Ford Vehicles with Remote Start (14 Models: New + Used)
Remote engine start lets drivers fire up the vehicle within an approximate distance or from the comfort of their home, warming or cooling the interior in harsh weather before commencing the commute.
The following Ford cars, SUVs, trucks, and EVs can perform remote start, although the model year and trim level determine feature availability.
Do All Fords Have Remote Start?
2008 was when most Ford vehicles first had the remote engine start capability.
Most of the latest Ford models have remote-start as a standard or optional provision, with only the base models of the automaker’s range of trucks missing the feature.
For shoppers eyeing a used car, check each Ford’s corresponding table to see which model years have the technology feature.
Ford Cars with Remote Start
#1 Ford Focus
Small hatchbacks like the Focus offer great practicality and affordability.
However, 2018 was its final production year stateside, but a used Ford Focus remains a compelling purchase on a modest budget.
Ford first offered remote-start in the 2008 Focus sedan and coupe (second-gen’s mid-cycle), continuing the optional feature in most 2009, 2010, and 2011 models.
When the third generation debuted in 2012, every Ford Focus sported a remote starter as optional.
2013 to 2018 Ford Focus hatchbacks had standard remote-start in the range-topping Titanium, with the more affordable trims, like S, SE, and SEL, having the feature as an option.
Unfortunately, factory-spec, higher-performance Focus ST and Focus RS cannot start their engines remotely.
#2 Ford Mustang
American muscle cars do not get as iconic as the Ford Mustang, with an exhilarating performance that is surprisingly agreeable for the daily grind.
The fifth-generation Ford Mustang was the first to gain remote engine start as an option, with the 2008 to 2014 coupes and convertibles sporting the functionality in the higher trims like the GT.
2015 and 2016 Ford Mustangs had remote-start across the range, including the entry-level EcoBoost.
Optional remote-start for nearly every Ford Mustang extended to the 2017 – 2020 models, meaning EcoBoost and GT owners get to enjoy the convenience feature.
The 2021 and 2022 Shelby was the first Mustang to gain remote-start as standard equipment, with the feature continuing as an option in the more affordable EcoBoost and GT.
Ford SUVs with Remote Start
#3 Ford EcoSport
Ford introduced the extra-small EcoSport in 2018 but won’t continue producing it after 2022.
In its limited production years, every 2018 to 2022 Ford EcoSport has available remote start functionality.
#4 Ford Escape
Ford Escape is a small SUV available with gasoline-only and hybrid powertrains.
Most second-gen Ford Escape crossovers made between 2008 and 2012 had optional remote-start, except for the 2009 hybrid.
When the third generation rolled around, the remote start functionality became standard for the 2013 to 2019 Ford Escape Titanium, with the S, SE, and SEL sporting it as standard or optional depending on the model year.
2020 kicked off the fourth generation, offering more trim levels with a standard remote start.
Except for the base S and SE (where the feature is optional), all of the 2020 to 2023 Ford Escape’s upper trim levels enjoyed the capability as standard, including the hybrid models.
#5 Ford Bronco Sport
The Bronco Sport is different from the Bronco; the former is a small SUV, while the latter contends in the midsize category.
Buyers after the convenience of remote-starting their 2021 to 2023 Ford Bronco Sport will need to choose the pricier Outer Banks, as Badlands only has the functionality as optional, while the base and Big Bend have no remote starters.
#6 Ford Edge
Midsize SUVs can have two or three rows of seats, and Ford Edge is the former.
Except for 2007, nearly every first-gen Ford Edge (2008 to 2014) had an optional remote start.
Optional remote-start remained as the second generation debuted in 2015, with most 2015 to 2018 Ford Edge SUVs, including SEL, Titanium, and Sport, getting the feature.
The following year saw the remote start functionality becoming standard with the 2019 to 2023 Ford Edge Titanium, while most SEL, ST, and ST-Line trims have a remote starter as an option.
#7 Ford Explorer
Midsize three-row SUVs are popular among larger families for their added seating capacity.
The only fourth-gen Ford Explorers with available remote engine start are the 2009 and 2010 models.
As the fifth generation debuted the following year, the remote start functionality became standard for 2011 to 2015 Ford Explorer Limited and optional for Sport, leaving the base and XLT models without the feature.
Between 2016 and 2019, the Ford Explorer XLT had an optional remote start, while the higher trims above it had the feature as standard.
2020 to 2023 Ford Explorer SUVs have many more trim levels with remote engine start capability, although the XLT remains with a remote starter as optional equipment, while the base model had none.
#8 Ford Bronco
The midsize new Bronco is arguably Ford’s most off-road capable SUV.
Most 2021 to 2023 Ford Bronco mid and higher-tier trims can perform a remote engine start, while the more affordable Big Bend, Black Diamond, and Badlands had the feature as optional, and the entry-level model had none.
While the regular Ford Bronco is a capable daily driver, those into serious off-roading should opt for the Ford Bronco Raptor, which has a copious amount of off-road hardware.
#9 Ford Expedition
Ford’s largest sports utility, the Expedition, competes as a full-size SUV.
Ford Expedition SUVs have had the remote engine start functionality as optional from 2008 to 2014, as standard in most 2015 to 2019 models, and as standard across the range from 2020 to 2023.
Ford Trucks with Remote Start
#10 Ford Maverick
Ford Maverick is a compact truck and the American automaker’s smallest pickup.
The remote start capability has been available for 2022 and newer Ford Maverick trucks in the XLT and Lariat trim levels.
Only the entry-level Ford Maverick XL cannot perform a remote engine start.
#11 Ford Ranger
The midsize truck segment sees many strong picks like the Jeep Gladiator, Toyota Tacoma, and Honda Ridgeline, and the Ford Ranger has its work cut out to match those frontrunners.
The fourth Ranger generation debuted in 2019 after an eight-year hiatus.
Every 2019 to 2023 Ford Ranger XLT and Lariat has an available remote-start feature, while the base XL doesn’t.
#12 Ford F-150
Ford’s range of full-size pickups starts with the highly impressive F-150, a pretty good daily driver despite its rugged outlook and strengths.
The 2008 model was the only eleventh F-150 generation with an available remote engine start.
When Ford introduced the twelfth F-150 generation the following year, every 2009 model had an optional remote start.
Most 2010 to 2014 Ford F-150s in the higher range had a remote starter as standard equipment, while the mid-range models like FX2 and FX4 had it as optional, leaving the more affordable XL, XLT, and STX without the feature.
The remote engine start capability as standard provision carried through to the thirteenth generation, with nearly every 2015 to 2020 Ford F-150 sporting a remote starter – optional for XLT and standard for the pricier trims – except for the base XL.
The fourteenth Ford F-150 generation from 2021 to 2023 saw the company offering more trim levels with standard remote-start; however, the entry-level XL remained without the provision.
Considering the extensive customization options and many trim levels, the table below should help to clarify which model has remote-start and which hasn’t.
#13 Ford F-250
F-250 is the heavy-duty version of the F-150 pickup.
All 2009 and 2010 Ford F-250s had available remote-start.
2011 was the first year any Ford F-250 had a standard remote starter, although most models had the feature as an option, an offering that stayed largely unchanged from 2012 to 2016.
2017 was an exception, with most models doing without the feature.
From 2018 to the latest model, most higher-range Ford F-250 trucks can perform a remote engine start, including King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited.
The 2023 F-250 Lariat gained standard remote engine start, although the relevant equipment to perform the function remains optional for the XL and XLT trims.
Ford Electric Vehicle with Remote Start
#14 Ford Mustang Mach-E
The Mach-E was Ford’s first all-electric vehicle, debuting in 2021.
Remotely starting the Ford Mustang Mach-E (regardless of the model year) is possible with the FordPass App and complimentary Connected Service.
Crucially, you will need to activate the modem in your Mustang Mach-E by installing the FordPass app, logging in or creating an account, scanning or keying in your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and activating the vehicle.
Alternative Makes & Models with Remote Start
Many mainstream car manufacturers produce vehicles that can start remotely, and they include:
- Toyota cars with remote start.
- Honda cars with remote start.
- Mazda cars with remote start.
- Subaru cars with remote start.
- Nissan cars with remote start.
- Hyundai cars with remote start.
- Kia cars with remote start.
- Volkswagen cars with remote start.
- Chevy vehicles with remote start.
- Jeep SUVs with remote start.
References:
https://www.ford.com/new-suvs-crossovers/
