DIO of the Keyless Entry Pad - An After-thought

SandboxGeneral

Oct 10, 2020

This is a thread directed right at Ford Motor Co from me, if they're reading this.

From the news story on the front page,

https://community.thebronconation.com/super-celebration-east-2021-ford-bronco-qa/
4. Will there be a keypad for keyless entry? If so, where will it be located?

Keypad will be available as a dealer installed option and will be applied on the door.

I don't understand why, and don't agree with the decision, that Ford made to have the keyless entry pad as a dealer installed option. This feature has been a staple of Ford Motor Co since the 1990's and customer's absolutely love it, including me. Almost no other manufacturer has such an option. I've seen Doug DeMuro, a widely popular YouTube car reviewer, gush about this feature numerous times when he reviews a Ford/Lincoln product and how he wished more car makers did a similar thing.

I don't get it. Why couldn't or didn't Ford integrate this into the vehicle somehow? I understand that removing the doors as an option on the Bronco poses a challenge, but I'm confident that the design and engineering prowess of Ford Motor Co could have overcome it. Having the keypad applied (read stuck on like a sticker) by the dealer shows me that it was an after-thought, like they forgot about adding that feature until it was too late and decided to let dealers add it later.

Rusty Shackleford, crashmc2

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Oct 10, 2020

SandboxGeneral
This is a thread directed right at Ford Motor Co from me, if they're reading this.

From the news story on the front page,

https://community.thebronconation.com/super-celebration-east-2021-ford-bronco-qa/

I don't understand why, and don't agree with the decision, that Ford made to have the keyless entry pad as a dealer installed option. This feature has been a staple of Ford Motor Co since the 1990's and customer's absolutely love it, including me. Almost no other manufacturer has such an option. I've seen Doug DeMuro, a widely popular YouTube car reviewer, gush about this feature numerous times when he reviews a Ford/Lincoln product and how he wished more car makers did a similar thing.

I don't get it. Why couldn't or didn't Ford integrate this into the vehicle somehow? I understand that removing the doors as an option on the Bronco poses a challenge, but I'm confident that the design and engineering prowess of Ford Motor Co could have overcome it. Having the keypad applied (read stuck on like a sticker) by the dealer shows me that it was an after-thought, like they forgot about adding that feature until it was too late and decided to let dealers add it later.

I understand your concern. Having the keypad installed by the dealer might actually be a good move. Maybe the dealer could install the keypad on the pillar or other location as directed by the buyer? Perhaps this is in keeping with the “have it your way” customization initiative?

David

Oct 10, 2020

BuzzyBud
I understand your concern.

Other than aesthetics, my concern is that of reliability. How well will this work as an add-on feature? How secure is it? Is it a wireless option? If so, how will it be secured and protected from someone trying to hack it with a computer, i.e. "war driving?" How much potential will there be for it to fail and you're locked out of the vehicle? If a user has Ford Pass on their phone they could unlock it that way, but what if you're at the beach swimming and you lock both the fob and the phone in the car and the keypad fails, then what?

crashmc2, Deano Bronc

Oct 10, 2020

SandboxGeneral
Other than aesthetics, my concern is that of reliability. How well will this work as an add-on feature? How secure is it? Is it a wireless option? If so, how will it be secured and protected from someone trying to hack it with a computer, i.e. "war driving?" How much potential will there be for it to fail and you're locked out of the vehicle? If a user has Ford Pass on their phone they could unlock it that way, but what if you're at the beach swimming and you lock both the fob and the phone in the car and the keypad fails, then what?

If you are at the beach just jump in through the open roof.:ROFLMAO:
Also I think ford had had the key pad in the 80s I remember my moms 1987 Grand Marquee had it.

Bronco Nation 1100. Everglades, Desert Sand
Res: 7/30/20 ordered 1/22/21 reorder 10/15/21 changed to Everglades 3/9/22 schedule 8/29/22 bumped to 9/5; 9/7/22 blend, 9/9 Mods, 9/26/22 completed, 10/7 shipped, 11/3/22 delivery

Calgecko

Oct 10, 2020

Jakob1972
If you are at the beach just jump in through the open roof.:ROFLMAO:
Also I think ford had had the key pad in the 80s I remember my moms 1987 Grand Marquee had it.

Yeah, I think you're right. My mom's '89 Super Coupe had it too.

Oct 10, 2020

The ranger has the identical setup. It is also installed after the fact and not integrated into the vehicle.

it may be an issue with complexity at MAP. Or maybe a platform issue. Both both platform mates in the same plant have the same keypad.

BuzzyBud

Oct 10, 2020

Rough Rider
The ranger has the identical setup. It is also installed after the fact and not integrated into the vehicle.

it may be an issue with complexity at MAP. Or maybe a platform issue. Both both platform mates in the same plant have the same keypad.

Thanks for the information. Do you have a Ranger with that, and if so, what has been your experience with it?

Oct 12, 2020

it's disappointing that the keypad isn't a standard feature on the Bronco. I use it every day on my Escape (my key just lives in the center console), but for all the other Bronco goodness, I'm ok going old school and keeping a key in my pocket.

I will definitely be curious what people's experience is with the dealer installed implementation.

‘22, 4 door Badlands, 2.3l, MT, MIC top, lux, Sasquatch, tow. Velocity Blue.
Build Complete --> 5/5/2022. Delivered 5/25/2022.
Bronco Nation #1115

Oct 12, 2020

tlowell01
it's disappointing that the keypad isn't a standard feature on the Bronco. I use it every day on my Escape (my key just lives in the center console), but for all the other Bronco goodness, I'm ok going old school and keeping a key in my pocket.

I will definitely be curious what people's experience is with the dealer installed implementation.

I don't believe the keypad is quite as relevant as it once was since you don't even have to take the key out of your pocket/purse. Just touch the backside of the door handle and the door locks pop open.
I have used the keypad in the past but usually when I accidently locked my keys in the car.

2022 Bronco Badlands, 4D, Hot Pepper Red, 2.7, Squatch, Lux, and MIC.
7/13/2020 10:04pm reservation. Blend 6/16/2022 Delivered 6/26/2022.
Dealership - Stephen's Auto Center.

Oct 12, 2020

Deano Bronc
I don't believe the keypad is quite as relevant as it once was since you don't even have to take the key out of your pocket/purse. Just touch the backside of the door handle and the door locks pop open.
I have used the keypad in the past but usually when I accidently locked my keys in the car.

It's relevant for me because when I carry my MKZ fob in my pocket I activate the panic button at least once a week. :mad:

Deano Bronc

Oct 12, 2020

#10

Would this not be the time to retire the keypad and double down on smart phone connectivity? If you can do all of this on your phone, why do you need to add anything to a removable panel of a car?

Stereo

Oct 12, 2020

#11

TheStephensSC
Would this not be the time to retire the keypad and double down on smart phone connectivity? If you can do all of this on your phone, why do you need to add anything to a removable panel of a car?

What if you want to leave your phone locked in the car, say while you go swimming at the beach?

Rusty Shackleford, crashmc2

Oct 12, 2020

#12

Deano Bronc
I don't believe the keypad is quite as relevant as it once was since you don't even have to take the key out of your pocket/purse. Just touch the backside of the door handle and the door locks pop open.
I have used the keypad in the past but usually when I accidently locked my keys in the car.

That's the thing I use the keypad so I don't have to keep my keys in my pocket. I can just leave them in the console. However in a vehicle that I hope to have the top and doors off a significant part of the year (Oct - May here in AZ, haha), leaving my keys in the car doesn't seem like such a good idea.

‘22, 4 door Badlands, 2.3l, MT, MIC top, lux, Sasquatch, tow. Velocity Blue.
Build Complete --> 5/5/2022. Delivered 5/25/2022.
Bronco Nation #1115

Oct 12, 2020

#13

tlowell01
That's the thing I use the keypad so I don't have to keep my keys in my pocket. I can just leave them in the console. However in a vehicle that I hope to have the top and doors off a significant part of the year (Oct - May here in AZ, haha), leaving my keys in the car doesn't seem like such a good idea.

Yeah, I understand. Everyone has their own way of doing things. If you use the keypad a lot, then I can understand the frustration.
My son got a dealer installed keypad (looks basically the same one) and it works but it sure looked added on.

2022 Bronco Badlands, 4D, Hot Pepper Red, 2.7, Squatch, Lux, and MIC.
7/13/2020 10:04pm reservation. Blend 6/16/2022 Delivered 6/26/2022.
Dealership - Stephen's Auto Center.

Oct 12, 2020

#14

I too really wish that the keypad was integrated. Doesn't make sense to exclude it, or to make it a dealer installed option. I'd trust the factory to install it properly over a dealership.

CURRENT: 2023 Bronco Raptor, Code Orange
PREVIOIUS: 2021 4-Door Badlands, MIC Top, 2.7L, Carbonized Gray, MGV, Lux, Tow Package

Oct 12, 2020

#15

I've had the keypad on a car before and it worked great with old style keys. I wonder how will this work with the new key fobs that have proximity sensors that allow you to just push a button to start the car?
I'm picturing driving somewhere, turning off the Bronco, open the door and get out. The computer and sensors know I've done this and rightly assumes I have gotten out of the car and also knows that the keys are still in the Bronco. I key in my code to lock the Bronco and the computer says "nope, not doing it. Your keys are in the car."
Has anyone had a keypad and the proximity key fobs? How did it work?

In my last Wrangler, I installed a metal lock box that was made to fit in the center console. I would lock my keys in there. I still had to carry a key, but it was just one small lock key instead of the mess of keys for the car, house and key fob. I'm sure there will be aftermarket parts like that for the Bronco.

Oct 12, 2020

#16

mrcx
Has anyone had a keypad and the proximity key fobs? How did it work?

My MKZ is like that. I leave the fob inside and when I close the door I have to press and hold both the 7-8 and 9-0 buttons and the car will lock. If I don't do that and just press the lock on the inside of the door before closing it, it won't lock and will beep at me.

Deano Bronc

Oct 12, 2020

#17

SandboxGeneral
My MKZ is like that. I leave the fob inside and when I close the door I have to press and hold both the 7-8 and 9-0 buttons and the car will lock. If I don't do that and just press the lock on the inside of the door before closing it, it won't lock and will beep at me.

Thanks for the info.

Oct 12, 2020

#18

SandboxGeneral
My MKZ is like that. I leave the fob inside and when I close the door I have to press and hold both the 7-8 and 9-0 buttons and the car will lock. If I don't do that and just press the lock on the inside of the door before closing it, it won't lock and will beep at me.

That's exactly how it works on my Escape as well

‘22, 4 door Badlands, 2.3l, MT, MIC top, lux, Sasquatch, tow. Velocity Blue.
Build Complete --> 5/5/2022. Delivered 5/25/2022.
Bronco Nation #1115

Oct 12, 2020

#19

I don't want the dealer to install it, they could put it on the console.
I still have nightmares about the side moulding the dealer put on my fathers Granada.

Joined May 29, 2020 Member 546
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