Question 1

How long does the Subaru dealer usually take for a key replacement?

Accepted Answer

It depends heavily on whether the fob is in stock and what situation you are in. If you have a working key and just need a spare, some dealers can turn it around the same day once a tech is free. More often, the specific fob gets ordered by VIN and a separate programming appointment gets scheduled, so you are looking at days, not hours.

All-keys-lost is a different level of wait. On newer push-button models, some dealers remove the security module entirely and ship it back to the manufacturer for reprogramming. Owners on forums report that round trip alone running two weeks, and that is before you factor in the return appointment to reinstall and cut a new key.

For the 2007 Legacy, the process is simpler than that. But dealers still have scheduling backlogs, and key work often gets slotted in around bigger jobs. With me, an add-a-key on this car is typically done on site in under an hour, at your location in Oxnard.

Question 2

What exactly is a transponder key and why does my 2007 Legacy need one?

Accepted Answer

A transponder key has a small chip inside the plastic head. When you turn the key, the car sends a signal to that chip and the chip sends back a code. If the code matches what the immobilizer expects, the engine starts. If it does not match, or if the chip is missing entirely, the engine either will not crank or will fire briefly and die.

For the 2007 Legacy, a key that is cut correctly but never programmed is useless for starting the car. The blade gets you into the door. The chip gets the engine running. Both have to be right.

The fob on this generation is separate from the ignition function. It handles your remote door locks, but losing fob function does not stop you from starting the car as long as the key itself is still enrolled.

Question 3

Why does the dealer take so long on Subaru key replacements?

Accepted Answer

Three bottlenecks, and they stack.

First, dealers often need to order the fob by VIN. If it is not sitting on the shelf, you wait for the part before the appointment even gets scheduled.

Second, the programming side requires their factory diagnostic software, and that tech's time gets slotted around larger service jobs. Key work is rarely the priority.

Third, on newer push-button Subaru models with an all-keys-lost situation, some dealers cannot complete the job in house at all. They pull the security module and ship it out for reprogramming, with owners reporting turnaround times of roughly two weeks just for that step.

The 2007 Legacy does not have those newer module complications. But the scheduling and parts-ordering delays still apply. A job that takes me under an hour on your driveway in Mandalay Beach can easily turn into a multi-day dealer ordeal.

Question 4

I bought a replacement key online. Do I still need someone to program it?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Cutting and programming are two separate steps, and an unprogrammed key will not start your Legacy no matter how well the blade is cut. The transponder chip inside the key head has to be enrolled to your specific car's immobilizer. Buying the blank online is fine, but that blank still needs to be cut to your vehicle and then programmed with the right equipment before it does anything useful.

Bring it along when you call. I can work with a blank you already have.

Question 5

Can I start my 2007 Legacy if the fob stops working but I still have the key?

Accepted Answer

Yes. On this generation, the fob and the ignition key are independent. The fob handles remote lock and unlock. The key blade and its transponder chip handle starting the car. A dead fob battery or a failed fob means you are unlocking the door manually with the key blade, but the engine start function is completely unaffected as long as the key itself is still programmed to the car.

Where people get confused is when both fail at the same time, which can feel like one big problem but is usually two small ones. Dead fob battery is the most common call I get on these.

2007 Subaru Legacy
Key Replacement - Save vs Dealer in Ventura County

On-Site in Minutes | Key Done in Under an Hour

2007 Subaru Legacy
Key Options

Subaru Legacy Key Today vs Next Thursday

2007 Subaru Legacy Transponder Key Replacement - Fast, Affordable & Professional

Save vs the Dealer on Your Subaru Legacy Key

Subaru Legacy Rapid Response, Done Right

Fast Service, Five-Star Reviews

Subaru Legacy Mobile Service FAQ

Subaru Legacy Key Service Areas

Same-Day Subaru Legacy Key Replacement

2007 Subaru LegacyKey Replacement - Save vs Dealer in Ventura County

On-Site in Minutes | Key Done in Under an Hour

2007 Subaru LegacyKey Options