Chevy Malibu Key Replacement Cost : All Years [ 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 ]

For Chevy Malibu owners, it’s imperative to know the cost of replacing its key. You will get to know these specifications in this article. Moreover, we will tell you whether or not this key would be available online.

In a nutshell, the replacement cost for the key would significantly vary, depending on several factors. In this regard, you need to consider the model year, which goes a long way in determining the cost of the key replacement.

Moreover, you can hire a locksmith or visit a dealership to get the key replaced. So, the overall cost would depend on several related aspects.

What’s the Chevy Malibu key replacement cost

Chevy owners might have to shell out $75 to $410 to get the key replaced. The price range looks diverse, as these vehicles use different types of keys. In the first place, it’s worth knowing that based on the model year, you have different types of keys for the Chevy Malibu.

• The models that the brand launched between 1978 and 1984 and between 1997 and 2004 have non-transponder keys.
• Between 2004 and 2016, the Chevy Malibu models have transponder keys.
• Chevrolet has designed key FOBs for the models they launched between 2016 and 2021.

So, compared to an FOB key or a transponder key, a normal key would cost you lower when you get it replaced. Both FOB keys and transponder keys contain chips. Naturally, they would cost you higher than the standard keys.

In case you decide to visit a Chevy dealership to replace the keys, they would charge you anything between $75 and $275. This price disparity is due to the presence or absence of chips in these keys, based on the model year.

Again, if you decide to hire a locksmith for the job, the expense would be slightly less. However, having a locksmith replace your Chevy Malibu key might involve extra costs, depending on your location.

Now, if you wish to proceed with a reputable locksmith, make sure that the professionals hold adequate competence in programming chipped keys. These professionals would have some criteria before they replace the keys for you.

The locksmiths might want the owner of the Chevrolet Malibu to be present at the spot as they get the key replaced.

You need to furnish adequate proof of ownership of the vehicle before they operate on your car.

The owner needs to furnish the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) if it is a FOB key. You can locate this number inside the door on the driver’s side. This number would help in programming the FOB key. In fact, for Chevrolet Malibu cars, you can have more than one FOB key programmed.

Does a Chevy Malibu have a chip in the key?

Some of the keys of Chevy Malibu come with a chip. This largely depends on the year in which Chevy launched the respective car. In the models having non-transponder keys, you won’t find any chip. These are the models between 1978 and 1984, and between 1997 and 2004.

After 1980, Chevy models started coming integrated with transponder keys. These keys had chips inside them. However, not all the models post 1980 come with such keys.

Chevy integrated some of its other models with this feature as early as 1980. However, for Malibu, it was only in 1984 that the chips were present in the keys.

Again, some Chevy cars between 1997 and 2004 had non-transponder keys. Between 1984 and 1996, all the Chevy Malibu cars had chips in the keys.

Chevrolet reintroduced the transponder keys in 2004, and till 2016, all the Malibu models had these keys. Therefore, they contained chips inside the keys from 2004 to 2016.

After 2016, Chevy decided to make the technology a bit more sophisticated. They introduced key FOBs in 2016. Therefore, from 2016 to the present, all the models of Chevrolet Malibu come with key FOBs. For your information, key FOBs and transponder keys come with micro-chips, and you can get them programmed.

Factors that can impact the cost of key replacement

Several factors impact the cost of replacing your Chevy Malibu key.

• In case you own an older model and the key does not have a microchip, the cost would be relatively lower.
• For chipped keys like transponder keys and FOS keys, the replacement cost would be significantly higher. This can cost you up to $275 when you get it through the brand’s dealership.
• Qualified local locksmiths can also help you replace the keys. The labor cost in these cases varies from one location to the next. In general, getting the Chevy Malibu key replaced by a locksmith would cost you lower than a dealership.
• Now, if you reside in a place where locksmiths are not available easily, or the charges are high, you would end up spending more on the key replacements.
• Online platforms generally offer discounts on key replacements.

Is it possible to Order a New Malibu key Online?

You can get a  replaced Chevy Malibu key online. However, it makes sense for the owners to know the benefits in and out. You can place the order for the new key for your Chevy car online by contacting a dealer.

Besides, eCommerce websites like eBay and Amazon sell these keys. Besides, you have some Chevy dealers and locksmiths who permit the owners to place the order for the replacement key online through different platforms.

You simply need to email a photo of your current Chevy Malibu key to them. However, this method might not be completely accurate and you can use it in situations where you don’t have any other way out.

Some locksmiths and Chevy dealers have come up with specific sections on their websites and mobile apps for key replacement. Once the authorities collect relevant data, they would process the order and deliver the key to you.

However, this process might not be accurate as well. Many owners have reported purchasing Chevy Malibu keys online. After programming, these keys refuse to work. Even, you will come across online platforms offering heavy discounts on the replacement keys.

If you want to go for the bet, and get an accurately designed key, you should consider it to be a good bargain. Before ordering the keys online, make sure to research the authenticity of the platform.

Conclusion

In case you want to get your Chevy Malibu key replaced online, you need to be mindful of certain aspects. Some eCommerce platforms would be ready to provide you with a replacement key even without programming.

However, this isn’t really possible, considering the chip technology that Chevrolet has come up with. To make the key work for the specific Chevrolet model, you need to get the key programmed. So, it would be wise to stay away from fraudulent offers.

Rather, get the key replaced through the brand’s dealers to ensure that they operate properly. This way, you would have both online and the traditional means to obtain the replacement key.