A lost Tesla key card isn’t an emergency as long as you still have one working key — your phone key, a key fob, or your other key card. Here’s the order to handle it in.
1. Remove the lost card first
Before you do anything else, remove the lost card’s access from the car. On the touchscreen, go to Controls > Locks, find the lost card in your list of keys, and tap the trash icon next to it. You’ll be asked to scan a working key on the card reader to confirm the deletion. Once it’s removed, that card can no longer unlock or start your car.
One limitation to know: Tesla won’t let you delete your last remaining key, so if the card you lost is the only key paired to the car, you’ll need a service appointment instead (more on that below).
2. Order a replacement
Tesla sells replacement key cards through the Tesla Shop, the Tesla app, or in person at a Service Center parts desk. As of mid-2026, a pair of replacement cards runs about $35 plus tax, which covers Model 3, Model Y, and newer Model S/X built from 2021 on, plus Cybertruck — check the current price in the Tesla Shop before you order, since it can change. Processing and shipping typically take a few business days on top of carrier transit time.
3. Pair the new card
Once your replacement arrives, pairing it takes a couple of minutes and costs nothing extra. You have two options:
- From the touchscreen: Controls > Locks > Keys > Add Key, then scan the new card where your car’s card reader sits (the location varies by build date — usually the center console or near the cupholders). You’ll confirm the pairing with an already-working key.
- From the Tesla app: Open the app, go to Security & Drivers, and tap Add Key Card, then scan the new card.
If you’ve lost every key
If the card you lost was your only working key — no phone key set up, no fob, no second card — you can’t pair a replacement yourself, since pairing requires an existing authenticated key. In that case, schedule a service appointment through the app and Tesla will replace and pair your keys for you.
Worth doing once you’re back up and running: set up your phone as a key if you haven’t already, and keep a second physical card somewhere other than your wallet. That way losing one key doesn’t mean losing access to your car.
Photo by Mix and Match Studio.