These instructions apply to the Maserati Ghibli (M157) 2013-2021.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
The Maserati Ghibli (M157, 2013–2021) ships with a single style of key: a four-button smart (keyless-go) fob with a hidden emergency blade, so there is no separate flip-key variant to worry about across this generation. When that fob starts working only from arm’s length, drops out in the cold, or throws a low-key-battery warning on the instrument cluster, the culprit is almost always the coin cell inside. The Ghibli’s fob is a little more involved to open than most — it splits into silver side covers and black inner halves and sits over a delicate circuit board — so this guide walks the exact sequence, the verified cell, the correct polarity, and why a genuine new key is still a dealer job.
How to Tell the Fob Battery Is Dying
- Shrinking range. You have to stand right by the car, or hold the fob against the door handle, before it will lock or unlock. This is the earliest and most reliable warning.
- A low-key-battery message. The Ghibli shows a low charge warning for the key fob on the instrument cluster display when the cell is weak — Maserati builds this alert into the dash specifically so you are not caught out.
- Passive entry gets flaky. Keyless-go stops recognising the fob in your pocket reliably; you find yourself pressing the buttons instead of just grabbing the handle.
- Cold-weather dropouts. A cell that is fine in summer can sag below the transmitter’s threshold on a frosty morning — an intermittent, temperature-linked fault points squarely at the battery.
A CR2032 in a Ghibli fob typically lasts two to four years. If yours is that age and showing any of the above, fit a fresh cell before you suspect the receiver, aerials, or immobiliser.
The Battery You Need
The Ghibli smart fob takes a single CR2032 3-volt lithium coin cell — the same size used across Maserati’s modern keys and the most common fob battery there is, sold in any supermarket, hardware shop, or motor factor. Buy a good-quality branded cell: cheap coin cells sag under the brief high current the keyless transmitter draws and can give short range even when nominally “new”. Do not substitute a thicker CR2450 or a thinner CR2025 — the holder is sized for the 2032.
Method — Smart (Keyless-Go) Fob
The Ghibli fob is layered: two silver side covers, then two black case halves, then the circuit board sitting over the battery. Work on a clean, well-lit surface so you do not lose the small screw or flick the cell across the room.
- Remove the emergency blade first. Release the mechanical key blade from the body of the fob and set it aside — it frees the case and gets it out of your way.
- Undo the lateral screw. There is a single small screw on the side of the fob that clamps the two silver covers together. It is a Torx T6 — use the correct driver rather than forcing a flat-blade, which will chew the head.
- Separate the two silver side covers from the remote body once the screw is out.
- Split the black case halves. Gently pry apart the top and bottom black halves of the inner casing to expose the electronics.
- Lift out the circuit board. The printed circuit board sits above the battery; ease it up carefully and do not bend or scratch it — this is the one delicate step.
- Swap the cell. Note how the old CR2032 sits, lift it out, and drop the new one in with the positive (+) face pointing down into the holder.
- Reassemble in reverse: refit the board, click the black halves together, refit the silver covers, drive the T6 screw back in snugly (do not overtighten — the case is plastic), and slide the emergency blade home.
⚠️ Get the polarity right. On the Ghibli fob the cell seats positive (+) side down. Fitting a coin cell upside down bridges the contacts the wrong way and can quietly discharge it, leaving a “new” battery flat — so always confirm the orientation against the cell you removed before you close the case.
Did It Work?
Stand back a few metres and lock, then unlock, the car. Full range should return at once, and keyless-go should recognise the fob in your pocket again. The low-key-battery message clears the next time the car reads a healthy fob — sometimes instantly, sometimes after one drive cycle rather than the moment you close the door.
If a Fresh Cell Doesn’t Fix It
- Re-check polarity and seating. Positive must face down, and the cell has to sit firmly under its contact with the circuit board fully reseated — a board that is not clicked back down is a common cause of a “dead” rebuild.
- Wipe the contacts. A smear of finger grease or light corrosion on the battery terminals is enough to cause dropouts; clean them with a dry cloth before blaming the fob.
- Warning still showing? The low-key alert can take a read or two to clear. Rarely, a weak car 12 V battery makes the keyless system behave strangely — if the Ghibli itself is slow to wake or shows other electrical gremlins, the vehicle battery is worth checking.
- LED and buttons still dead with a known-good cell? The fob’s transmitter may have failed, which is rare compared with a simple flat or upside-down battery but does mean a replacement fob and coding.
New Key or Spare — Why It’s a Dealer Job
Changing the cell keeps the fob’s existing coding, so nothing needs reprogramming and the key works the instant you close it up. A genuine new key is a different matter: Maserati smart fobs are ordered against the car’s VIN, the emergency blade has to be cut, and the fob must be married to the immobiliser with dealer-level diagnostic equipment. That makes adding a spare or replacing a lost key a job for a Maserati dealer or a specialist auto-locksmith — so keep the battery in your spare fresh too, and you are never down to a single working key.
Frequently Asked Questions
What battery does a Maserati Ghibli key fob take?
A single CR2032 3-volt lithium coin cell. The same cell fits every key in the M157 Ghibli range from 2013 to 2021.
Which way up does the battery go?
Positive (+) side down into the holder. Always match the orientation of the cell you removed — fitting it the wrong way can flatten a fresh battery and leave the key unresponsive.
What tool do I need to open the fob?
A Torx T6 driver for the single lateral screw, plus a fingernail or thin plastic tool to pry the black case halves apart. Remove the emergency blade before you start.
Do I have to reprogram the key after a battery change?
No. Swapping the coin cell does not touch the fob’s coding, so it pairs with the car straight away. Only a brand-new or replacement key needs programming to the immobiliser.
How long should a Ghibli key battery last?
Usually two to four years. Frequent use of keyless entry, or leaving the fob sitting close to the car so it wakes constantly, shortens that.
Can I still drive if the fob battery is completely dead?
Yes. Use the emergency blade hidden in the fob to unlock the door, and the keyless system is designed to still start the car with a flat fob — typically by holding the fob against a marked spot near the start button. A dead cell should not strand you.
If the fob stopped responding suddenly right after the car’s 12 V battery was disconnected — rather than fading gradually — the cause is more likely the electronics needing to re-sync than the coin cell, and the car may log a related fault. You can look up any stored trouble code on autodtcs.com.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Maserati. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.