Strattec Smart Key Fob (FCC ID HYQ4EA) – Specs, Fitments & Info

By Mohammad H. Abdelhadi, ALOA-Certified Master Locksmith, mobile automotive locksmith. Reviewed by Ray Obar, Master Locksmith. Updated June 1, 2026.

Operating at 315 MHz with an NCF2951E transponder manufactured by Philips, the Strattec Smart Key Fob (FCC ID HYQ4EA) provides proximity-based keyless entry and push-to-start ignition for a range of Chevrolet vehicles spanning model years 2016 through 2025. This unit is registered under FCC ID HYQ4EA, which identifies its radio frequency certification and distinguishes it from other smart key remotes in the Strattec Security Corporation catalog. Inside the fob sits the NCF2951E integrated circuit, a combined passive entry and immobilizer chip responsible for cryptographic handshake communication with the vehicle’s body control module. Compatible Chevrolet models share General Motors’ smart key architecture, requiring that the Strattec Smart Key Fob (FCC ID HYQ4EA) be enrolled through an authorized programming procedure before it will start the engine or unlock the doors.

NCF2951E Transponder and 315 MHz RF Architecture

The NCF2951E chip from Philips is a dual-function device that handles both the immobilizer transponder challenge-response and the remote keyless entry (RKE) communication over 315 MHz. Unlike older fixed-code transponders, the NCF2951E uses rolling cryptographic keys, making it significantly more resistant to relay attacks and code-grabbing exploits. The 315 MHz operating frequency is standard across the North American General Motors smart key ecosystem, and the fob’s RF output power falls within FCC Part 15 limits as certified under HYQ4EA.

For automotive locksmiths, the NCF2951E’s integration of passive entry and immobilizer functions into a single silicon package means that programming this device requires both RKE synchronization and transponder registration in the vehicle’s anti-theft module. Diagnostic platforms capable of communicating with GM’s body control module — including widely used aftermarket tools — can handle both steps in a single session. The transponder portion must be bound to the vehicle’s unique secret key before the engine ECU will authorize cranking.

Strattec Smart Key Fob (FCC ID HYQ4EA) – Validated Chevrolet Fitments

The following Chevrolet models and year ranges have been validated as compatible with this smart key:

• Chevrolet Blazer — 2019
• Chevrolet Camaro — 2016–2024
• Chevrolet Cruze — 2016–2019
• Chevrolet Equinox — 2018
• Chevrolet Malibu — 2016–2025
• Chevrolet Traverse — 2018–2024
• Chevrolet Volt — 2016–2019

This fitment list spans sedans, crossovers, SUVs, and a plug-in hybrid, reflecting how broadly GM deployed the HYQ4EA-certified smart key platform during this era. The Camaro and Malibu cover the widest production windows, meaning the fob has been in continuous aftermarket demand for nearly a decade. Vehicle owners should always verify the FCC ID printed on their existing remote — HYQ4EA — before ordering a replacement, since GM used multiple smart key designs across overlapping model years.

Programming Considerations for Locksmiths

Enrolling the Strattec Smart Key Fob (FCC ID HYQ4EA) into a Chevrolet vehicle involves two distinct phases: transponder registration with the immobilizer system and RKE pairing with the body control module. Most professional-grade automotive locksmith tools support on-board programming (OBP) for these GM platforms, but certain scenarios — particularly when all existing keys have been lost — may require a security gateway bypass or a connection to GM’s Techline subscription service.

During transponder registration, the tool writes the NCF2951E’s unique identifier into the vehicle’s approved key table. Once stored, the body control module will recognize the fob during proximity detection and authorize passive entry. The push-to-start authorization is a separate cryptographic exchange that occurs between the NCF2951E and the engine ECU once the driver presses the start button with the fob inside the cabin.

Locksmiths should note that GM vehicles from this generation typically support up to eight enrolled smart keys. If the vehicle’s key table is full, an existing key slot must be cleared before a new unit can be added. The programming sequence generally requires at least one previously enrolled key to be present in the vehicle — a safeguard that complicates all-keys-lost situations and may necessitate advanced security procedures or dealer-level access.

OEM vs. Aftermarket: What Vehicle Owners Should Know

Strattec Security Corporation is a Tier 1 OEM supplier to General Motors, meaning that this fob is manufactured to the same specification as the key originally delivered with the vehicle. For Chevrolet owners needing a replacement, choosing an OEM-grade Strattec unit ensures full compatibility with the vehicle’s immobilizer and passive entry systems without the firmware variability sometimes found in third-party clones. The device is currently available on a limited basis through automotive locksmith distributors.

Vehicle owners who have lost their only smart key should contact a qualified automotive locksmith rather than attempting to order and self-program a replacement. The NCF2951E transponder must be registered through diagnostic equipment, and the 315 MHz RKE signal must be synchronized — neither step can be completed without professional tools. A mobile locksmith with GM programming capability can typically complete the full enrollment on-site within 30 to 45 minutes.

Identification Tips

To confirm that a replacement fob matches the original, check for the FCC ID “HYQ4EA” printed or laser-etched on the back of the remote housing. The Strattec part branding may also appear on the internal circuit board, visible if the case is carefully separated. Matching FCC IDs is the most reliable way to ensure radio frequency and transponder compatibility before investing in programming labor.

Because the HYQ4EA designation covers multiple Chevrolet models, the external shell dimensions and button layout are consistent across all validated fitments listed above. The remote’s physical form factor does not change between, for example, a 2017 Cruze and a 2023 Traverse — only the internal programming binds it to a specific vehicle.

Related help: Chevrolet auto locksmith, car key replacement, car key programming.

Compatible and related keys: related key: Aftermarket Remote Head Key, Aftermarket Remote Key Fob (FCC ID AB01502T) (compatible fob), Strattec Transponder Key (chip ID46), related key: Bosma Remote Key Fob (FCC ID KOBUT1BT), related key: Bosma Remote Key Fob (FCC ID OUC60270), GM Mechanical Key Blank (GM39), Lear 4-Button Remote Key Fob (FCC ID KOBLEAR1XT), Strattec Smart Key Fob (FCC ID HYQ4AS) (compatible fob), Bosma Flip Key, Strattec Smart Key Fob (FCC ID HYQ4AA).