The Ford Explorer key fob has 6 main variants since the vehicle’s first release in the early 90s. Here’s how to replace the key fob battery for each year / fob version of the Ford Explorer and what battery you will need to buy. Need another Ford key battery?
| Model | Trims | Generation | Years | Key Fob Type | SubType | Rechargeable? Ease of change | Battery | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer | Cologne V6, Modular V8, XLS, XLT, NBX, Eddie Bauer, Limited, Sport Value, Sport choice, Sport Premium, Sport Trac, Sport Trac Adrenalin | 3rd and 4th | 2002. 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 | Square Fob | No Key | No | CR2032 | Check on Amazon |
| Explorer | Ford Explorer Sport, EcoBoost 2.0 I4, EcoBoost 2.3 I4, Duratec 35 V6, EcoBoost 3.5 TT V6, Sport, Limited, Platinum | 5th | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 | Rounded Key | CR2032 | Check on Amazon | ||
| Explorer | 5th | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 | Slim Smart Key | CR2032 | Check on Amazon | |||
| Explorer | Ford Explorer Sport, EcoBoost 2.0 I4, EcoBoost 2.3 I4, Duratec 35 V6, EcoBoost 3.5 TT V6, Sport, Limited, Platinum | 5th | 2016, 2017 | Rounded Rectangle | Flip Key | No | CR2032 | Check on Amazon |
| Explorer | 5th | 2016, 2017 | Rounded Rectangle | Internal Valet Key | No | Two CR2025 | Check on Amazon | |
| Explorer | 5th | 2018, 2019 | Smart Key | Pull Out Valet Key | No | CR2450 | Check on Amazon |
I created a video to show how to replace every single key fob battery in the Ford Explorer since 2002. Here’s the video that shows how I replace the batteries in all 6 fobs:
Every Ford Explorer Key Fob
Also, you can click your Explorer model year or battery picture to jump to a specific tutorial for that Ford Explorer key fob:
Square Fob: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Rounded Key: 2011,2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Slim Smart Key: 2011,2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Rounded Rectangle Flip Key: 2016, 2017
Rounded Rectangle w/Internal Valey Key: 2016, 2017
Smart Key w/Pull-Out Valet Key: 2018, 2019
How To Replace the 2018, 2019 Ford Explorer Smart Key Fob Battery
This newer smart key fob with a pull out valet key was used in newer ford Explorer models in 2018 and 2019 years for the 5th generation of the Explorer. This key will remote unlock the Explorer and contains an easy to change CR2450 battery.
Check Rounded Key Fob Battery CR 2450 on Amazon
Here’s a video on replacing the battery in the 2018, 2019 Ford Explorer smart key fob:
How To Replace the 2015, 2016 Ford Explorer Smart Key Fob Battery with the Internal Valet Key
This key fob contains two internal CR2025 batteries and can be difficult to replace. Here’s my video on changing this key fob. It contains an internal valet key:
Check CR 2050 Batteries on Amazon
How To Replace the 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 Ford Explorer Slim Smart Key Fob Battery
Replacing this smart key battery is easy. There is a small latch on the back of the key. It takes a CR2032 battery. Here’s a quick video I made on how to change this fob for your explorer:
Check Smart Key Fob Battery CR 2032 on Amazon
How To Replace the 2016, 2017 Ford Explorer Flip Key Fob Battery
This key fob contains a flip key, and would be considered more of a “dumb” key vs the “smart key”. It can still unlock the car, but doesn’t contain more of the fancy unlock in your pocket type features, you have to actually press the button.
Check Flip Key Fob Battery CR 2032 on Amazon
Here’s a video on replacing the battery in the 2016, 2017 Ford Explorer Flip Key fob:
How To Replace the 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 Ford Explorer Rounded Key Fob Battery
This key fob contains the key integrated into the fob, there is not hidden valet key. It doesn’t have an easy pop off back, but the key itself is fairly easy to pry apart. You may want some superglue once the battery is replaced to secure the two pieces of the fob back together more permanently.
Check Rounded Key Fob Battery CR 2032 on Amazon
Here’s a video on replacing the battery in the 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 Ford Explorer Rounded Key Fob Battery:
How To Replace the 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 Ford Explorer Square Fob Battery
This square fob does not contain a key at all, just a remote unlock/lock/alarm/4th button (possibly to open trunk). This 4-button remote fob is easy to replace the battery in, but does require some pulling part of the fob that can be a bit tricky.
Check Rounded Key Fob Battery CR 2032 on Amazon
Here’s a video on replacing the battery in the 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 Ford Explorer Square Fob Battery: