2004 Dodge Stratus
Key Replacement - Save vs Dealer in Ventura County

Q: Do I need to tow my Dodge to the dealer?

No. Dealers require the vehicle at their service bay because their programming equipment is fixed to a workstation. When all keys are lost on a 2004 Stratus, a dealer will tell you to tow it in and schedule a service appointment around their availability, not yours. Towing adds real money on top of an already uncomfortable bill, and then you still have to wait. We come to the vehicle wherever it is.

Q: What do I need to prove I own the vehicle?

Valid photo ID and proof of ownership, either the registration or the title. We also verify the VIN from the dashboard plate or the door jamb sticker on your Stratus to confirm the key specs match before we cut anything. Dealers require the same documentation and have turned people away for showing up with mismatched names or only a photo of the registration on a phone.

Q: I had a spare key cut at a hardware store and it opens the door but the car cranks and dies. What happened?

That is the transponder doing its job. The hardware store copied the blade cut but had no way to program the chip inside the key head. The immobilizer does not recognize the new key, so it kills the engine after the crank. The blade opens the lock because locks do not care about the chip. The ignition system does. This is the single most common call I get on mid-2000s Dodge sedans.

Q: Can the 2004 Stratus be programmed with only one working key, or do I need two to add a spare?

One working key is enough. Some older domestic vehicles required two working keys present to enter a self-programming mode, but the 2004 Stratus does not put you through that sequence for a transponder key add. A trained locksmith with the right equipment can add a new key to the vehicle's memory using the OBD port regardless of how many keys you currently have. If you are down to one, do not wait until it is zero.

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Available

Transponder Key

Dealerships charge a premium because they can. We don't. Same key, same programming, same quality - just without the markup. Call for an honest quote with no hidden fees.

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2004 Dodge Stratus car key pricing breakdown from EZ Car Keyz Fillmore CA

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Specialized in keys only - no overhead markups

No Hidden Fees

Key + cutting + programming all included in one price

We Come to You

Mobile service at no extra charge, 15-25 min

805 Special

10% OFFCODE:EZ-805-2026

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2004 Dodge Stratus
Key Options

Dealer-grade key for a fair, honest price

Transponder Key

Dodge Stratus OEM Quality Without the Markup

Same quality key, completely different price

EZ Car Keyz

Dealership

Average Cost

✓ $$

✕ $$$$

Location

✓ We come to you

✕ You drive there

Wait Time

✓ 20-45 min

✕ 2-5 days

Same-Day

✓ Yes

✕ Rarely

All Keys Lost

✓ No problem

✕ Tow required

OEM Quality

✓ Yes

EZ Car Keyz wins 5 out of 6

Save hundreds without sacrificing quality

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2004 Dodge Stratus Transponder Key Replacement - Fast, Affordable & Professional

I was parked near the North Fillmore neighborhood on a Tuesday evening finishing up another call when a woman flagged me down. She had a 2004 Dodge Stratus and only one key left.

Not a lost-key situation yet, but close enough that it was keeping her up at night. She had already called the dealer earlier that week and been told to bring the car in, wait for an available appointment slot, and expect to pay quite a bit for a single spare.

She figured that was just the price of the transponder chip involved. A lot of people think that way with these older Dodge sedans because someone at a hardware store once told them the key was "just a regular key" and then the copy did not work. That experience makes owners assume only the dealer has the answer.

I pulled the correct key blank, cut it to her vehicle, and ran the programming sequence through the OBD port on site. The Stratus acknowledged the new key and she tested it herself, three start cycles, no hesitation.

The whole thing took about half an hour on her street in Fillmore. She saved a good chunk compared to the dealer quote, skipped the appointment wait, and left with a working spare before it was fully dark. The chip work sounds complicated until you watch someone do it in your driveway.

Save vs the Dealer on Your Dodge Stratus Key

Get your key for hundreds less than the dealer. Same quality, same result, better price.

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LCO#6792

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Also serving: Downtown Fillmore · Heritage Valley · North Fillmore

Dodge Stratus Rapid Response, Done Right

Rapid response in the field

2004 Dodge Stratus

Transponder Key | Programmed for Less

Quick & Affordable

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Available Today

Fillmore

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805 Area

Same-Day Keys (805) 790-8162

Savings That Speak for Themselves

Five-star reviews from budget-smart drivers

E

Eduardo S.

Jul 2023

★★★★★

“I just got my Dodge Dakota key cut and programmed in less than 15 minutes, amazing service I'm very satisfied!!”

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A

Angel L.

May 2026

★★★★★

“Very happy with the fast service replacing my lost car key for my dodge. Great price no unexpected charges. Highly recommended. Would call again if I need another service”

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J

Javiera M.

Nov 2022

★★★★★

“The locksmith was very fast and professional. YOU CANT BEAT THE PRICES! He answered all my questions with a friendly service”

Google Review

Best value 2004 Dodge Stratus key replacement review - EZ Car Keyz Fillmore CA

★ 5.0 out of 5 - Based on Over 1,400 five-star Google reviews

Best Price (805) 790-8162

Dodge Stratus Mobile Service FAQ

Real costs, no dealer surprises

I am locked out with no spare key. Can you come to me?▼

Yes. Call us and we come directly to wherever your 2004 Dodge Stratus is sitting in Fillmore, including North Fillmore. We carry the right key blanks and programming equipment to handle this on site. One thing worth knowing about the 2004 Stratus specifically: it is a transponder key vehicle with no app-based remote unlock tied to it. There is no connected-services account to call.