Ford removing remote start (& do I need a cell modem subscription now?)

[AlphaGK]

I read a message that Ford sent saying they were removing safety features - remote lock/unlock - from the Fordpass App.


I use my smartphone for its data connection, so I'm a little surprised that Ford is removing a feature that I imagine most people use (remote start, etc)

I can't figure out if Ford just wants more money from me each month, to "activate" the modem in the car?

Don't I need that to be able to locate EV chargers in an low-battery problem?

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[Gimme_my_MME]

Do you have a copy of that message?

 

[RickMachE]

I read a message that Ford sent saying they were removing safety features - remote lock/unlock - from the Fordpass App.


I use my smartphone for its data connection, so I'm a little surprised that Ford is removing a feature that I imagine most people use (remote start, etc)

I can't figure out if Ford just wants more money from me each month, to "activate" the modem in the car?

Don't I need that to be able to locate EV chargers in an low-battery problem?

Go back and re-read. "Members with an activated FordPass Connect™** modem will continue to be able to use remote vehicle features including start***/stop and lock/unlock****"

 

[heisnuts]

I know they were taking items like the Journey recordings away, but I did not see anything about the lock/unlock and remote start. I would be very surprised if those were going away.

I believe features like the lock/unlock and remote start will eventually become a subscription model, but I also believe for at least the first 3 years from the original in service date they will be included at no extra charge.

 

[nor3bo]

Go back and re-read. "Members with an activated FordPass Connect™** modem will continue to be able to use remote vehicle features including start***/stop and lock/unlock****"

What does "an activated FordPass Connect™" mean here - does it lean towards an eventual subscription..?

 

[Cm12]

Go back and re-read. "Members with an activated FordPass Connect™** modem will continue to be able to use remote vehicle features including start***/stop and lock/unlock****"

I think the question is about whether our modems are going to remain activated for free, not whether it will keep working. Do you know whether Ford has said anything on charging a subscription or something to keep the modem active?

 

[newmme]

Do you know whether Ford has said anything on charging a subscription or something to keep the modem active?

Probably a subscription. My Chevy Volt has a $30/month fee to use the remote features like locking or starting. It was free for the first year.

 

[RickMachE]

I think the question is about whether our modems are going to remain activated for free, not whether it will keep working. Do you know whether Ford has said anything on charging a subscription or something to keep the modem active?

Nothing. Nada. Nothing to worry about.

 

[noway]

All our cars has "activated fordpass modem". The activation is done during delivery. This could however be refused if customer does not want the car connected to avoid tracking from ford. Not all of cars from Ford has a fordpass modem, and models without it (none of the MMEs) will not have those features

 

[ChuckA]

Probably a subscription. My Chevy Volt has a $30/month fee to use the remote features like locking or starting. It was free for the first year.

Hope not. $30 per month is robbery. How much negative commentary does Ford want?

 

[RickMachE]

OMG...

 

[BMT1071]

Probably a subscription. My Chevy Volt has a $30/month fee to use the remote features like locking or starting. It was free for the first year.

That's odd. The last two GM vehicles I had didn't charge a fee for those functions. '13 Buick and a '17 Chevy.

 

[yngwenli]

Does anyone know the cost of all the connected services? Is there a page/table with it all spelled out clearly after expiration?

Things like:
Navigation
Blue Cruise
Streaming
Alexa

 

[AlphaGK]

I called Ford and verified that my modem is indeed activated, but the wording sounds like it's generated a few calls.

They confirmed that the "Journeys" feature is going away from the Fordpass smartphone app. But remote lock/unlock and other things are staying.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Much ado about nothing. Worry about subscription fees for non Bluetooth remote starts and the like if or when they’re announced.

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