I *can* lock my keys in the car

[Emmett Hebert]

Had a 2000 Ford F350 and locked the key in while running. Had to call a locksmith. No cost, under warranty. after that hid a door key under the truck in frame. Never had that problem again.

Can't you open with phone or computer using Ford SYNC app?

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[RyuRonin1977]

I know @Glen Baker LLC was particularly interested in this after I managed to do it the other day. Took a little more testing but I can duplicate it every time now. Note, this happens on my vehicle, as the saying goes "your mileage may vary." I have a new 2025 Maverick Lariat with the "intelligent key access".

Don't test this if you don't have another way into your vehicle! You have been warned!

1. Start up vehicle in driveway (I haven't tested this during or after driving the vehicle).
2. Unlock all doors.
3. Leave the keys in the vehicle, dashboard is fine.
4. Putz around in vehicle until you get the pop-up message about the car running and press Ok to let it continue running.
5. Exit vehicle, shut all doors, don't touch lock/unlock, just get out. you can test opening and closing the door, just don't touch the lock pad. the door is unlocked at this time.
6. Walk away, stay away for a few minutes. Not sure on time amount needed, I stayed out for 5 each time.
7. Come back, all doors are locked. Keys are in vehicle. Engine is running.

Not sure if this is a bug or a feature, but at least I know not to do this! I have not tried with vehicle off or any other conditions. I am curious if this can happen to others, but please be careful if you try it yourself. I will contact Ford and report this to them.

Tested 3 times. It's true. 2025 XL 2.0. Used the Ford Pass App to unlock the doors to get back in. I also have a spare key if needed.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Tested 3 times. It's true. 2025 XL 2.0.

Tristen,
Thank you for testing.
Since you tested a few times.
How long does it take before the lock is activated?

GB

 

[RyuRonin1977]

Tristen,
Thank you for testing.
Since you tested a few times.
How long does it take before the lock is activated?

GB

I heard it lock about the 5 minute mark on the 1st 2. The 3rd was odd at about 7 minutes. I am sitting outside enjoying the morning weather so thinking about doing it a total of 5 times just in case that 3rd one was a one off.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Had a 2000 Ford F350 and locked the key in while running. Had to call a locksmith. No cost, under warranty. after that hid a door key under the truck in frame. Never had that problem again.

Can't you open with phone or computer using Ford SYNC app?

Yes
If you have your phone with you.
Both you and the truck have to have cell service. The truck uses AT&T.
If you use Verizon or T-Mobile there's a good possibility that you may have service but the truck doesn't.
You have to have previously downloaded the Ford Pass app to your phone and sync'd it to the truck.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I heard it lock about the 5 minute mark on the 1st 2. The 3rd was odd at about 7 minutes. I am sitting outside enjoying the morning weather so thinking about doing it a total of 5 times just in case that 3rd one was a one off.

Thank you.
All previous experiences that have been posted. Had been model years 22 to 24. Where the claim was, the door was immediately locked when the driver door closed.

 

[RyuRonin1977]

I heard it lock about the 5 minute mark.

Thank you.
All previous experiences that have been posted. Had been model years 22 to 24. Where the claim was, the door was immediately locked when they closed it.

Not immediately on my 2025 but it does after time. Looking to see if it's any settings that can be configured on the vehicle and if not going to forescan.

 

[Emmett Hebert]

I'm just gonna get a door key and hide it on my MAV.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Not immediately on my 2025 but it does after time. Looking to see if it's any settings that can be configured on the vehicle and if not going to forescan.

As I noted before, past postings were of 22-24 models and it happened immediately.
Here are jus two of the examples.
Example 1
Was away from my second set of keys. I opened the door to pick something off the ground when the wind blew the door shut with my phone on the charger still in the truck and the door was locked.

Example 2
I have a 2024 XLT Eco Boost.
Is there something I’m missing.
If I open the truck start the truck and close the door. The door locks even if truck is running. My opinion it should never lock with truck running and key inside truck.
Any suggestions

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I'm just gonna get a door key and hide it on my MAV.

Sounds like a plan and definitely cheaper than a keypad.

 

[scottjl]

Tested 3 times. It's true. 2025 XL 2.0. Used the Ford Pass App to unlock the doors to get back in. I also have a spare key if needed.

Thank you for testing and backing up my claim. Should put to rest all doubts somebody had about this.

Not immediately on my 2025 but it does after time. Looking to see if it's any settings that can be configured on the vehicle and if not going to forescan.

Nothing in Sync settings that I found. Possibly in Forescan, but if it's there it's not one that's been found yet.

 

[HeyBales]

I tested it two more times today. I was very careful not to touch anything that could lock the door. In fact after immediately getting out of the vehicle I could open and close the door a few times. It wasn’t until I went back in the house (it’s a bit cold out here still and I had things to do) and then went back to the car that it was locked. So it auto locks after a period of time. Maybe I’ll sit out there and time it and wait to see how long before it locks. But at Lear I know the circumstances to make it happen.

I do not have the keypad as it isn’t currently available for 2025s. I had my order canceled due to unavailability.

I can’t say the circumstances would be particularly common. Maybe if someone was hanging out in the vehicle to get warm/cool off from the weather and then got out.

There is a seat sensor for front seats, Lariat the back seats too.

So system knows when you got out of seat, and that no one else appears to be in the truck.

Another difference to prior MY's - I've sat running for over 10 min, never a pop-up about keep running that I recall. Perhaps that's a keyless-entry thing. Or they shortened the time.

 

[scottjl]

Another difference to prior MY's - I've sat running for over 10 min, never a pop-up about keep running that I recall. Perhaps that's a keyless-entry thing. Or they shortened the time.

I think it's at 15 minutes. There's a setting for it in Sync4a on the length of time to allow the car to idle, dunno about 3.

Interestingly, my Escape (2023, with Sync4a) does not do this. I tested, twice. Doors remain unlocked.

 

[scottjl]

So system knows when you got out of seat, and that no one else appears to be in the truck.

Can be fooled by cargo in the vehicle, I've had it think a packed suitcase was a person, or one of my dogs. I disable the rear-seat monitor simply because of that.

 

[HeyBales]

Can be fooled by cargo in the vehicle, I've had it think a packed suitcase was a person, or one of my dogs. I disable the rear-seat monitor simply because of that.

Exactly.

Be interesting if it does NOT do the auto-lock if it thinks you opened door and got back in, or if passenger still in seat.

I'm betting if you get back in - no auto-lock.

I'd be curious if it thought passenger there - I'm betting no auto-lock.

I actually picture this as the safe default action.
You left truck running, since hybrid you may not even have noticed you left running.
Remind you. If you fell asleep then it turns off after 15 min. If still desired it remains on.
If you got out you may not have noticed running.
Give you 5 min in case coming back.
If not back, need to protect the truck from being stolen.
Lock all.

As opposed to alternate - run all night with doors unlocked accidentally because unnoticed.
Except by thief of course.

Now I'm wondering if I've just not waited long enough.
Because key in ignition is the same as fob in cab for keyless entry systems. Same driver sensor.

Now to see how well the memory works - next time I plan on fiddling in yard for some minutes, I'll start with the 15 min parked and sitting in it - see if I get the Still On warning for one thing.
Then exit and pull some weeds or break up some limbs listening for that 5-10 min mark auto-lock.

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