What Ford Connected Car actually does
Ford's connected car system is built into newer Ford and Lincoln vehicles through a service called FordPass. It lets you use your smartphone to lock or unlock your vehicle, start the engine remotely, check fuel level and tire pressure, and locate your car in a parking lot. Some models also let you set climate controls before you get in. The system works through a combination of built-in cellular hardware in your vehicle and Ford's servers, so your phone communicates with Ford's network rather than directly with your car.
FordPass is not the same as your vehicle's infotainment screen. The infotainment system handles navigation, music, and phone calls inside the car. FordPass handles remote access from outside the car. You can use FordPass features even when you are miles away from your vehicle, as long as your phone has internet and your vehicle has an active cellular connection.
Key Takeaways
- FordPass is Ford's smartphone app that lets you lock, unlock, start, and locate your vehicle remotely, and it comes built into most Ford and Lincoln models from 2016 onward.
- The service requires an active FordPass subscription; the basic tier is free for the first three years of vehicle ownership, then costs money to continue.
- Your vehicle must have an active cellular connection through Ford's embedded modem, which requires a separate data plan that costs between $10 and $20 per month depending on your vehicle's model year.
- Remote start, remote lock/unlock, and vehicle location work on most recent Ford and Lincoln models, but some features like climate control are limited to newer vehicles or specific trim levels.
- If your subscription lapses or your cellular plan expires, you lose remote access but can still drive and use the vehicle normally with your physical key.
How FordPass subscription tiers work
Ford offers FordPass on two tiers: FordPass Connect and FordPass Pro. Connect is the standard tier and includes remote lock/unlock, remote start, vehicle location, fuel level, tire pressure monitoring, and maintenance alerts. Pro adds features like remote climate control, remote door unlock for passengers, and integration with Amazon Alexa so you can control some functions by voice.
For the first three years after you buy or lease a new Ford or Lincoln, FordPass Connect is free. After three years, you pay an annual subscription fee to keep using it. Ford's pricing for years four and beyond varies by region and has changed over time; you should check your FordPass app or Ford's website for your specific location and vehicle model year. If you do not renew, the app stops working for remote features, but your vehicle operates normally.
FordPass Pro costs extra on top of the Connect subscription. The exact price depends on your vehicle model year and region. Some Ford dealers bundle Pro access into lease or finance deals, so ask your dealer what is included before you sign paperwork.
The cellular data plan requirement
FordPass requires your vehicle to have an active cellular connection. Ford builds a modem into the vehicle, but that modem needs a data plan to communicate with Ford's servers. This is a separate cost from your FordPass subscription. The data plan typically costs between $10 and $20 per month, though some vehicles include a trial period of free or discounted data when you buy the car.
You do not choose the cellular carrier; Ford has partnerships with specific carriers depending on your vehicle model year and region. When you set up FordPass, you will be prompted to set up the vehicle's data plan. If you cancel the data plan, FordPass stops working even if your subscription is active, because the car cannot reach Ford's servers.
Some lease deals include the cellular data plan in the monthly payment, so check your lease agreement. If you own the vehicle outright, you are responsible for paying the data plan as long as you want remote features to work.
Which Ford and Lincoln models have FordPass
Most Ford and Lincoln vehicles from 2016 onward have FordPass capability, but not all features work on all model years. Newer vehicles (generally 2020 and later) support the full range of features including remote climate control. Older vehicles (2016–2019) typically support remote lock/unlock, remote start, and vehicle location, but may not support climate control or other advanced features.
Luxury Lincoln models and higher trim levels of Ford vehicles are more likely to have the full feature set. Entry-level trims sometimes have limited FordPass functionality or require you to pay extra to unlock certain features. Check your vehicle's owner manual or the FordPass app after you set it up to see which features are available on your specific model.
If you own an older Ford or Lincoln from before 2016, FordPass is not available. Some aftermarket telematics systems can add remote features to older vehicles, but they are not Ford's official product and come with their own costs and limitations.
Setting up FordPass and what you need
To set up FordPass, read the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, create a Ford account, and follow the in-app prompts to register your vehicle. You will need your vehicle identification number (VIN), which is on your registration or on a plate inside the driver's door jamb. The app will ask you to set up the vehicle's cellular data plan at that time.
The first time you use a remote feature, you may need to be inside the vehicle or have the vehicle's key fob nearby to complete a security verification. This is a one-time step to confirm you own or have permission to access the vehicle. After that, you can use remote features from anywhere.
If you buy a used Ford or Lincoln that already has FordPass set up, you will need to transfer the vehicle to your own Ford account. The previous owner must remove it from their account first, or you can contact Ford customer service to handle the transfer. Until the transfer is complete, you cannot use remote features.
What happens if your subscription or data plan expires
If your FordPass subscription expires and you do not renew it, the app will show a message that your subscription has ended. You can still open the app and see vehicle information like fuel level and tire pressure, but remote lock, unlock, start, and location features will not work. Your vehicle itself operates normally; you just lose the remote access.
If your cellular data plan expires, FordPass stops working even if your subscription is active, because the vehicle cannot communicate with Ford's servers. You will see an error message in the app. Reactivating the data plan through the FordPass app or by calling Ford customer service restores the connection within a few minutes.
If you sell or trade in your vehicle, make sure to remove it from your FordPass account before you hand over the keys. The new owner will need to register it under their own Ford account. If you do not remove it, the new owner may have trouble setting up FordPass, and you will retain access to their vehicle's location and remote features until they contact Ford to force a transfer.
Comparing FordPass to other automaker systems
Most major automakers offer similar connected car apps: General Motors has OnStar, Chevrolet has the MyChevrolet app, Toyota has Toyota Connected Services, and BMW has the BMW Connected app. All of them work roughly the same way—smartphone app, remote lock/unlock, remote start, vehicle location—and all require a subscription after an initial free period and an active cellular plan in the vehicle.
The main differences are in pricing, feature availability on older model years, and which features are included in the free tier versus paid tiers. Some automakers bundle connected services into lease payments, while others charge separately. If you are deciding between vehicles, ask the dealer what the total cost of ownership will be for connected features over the first five years, including both subscription and data plan fees.
If you do not use remote features regularly, you can let your subscription lapse and straightforward use your physical key fob. You lose convenience but not functionality. If you use remote features frequently—for example, to warm up your car in winter or locate it in a large parking lot—the subscription cost is usually worth it to most owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use FordPass if I have an older Ford from before 2016?
No, FordPass requires the built-in cellular modem that Ford started including in 2016 model year vehicles. Older Fords do not have this hardware. Some aftermarket systems can add remote features to older vehicles, but they are not Ford's official product and require professional installation.
What if I lose my phone or someone steals it?
You can remove your phone from your FordPass account through the app or by logging into your Ford account online. Once removed, that phone can no longer access your vehicle remotely. You should also change your Ford account password. If you get a new phone, read the app and log in again to restore access.
Does FordPass work if my vehicle has no cell signal?
No, FordPass requires a cellular connection to reach Ford's servers. If you are in an area with no cell service, remote features will not work. Once you move to an area with signal, the app will reconnect and work normally again.
Can I use FordPass to track my teenager's driving?
FordPass does not include driver behavior monitoring or teen tracking features. It shows you the vehicle's location and lets you lock or unlock it, but it does not log speed, acceleration, or driving routes. Some insurance companies offer separate apps that do track teen driving, but those are not part of FordPass.
What if I lease my Ford instead of buying it?
FordPass works the same way on leased vehicles. The free three-year subscription period still applies, though it runs from the lease start date, not from when you buy the car. When your lease ends, you must remove the vehicle from your FordPass account. The next lessee will set it up under their own account.