Why is my FordPass remote start not showing up?
The most common reasons are that your vehicle may not be equipped with FordPass Connect or remote start, the Connected Services subscription or trial may be inactive, or your FordPass account isn’t correctly linked to the car. Updating the app or re-linking the vehicle often resolves the issue.
Remote Start relies on an embedded modem in the vehicle (FordPass Connect) and an active Connected Services plan, plus correct account linkage. If any piece is missing or out of date, the option may not appear. Regional availability and dealer activation can also affect whether the feature shows up in FordPass.
Check vehicle capability and setup
First, confirm whether your car and trim actually support FordPass Connect and remote start, and that the feature is enabled and linked to your account.
- Your Ford model year and trim support FordPass Connect and remote start (certain configurations require factory activation).
- Vehicle is equipped with FordPass Connect hardware (embedded modem) and has remote start functionality enabled.
- Connected Services is active via a trial or paid subscription; if the subscription is expired, the feature may disappear.
- Vehicle is correctly linked to your FordPass account and the app is showing the correct vehicle.
- Remote Start is available in your region or country; some regions do not support FordPass Remote Start.
- Dealership activation may be required for some older vehicles or after certain service updates.
If any of these items are not in place, Remote Start may not appear in FordPass until they are addressed.
App and account troubleshooting
Next, check that your app and account are set up properly, and that the app is functioning as intended.
- FordPass app is up to date with the latest version installed.
- You are logged into the correct FordPass account and the right vehicle is selected in the app.
- Remote Start feature is enabled and visible in the app’s Connected Services or Remote menu.
- Your Connected Services status is active (trial or paid plan) and not suspended.
- Your phone has required permissions (location, background activity) and a stable internet connection.
- If problems persist, sign out and back in or remove and re-add the vehicle to your FordPass account.
When the app and account are in order, the issue is more likely tied to hardware activation, subscription status, or regional restrictions.
Subscription, regional availability and dealer steps
Fees, regional availability, and dealer configuration can all influence whether Remote Start appears.
- Active Connected Services subscription or trial is required for Remote Start to function; if expired, the option may disappear.
- Remote Start availability varies by market; confirm that your country supports FordPass Remote Start.
- Dealership activation may be needed; some vehicles require dealer provisioning of FordPass Connect and remote features after sale or service.
- If your vehicle recently received a software update or service, the feature state may be temporarily affected and require reactivation.
Addressing hardware activation, renewing the subscription, or validating regional eligibility often restores visibility of Remote Start.
What to do next and support options
If Remote Start still does not appear after checking capability, app status, and subscriptions, try these steps and contact options.
- Log out of FordPass and back in, then re-link the vehicle to your account if needed.
- Update the FordPass app to the latest version and restart your phone.
- If available, perform any dealer-recommended reset or re-provisioning of FordPass Connect on the vehicle.
- Check Ford’s official status pages or support channels for any ongoing Connected Services outages in your region.
- Contact your Ford dealer or Ford Support with your VIN, account email, app version, and a description of what you’ve tried to help diagnose the issue.
Most visibility issues are resolved by ensuring hardware capability, confirming an active subscription, and re-linking the vehicle within FordPass. If problems persist, professional support can verify regional eligibility and activation status.
Summary
In short, Remote Start not showing up in FordPass usually means one of four things: the vehicle isn’t equipped with FordPass Connect or remote start hardware, the Connected Services subscription is inactive or expired, the vehicle isn’t properly linked to the correct FordPass account, or regional/dealer activation restrictions are in play. Systematically verify equipment, subscription status, account linkage, and app health, then seek dealer or Ford Support help if the option remains missing. Keeping the app updated and re-linking the vehicle are the most reliable first steps.
