The key for my '04 Durango has been repaired- soldered- twice for free where I buy new batteries for it (Interstate), but last time they said it was shot. Since then, if I insert the key to lock the door, the alarm goes off when I unlock it. The dealer this morning said the charge was $257 to fix it. Looks like I'm Ben Dover again! Joe Usery Dodge in Jackson, MS. is the dealer. I get the feeling that the service writers are on commission. Probably my last time to visit them.

 

If you manually lock the doors with your key from the outside and then unlock the doors with the key, the alarm will not sound. The alarm will go off when you lock the car from the interior lock switch and then unlock with the key manually from the outside.

 

Well then buy a new key. You registered just to bash a business who wants to make money? Pretty pathetic. Just to let you know...ALL service advisors get payed commision, not just at dealers...everywhere. You don't like the system.....Go learn how to fix cars.

 

I'd say $275 is pretty reasonable actually.

 

I just paid $190 for my key from the stealership. I recently bought my truck used and it came with only one key. I knew I was really gonna be screwed if I lost that one and had none, so I paid to get mine. I would have paid the $275 if that were my only option. Better than no key in the long run.

 

I originally paid about $165 for a second key at the dealership, as my wife's 2006 only came with one key as well. I supposedly got "dealership cost" pricing... yeah right. Its still not terrible.

 

My wife had a Tahoe that came with only one key and she paid about $200.00 for the spare. I think all these dealerships keep the second key and then resell it to people as if the spare was lost.....
FF

 

Check your local Ace Hardware, they can make most "chipped" keys now from your original. I only got one with my Grand Cherokee, dealer wanted $185 for it (and that was supposedly a deal off their $235 regular price).

Was in Ace for for a Grade 8 bolt I needed one day about six months ago and they had a big banner over the key department said "we can now copy most chipped keys - $65". I handed them my key, they inserted it in some new fancy machine they got and it lit up green - meaning the machine could copy it. So I had them make me one up. Works fine. I still only have the one fob, but I can at least get in and drive with this one...

 

I tried that first before visiting the dealership, hate to say. For these Durangos, its a no go. They told me they can't do these particular chips, for whatever reason.

 

From what I understand, they must do some type of programming as well as just cutting your key. Hence the dealer visit.