully in Park, and press the brake harder. If the car still says the fob is not detected with a fresh battery and the backup method, it is time for the dealer or an automotive locksmith.
Dodge Charger key fob programming: what you can do yourself vs the dealer
Short answer: on a 2015–2023 Charger you can’t program a new fob at home with button presses. Programming needs a scan tool that talks to the car’s security system, plus the car’s security PIN. A Dodge dealer or an automotive locksmith with the right equipment can do it, usually in under an hour.
What you can do yourself:
- Change the battery. No programming needed afterwards.
- Replace the shell. Move the original circuit board into a new case. The car never notices.
- Buy the fob yourself. Then take it to a locksmith for programming. Ask them first which part number they want, because a fob with the wrong frequency or part number can’t be programmed at all.
A few things worth knowing before you go:
- Bring every fob you have. When a new fob is added, the locksmith or dealer may need the others to make sure they all still work.
- A used fob from another car often can’t be programmed to yours. Many locksmiths won’t touch them, so ask before you buy one online.
- If you lost a fob, ask for it to be removed from the car’s memory at the same time. Then nobody who finds it can open your car.
Dodge Charger key fob replacement cost and options
Here is what owners usually pay in the US. Prices vary by region and by trim, and Hellcat red keys cost more.
| Option | Fob (part only) | Programming | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mopar fob from the dealer | About $145–$220 | About $60–$150 | Original part, warranty, easiest. Most expensive. |
| New aftermarket fob + locksmith | About $30–$70 | About $60–$150 | Cheapest. Quality varies, so buy one your locksmith will program. |
| Used original fob + locksmith | About $40–$80 | About $60–$150 | Often can’t be reprogrammed. Ask first. |
| Replacement shell only | About $10–$20 | None | For a worn or cracked case. Your old board goes inside. |
Our advice: if you only have one fob, get a second one now. Adding a spare when you still have a working key is simple. Replacing the only key you had is slower, and on some cars it costs more.
Dodge Charger remote start: how to use it and why it gets disabled
If your fob has the remote start button (the circular arrow), here is how it works:
- Press the remote start button twice within five seconds. The lights flash and the engine starts.
- The engine runs for 15 minutes, then shuts off by itself if you don’t get in.
- To drive, get in, put your foot on the brake and push the START/STOP button. The display shows “Remote Start Active, Push Start Button” until you do.
- To shut it off from outside, press the remote start button once more.
You can remote start twice in a row. After that the car needs a normal start with the fob inside before remote start works again.
When remote start “doesn’t work”, the car is usually protecting itself. It won’t remote start unless all of these are true:
- The gear selector is in Park.
- All doors, the hood and the trunk are closed. A faulty hood switch that thinks the hood is open is a common cause.
- The hazard lights are off and the alarm isn’t going off.
- The check engine light is off.
- There is enough fuel and the 12-volt battery is healthy.
- You haven’t already used two remote starts in a row.
If your car was built without remote start, the dealer can’t simply switch it on with the fob you have. Aftermarket remote start kits exist, but they need to be fitted properly to work with the push button start. Ask a reputable installer before you buy anything.
Hidden Dodge Charger key fob tricks
- Open the windows from outside. On many Chargers, press unlock once, then press and hold unlock again within a few seconds. The windows (and sunroof, if you have one) go down while you hold it. Great for letting the heat out on a summer day. Not every car has it, so if nothing happens, yours doesn’t.
- Unlock all doors with one press. By default the first press only unlocks the driver’s door. In the Uconnect settings, under the doors and locks menu, you can change it so the first press unlocks every door.
- Find your car in a parking lot. Press the panic button once. The horn and lights go off until you press it again. Use it sparingly, your neighbors will thank you.
- Silent lock. In the same Uconnect menu you can turn off the horn chirp when you lock the car, and keep only the light flash.
- Warm seats on cold mornings. On cars with heated seats, the Uconnect comfort settings can switch the heated seats and steering wheel on automatically when you remote start in cold weather.
- Open the trunk without the fob in your hand. With passive entry, the button under the trunk lid opens it when the fob is in your pocket.
Menu names differ a little between Uconnect versions, so if you can’t find a setting, look under Settings and then Doors & Locks or Comfort.
Dodge Charger key fob covers, cases and shells
A cover protects the fob from scratches and drops, which matters because a cracked fob lets in moisture, and moisture kills the circuit board. Three types are common:
- Silicone covers: soft, grippy and a few dollars. They make the buttons a little harder to press and attract lint in a pocket.
- Hard TPU or carbon fiber look cases: slimmer and look sharper. Make sure the case leaves the emergency key release free, or you won’t be able to get the key out when you need it.
- Replacement shells: a new outer case for a fob that is cracked or has worn buttons. You move your circuit board and battery into it. Buy one made for the 2015–2023 Charger fob with the same number of buttons as yours.
Whatever you pick, check that the remote start and panic buttons can’t be pressed by accident in a pocket.
If you’re making the rest of the car your own too, our Dodge Charger mods guide covers cheap first mods by trim, our Dodge Charger headlights guide covers bulb sizes and LED upgrades, and all our Dodge Charger parts and accessories are in one place.
FAQ
What battery does a Dodge Charger key fob take?
A CR2032 3-volt coin cell. It is the same battery in every 2015–2023 Charger fob, including Hellcat red and black keys. Energizer, Duracell and Panasonic are all fine.
How do you start a Dodge Charger with a dead key fob?
Put your foot on the brake and push the START/STOP button with the nose of the fob, the end opposite the emergency key. The car reads a chip in the fob that works without a battery. Use the emergency key in the driver’s door if the doors won’t unlock.
How much does a Dodge Charger key fob replacement cost?
About $145 to $220 for a new Mopar fob from the dealer, or about $30 to $70 for an aftermarket fob, plus about $60 to $150 for programming. A locksmith is usually cheaper than the dealer.
Can you program a Dodge Charger key fob yourself?
No, not on a 2015–2023 Charger. A new fob must be programmed with a scan tool and the car’s security PIN by a dealer or an automotive locksmith. Changing the battery needs no programming.
Why is my Charger key fob not working after changing the battery?
Usually the battery is upside down, the contact clip got bent, or the two halves are not fully snapped together. Check that it is a CR2032 with the (+) side facing the (+) mark, and try a battery from a different pack.
How long does a Dodge Charger key fob battery last?
Usually around three to four years. Heavy use of the buttons and remote start drains it faster.
Do I need to reprogram my Charger key fob after changing the battery?
No. The fob keeps its programming when the battery is out, and the car recognizes it again as soon as the new battery is in.
What if I lock my keys in my Dodge Charger?
With passive entry, the car tries to stop it: if a fob is left inside when you lock from the handle, the doors usually unlock again and the car warns you. It can still happen with a dead fob battery. If your car has an active Uconnect connected services subscription, you can unlock it from the app. Otherwise call roadside assistance or a locksmith.
