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The 5 Best Auto Locksmiths in Portland for When You’re in a Bind
Late one night in Salem, I realized I’d locked my keys in the car while visiting friends. The locksmith I called spent more time fumbling with his tools than actually working on my car. Not to mention, he charged me an arm and a leg.
After that, I vowed never to be at the mercy of a questionable locksmith again. So when I got back to Portland, I teamed up with the rest of the RIP City crew to track down the best auto locksmiths in town.
We probably called—or emailed—almost every auto locksmith within a 50-mile radius to make sure we got it right.
If you’ve ever locked your keys in the car, or maybe you’re just paranoid like me and want a backup plan, we’ve listed the best auto locksmiths in Portland to help you.
1. Locksmith General LLC

Services: Automotive, residential, and commercial locksmith
Location: 322 NW 5th Ave Suite 301-B
Contact: +1 971-442-7268
Business hours: Open 24 hours
Website
| Google reviews score | 4.9/5 |
| Total reviews | 4.9/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
| Response Time | 5/5 |
| Skill Tests | 5/5 |
| Pricing Audits | 4.5/5 |
| Licensing | 5/5 |
Locksmith General LLC is the go-to for remote programming for car keys within 30 minutes or less.
We like that they don’t need to tap directly into the vehicle’s computer. Instead, they can create a new key and program it to work with your car’s immobilizer system—all without needing to tow your car to a dealership.
We also noticed how organized the lockout process was. They send out an expert locksmith to the customer’s location within minutes after the initial call.
Plus, customers mentioned that the team rekeyed their locks at a discounted price, which is always appreciated.
Their services also go beyond rescuing you when you’re locked out. Their quick key cutting and practical maintenance tips help keep the transponder and ignition functioning smoothly.
Moreover, their 24/7 availability is a huge plus. It means you can get help whenever you need it, day or night.
We’re just disappointed at how vague they are when it comes to pricing. Several people told us that they only received ballpark figures when they asked for estimates.
Friendly, fast, overall calm
“Only person willing to be flexible. I called for a vehicle lock out and had only what cash I made in tips and the other places where quoting way above what I told them I was able to pay. Friendly, fast, overall calm and very kind mature as well as professional. Less the 5 minutes and no scratches, surprise charges or weirdness. Saved my butt!!!”
- Mary, Google Reviews
I will definitely be calling these guys
“I needed a new key for my 2008 Mercury in a pinch and Isreal did a great job helping me out. I was really satisfied with the quality of the service and my new key. I will definitely be calling these guys if I ever need an auto-locksmith again (knock on wood). Thanks guys!”
- parappa_maxwell, Google Reviews
2. Ilan Lock & Key

Services: residential, commercial,automotive, and emergency
Location: 1044 NE Madrona St
Contact: +1 503-724-8666
Business hours:
- Monday to Thursday, Sunday – 7 AM to 11 PM
- Friday – 7 AM to 5 PM
| Google reviews score | 4.9/5 |
| Total reviews | 4.9/5 |
| Score consistency | 4.9/5 |
| Response Time | 4.55 |
| Skill Tests | 4.5/5 |
| Pricing Audits | 4.5/5 |
| Licensing | 5/5 |
Ilan Lock and Key is perfect if you need mobile on-site assistance for any of your car lock and key issues. We like that they don’t waste time when it comes to re-entry, key replacement, and lock repairs.
But what we really love, though, is their transparent pricing. They clearly lay out the costs, so you know exactly what to expect on your final bill. This helps ensure there are no surprises after the work is done.
Some people weren’t too happy about paying for a quick service call, but most agreed it was worth it since there were no hidden charges later.
Another thing that stands out to us is their specialization in car key replacement for most vehicle brands and models (except Volvo).
When we talked to former customers, many raved about the shop’s fast vehicle lockout assistance. Even their ignition cylinder repair service received lots of praise, with many mentioning that it turned out to be effective and fairly priced.
10/10 stars
“Oh my gosh I am so happy I found Ilan. I thought I was in a real pickle after a friend lost the spare key to my 1992 Lexus. But no worries, Ilan had the right key, and the right know how. We met up at his house, jammed out to some music in his driveway and before I knew it, like super fast, he had my key ready. 10/10 stars for this gentle man and his expertise.”
- Talen, Google Reviews
Saved me a lot of money
“Ilan was super friendly, good at communicating and fixed my car keys so quickly! He also saved me a lot of money because I thought both keys needed to be replaced completely 😊”
- Sierra Roberts, Google Reviews
3. Locksmith Plus, Inc.

Services: automotive, commercial, residential
Location: 5901 S Macadam Ave #110
Contact: +1 503-575-9210
Business hours: Open 24 Hours
Website
| Google reviews score | 4.6/5 |
| Total reviews | 4.6/5 |
| Score consistency | 4.6/5 |
| Response Time | 4.5/5 |
| Skill Tests | 4.5/5 |
| Pricing Audits | 4/5 |
| Licensing | 5/5 |
Locksmith Plus Inc. is available 24/7 for all locksmith services, including emergencies. It’s a relief knowing there’s someone you can count on day or night, no matter the situation.
In fact, many customers said the team immediately answered their calls and dispatched a technician to their location within minutes, despite it being so late at night.
Their 24-hour lost key replacement services take less than 20 minutes. They can replace almost all make and model vehicle keys, including transponder and laser-cut (high-security) keys.
Moreover, we appreciate that Locksmith Plus Inc.’s automotive locksmiths come straight to the customer’s location and take care of ignition problems on the spot. This is very helpful when your ignition suddenly gives out.
One thing we also love is that all locks and security systems they replace, repair, and install are backed by a 90-day warranty. It shows their confidence in their work and also gives customers peace of mind.
Plus, they offer discounts to returning customers, which is always a plus.
That said, their rates are a bit more expensive than those of other locksmiths in the city.
Showed up within 20 minutes
“Mike D. Took time out of his July 4th holiday and showed up within 20 minutes from my phone call. The price was reasonable and he was super professional and easy to communicate with. Mike D. Had a positive, proactive, and courteous attitude and was straightforward to deal with. Thanks Mike.”
- N 1054, Google Reviews
Solved my problem in 5-10 minutes
“Mike D. was super friendly, extremely professional, and made communication easy. He solved my problem in 5-10 minutes and we were both on our way. Highly recommend Locksmith Plus based on my experience.”
- Jeff Chenoweth, Google Reviews
4. East Portland Locksmith

Services: automotive, commercial, residential
Location: 8040 SE Foster Rd
Contact: +1 503-232-4363
Business hours: Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 5 PM
Website
| Google reviews score | 4.9/5 |
| Total reviews | 4.9/5 |
| Score consistency | 4.9/5 |
| Response Time | 5/5 |
| Skill Tests | 5/5 |
| Pricing Audits | 4.5/5 |
| Licensing | 5/5 |
East Portland Locksmith got on our list because of their clear focus on vehicle key and remote services. We love that they handle everything—providing, cutting, and programming of car keys, remotes, and proximity keys.
We also like that they are very upfront with their prices. They have a flat rate of $85 for any lockout calls. Standard copies of transponder keys range from $75 to $150, while remote head transponder keys are from $135 and up.
While some grumbled about how high the prices are, most appreciate knowing the base cost upfront.
Another thing we like is how easy they make it to get a spare key. They get it done quickly, no matter the year, make, or model of the car.
And even if you’ve lost all your keys, they’ve got you covered. They can remotely program cars to work with the new key they create, saving you the stress of a dealership visit.
Highly recommend
“Thomas came out to change our locks. He was a diligent and skilled craftsman who knew exactly what he was doing with our 100 year old hardware. He was also so kind and friendly. Highly recommend him!!!”
- Dana Bona, Google Reviews
Good at problem solving
“Excellent service. They made me electronic car fobs and a wide assortment of weird and normal keys. They have a great selection of blanks and are good at problem solving. They marked my keys so I could tell them apart. Again, truly excellent service.”
- Jennifer Callison, Google Reviews
5. AA Express Locksmith

Services: automotive, commercial, residential
Location: 110 SE 97th Ave, Portland, OR 97216, United States
Contact: +1 503-251-2751
Business hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Website
| Google reviews score | 4.7/5 |
| Total reviews | 4.7/5 |
| Score consistency | 4.7/5 |
| Response Time | 4.5/5 |
| Skill Tests | 4.5/5 |
| Pricing Audits | 4.5/5 |
| Licensing | 5/5 |
AA Express Locksmith has been around for over 25 years, and we love that they’re approved by the American Automobile Association. That kind of recognition reassures us (and many others) that they’re a locksmith worth trusting.
We appreciate that they respond quickly, often within the hour, for emergency calls. They also have round-the-clock emergency locksmithing services, so customers are never left alone when they need help.
Their round-the-clock service covers everything, from lock and key repair to key replacement and transponder programming.
Customers also value their professionalism and the fact that they conduct honest business.
The shop itself is also impressive. It’s stocked with high-quality factory remotes, ignition, and door locks for all brands of automobiles. This is likely why they’re able to provide fast, reliable solutions without unnecessary delays.
The biggest thing we aren’t too crazy about, though, is that their staff can sometimes be a little dismissive of customers with non-priority auto-locksmith needs.
A spare valet key in under 45 minutes
“Super service. I took my 2005 car in as my diamond key wasn’t working anymore. Knowing what a pain it is to reprogram a key for this car, I was expecting to wait a 2-3 hours. They got me in and out with a new fully programmed key and a spare valet key in under 45 minutes. They’ve been recommended by Wheel Doc folks and I recommend them too! Great service gents! Thank you.”
- Todd Palmer, Google Reviews
Couldn’t believe how low the price was
“This place is great! I came in with a 1985 Nissan with a very worn out key and needed a spare. Considering just how worn out my key was, they cut a new one very quickly and it worked great, better than my original. Couldn’t believe how low the price was. I’ll be coming back for any locksmith needs in the future.”
- Sam Kersgaard, Google Reviews