Find my battery
Key fob battery

Honda Accord Key Fob Battery — Type & 2-Minute Replacement

Most Honda Accord smart keys (push-button-start models, 2013 and newer) use a CR2032 3-volt coin cell. Older flip/clicker remotes use a CR1620 (some 2008–2012 fobs use a CR1616). To be sure, pop the fob open and read the number printed on the old cell. Replacing it takes about two minutes, costs a few dollars, and does not require any reprogramming.

Opened generic car key fob with a coin-cell battery and small pry tool
Open the fob, match the printed coin-cell number, and reinstall the new cell in the same orientation.

Which battery does my Accord key fob take?

It’s set by fob style, not just model year — so a higher trim from an early year can use a smart key while a base trim of the same year uses a bladed remote. Match by style, then confirm by the code on the old cell:

Fob styleTrims / years (typical)Coin cell
Smart key — oval remote, push-button start, keyless entryEX-L, Touring, higher trims; ~2013–presentCR2032
Bladed flip / remote key — flip-out metal keyLX, Sport, lower trimsCR1620
Older gen-8 remote (2008–2012)base remotes of that eraCR1616 (verify — some are CR1620)

The printed code on the dead cell is the final word. CR2032 / CR1620 / CR1616 are all 3V lithium coin cells but different thicknesses — the last two digits are millimetres of height (2032 = 3.2 mm, 1620 = 2.0 mm, 1616 = 1.6 mm). Using the wrong thickness means a loose or crushed fit, so match the number exactly.

Replacing an older flip / bladed remote (CR1620 / CR1616)

  1. Find the seam or screw. Many flip keys have a small Phillips screw near the keyring loop; others just split along a seam.
  2. Open the shell. Remove the screw (if present) and gently pry the halves apart at the seam.
  3. Pop out the circuit module if needed to reach the cell, note the orientation, and swap in the matching CR1620 (or CR1616 for some 2008–2012 remotes).
  4. Reassemble, replace the screw, and test.

Do I need to reprogram the fob after changing the battery?

No. The fob’s transponder ID is stored on its circuit board, not the battery — so swapping the coin cell doesn’t erase anything. Your remote keeps working immediately. (Reprogramming is only needed when you buy a brand-new fob or one is lost — that’s a different job.)

My fob still doesn’t work after a new battery — now what?

  • Re-seat the cell — the most common miss. Make sure it’s the correct side up and fully under the clip.
  • Check you used the right cell (and that the new one isn’t a dud from an old multipack).
  • Clean the contacts — a tiny bit of corrosion or a fingerprint’s oil can break contact; wipe with a dry cloth.
  • Try the buttons up close — if it works at 1 foot and not at 20, the fob may be failing, not the battery.
  • Use the mechanical key / push-to-start backup — a dead fob still starts the car: hold the fob against the start button (smart key) or use the hidden blade to unlock. If nothing works after a known-good battery, the fob itself or the car’s receiver may need a dealer/locksmith.

What to buy

You only need a 3V lithium coin cell in the right size — any major brand (Energizer, Duracell, Panasonic, Sony/Murata) is fine. Multipacks are the best value since you’ll do this again (and other remotes around the house use the same cells).

If the problem turns out to be the car’s battery (engine won’t crank, not just the remote), see the main Honda Accord battery guide, the battery replacement guide, and the best battery picks.

Replace a smart key battery (CR2032) — 2-minute steps

Most Accords (2013 and newer) are smart keys. Here’s the swap, start to finish:

Opened key fob shell with coin-cell battery ready for replacement
The fob battery swap needs only a small pry tool and the matching coin cell.
  1. Slide out the emergency key — press the small release latch on the back and pull the metal blade free.
  2. Split the case: insert the metal blade (or a coin or plastic pry tool) into the seam where the blade came out and gently twist — don't pry sideways. The two halves pop apart.
  3. Note the orientation, then lift the old cell out. On most Accord fobs the + (writing) side faces down toward the circuit board — check before you remove it.
  4. Drop in the new CR2032 the same way (correct side up), pressing it under the retaining clip until it's flush.
  5. Snap the case shut, reinsert the emergency blade, and test all the buttons from a few feet away.

Frequently asked questions

What battery does a Honda Accord key fob take?
Most Accord smart keys (push-button-start, 2013 and newer) use a CR2032 3-volt coin cell. Older flip or clicker remotes use a CR1620, and some 2008–2012 remotes use a CR1616. Open the fob and read the number printed on the old battery to be certain before buying.
Do I need to reprogram my Honda fob after changing the battery?
No. The fob's code is stored on its circuit board, not the battery, so a battery swap doesn't erase it — the remote works right away. Reprogramming is only needed for a brand-new or replacement fob, not for a routine coin-cell change.
How do I open a Honda Accord key fob?
Slide out the metal emergency key, then insert the blade into the seam where it came from and gently twist to pop the two halves apart. Don't pry sideways. Swap the coin cell (correct side up), snap it shut, and reinsert the emergency key.
Why isn't my key fob working after I changed the battery?
Usually the cell is in the wrong way, not fully seated, the wrong size, or a dud. Re-seat it correct-side-up, confirm the size against the old one, and clean the contacts. If it still fails up close, the fob or the car's receiver — not the battery — may be the problem.
How much is a Honda Accord key fob battery?
Just a few dollars. A single CR2032 is about $1–$3, and a multipack of 4–6 is often the better value since you'll reuse them. You don't need a Honda-branded cell — any major-brand 3V lithium coin cell in the correct size works identically.

Sources