Nissan Altima key fob batteries typically last three to four years and cost between $3 and $10 to replace

The battery in your Nissan Altima key fob will eventually lose its charge. When your fob stops locking or unlocking the car from a distance, or the buttons become sluggish, the battery is usually the culprit. You can replace it yourself in under five minutes with no tools other than a coin or flathead screwdriver — the kind most people have at home.

Nissan Altima key fobs use a CR2032 battery, a coin-cell battery about the size of a dime. You can buy one at any pharmacy, grocery store, or hardware store for a few dollars. Some Altima owners find the battery at a Nissan dealership for slightly more, but there is no reason to pay the markup unless you want the convenience of a single stop.

Key Takeaways

  • Nissan Altima key fobs use a CR2032 coin-cell battery that you can buy at drugstores or supermarkets for $3 to $10.
  • The fob opens by prying the seam with a coin or flathead screwdriver — no special tools or dealership visit required.
  • The battery sits in a small metal holder; note which side faces up before you remove the old one so you install the new one the same way.
  • After you insert the new battery, test the lock and unlock buttons before you close the fob to make sure the battery is making contact.

What battery your Altima key fob uses

All recent Nissan Altima key fobs use the CR2032 battery. This is a standard coin-cell battery 20 millimeters in diameter and 3.2 millimeters thick. It is not specific to Nissan — the same battery powers watches, calculators, hearing aids, and dozens of other small devices. You will find it in the battery section of any drugstore, supermarket, or big-box retailer.

The CR2032 is one of the most common batteries made, so you have many choices in brand. Duracell, Energizer, Panasonic, and store brands all work equally well in a key fob. The difference in price between brands is usually less than a dollar, and there is no performance reason to choose one over another for this use.

How to open your key fob safely

The Nissan Altima key fob has a seam running around its edge. You will pry this seam open with a coin or a flathead screwdriver. A penny or dime works well; a flathead screwdriver gives you more leverage if the fob is tight. The goal is to separate the two plastic halves without cracking either one.

Hold the fob with the buttons facing you. Look for the seam — it runs horizontally around the middle of the fob. Insert your coin or screwdriver into the seam on one side and gently twist or pry. The two halves will separate. Work slowly; if you force it, you can crack the plastic. Once you have a small gap, you can often use your fingernail to finish separating the halves.

Inside, you will see a small circuit board and a metal battery holder. The CR2032 battery sits in this holder. Do not touch the circuit board or the metal contacts inside the fob — oils from your skin can interfere with the connection.

Removing and replacing the battery

Before you remove the old battery, note which side is facing up. The CR2032 has a positive side (marked with a +) and a negative side (marked with a −). The positive side should face up in the holder. If you install the new battery upside down, the fob will not work.

Gently pry the old battery out of the metal holder using your coin or screwdriver. It should come out easily. If it is stuck, do not force it — a gentle rocking motion usually frees it. Once the old battery is out, insert the new CR2032 with the positive side facing up, the same direction the old one was facing. You should hear or feel a small click as it seats in the holder.

Testing before you close the fob

Before you snap the fob back together, test the buttons. Press the lock button and listen for the car to lock. Press the unlock button and listen for the car to unlock. If the fob does not work, the battery may not be making good contact with the holder. Remove the battery, wipe both sides with a clean, dry cloth, and reinsert it. Test again.

If the fob still does not work after reinserting the battery, the battery holder or circuit board may be damaged. In that case, you will need a replacement fob from a Nissan dealership or a third-party supplier. But in most cases, the new battery will work when ready.

Reassembling the fob

Once the buttons work, align the two halves of the fob and press them together firmly. You will hear a click as they snap into place. The seam should be flush all the way around. If there is a gap, the halves are not fully seated — separate them and try again.

After reassembly, test the buttons one more time from inside your car to make sure everything is working. Lock and unlock the doors a few times. If the fob works smoothly, you are done. The new battery should last three to four years before you need to replace it again.

Where to buy a CR2032 battery

You can buy a CR2032 battery at a pharmacy (CVS, Walgreens), a supermarket (most have a battery section near the checkout), a hardware store (Home Depot, Lowe's), or online (Amazon, eBay). Prices range from $3 to $10 depending on the brand and where you shop. Store brands are usually the cheapest and work just as well as name brands.

A Nissan dealership will also sell you a CR2032, but the price is typically higher — often $8 to $15 — because you are paying for the dealership's markup. Unless you are already at the dealership for another reason, buying the battery elsewhere saves money and time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my key fob has two batteries?

Some older Nissan Altima fobs use two CR2032 batteries stacked on top of each other. If you open your fob and see two batteries, replace both. They are inexpensive, and replacing only one will not solve the problem if both are old.

Can I use a different battery size if I cannot find a CR2032?

No. The CR2032 is the correct size for your Altima fob, and substituting a different battery can damage the fob or cause it to malfunction. CR2032 batteries are widely available, so you should have no trouble finding one.

How do I know if the battery is dead or if the fob is broken?

If the buttons are unresponsive or very slow, the battery is almost certainly dead. If you replace the battery and the fob still does not work, the circuit board or button contacts may be damaged. A Nissan dealership can diagnose the problem and replace the fob if needed.

Will replacing the battery erase my fob's programming?

No. The battery powers the fob, but the programming that links it to your car is stored on the circuit board. Replacing the battery will not erase this programming, and your fob will work when ready after you install the new battery.