Keyless Entry (by touching door handle) just stopped working on tailgate

[tjnoffy]

Thanks for your reply on this thread. It saved me a lot of time. My battery had run low because I was having the bronco on in accessory mode a lot while I worked to install some lights. Then only the driver's door would recognize the key. If found this thread, your answer, and that was my problem too.

Glad it helped! Really was a head scratcher for a while. Keep an eye out for it to happen again. Got my battery replaced under warranty because of this.

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[RimrockPaul]

2021 OBX 4-Door. Can't find any threads on this.

Anyone else had their Keyless Entry (not the number pad, but by touching the door handle) stop working at the tailgate? Was working fine until a week or two ago. Still works at the driver's door. Can't find specific settings for it in the manual (below). My tech brain makes me suspect an OTA software update gone bad. Anyone have a fix? Trying to avoid needing a dealership service appointment.

How does the Bronco know it is you?
Seems sketchy.

 

[Big Boss]

Glad it helped! Really was a head scratcher for a while. Keep an eye out for it to happen again. Got my battery replaced under warranty because of this.

Granted this is an old thread but definitely useful. My previous fords all showed little electric gremlins before the battery's died out. Focus the power windows started acting goofy, Explorer the powerlift gate would get a mind of it's own when the button was pushed and everytime it was just a sign the battery was on it's way out

 

[tjnoffy]

Granted this is an old thread but definitely useful. My previous fords all showed little electric gremlins before the battery's died out. Focus the power windows started acting goofy, Explorer the powerlift gate would get a mind of it's own when the button was pushed and everytime it was just a sign the battery was on it's way out

Yeah, I've seen silly things like that related to the electrical sysetms. My last car was an '05 Mustang GT Convertible, so my '21 Bronco is lightyears ahead technologically. Seems that the electrical limp mode caused by a low battery is by design in the computer system.

 

[tjnoffy]

How does the Bronco know it is you?
Seems sketchy.

Well, it doesn't. It just knows if I have the key fob.

 

[imstimpy]

Same problem here. Accompanied by sporadic FordPass notifications that my remote features have been disabled. Three years seems too early for a bad battery but I will have the dealer inspect tomorrow.

 

[tjnoffy]

Same problem here. Accompanied by sporadic FordPass notifications that my remote features have been disabled. Three years seems too early for a bad battery but I will have the dealer inspect tomorrow.

My truck was only 14 months old when this happened to me.

 

[imstimpy]

Dealer said the battery had 80% life and does not fall under warranty replacement. Door handle did not work even after a drive to the auto parts store [for a new battery]. Replaced the battery, idled for a few min, and now the tailgate handle works. Old battery metered 12.5V shortly after removing it. The new battery sits at 13.3V.

 

[tjnoffy]

Dealer said the battery had 80% life and does not fall under warranty replacement. Door handle did not work even after a drive to the auto parts store [for a new battery]. Replaced the battery, idled for a few min, and now the tailgate handle works. Old battery metered 12.5V shortly after removing it. The new battery sits at 13.3V.

I would get the number for Ford customer service and argue this if the truck is <3 years old and under 36K miles. After some testing my dealer had no issue getting it replaced under warranty.

 

[BroncoChallenger]

Same problem here. Accompanied by sporadic FordPass notifications that my remote features have been disabled. Three years seems too early for a bad battery but I will have the dealer inspect tomorrow.

With all the electrical components on new vehicles, I'm impressed batteries last more than a year anymore.

While it might show it has life based on their test, yes, they should have warrantied it anyway. I would suggest contacting Ford's customer care as suggested, especially since you now have a new battery and your issues are solved. You can point to a fix that YOU had to do, and they should reimburse you for the battery at minimum.

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