2015 Buick Encore Key Fob: Types, Replacement, and Programming Guide

If you drive a 2015 Buick Encore and your key fob has stopped working, gone missing, or you simply want a spare, you're dealing with one of GM's early small-crossover key systems. The 2015 Encore belongs to the first-generation body style that ran from 2013 through 2019, before the nameplate was carried over to the redesigned Encore GX starting in 2021 — so getting the right replacement means matching your specific car, not just the model name. Parts listings for this model year show real inconsistency in FCC IDs and part numbers between sellers, which is worth understanding before you order anything. Here's what's actually confirmed about the 2015 Encore's key fob, plus how to replace and program one without paying for the wrong part.

What kind of key/fob the 2015 Encore uses

The 2015 Buick Encore was most commonly equipped with a flip key, also called a switchblade key: a folding metal blade built into a remote fob housing buttons for lock, unlock, panic, and, on cars with the optional package, remote start or liftgate release. Replacement fobs sold for this model year come in three- and five-button versions, which lines up with the remote start option GM offered on the Encore during this generation.

Parts retailers list more than one FCC ID against 2015 Encore flip keys, including OHT01060512, KR55WK500733, and AVL-B01T1AC, alongside a cluster of GM part numbers such as 13585811, 13585814, 13504265, 13504199, 13504259, 13504204, 13500227, and 13576144. That spread isn't a listing error — GM used more than one supplier and made running changes across the 2013–2018 Encore generation, so more than one FCC ID and part number combination is genuinely correct depending on exactly when your car was built. Confirm which one you need by reading the part number stamped on your existing fob, even a broken one, or have a locksmith or parts supplier look it up from your VIN, rather than trusting whichever FCC ID happens to be a listing's headline.

A few sellers also list a proximity "smart key" with push-button start under the general "Buick Encore" heading. We couldn't confirm that this applies specifically to the 2015 model year rather than a different Encore year or trim, so treat it with caution. If your car starts with a traditional key-turn ignition and uses a folding blade key, you almost certainly have the flip key system described above, not a proximity key — check your current key and ignition before ordering.

Whatever type you have, the remote itself runs on a CR2032 3-volt lithium coin cell, the battery consistently named across parts retailers and replacement guides for this generation of Encore fob. If your remote only works when held close to the car, or responds inconsistently, a weak battery is the first thing to rule out — see our guide to key fob battery types, warning signs, and replacement steps before assuming the whole fob has failed.

Replacement options

There are three realistic paths to a working fob for a 2015 Encore, and the right one depends mostly on whether you still have at least one working key.

If you have a working key, buy an aftermarket or used OEM flip key matched to your existing fob's part number, have the blade cut to your ignition — a locksmith or key-cutting counter can do this from the original — and self-program the remote using GM's in-vehicle procedure, described in the FAQ below. This is usually the least expensive route, since it skips labor charges for programming.

If you've lost every key, self-programming isn't available on GM vehicles of this era, because the in-car procedure requires an already-programmed key to start it. You'll need either the dealer, who can cut and program a new key from your VIN and proof of ownership, or a mobile automotive locksmith with the right programming tool, who can usually do the same job on-site, often faster than a dealer visit. Locksmiths rely on dedicated key programmer hardware to write the new fob's data into the vehicle's security module; our key fob programmer devices buyer's guide covers what that equipment looks like and how professionals pick between tool types.

Either way, it helps to know what "programming" actually involves before paying for it or attempting it yourself, since the process, timing windows, and failure points differ by manufacturer — our overview of how key fob programming works walks through what to expect regardless of which route you take.

Common mistakes to avoid

A handful of mistakes account for most of the wasted money and frustration owners run into with this repair:

• Buying by a single FCC ID without checking the part number. Because more than one FCC ID legitimately fits this Encore generation, ordering strictly off a listing's headline FCC ID instead of matching your stamped part number or VIN is how people end up with a fob that looks right but won't pair.
• Assuming self-programming works with zero working keys. It doesn't on this platform. If every key is lost or stolen, skip the DIY attempts and go straight to a locksmith or dealer; repeated failed attempts can sometimes lock the security system out of the procedure temporarily.
• Ordering an uncut fob and expecting it to work in the ignition. Aftermarket flip keys commonly ship with a blank, uncut blade. Cutting and programming are separate steps, and both need to happen before the key functions.
• Replacing the whole fob when the battery is the real problem. A fading CR2032 causes exactly the symptoms — short range, inconsistent locking and unlocking — that lead people to assume the fob itself has failed.
• Confusing US and Canadian rules. GM's self-programming procedure is generally available to US owners who have a working key; Canadian-market Encores are set up so a dealer handles new key programming even when a working key is present.
• Assuming your trim has push-button start. If your Encore starts by turning a key rather than pressing a button, don't order a proximity smart key by mistake — confirm your ignition type first.

Frequently asked questions

What battery does a 2015 Buick Encore key fob use?

A CR2032 3-volt lithium coin cell is the battery consistently listed across parts retailers and replacement guides for this generation of Encore remote. It's inexpensive and available at most pharmacies, hardware stores, and auto parts retailers.

Can I program a new key fob myself?

Yes, if you already have one working, programmed key. GM's documented US procedure involves inserting the working key and cycling the ignition to ON and back to OFF, then inserting the new key and turning it to ON within about five seconds; a change in the security light typically confirms the new key has been accepted. If you don't already have a working key, this procedure won't work, and you'll need professional help instead.

What FCC ID or part number should I order?

Rather than trusting a single number, check the part number printed on your current fob's case or circuit board, even if it's damaged, and match a replacement to that exact number. Reputable parts sellers and locksmiths can also look up the correct fob from your VIN, which avoids the guesswork created by the several FCC IDs — OHT01060512, KR55WK500733, and AVL-B01T1AC among them — that circulate for this Encore generation.

Does the 2015 Buick Encore have push-button start?

The commonly documented key system for this model year is a traditional flip key used in a key-turn ignition, not a proximity smart key. Some listings do reference a push-button-start proximity key under the general Encore name, but we couldn't confirm that applies to the 2015 model year specifically. Check your current key and ignition before ordering rather than assuming either configuration.

What if I've lost all my keys?

You'll need a dealer or a mobile automotive locksmith. Both can cut a new blade and program the remote using your vehicle's VIN and proof of ownership, and a locksmith can typically do this on-site without towing the car in. There's no legitimate way to self-program a first key when none are left.

How much does a replacement typically cost?

Cost varies significantly by route: dealer replacement, which includes both the part and programming labor, tends to be the most expensive; an independent locksmith is usually less; and buying an aftermarket fob yourself and self-programming it, when you still have a working key, is normally the cheapest option because it avoids labor charges entirely. Ask for a quote based on your specific situation — whether you need cutting, programming, or both changes the price considerably.