Question 1

How long does a Subaru dealer take for a replacement key on a 2006 Forester?

Accepted Answer

It depends on whether they have the blank in stock and how their service schedule looks. For an add-a-key on a 2006, some dealers can turn it around in a single appointment once the parts are there. But if the blank needs to be ordered by VIN, you're waiting on shipping first, then scheduling the programming appointment separately. Owners on Subaru forums have reported calling ahead, being told the blank is in stock, and showing up to find out it wasn't. On an all-keys-lost job, the dealer needs to confirm your ownership paperwork before they'll touch the programming side, which adds more back-and-forth. We come to you in Hollywood Beach, usually have the right blank on the van, and do the cut and program in one visit.

Question 2

What exactly is a transponder key and why does my 2006 Forester need one?

Accepted Answer

The key looks like a regular metal key, but there's a chip embedded in the plastic head. When you turn it in the ignition, the car reads that chip. If it matches what the immobilizer has stored, the engine is allowed to start. If it doesn't match, or if the chip isn't there at all, the car either won't start or cranks without firing.

This is why a hardware-store copy of your key will open the door just fine but won't start the car. The cut is right, but there's no chip, or the chip isn't programmed to your specific vehicle. On the 2006 Forester, the immobilizer light on the dash gives you a clue: if it stays on after you turn the key instead of going out, the system didn't accept the chip. That's the signal to call someone who can program a replacement rather than just cut one.

Question 3

Why does dealer key programming take so long compared to a mobile locksmith?

Accepted Answer

Three things slow dealers down on key jobs. First, they order parts through their own supply chain, and if a blank isn't sitting on the shelf it has to be sourced by VIN, which adds days before the appointment even happens. Second, their service writers treat key programming as a secondary job behind warranty work and scheduled maintenance, so you're booking into whatever slot is open, not getting prioritized. Third, ownership verification for lost-key situations adds paperwork time on their end.

A mobile locksmith working directly on your car skips all of that. The blank, the cut, and the programming happen in one visit, in your driveway or wherever the car is sitting. For a 2006 Forester, the whole job is well under an hour when it's add-a-key. Even all-keys-lost is a single appointment. No tow, no waiting room, no callback when the parts arrive.

Question 4

My 2006 Forester starts fine sometimes and then won't start other times. Could it be the key?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and this is actually one of the more common complaints on these years. Intermittent no-starts that seem random are a known symptom of a failing or damaged transponder chip. The chip doesn't have to be completely dead to cause problems. A cracked key head, a chip that's shifted inside the housing, or a chip that's just degraded over time can all produce inconsistent reads.

The pattern owners describe: car starts fine for weeks, then one morning it cranks but won't fire, then starts again an hour later like nothing happened. That cycle usually gets worse over time. The immobilizer security light behavior during the no-start tells you a lot. If it's staying solid when the car won't start, the system isn't recognizing the chip. If the light behaves normally and the car still won't fire, you're probably looking at something else entirely. Worth getting the key tested before chasing down other causes.

Question 5

Can I get a spare key made for my 2006 Forester without going to the dealer?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Add-a-key on this generation is a standard job. You don't need the dealer for it. Bring the car, your existing working key, and proof of ownership, and we can cut and program a second key on site. Having a spare is worth doing sooner rather than later because all-keys-lost on any transponder vehicle is a longer job than add-a-key. If you lose your only key, the process takes more time and more work. If you already have a spare, losing one key is a minor inconvenience instead of a situation where the car won't move.

2006 Subaru Forester
Key Replacement - Save vs Dealer in Ventura County

Licensed & Insured | Mobile Key Experts

2006 Subaru Forester
Key Options

Licensed Subaru Key Pro vs Dealership

2006 Subaru Forester Transponder Key Replacement - Fast, Affordable & Professional

Save vs the Dealer on Your Subaru Forester Key

Subaru Forester Rapid Response, Done Right

Why Subaru Customers Trust Us

Subaru Forester Mobile Service FAQ

Subaru Forester Key Service Areas

Trust the Pros for Your Subaru Forester Key

2006 Subaru ForesterKey Replacement - Save vs Dealer in Ventura County

Licensed & Insured | Mobile Key Experts

2006 Subaru ForesterKey Options