A system and method is provided for wireless remote control of the operation of vehicle components such as a door lock or an entertainment system. An electronic host device, such as a PDA or a mobile telephone, is coupled to a vehicle-specific transponder, and a user interface program executed on the host device allows a user to select a desired vehicle component operating command for execution. The selected operating command is sent to the transponder for transmission to the vehicle, and a vehicle receiver forwards the selected command to the target component for execution. The transponder may contain vehicle-specific authorization information which the vehicle receiver may use to verify authorization to operate the vehicle. Additionally, information stored on the host device such as telephone numbers and addresses may be transferred via the transponder to vehicle components which may use such information for task such as navigation of initiating telephone calls.