Ford’s Start Inhibit remotely blocks the engine from starting. Drivers must enter an app-generated code on the infotainment screen. The service costs $7.99 monthly in the US or CA$9.99 in Canada. Ford just made its newest vehicles harder to steal. Thefts remain high across the United States and in plenty of other countries, and Ford acknowledges it’s locked in a race against criminals who keep finding ways around the security built into modern cars. The company calls its new feature as ‘Start Inhibit.’ It works much like the two-factor authentication process you may be used to access sensitive services, like your email or online banking, and is being added into the FordPass app and new Ford models. Anyone who has fumbled through a login code will recognize how it works. Read: Your Ford Can Be Shut Down From Afar, But Only If You Agree To This Vehicles with the FordPass app synced to them receive an alert every time their car is accessed, started, moved, or factory reset. If an owner receives an alert, but knows it wasn’t caused by them, they can remotely engage the Start Inhibit function. This will prevent the vehicle from starting until the driver enters a code into the infotainment system generated by the owner’s app. If a vehicle is stolen, subscribers can also ask Ford to track it and provide its location directly to law enforcement. The law-enforcement angle runs deeper than a location ping. According to CBS News, once an owner reports a theft and files a police report, Ford’s call center works with officers to trigger Start Inhibit, kill the engine, and mark where the vehicle stopped. Detroit police told the AP they aim to recover flagged trucks within the hour, since a fast recovery usually means an undamaged one. There’s a limit, though. Start Inhibit won’t cut power to a moving car. It only arms once the vehicle has stopped and shut off, blocking the next start rather than killing the engine mid-drive. Ford recently showcased the system to members of the press, including CTV News. It says the system will help combat thieves who use devices purchased online to clone keys, an ongoing issue for vehicles with keyless access. Free For The First Year The ‘Start Inhibit’ function has actually been around for more than a year, but hasn’t received much press, which is probably a good thing, as it hasn’t given thieves the opportunity to try and develop a system to circumvent Ford’s safety measures. Currently, it’s available on select 2024 and newer F-150 and Super Duty models, as well as the 2026 Expedition, Bronco Sport, and Mustang Mach-E. The feature is available through Ford’s optional Security Package, which includes a one-year free subscription for owners of the vehicles listed above. Once that runs out, the bill comes to $7.99 per month in the USA, or CA$9.99 in Canada. Nothing says peace of mind quite like paying a monthly fee to keep the car you already bought.
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