Ford has introduced a paid feature that won’t let a thief start the car

Ford has unveiled a new anti-theft system called Start Inhibit, allowing the owner to remotely disable engine starting. However, this feature is available only by subscription at $7.99 per month after the first free year of service ends.

The new function works through the FordPass app. If the owner receives an alert about suspicious activity — for example, the car has been unlocked, started or moved without their knowledge, — they can activate lock mode with a single tap. After that, the engine cannot be started, even if the intruder has the original key or a clone of it. To remove the lock, a one-time PIN code is required, generated in the app and entered on the car’s multimedia system screen.

The important limitation is that the system cannot shut off the engine while the vehicle is moving. This is done for safety reasons. The lock activates only after the car has come to a complete stop and been turned off, preventing it from being started again.

Police cooperation plays a special role in the new system. If the car is stolen anyway, the owner must contact law enforcement and file a report. Once the theft is confirmed, Ford specialists begin working with the police: they help track the car’s location and also activate Start Inhibit so criminals cannot start the vehicle again after it stops. According to Detroit police officers, the faster the vehicle is found, the higher the chance of returning it to the owner without serious damage.

According to Ford, the system was created in response to modern theft methods. Criminals are increasingly using devices to clone keyless entry signals, which can be freely purchased online. The new technology effectively gives the car an analogue of two-factor authentication: even with a key, the engine cannot be started without the owner’s permission.

For now, the feature is available only for certain 2024–2026 model-year vehicles, including the F-150, Super Duty, Expedition, Bronco Sport and Mustang Mach-E. The first year of service is free, after which owners will have to take out a monthly subscription.

The launch of Start Inhibit has already sparked lively discussion among motorists. Some believe the extra protection justifies the subscription cost, especially in regions with high theft rates. Others criticize Ford for making such an important safety feature paid, turning protection for an already purchased car into a recurring subscription service.