Why wont my Ford start with Ford pass?

FordPass remote start can be a handy feature, but it won’t work in every situation. The most common causes are compatibility, account linking, safety rules, or connectivity issues. Start with a quick check of hardware, settings, and the app, then move to troubleshooting if needed.

How FordPass Remote Start Works

FordPass remote start relies on a combination of hardware in the vehicle (often FordPass Connect with an embedded modem), a properly linked FordPass account, and a stable data connection between Ford’s servers and your vehicle. Not all models support remote start via FordPass, and some regions require specific hardware or service plans. Understanding these prerequisites helps explain why remote start might not respond when you tap the app.

Remote start will only operate under safe conditions and within the vehicle’s designed rules. For example, the engine can usually be started remotely only when the car is in Park, all doors are closed, and there are no active anti-theft or safety restrictions preventing startup. If any of these conditions aren’t met, remote start may fail even if the app shows a successful command.

Below are common factors that can prevent FordPass remote start from working as expected.

Common reasons FordPass Remote Start Might Not Work

Several everyday issues can block remote start. Review these possibilities to quickly identify likely causes.

• The vehicle lacks FordPass Connect hardware or remote start capability for your model/year or region.


• Your FordPass account isn’t linked to the vehicle, or the vehicle isn’t showing as online in the app.


• Safety conditions aren’t met: the vehicle isn’t in Park, a door or the hood is open, or the immobilizer cannot verify the key/phone.


• The 12V battery or main vehicle battery is too low to support remote starting.


• There is a Ford service outage or poor connectivity between Ford’s servers and the vehicle’s modem.


• Regional or dealer settings disable remote start or require enabling it in the vehicle’s software settings.

Concluding: If you don’t see any hardware or account issues, focus on the safety conditions and connectivity. These are the most common culprits behind a failed remote-start attempt.

What to Check in the App and Your Vehicle

Before you dive into deeper diagnostics, verify that both the app and the vehicle are properly prepared for remote start. This ensures you’re not chasing a simple misconfiguration.

Checklist to verify in FordPass and the vehicle

The following steps help confirm that you’re using the feature correctly and that the vehicle is eligible for remote start.

1. Open the FordPass app, confirm you are logged into the correct account, and that the correct vehicle is selected and shows as connected/online.


2. Confirm the vehicle actually supports FordPass Connect remote start for your specific model/year and region. If not, remote start via FordPass won’t work.


3. Ensure you are meeting safety rules: the vehicle is in Park, all doors are closed, the hood is closed, and the transmission is in Park.


4. Check the vehicle’s battery status (12V and main battery). A very low or failing battery can prevent remote start from engaging.


5. Check for any available software updates for the vehicle’s Ford Sync/Connect module and for the FordPass app. Updates can fix known bugs or compatibility issues.

Concluding: If all checks show the feature is available and conditions are met but it still doesn’t start, proceed to troubleshooting steps or contact support for a deeper diagnosis.

Troubleshooting Steps You Can Try

If you’ve ruled out hardware and account issues, these hands-on steps can often resolve remote-start problems. Follow them in order for best results.

Guided troubleshooting steps

Use this sequence to identify and fix common problems related to FordPass remote start.

1. Verify the account and vehicle linkage: log out of FordPass, clear app cache if possible, log back in, and ensure the correct vehicle is selected and shows as online.


2. Test feature availability in the app: confirm that Remote Start appears as an option, and that any "Enable remote features" toggle is turned on in the vehicle’s settings or the app.


3. Review safety and access rules: confirm doors, hood, and trunk (if applicable) are closed; ensure no active alarms or immobilizer blocks are present.


4. Check connectivity: ensure the vehicle’s modem has a data connection (some regions rely on cellular service). If you suspect a network issue, wait a few minutes and try again, or check Ford’s status pages for outages.


5. Charge or replace batteries if needed: if the 12V battery is weak, charge or replace it and then attempt remote start again. If you have had success with the key fob but not the app, the battery in the fob is less likely the issue, but still confirm.


6. Software updates: install any available updates for FordPass and the vehicle’s infotainment/Connect system, as outdated software can hinder remote services.


7. Try an alternate method: if your vehicle supports it, attempt to start remotely using a key fob or other built-in method to determine whether the issue is app-specific or vehicle-side.


8. Re-link or re-pair the vehicle in FordPass: remove the vehicle from your app, then re-add it following Ford’s instructions to re-establish the connection.

Concluding: If remote start still fails after these steps, there may be a deeper issue with the FordPass module, the vehicle’s computer, or your account/region settings requiring professional help.

When to Contact Ford Support or Your Dealer

Persistent remote-start failures may require expert diagnostics. If you’ve completed the above steps and remote start still won’t work, reach out to Ford Support or your local dealer for a hands-on check of the FordPass Connect hardware, vehicle software, and account status.

Provide detail about your model/year, whether the feature ever worked, any error messages shown in the app, the vehicle’s battery status, and whether you’re in an area with known service outages. This helps technicians diagnose whether the problem is account-related, hardware-related, or a software issue.

Summary

FordPass remote start hinges on compatible hardware, an active and correctly linked FordPass account, and safe operating conditions. If remote start doesn’t respond, verify model/year compatibility, confirm the vehicle is online in the app, ensure all doors and the hood are closed, and check battery health and connectivity. Update the FordPass app and vehicle software, and consider re-linking the vehicle if necessary. If issues persist, consult Ford Support or your dealer for a deeper technical review. With the right checks, most remote-start problems can be identified and resolved without a trip to the shop.

How to reset FordPass remote start?

How to perform a master reset in FordPass

1. For vehicles with SYNC 3, start by going to the Settings tab.
2. Select 'General'.
3. Then scroll down and tap 'Reset'.
4. And finally, tap 'Master reset'.
5. You'll be asked to confirm.
6. Check your phone is disconnected, then tap 'Continue'.

Why won't my FordPass start my car?

If FordPass cannot start your vehicle, first check preconditions like the vehicle being in Park, all doors closed, and sufficient fuel and battery charge. If those are met, try restarting your phone, checking for app updates, and re-logging in. If problems continue, troubleshoot by disabling and re-enabling connectivity settings, or by removing and re-adding the vehicle in the app. 
Basic checks

• Preconditions: Make sure all doors, the hood, and the trunk are fully closed. The vehicle must be in Park, with the engine off. 
• Vehicle battery: The vehicle's battery should be at least 40% charged. Driving for a while can help if it's low. 
• Signal strength: Ensure your vehicle has a strong mobile network connection, as this is necessary for the app to communicate. 
• Check Engine Light: A "Check Engine" light will prevent remote start. Check the app's message center and resolve any issues before trying again. 

App and phone troubleshooting

• Restart your phone: A simple restart can fix temporary glitches with the app. 
• Update the app: Check your app store for any available updates for FordPass and install them. 
• Log out and log back in: Log out of the FordPass app completely, then log back in. 
• Reinstall the app: If other steps fail, delete the FordPass app, restart your phone, and then reinstall the app from your app store. 

This video demonstrates how to troubleshoot FordPass activation issues: 37sHoffman FordYouTube · Dec 1, 2021
Vehicle and connectivity troubleshooting

• Restart connectivity settings: Go to your vehicle's SYNC screen, navigate to Settings > FordPass Connect > Connectivity Settings, turn it off, wait one minute, and then turn it back on. 
• Power cycle the vehicle: Turn the vehicle off, wait for the infotainment system to shut down completely, then turn the vehicle back on. 
• Master reset: If the issue persists, a master reset may be needed. Go to the vehicle's settings menu, find the "Master Reset" option, and follow the prompts. 
• Remove and re-add the vehicle: Remove your vehicle from the FordPass app, then add it back again using your VIN. 

Contact support

• If you are still having trouble, contact a FordPass Guide or customer support for further assistance. 

How do I get my Ford out of deep sleep mode?

To deactivate Ford's deep sleep mode, manually start your vehicle by turning the key or pressing the start button. You can also try a soft reset by changing the FordPass app settings or logging out and back in. If the issue persists, the problem may be related to battery health, and you should consult a dealer to have the battery and system checked for any necessary software updates. 
This video demonstrates how to activate Ford Deep Sleep Mode: 56sSimple Mechanic AdviceYouTube · Dec 29, 2024
Deactivating with a manual start

• Unlock your vehicle: using the key or key fob. 
• Start the engine: by using the push-button start or turning the key to the "on" position. 
• Wait for the system to fully reconnect. It may take 20-30 seconds or up to a minute for the Ford app to show the vehicle as awake. 

Other potential solutions

• Log out and back into the FordPass app: Some users have found that signing out of the app and then logging back in can resolve the issue. 
• Check the battery: Low battery voltage can trigger deep sleep mode. If the battery is the cause, you may need to jump-start the vehicle or have a dealer check the battery's health. 
• Perform a manual reset: Some owners report success by performing a manual reset procedure. The specific steps can vary, but they often involve cycling the ignition and performing actions like flashing the high beams or pressing the brake pedal. 
• Contact your dealer: If the problem continues, there may be a software issue. A dealer can use their diagnostic tools to check the battery, perform a system reset, or reprogram modules like the Body Control Module (BCM). 

How to start a Ford with a FordPass?

Door. You'll get a vehicle found screen then name your vehicle.