2013 Buick Regal Key Fob: Types, Replacement, and Programming Guide
The 2013 Buick Regal sat at the midpoint of GM's second-generation Regal run, built on the same Epsilon II platform that underpins the LaCrosse and Verano from the same era. That shared architecture matters for anyone dealing with a lost or worn-out key fob today, because parts suppliers and locksmiths often cross-reference these models when a listing doesn't specify the Regal by name. Owners searching for a 2013 Buick Regal key fob are usually dealing with one of two situations: a fob that still turns the ignition but has stopped locking or unlocking the doors, or a key that's been lost outright and needs full replacement plus programming. This guide covers what key hardware the 2013 Regal actually used, what a realistic replacement looks like, and where owners tend to go wrong.
What kind of key/fob the 2013 Regal uses
The 2013 Regal did not ship with a single, uniform key across the lineup, and that's worth stating plainly rather than glossing over. The configuration that shows up most consistently in parts listings and locksmith documentation is a flip key: a folding metal blade with an integrated remote head, carrying buttons for lock, unlock, trunk release, remote start, and panic — five buttons in total on the version most commonly sold as an OEM-style replacement. That remote is commonly listed under FCC ID OHT01060512, operating on 315 MHz, with GM part numbers such as 13500226 (and close variants like 13504200 and 13504204 turning up across different listings, which is typical for a part revised a few times during a model's production run). It uses a CR2032 coin-cell battery, the same size found in many other GM remotes from this period.
That flip key is documented by suppliers as "non-PEPS," meaning it still has to be inserted into the ignition to start the car — the remote buttons only handle the doors, trunk, and remote start. Separately, some parts catalogs also list a plain transponder key for the Regal with no remote buttons at all, which points to lower trims or earlier production runs having used a basic turn-key setup paired with a separate stand-alone remote rather than one combined flip key.
Where things get genuinely ambiguous is the top of the lineup. GM offered keyless access with push-button start on some Regal trims during this generation, and if your car has a start/stop button on the dash instead of a keyhole, you have a proximity smart key rather than the flip key described above — a fob you carry in your pocket that never needs to be inserted anywhere. A few retailer listings cross-reference FCC IDs in the V2T family alongside the OHT01060512 flip key for Regal-family vehicles, but a firm, independently verified FCC ID specific to the 2013 Regal's proximity fob wasn't something this guide could pin down with confidence. If your Regal has push-button start, don't assume the flip key part numbers above apply to you — check your existing key, the glovebox owner's manual, or have a locksmith confirm from the VIN before ordering.
Replacement options
Before ordering anything, look at what you actually have in hand — or in the driveway, if the key is truly gone. If you're replacing a flip key remote and still have the original blade or a working spare, an aftermarket or OEM-refurbished remote matched to the FCC ID and part number on your current fob is usually the straightforward path, and a locksmith can cut and program it in one visit. If all keys are lost, the job is bigger: the shop needs to supply a blank cut to your ignition (via the VIN or by decoding the lock), then program both the remote function and the vehicle's anti-theft transponder recognition, which on GM vehicles of this era typically requires dedicated programming equipment rather than a simple in-car sequence.
That's a distinction owners often miss: keyless entry (the remote buttons) and the anti-theft transponder (the chip that lets the engine actually start) are two separate systems that don't always program the same way. Supplier documentation for the Regal's flip key explicitly states that remote "must be programmed by a professional automotive locksmith or dealership," even though GM's own procedure allows an owner with one already-working key to add a second one from inside the car in some circumstances — cycling the working key through on and off, then inserting the new key within a short window. That self-programming path only works for adding a key when at least one good key already exists; it won't help if every key has been lost, and it doesn't necessarily pair the transponder chip if the new key is an aftermarket blank rather than one cut and chipped identically to the original. The general mechanics behind why programming involves more than pressing a few buttons are covered in this guide to how key fob programming works.
For the proximity/push-button trims, replacement is a dealership or specialty-locksmith job in nearly all cases, since these fobs require the vehicle's body control module to be put into a programming mode that isn't accessible with basic tools or a simple key-cycle trick.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is ordering a fob by year and model alone without checking whether the car uses the flip key or the push-button proximity system — the two aren't interchangeable, and a listing that only says "2013 Buick Regal" doesn't guarantee it matches your actual ignition type. A close second is assuming the DIY "add a key" trick works when every key has already been lost; that procedure requires a working key to start from and won't get a fully locked-out owner back on the road. It's also easy to buy a fob that matches the FCC ID but not the exact button layout your trim used — remote start versus no remote start, for instance — which can leave one button non-functional even after programming. Finally, because programming a flip key's remote function and programming its anti-theft transponder are separate steps, some owners program the buttons successfully, assume the job is done, and are then surprised the car still won't start; the transponder pairing is a distinct step a basic in-car sequence may not cover.
Frequently asked questions
What FCC ID does the 2013 Buick Regal key fob use?
The flip key remote most commonly documented for the 2013 Regal carries FCC ID OHT01060512, operating at 315 MHz. If your Regal has push-button start instead of a standard ignition, it uses a different proximity fob, and this guide could not confirm a single verified FCC ID for that variant — check your existing fob or have a locksmith pull it from the VIN.
What battery does the 2013 Regal key fob take?
The flip key remote uses a CR2032 coin-cell battery, a common size available at most pharmacies and hardware stores. Replacing it is usually as simple as prying open the fob's back cover with a small flathead screwdriver and swapping the cell.
Can I program a new key myself?
Only in a limited case: if you already have one working key, GM's procedure lets you add a second key from inside the car by cycling the working key through the ignition and inserting the new one within a short window, similar in spirit to the self-programming steps described for the 2010 Buick LaCrosse key fob. This does not work if all keys are lost, and it may not fully pair an aftermarket transponder chip.
What if I've lost all my keys?
You'll need a locksmith or dealership. They'll cut a new blade to your ignition or VIN, then program both the remote function and the anti-theft transponder using dedicated equipment — there's no owner-accessible workaround for a full lockout on this generation of Regal.
Does the 2013 Regal have push-button start?
Some trims from this generation offered keyless access with push-button start as an available feature, while others used a standard flip key and ignition cylinder. Which one your specific car has depends on trim and options, so check the dash for a start/stop button before assuming which key system applies — the two use different fobs and different replacement paths.
Is the 2013 Regal's key system similar to other Buicks from this era?
Broadly, yes — GM reused similar remote hardware and FCC ID families across several models sold alongside the Regal, including the 2015 Buick Encore and other Buick sedans of the period, though exact part numbers and button layouts still vary by model and trim. Don't assume a fob from a different Buick will be a drop-in match without verifying it against your specific part number.