Remote start non-functioning via Ford app

Vermonster · Monday at 12:42 PM

For the last two weeks or so my remote start has failed via the Ford app. I like to use it while hunting and I am too far for the fob. Anyone else having issues? If I recall - this is not a subscription type of feature (thankfully), but I also noticed my Alexa (Amazon) is no longer linked to the truck. While I am not concerned about Alexa stopping, I am curious if I missed something on the Ford app.

Vecman · Monday at 12:46 PM

Had it been real cold? I’ve had it not start on a few pretty cold mornings. Seems odd to me, but moved on

Vermonster · Monday at 12:52 PM

Negative. Not too cold - maybe mid 20s.

Vecman · Monday at 1:42 PM

Vermonster said:
Negative. Not too cold - maybe mid 20s.

Well, we never get that cold here and that’s when it didn’t work a few times for me - these cold 40 degree AZ winters. Haha!

Is it not working at all, or is it randomly not working?

VB! · Monday at 2:08 PM

Mine occasionally fails when either the phone (Verizon) or the truck (AT&T) are in places that have no or bad network service. Maybe the signal is not getting through.

I've also had it fail in busy parking lots with activity right around the truck. I wondered if it runs a bunch of sensor checks and must get an all clear before starting.

I'm not paying for any connected services and it still works.

Vermonster · Monday at 2:11 PM

VB! said:
Mine occasionally fails when either the phone (Verizon) or the truck (AT&T) are in places that have no or bad network service. Maybe the signal is not getting through.

I've also had it fail in busy parking lots with activity right around the truck. I wondered if it runs a bunch of sensor checks and must get an all clear before starting.

I'm not paying for any connected services and it still works.

I have tried it on WiFI too and it fails. I am wondering if I need to delete the app and reinstall it, but I am not sure it will fix it. I did find that Alexa was a free trial - and I am going to live without that.

Maybe I will pull the negative battery cables and reset the truck.

Vermonster · Monday at 2:11 PM

Vecman said:
Well, we never get that cold here and that’s when it didn’t work a few times for me - these cold 40 degree AZ winters. Haha!

Is it not working at all, or is it randomly not working?

Not at all.

Canyon Trekker · Monday at 2:34 PM

Vermonster said:
Negative. Not too cold - maybe mid 20s.

I don't think it has ever reached mid 20's here.

Here's a novel idea, the truck won't start if it isn't "locked". Make sure all your doors are closed and the switches are engaged.
Here's why I mentioned it:
I had a door, passenger front, that periodically would not actuate the lock correctly. The lights would go off but the switch had high resistance. It would occasionally set the alarm off, and the code always said it was a "perimeter trip". So, I went around and checked all of the door switches. When I would manually try to activate the lock on the passenger side door with a screwdriver, it would make a "sluggish" click where all the others had a positive click. I cleaned all the switches with a contact cleaner (WD -40 would likely work) and the click was positive on all. This was over two years ago, and I haven't had an issue since. (I also periodically just go around and open and shut all the doors to keep the switches exercised.)

There are switches in the doors, hood lock, and tailgate. BTW, the hood lock on mine was gunked up as well and I suspect this could have also been a problem.

Hope you find your issue.

JTredway · Monday at 2:34 PM

anytime i have this issue repetitively I first make sure the app is updated, and then i just force close, logout and log back in. Reconnect alexa. Happens to me more frequently that i'd like on my iphone (work) less frequent on my android. I do use the action button to start it now that I figured that out.

Vecman · Monday at 2:53 PM

Report back after you’ve deleted and reinstalled the app and reset the truck. Curious if that fixes it.

Vermonster · Monday at 3:08 PM

Canyon Trekker said:
I don't think it has ever reached mid 20's here.

Here's a novel idea, the truck won't start if it isn't "locked". Make sure all your doors are closed and the switches are engaged.
Here's why I mentioned it:
I had a door, passenger front, that periodically would not actuate the lock correctly. The lights would go off but the switch had high resistance. It would occasionally set the alarm off, and the code always said it was a "perimeter trip". So, I went around and checked all of the door switches. When I would manually try to activate the lock on the passenger side door with a screwdriver, it would make a "sluggish" click where all the others had a positive click. I cleaned all the switches with a contact cleaner (WD -40 would likely work) and the click was positive on all. This was over two years ago, and I haven't had an issue since. (I also periodically just go around and open and shut all the doors to keep the switches exercised.)

There are switches in the doors, hood lock, and tailgate. BTW, the hood lock on mine was gunked up as well and I suspect this could have also been a problem.

Hope you find your issue.

Interesting. The truck is locked, but is it LOCKED. I will check this tonight.

Momma’s Trim! · Monday at 4:06 PM

Well, kind of useful input. I accidentally pulled on my drivers door Handel and it opened! But, I did not put my fingers behind the Handel and I just knew something felt wrong, wrong was I did not grab it properly and it opened! Still thought something else was wrong so I tried several things. I locked it and tried to open like Normal and it opened, something felt wrong. I locked it again and just grabbed the top and bottom of the Handel with out putting my hand/fingers into or behind the handle and it opened. Turns out the LOCK was not locking on the drivers door when the others were! Don’t know how long but that scared me and found it to be the lock actuator and I replaced it.

Vecman · Monday at 4:13 PM

So, for science, I walked out to my truck, unlocked it, and then hit the remote start in the app. It proceeded to lock and then start the truck. I thought this was the case, but wanted to check it before I posted anything. So that shouldn’t be the problem here.

stevejax · Monday at 7:08 PM

2021 with no subscriptions but could be connected to home wifi. iPhone app was updated 2 days ago to version 6.25.0. Using the app, truck started right up.

Dude · Monday at 7:14 PM

My app will never start our
Two 22 SD we disconnected
Telematics years ago

The Evil Twin · Monday at 7:22 PM

Mine will randomly not work. I attribute that to spotty service. If it flat never works any more, delete the app and reinstall. That would be my first step.

thatdood · Monday at 7:30 PM

Yesterday mine wouldn’t remote lock for about an hour

Vermonster · 2026-10-27T07:29:27-0500

Vecman said:
So, for science, I walked out to my truck, unlocked it, and then hit the remote start in the app. It proceeded to lock and then start the truck. I thought this was the case, but wanted to check it before I posted anything. So that shouldn’t be the problem here.

Came to say this too. First step is pressing the lock button, so I did that (as normal) left the key inside and went to check all the doors. Everything was locked - still not attempt to start via the app.

I am going to delete and reinstall the app today.

majorbison · 2026-10-27T07:41:10-0500

I just disabled telematics. It sucks to lose certain things but I guess USAA has been getting all sorts of info from the truck even though the insurance information is greyed out. God forbid you enjoy modern convenience and privacy at the same time.

I thought the app notifies you if it fails to start?

Vermonster · 2026-10-27T07:52:14-0500

majorbison said:
I just disabled telematics. It sucks to lose certain things but I guess USAA has been getting all sorts of info from the truck even though the insurance information is greyed out. God forbid you enjoy modern convenience and privacy at the same time.

I thought the app notifies you if it fails to start?

That stinks about USAA. I have state farm and I have their Drive Safe & Save spy in my truck. It's a little stick on Bluetooth devise that connects to the cell phone and uses the analytics. I have saved some cash, but at the price of data sharing.

When mine fails, the app will put an orange triangle "error" looking icon on the slide to start function - this is only after it tries to contact the mothership and then times out.

Just deleted the app and reinstalled it. Also set-up 2FA. I will see if it works this evening.