1997 Ford Explorer
Key Made at Your Location in Ventura County

Q: How long does programming take once you are at my car?

Ford's PATS system enforces a built-in 10 minute security delay before the system will accept a new key. After that countdown, the actual key registration takes just a few minutes. If all keys are lost and we need to do a full erase, there may be one or two additional 10 minute waits depending on the model. Total on-car time typically runs 20 to 45 minutes. One Fusion owner reported a locksmith completing the entire job, including decoding, cutting, and programming, within an hour on the driveway.

Q: Can you make a key faster than the dealer?

Significantly faster. A 2017 Fusion owner was told the dealer needed the car for an entire day. A mobile locksmith did it in under an hour in the driveway. A Bronco owner spent an hour and a half sitting at the dealer just for a spare fob cut. Another Fusion owner had a locksmith create and program a key within an hour for $200. Ford dealer techs themselves say the actual work is 30 to 60 minutes, but the scheduling, parts ordering, and shop workflow can stretch the process to days. We carry Ford blanks and come to you same-day.

Q: How many buttons does the 1997 Ford Explorer key have?

Your 1997 Ford Explorer key has 3 buttons. The button count helps confirm exactly which fob your vehicle uses, since Ford uses different remotes across trim levels and model years. When you call us, having this detail ready helps us verify the right key before we head to your location so there are no mismatches when we arrive.

Q: What if I am stranded and need help right now?

Call us immediately. We treat stranded Ford owners as priority calls and aim to be at your location within about 30 minutes. A former Ford master tech on Reddit described how a mobile locksmith can handle an all-keys-lost Ford in roughly 40 minutes on the spot, versus the dealer route of towing, rentals, and days without the vehicle. One owner used AAA to get a mobile locksmith dispatched and only paid about $70 out of pocket versus a $450 dealer quote for their Explorer. We come to you, cut and program your key on site, and get you back on the road.

Mobile Locksmith | We Come to You

Available Wednesday

Mechanical Key

Licensed by the California BSIS, NASTF certified, Google Guaranteed, and backed by over 1,000 five-star reviews. When you call EZ Car Keyz, you're getting a verified professional.

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We Come to You No Towing Needed Home, Work, Roadside

Fast Response15-25

min arrival

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Call (805) 790-8162 Text Us

One-Visit Solution

Key cut and programmed in a single visit

Done in Under 1 Hour

Key cut and programmed in 20-45 minutes

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10% OFFCODE:EZ-805-2026

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REDEEM (805) 790-8162

1997 Ford Explorer
Key Options

Every key cut and programmed at your location

Mechanical Key

Budget

Surf Key

1997 Ford Explorer Mechanical Key Ford OEM Key 164-R0479

Key BlankFord OEM Key 164-R0479TypeEmergency BladePart #PART NUMBER: 164-R0479

Key BlankH75TypeEmergency Blade

◀12▶

‹ Swipe for more options ›

✓ In Stock · Cut On-Site

EZ Car Keyz technician holding a programmed car key

🔧 PRO TIP

Ford uses the PATS (Passive Anti-Theft System) immobilizer across its entire lineup. A hardware-store key copy will turn the ignition but the engine will crank and immediately die. Every Ford key replacement needs a programmed transponder chip, not just a cut blade.

We Come To You (805) 790-8162

Ford Explorer Key: Same-Day vs Days of Waiting

Same-day vs days of waiting - the choice is clear

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

Back on the road before the dealer even calls back

Same-Day Keys (805) 790-8162

1997 Ford Explorer Mechanical Key Replacement - Fast, Affordable & Professional

My van has everything I need to replace a 1997 Ford Explorer key without a shop. I carry HU101 key blanks, emergency blades, aftermarket and OEM-spec remote housings, batteries, transponder chips for every Ford generation, and a key cutting machine bolted to the floor. The van is the shop. It just has wheels.

A condo owner in Ventura called me because a tow truck physically couldn't reach his car. His Explorer was parked on the second level of an underground garage with a low ceiling and tight turns. No flatbed was getting in there. The dealer told him to figure out how to get the car out first. He couldn't because he had no working key. It was a catch-22.

I parked on the street and walked down with my tools. I used my VVDI2 to clone his existing transponder data onto a fresh chip, then cut the blade to match his lock. His fob, FCC ID , was a -button remote head key that I built and tested right there in the garage.

His car never moved. Total was around 95 compared to 200 at the dealer, and that dealer price assumed the car could somehow get there. I walked in with a bag, walked out 40 minutes later, and he drove out on his own.

Need a 1997 Ford Explorer Key? We Come to You

Our mobile locksmith comes to your home, office, or roadside. No towing, no hassle. Just call.

Schedule Now (805) 790-8162 Text Us

BSIS Licensed

LCO#6792

CA Bureau of Security & Investigative Services

NASTF Certified

National Automotive Service Task Force

Fully Insured

Liability & vehicle damage coverage

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Certified Pros at Work

Licensed, certified, and proven

1997 Ford Explorer

Key | BSIS Verified

10-15 min

Reliable ETA

Available Today

Ventura

Trusted Locally

805 Area

Certified Pro (805) 790-8162

Reviews From Happy Ford Customers

Mobile service that comes to you

G

Gregorio P.

May 2021

★★★★★

“Steve was incredibly helpful when I lost my car keys. He came out the exact same day and I only waited about 30 minutes. I really needed to get to work and he completely saved me.”

Google Review

W

Winter K.

Dec 2025

★★★★★

“I lost my key and called EZ Car Keyz. Marco was great. He arrived quickly, explained everything clearly, and kept me informed throughout the entire process. The service was fast, professional, and fairly priced.”

Google Review

A

A. G.

Jun 2025

★★★★★

“A friend lost my Lexus key and he was able to program and cut a brand new one within 20 minutes. Arrived within about 40 minutes and was friendly, efficient, and quick.”

Google Review

EZ Car Keyz technician with satisfied customer

★ 5.0 out of 5 - Based on 1,000+ Google Reviews

Easy Booking (805) 790-8162

Ford Explorer Same-Day Service Questions

How mobile key service works

What if I need a Ford key after hours or on the weekend?▼

Call us. Ford dealer service departments typically operate Monday through Friday with limited Saturday hours. If you lose your only Ford key on a Friday night, the dealer cannot help until the next business day at the earliest, and that assumes they have the fob in stock and can fit you into the schedule. Owners report multi-week waits even during regular hours. We work nights and weekends because that is when most people discover they need a key.

How long does programming take once you are at my car?▼

Can you make a key faster than the dealer?▼

How many buttons does the 1997 Ford Explorer key have?▼

What if I am stranded and need help right now?▼

Questions? Call (805) 790-8162