Nissan 3-Button Remote Head Key – PCF7936 Chip, 315 MHz, NSN14 Blade
Used across a wide range of Nissan vehicles produced from 2007 through 2022, the Nissan 3-Button Remote Head Key combines mechanical ignition access with integrated remote keyless entry in a single housing. Each Nissan 3-Button Remote Head Key carries a Philips PCF7936 transponder chip and operates at 315 MHz, enabling both immobilizer authentication and wireless lock/unlock/trunk functions. For automotive locksmiths, this remote is a bread-and-butter SKU encountered regularly across sedans, hatchbacks, crossovers, and commercial vans. Owners seeking a replacement for the fob should be aware that the device requires both key cutting to the NSN14 keyway profile and electronic programming before it will start the vehicle. A properly cloned and programmed Nissan 3-Button Remote Head Key restores full functionality — mechanical entry, transponder-based engine start, and three-button remote operation.
Nissan 3-Button Remote Head Key: Technical Specifications
The heart of this remote head key is the Philips PCF7936 transponder, a widely deployed crypto chip in the Nissan ecosystem of this era. The PCF7936 — sometimes referenced in locksmith catalogs under its Philips Crypto product family — communicates with the vehicle’s Engine Control Module (ECM) via a passive inductive coupling loop around the ignition barrel. Without a valid transponder response, the ECM will crank but not fire the injectors or ignition system.
On the radio-frequency side, the integrated remote module transmits at 315 MHz, which is the standard operating frequency for Nissan keyless entry systems sold in North American markets. The three buttons provide lock, unlock, and panic/trunk functionality depending on the specific vehicle platform. Multiple FCC IDs have been registered for units covering this configuration: CWTWB1U415, CWTWB1U733, CWTWB1U751, CWTWB1U816, CWTWB1U821, and KBRASTU15. These different FCC registrations correspond to production revisions and slight internal variations, but all share the same core transponder, frequency, and button layout.
The mechanical blade uses the NSN14 keyway profile, a unilateral cut pattern that Nissan employed extensively during this generation. NSN14 blanks are widely available in both OEM and aftermarket form, and they can be cut on standard code machines or duplicated from an existing working key using a standard key tracer.
Validated Vehicle Fitments
The following vehicles have been confirmed as compatible with this remote head key based on transponder, frequency, and keyway cross-referencing:
- Nissan Rogue — 2007 through 2013 model years
- Nissan Sentra — 2013 through 2019 model years
- Nissan Versa — 2012 through 2019 model years
- Nissan Juke — 2010 through 2018 model years (spanning two production runs: 2010–2013 and 2014–2018)
- Nissan Cube — 2008 through 2014 model years (spanning 2008–2010 and 2011–2014 production generations)
- Nissan NV200 / Evalia — 2014 through 2022 model years
- Chevrolet City Express — 2014 through 2018 model years (a rebadged Nissan NV200 sold through Chevrolet dealerships)
Notably, the Chevrolet City Express appears on this fitment list because it is mechanically identical to the Nissan NV200. General Motors sourced the van directly from Nissan, and the ignition and keyless entry systems were carried over unchanged. Locksmiths working on the City Express should treat it as a Nissan NV200 for key programming purposes.
Programming and Cloning Considerations
Programming the Nissan 3-Button Remote Head Key involves two distinct procedures that must both be completed: transponder registration and remote pairing.
Transponder Registration
The PCF7936 chip inside the key must be registered to the vehicle’s immobilizer system. For most Nissan platforms on this fitment list, the registration process requires a diagnostic programming tool capable of communicating with the vehicle’s BCM (Body Control Module) or IMMU (Immobilizer Module). Common tools used in the trade for this procedure include the Autel IM608, Smart Pro, and similar advanced key programmers. PIN-code-based registration is the standard workflow: the locksmith retrieves the vehicle’s PIN from the BCM or an external database, then uses it to authorize the new transponder into the immobilizer’s memory.
Some aftermarket versions of the key ship with a pre-coded or cloneable PCF7936, allowing technicians to use a dedicated cloning device to copy the transponder data from an existing working key. This approach bypasses the need for PIN retrieval entirely and is popular for add-key scenarios where the customer has at least one functioning original.
Remote Pairing
The 315 MHz remote module must be paired to the vehicle’s receiver separately from the transponder. Many Nissan models on this list support an on-board programming sequence — a specific series of ignition cycles and button presses that puts the BCM into remote learning mode. The exact sequence varies by model year and platform. If on-board programming fails or is not supported, the remote can be paired through the same diagnostic tool used for transponder enrollment.
NSN14 Blade Cutting Notes
The NSN14 keyway is a standard Nissan profile with cuts on one side of the blade. When cutting by code, the key data can be pulled from the vehicle’s door or ignition lock using standard Nissan decoding tools, or sourced from locksmith code databases using the VIN. When duplicating from an original, a jaw-type key machine with the appropriate Nissan clamp is sufficient. The blade tip profile and thickness should be verified against the original before handing the finished product to the customer — even minor deviations in cut depth can cause binding in high-mileage ignition cylinders.
OEM vs. Aftermarket Considerations
OEM units for this key are sourced through Nissan dealership parts departments and carry the corresponding Nissan part number. Aftermarket equivalents are widely manufactured and typically cost a fraction of the dealer price. Both OEM and quality aftermarket versions use the same Philips PCF7936 transponder and 315 MHz remote configuration, making them functionally interchangeable once programmed.
The primary difference between OEM and aftermarket units tends to be shell quality and button durability. Lower-tier aftermarket housings may develop button-pad fatigue or blade wobble sooner. For customers who need long-term reliability, specifying a higher-grade aftermarket shell — or transplanting the electronics into an OEM housing — is a common locksmith recommendation.
When to Contact a Locksmith
Vehicle owners who need a replacement for this key have two main avenues: a Nissan dealership or a qualified automotive locksmith. The dealership route typically involves higher parts markup and a wait for the key to arrive, plus a programming fee. An experienced mobile locksmith can often source the correct blank, cut the NSN14 blade, program the PCF7936 transponder, and pair the remote — all at the vehicle’s location — in a single service call. For owners who have lost all keys, a locksmith with the right diagnostic equipment can still program a new unit, though the procedure takes longer and may require additional security verification steps.
Specifications and fitment
| Key type | Remote Key |
|---|---|
| Transponder chip | PCF7936 |
| Chip manufacturer | Philips |
| Button count | 3 |
| Frequency (MHz) | 315 |
| Keyway | NSN14 |
| FCC ID(s) | CWTWB1U415, CWTWB1U733, CWTWB1U751, CWTWB1U816, CWTWB1U821, KBRASTU15 |
| Region(s) | USA |
| Product type | Remote Head |
| Compatible makes | Chevrolet, Nissan |
Listed vehicle fitment
| Make | Model | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet | City Express | 2014–2018 |
| Nissan | Cube | 2008–2010 |
| Nissan | Cube | 2011–2014 |
| Nissan | Juke | 2010–2013 |
| Nissan | Juke | 2014–2018 |
| Nissan | NV200 / Evalia | 2014–2022 |
| Nissan | Rogue | 2007–2013 |
| Nissan | Sentra | 2013–2026 |
| Nissan | Versa | 2012–2019 |
Fitment must be confirmed against the existing key’s FCC ID family and the vehicle’s exact configuration before cutting or programming. VIN or photo verification may be required.
Questions and answers
Which vehicles does Nissan 3-Button Remote Head Key fit?
Nissan 3-Button Remote Head Key is listed to fit Chevrolet, Nissan applications such as Chevrolet City Express, Nissan Cube, Nissan Cube, Nissan Juke. Confirm the exact year range and the existing key’s FCC ID family before ordering, since fitment can vary by trim and region.
Does Nissan 3-Button Remote Head Key need programming?
Yes. Because it carries a transponder/remote function (chip PCF7936), it must be programmed (paired) to the vehicle’s immobilizer and, for remote functions, to the keyless-entry system. Many vehicles also require at least one working key to add a new one.
Does the blade need to be cut?
Most Nissan 3-Button Remote Head Key units ship uncut and require automotive key cutting before they will turn the ignition or door lock. Cutting establishes the mechanical match; programming establishes the electronic match — both are needed.
Is Nissan 3-Button Remote Head Key OEM or aftermarket?
This listing is an aftermarket-grade replacement intended to match the original key’s electronic and mechanical specification. It is not required to carry a vehicle-brand logo and should be matched by FCC ID family and chip type rather than by appearance.
Check Fitment and Key Help
Low Rate Locksmith, a mobile automotive locksmith, can confirm whether Nissan 3-Button Remote Head Key matches an existing FCC ID family and coordinate cutting and programming when the vehicle configuration requires professional service. For dispatch and support, call (833) 439-8636 or email info@lowratelocksmith.com.
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