Always pulling up to the gym, clicking the fob a hundred times, and your Durango just sits there like it forgot who you are? Happened to me last winter at 5 a.m. – dead fob, freezing hands, and zero patience. Turns out the fix is stupid-easy and costs about three bucks. If your Dodge Durango key fob is acting lazy or completely dead, here’s exactly how to swap that battery without breaking anything.
Key Takeaways
Grab a CR2032 battery, flip the fob over, pop out the metal key, slide the back cover down with your thumb, lift the old battery out with a small flat tool or fingernail, drop the new battery in positive-side up, snap the cover back on, slide the metal key in, and test the buttons. Whole job takes under one minute once you do it the first time.
What You Actually Need (No Fancy Stuff)
Most people run to the dealer and pay $100 for something you can do in the driveway. All you really need is one common battery and something flat to pry with. The battery is a CR2032 – same one in millions of car fobs, watches, and computer motherboards. You can buy a two-pack at any gas station, Walmart, or dollar store for $3–5. Don’t let anyone sell you some “special Dodge battery” – it’s the exact same coin cell.
For tools, your fingernail usually works fine. If the cover feels stuck, grab a plastic pry tool (the kind that comes with phone screen protectors) or even a butter knife wrapped in painter’s tape so you don’t scratch the plastic. Never use a bare screwdriver – one slip and you’ll have an ugly mark forever. I keep a little kit in my glovebox: two spare CR2032 batteries and a plastic spudger. Takes zero space and has saved me three times already.
A lot of Durango owners panic when they see the tiny clip inside. Relax – nothing breaks if you go slow. The fob is designed to open hundreds of times. Dodge even put little arrows on the back showing exactly where to slide. Once you know the trick, you’ll laugh at how simple it is.
- CR2032 battery only (3-volt coin cell)
- Plastic pry tool or taped flat screwdriver
- Clean hands or a towel so you don’t drop the tiny battery in the snow
Finding the Hidden Release (Most People Miss This)
Turn the fob over so the buttons face down. See that little silver metal key? Press the chrome button on the side and pull the key out – it slides straight out like a pocket knife. Now look at the spot where the key was. There’s a tiny slot that looks like it does nothing. That’s your secret door.
Some 2014–2020 Durangos have a super-tight fit from the factory. If yours feels glued, don’t force it yet. Warm the fob in your hand for thirty seconds or breathe on it like you’re fogging glasses. Plastic gets more flexible when it’s warm and you’ll feel it loosen right up.
Once the metal key is out, put it somewhere safe – the kitchen table, your pocket, anywhere you won’t lose it. That key is your backup if the battery dies completely and you need to unlock the door the old-school way or start the truck by holding the fob against the push-button.
- Press chrome button → pull metal key completely out
- Look for tiny notch where the key lived
- Warm fob in hand if it feels stuck
Opening the Fob Without Breaking a Single Clip
Here’s where most YouTube videos make it look scary. It’s not. Put your thumb in the notch where the key was and push the back cover DOWN toward the bottom of the fob (the opposite end from the buttons). It slides about a quarter inch and then pops free. That’s it.
If it still won’t budge, slide a plastic tool into the seam on the side and gently wiggle – never pry hard. The cover is held by four tiny plastic clips that flex, not metal ones that snap. I’ve opened mine fifty times and it still clicks shut perfectly.
Once the back is off, you’ll see the battery just sitting there like a shiny silver coin. Under it is a little rubber gasket – don’t lose that. Some fobs have a tiny circuit board; don’t touch the gold parts with greasy fingers. Just lift the old battery straight up. It usually sticks a bit because of the metal clip holding it.
- Thumb in the key slot → slide cover DOWN
- Use plastic tool only if needed, never metal
- Four soft clips hold it – they flex, they don’t break
Removing the Old Battery the Safe Way
The battery is held by a small metal spring clip. Push the clip gently to the side with your fingernail or plastic tool and the battery pops right out. If it’s really stuck, tilt the fob and let gravity help. Never dig at it with anything sharp – you might bend the clip and then the new battery won’t make good contact.
Check the old battery for corrosion – little green or white crusty stuff. If you see any, wipe the contacts with a cotton swab and a drop of rubbing alcohol. Takes ten seconds and prevents weird button problems later. I once skipped this step and my lock button worked only half the time for a month.
Look at the old battery to confirm it says CR2032. Some older Durangos used a CR2025 (thinner) but 2014 and newer are almost all 2032. Using the wrong thickness can make the buttons feel mushy or not work at all.
- Push spring clip aside → battery lifts out
- Check for green corrosion and clean if needed
- Confirm CR2032 (not 2025)
Installing the New Battery Correctly Every Time
Grab your fresh CR2032. The writing and the plus sign (+) must face UP toward you. If you put it in backward, the fob simply won’t work – no damage, just no lights or clicks. Slide the battery under the two little metal tabs first, then press down until the spring clip clicks over it. You’ll hear or feel a tiny snap.
Give the buttons a quick test before you close it. Press lock and unlock a couple times. You should see the red LED light up strong. If nothing happens, flip the battery around – ninety-nine percent of “it still doesn’t work” complaints are upside-down batteries.
Wipe any fingerprints off the battery with your shirt. Oil from your skin can make the connection flaky over time. Takes two seconds and keeps everything working perfectly for years.
- Plus side (+) and writing face UP
- Slide under tabs → press until spring clicks
- Test buttons before closing
Snapping It All Back Together Like Factory New
Place the back cover on at a slight angle and slide it UP toward the buttons until it clicks four times – one click for each clip. It should feel exactly like it did from the factory. If it feels loose, one clip didn’t catch; just slide it off and try again.
Push the metal key back in until it clicks. You’re done. Total time from start to finish is usually forty-five to sixty seconds once you’ve done it once. Throw the old battery in the recycling bin at the parts store – most places take them for free.
Walk out to your Durango and test every button from twenty feet away. The range should be back to normal instantly. No reprogramming, no dealer visit, no nonsense.
- Slide cover UP until four clicks
- Push metal key fully in
- Test from normal distance – range returns instantly
Final Thoughts
Changing the battery in your Dodge Durango key fob is one of those jobs that feels intimidating until you do it the first time – then you realize it’s easier than replacing a AA in a TV remote. Keep two spare CR2032 batteries in the glovebox and you’ll never be locked out again. Takes less than a minute, costs almost nothing, and saves you a trip to the dealership every couple years. Do it once and you’ll wonder why you ever worried.
| Action | Exact Detail | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Battery type | CR2032 only (3V coin) | Buy lithium, not cheap alkaline |
| Open fob | Pull metal key → slide back cover DOWN | Warm fob in hand if cold/stuck |
| Pry tool | Plastic preferred | Wrap metal in tape if you must use it |
| Battery direction | Plus (+) and writing face UP | Test buttons before closing |
| Clean contacts | Cotton swab + rubbing alcohol | Fixes 90% of “still not working” issues |
| Reassemble | Slide cover UP until 4 clicks | Feels loose? One clip missed – redo it |
| Test range | Walk 20–30 feet away | Weak range = battery in backward |
| Spare storage | Keep 2 extras in glovebox | Add tiny plastic tool while you’re at it |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it the same process for every Dodge Durango year?
Pretty much yes from 2011 to 2025. The 3rd-gen Durango (2011–2025) all use the same fob style and CR2032 battery. Only the very first 1998–2003 models were different. If your fob has the metal flip key that pulls out, these exact steps work perfectly.
Can I use a CR2025 instead of CR2032?
You can, but don’t. The 2025 is thinner, so the spring clip won’t press tight and you’ll get random button failures. I tried it once to “get by” and my wife was clicking the fob like a angry woodpecker. Spend the extra fifty cents and get the right thickness.
Do I need to reprogram the fob after changing the battery?
Never. The key fob keeps its code even with a dead battery. As soon as the new CR2032 is in correctly, everything works again. No dealer, no scanning tool, nothing. People who tell you otherwise are trying to sell you something.
Is it safe to pry with a small screwdriver?
Only if you wrap the tip in electrical tape or painter’s tape first. Bare metal leaves scratches that drive you crazy later. Plastic guitar picks or the free tools from iFixit kits are perfect and cost almost nothing.
Can the fob get water damaged when I open it?
Only if you drop it in a puddle while it’s open. The rubber gasket inside keeps rain out when closed. I’ve changed mine in the rain plenty of times – just keep the open side up and you’re fine.
Do I have to reset anything in the truck after?
Nope. No clocks, no radio stations, no key programming – nothing. The truck doesn’t even know the fob battery died. Life goes right back to normal the second you press the button.
Is it normal for the battery to last only 1–2 years?
Totally normal in cold climates or if you mash the buttons a lot. Heat and frequent use kill these coin cells fast. Keeping a spare in the glovebox is cheaper than one tow truck call.
Can I change it with gloves on in winter?
Yes, but thin mechanic gloves work better than big puffy ones. The cover needs thumb pressure to slide, so bulky gloves make it harder. I keep a pair of nitrile gloves in the door pocket for exactly this.
