--- title: "Ford Explorer Key Fob Battery" description: "How the Ford Explorer key fob battery specification changed from 2012 to 2025, compared generation by generation. The Ford Explorer key fob takes a CR2450 (2020-2025 Intelligent Access fob; some manuals/fobs differ. Check the old cell when you open it) coin cell. How to open the fob without breaking it, and which substitutions actually work." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/key-fob-battery" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # Ford Explorer Key Fob Battery Type and Replacement The specification is not the same across every year we cover, the table below shows exactly where it changes. ## Has the Ford Explorer key fob battery specification changed by year? | Model years | Fob battery | | --- | --- | | [2020-2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/key-fob-battery) | CR2450 (2020-2025 Intelligent Access fob; some manuals/fobs differ. Check the old cell when you open it) | | [2012-2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/key-fob-battery) | CR2032 (both the flip-key remote and the Intelligent Access fob) | ## Full specifications by generation The key fob battery on a Ford Explorer is set by its generation, not its model year, so each generation has one page carrying the complete figures, part numbers and fitment notes for every year it covers. - [2020-2025 Ford Explorer Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/key-fob-battery) - [2012-2019 Ford Explorer Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/key-fob-battery) ## Ford Explorer key fob battery: common questions ### What battery does the Ford Explorer key fob take? A single CR2450 (2020-2025 Intelligent Access fob; some manuals/fobs differ. Check the old cell when you open it) coin cell. ### Can you use a CR2032 instead of a CR2025 in a Ford Explorer key fob? Usually. Both are 20 mm across; the 2032 is 3.2 mm thick against the 2025's 2.5 mm, so it holds more charge but is a tighter fit and can strain the contacts in a shallow housing. If the case will not close cleanly, use the specified CR2450 (2020-2025 Intelligent Access fob; some manuals/fobs differ. Check the old cell when you open it). ### How do you open a Ford Explorer key fob? Slide out the mechanical emergency key first, which usually releases a catch, then part the halves with a plastic pry tool or a coin wrapped in tape. A screwdriver will mark the case and can crack the seam. ## Sources - [2020 Explorer Owner's Manual, Capacities and Specifications (fordservicecontent.com)](https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Content?variantid=6725&languageCode=en&countryCode=USA&moidRef=G1635371&Uid=G1977553&ProcUid=G1988500&userMarket=CAN&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False&buildtype=web) - [CarCareTruth, 2020-2026 Explorer oil type & capacity (from OEM manuals)](https://www.carcaretruth.com/engine-oil/ford-explorer-6th-gen) - [NHTSA recall 23V-675 / Ford 23S55, rear axle bolt replacement](https://www.nhtsa.gov/?nhtsaId=23V675) - [Ford recall 22S27 (NHTSA 22V-712), rear axle bolt software remedy](https://www.ford.com/support/campaign-details/22s27/) - [NHTSA recall 23V-342 (Ford 23S23), 360-camera blue image](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2023/RCLRPT-23V342-5662.PDF) - [Levittown Ford parts, FA-1947 / L1MZ-9601-A engine air filter (3.0L/3.3L)](https://www.levittownfordparts.com/sku/l1mz-9601-a.html) - [Ford Parts Giant, JX6Z-19N619-B cabin air filter, 2020 Explorer](https://www.fordpartsgiant.com/oem-2020-ford-explorer-cabin_air_filter.html) - [ExplorerST.org, factory H6 battery, fluid capacities (Mercon ULV, 75W-85 rear axle)](https://www.explorerst.org/threads/car-battery-recommendations.9879/) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2021 Ford Explorer EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2021_Ford_Explorer.shtml) - [Goodyear / Mavis, 2021-2024 Explorer OE tire sizes by trim](https://www.goodyear.com/en-us/vehicles/Ford/Explorer/2024) - [Car and Driver, 2020 Explorer specs (fuel tank, curb weight, towing)](https://www.caranddriver.com/ford/explorer/specs/2020/ford_explorer_ford-explorer_2020) ## Find your exact Explorer - [2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2025) - [2024](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2024) - [2023](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2023) - [2022](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2022) - [2021](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2021) - [2020](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020) - [2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2019) - [2018](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2018) - [2017](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2017) - [2016](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2016) - [2015](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2015) - [2014](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2014) - [2013](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2013) - [2012](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012) More Ford Explorer guides: - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/oil-reset) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.