The keyless entry keypad let me down big time

[allagash24]

This has never happened before, but a few times I did have unusually long delays (3-5 sec) between entering the code and the car unlocking. I am also one of the few unlucky chumps that received someone else's pad when I took delivery of my Bronco, and the dealer had to replace it.

The dealer told me yesterday that their tech wouldn't even bother diagnosing the keypad issue because this isn't something they do. Even though I took delivery of my Bronco with the pad installed and it's a Ford product made for a Ford product and sold by Ford, it falls squarely in the accessories department. They gave me the phone number for the accessories department and that was it.

Interesting, I assumed you had added the keypad after the fact. It being factory is even more strange. I got mine with my ford points and had it installed and it’s just clunky and the buttons aren’t great but it works. I wouldn’t be as surprised if that one failed.

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[sjudas]

I've been mostly happy with MY2023 Badlands but this weekend's experience was beyond subpar. I went on a leaf-peeping mountain bike ride in the Rockies with my buddy, his kid, and two dogs. When we returned to the car, the keypad would not unlock it. The LED would blink once and that's it. I've waited 5, 10 and 20 minutes with no success. We were dressed for a warm day, but by then the sun was setting and the temps were dropping fast. We had to descend lower down the mountain and start a fire to stay alive. Then I had to climb the mountain in search of reception and eventually had enough to send a pin to my wife, who would drive with a spare key from over 3 hours away. We spent half the pitch-black, moonless night huddling by the fire as we were being surrounded by a herd of bugling elk and howling coyotes, which drove the dogs crazy and scared the kid. When I got home, the keypad started working again. When I brought this up to Ford today, they scoffed and said, "Oh, it happens sometimes, you just gotta wait a few hours."

P.S. My plan B was to smash a window. I wanted to push that moment away for as long as possible since I am planning on taking the car on a camping trip this week and wouldn't have the time to get it replaced.

Just carry the key next time. Would the 2 ounces of weight make a difference while biking?

 

[AzGrayHeritage]

Ford App unlocks.... May be repeating , just saying

 

[TPadden72]

Ford App unlocks.... May be repeating , just saying

No, read the thread. Ford App WILL NOT unlock with no cell coverage, just repeating. Keypad, wife with FOB, or rock should.

Tom

 

[Appalachia_Ewok]

"Now it is a strange thing, but things that are good to have and days that are good to spend are soon told about, and not much to listen to; while things that are uncomfortable, palpitating, and even gruesome, may make a good tale, and take a good bit of telling anyway." - The Hobbit

Finally read The Hobbit last year. 3/4 ways through Two Towers now. A shame I waited so long to read them.

 

[userdude]

My keyfob itself has refused to unlock 3-4 times over 2.5 years. Never put all your trust in any technology or you'll be the guy with the funny story about that one time on the side of the mountain with the fire...

 

[Rspayde]

Finally read The Hobbit last year. 3/4 ways through Two Towers now. A shame I waited so long to read them.

Next you need to make it out to New Zealand. Was the ultimate trip for my LOTR lore love. Hobbiton alone is worth making the trip out there. Wonderfully beautiful country everywhere you look.

 

[AZ_Liberty]

FordApp will unlock your doors

My Ford Ap stopped working when they updated it.

 

[AJKitebrder40]

Just carry the key next time. Would the 2 ounces of weight make a difference while biking?

I mountain bike, and rarely carry my keys for the sole purpose of I've lost them on a mtb run. I was lucky and found them after some poor soul felt pity on me and shuttled me 3 times up the mtn so I could search on the various downhills I made. I hide my keys under the car like everyone else has said.

 

[Beach_Bum]

I mountain bike, and rarely carry my keys for the sole purpose of I've lost them on a mtb run. I was lucky and found them after some poor soul felt pity on me and shuttled me 3 times up the mtn so I could search on the various downhills I made. I hide my keys under the car like everyone else has said.

So I'm just going to put this out here for the group, but one of the tricks is to use a diaper to store your fob or (valuables when not in proximity to the vehicle). A common scam on the beach is people will watch when others leave their blanket to go on a walk or a swim noting where phones are placed. Stash the items in a diaper and no one will touch it.

 

[Appalachia_Ewok]

So I'm just going to put this out here for the group, but one of the tricks is to use a diaper to store your fob or (valuables when not in proximity to the vehicle). A common scam on the beach is people will watch when others leave their blanket to go on a walk or a swim noting where phones are placed. Stash the items in a diaper and no one will touch it.

I've done this, but wearing a diaper while riding MTB causes chafing and the keyfob is uncomfortable.

 

[Scott R Nelson]

I haven't read any of the responses on this, but I'll post my solution to this.

I rely on the keypad to get into my 2021 Bronco most of the time. Within a few months of taking possession of it I went to one of the better locksmiths in the area and had a "key" made based on the one that you pull out of the key fob. The average locksmith couldn't make me one, but this works. So whenever I'm outside of my house I always keep a key ring in my pocket with keys to my house and a bunch of other stuff - the key to the Bronco is on that. In nearly four years of ownership, the keypad has only ever failed to work for me once, but now if it ever happens again I can easily get in anyway.

Any of you with keypads who lock the fob inside on occasion should have the spare "key" that will always get you in even if the keypad fails.

 

[Scott R Nelson]

Ford App unlocks.... May be repeating , just saying

You're assuming that you're somewhere with cell phone coverage. A lot of places that I take my Bronco have no cell service at all. If I had locked my Bronco with the fob inside and had a keypad failure here, no app would be able to save me, because there is NO cell service in this area.

 

[NatureMan]

Recall #200 incoming.

 

[TPadden72]

I haven't read any of the responses on this, but I'll post my solution to this.

Your time and solution must be so much more valuable than anyone that might have wasted their time already responding.

A lot like ending any response with: "enough said".

Tom

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