Ford can now stop his car from starting even with the right key — and charges for it

Ford now offers an electronic lock that can prevent some of its vehicles from starting — even when the thief has a valid key in hand. The feature, called Start Inhibit, allows the owner to block the ignition remotely through the brand’s app and is part of the automaker’s strategy to curb the theft of popular models such as the F-150 pickup.

Once activated by the app, the system only releases the start if it is deactivated by the cell phone itself or through a single-use PIN code entered in the car’s multimedia center. In practice, it works as a kind of “kill switch“: even in possession of the original key, the criminal cannot start the engine while the lock is active.

The operation was demonstrated by Ford in Oakville, Canada. At the time, Ian Grotenhuis, from the automaker, showed a Lincoln Navigator stuck by the application, unable to start. According to him, the company tries to stay one step ahead of the thieves — while admitting, at the same time, that they will probably find new ways to act.

The Start Inhibit is part of the so-called Ford Security Package, which has an equivalent version in the luxury brand Lincoln. In addition to the departure block, the package includes intrusion alerts — with notifications on the cell phone in case of opening doors, towing or unexpected movement — and the Stolen Vehicle Services service, for tracking and retrieving 24 hours, in cooperation with law enforcement.

The initiative responds to the popularity of models such as the F-150, which is among the most stolen vehicles in the United States, alongside cars from Hyundai and Kia. Eligibility, however, is restricted: the feature is available on select versions of the F-150 and Super Duty pickup trucks starting in the 2024 model year — with the exception of the F-150 Lightning and the F-650 and F-750 — as well as the Expedition, Bronco Sport and Mustang Mach-E 2026. At Lincoln, it includes the Navigator 2026.

The point that can divide opinions is the charge. In the United States, the package is sold by monthly subscription starting at $7.99, although it comes with a one-year courtesy on eligible models. The automaker itself recognizes that the service may not be of interest to those who live in gated communities and store the car in a private garage, being more useful for those who usually park on the street.

For those who don’t want to pay for convenience, Ford reminds that traditional methods are still valid: steering wheel locks, the habit of never leaving the vehicle on and unattended and the use of independent trackers, such as an Apple AirTag hidden in the car.