PSA: Check your backup start passcode

[fhteagle]

Both my and my GFs backup start passcodes have suddenly stopped working in the truck. Both were working as recently as September. Door codes still work for both of us.

Not sure what happened to cause this. No recent changes to phones, app versions, no new PaaK pairings, nor passcode additions.

If you're thinking this is a reliable backup method to PaaK or a dead key fob, it's not.

@Ford Motor Company , can you look into this? I can DM you a VIN and/or Ford account info if needed.

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[bmwhitetx]

It seems in the last month or so, FordPass required me to reinstall PAAK since some changes were made to that system. I don't remember if I had to redo my backup password though. Maybe you had to do that?

Although PAAK has never failed me in 3 years of ownership, I leave a key fob in a Faraday bag hidden in my truck as my backup. Even if the fob battery dies, it works in the cupholder slot to start your truck.

Plus if you ever have to unexpectedly drop it off at the dealer or have it towed, you have a key to give them.

 

[PJnc284]

It seems in the last month or so, FordPass required me to reinstall PAAK since some changes were made to that system. I don't remember if I had to redo my backup password though. Maybe you had to do that?

It asks if you want to but you don't have to change it.

 

[tubby]

It seems in the last month or so, FordPass required me to reinstall PAAK since some changes were made to that system. I don't remember if I had to redo my backup password though. Maybe you had to do that?

Although PAAK has never failed me in 3 years of ownership, I leave a key fob in a Faraday bag hidden in my truck as my backup. Even if the fob battery dies, it works in the cupholder slot to start your truck.

Plus if you ever have to unexpectedly drop it off at the dealer or have it towed, you have a key to give them.

I had this same issue in the past month. Never an issue and then something changed or updated and required me to put in a new passcode.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Recently I was prompted to update PAAK due to fix for Samsung devices, the first time I complied and all was good, then a week later the same prompt appeared, I wilfully ignored it, but feeling guilty of my non-compliance, did a test and sure as shitten, the back-up passcode was expunged and would not allow me to start the truck.

Hence I repeated the PAAK enrollment process again, all fixed from that point forward.

Lesson learned.

 

[MaintGrl]

Recently I was prompted to update PAAK due to fix for Samsung devices, the first time I complied and all was good, then a week later the same prompt appeared, I wilfully ignored it, but feeling guilty of my non-compliance, did a test and sure as shitten, the back-up passcode was expunged and would not allow me to start the truck.

Hence I repeated the PAAK enrollment process again, all fixed from that point forward.

Lesson learned.

So, does this apply to XLT"s also, or is this just a Lariat/Platinum issue?

 

[TaxmanHog]

So, does this apply to XLT"s also, or is this just a Lariat/Platinum issue?

If the XLT has PAAK, I think this was a remedy for Samsung phones.

OTOH, this recent experience by the OP might be a new twist.

Might be prudent to test the backup startup passcode if you were able to create one w/o PAAK.

 

[fhteagle]

I was not prompted to change / reset / whatever my backup start passcode.

Just for troubleshooting purposes, I did the reset passcode procedure today. Seems to be working as expected for me after that reset. Will need to get the GF to reset hers too before this weekend's trip.

Still miffed at @Ford Motor Company (literally company, but the person running that account) for whatever the software engineers did that nuked our passcodes without warning. This is NOT okay to do.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Both my and my GFs backup start passcodes have suddenly stopped working in the truck. Both were working as recently as September. Door codes still work for both of us.

Not sure what happened to cause this. No recent changes to phones, app versions, no new PaaK pairings, nor passcode additions.

If you're thinking this is a reliable backup method to PaaK or a dead key fob, it's not.

@Ford Motor Company , can you look into this? I can DM you a VIN and/or Ford account info if needed.

Sorry for the slow reply, I was OOO late last week. Yes, send me some details and I'll have the team investigate.

 

[MountainAlive]

Confirmed my backup passcode is no longer working so I’ll have to reset it and create a new one. It could be because I got a new iPhone 17 but it could also be something with the truck. But glad OP alerted me to try this.

 

[fhteagle]

FYI when I reset my backup start passcode, my door code stopped working....

 

[Ford Motor Company]

It could be because I got a new iPhone 17

Confirming this is why the backup code reset.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

FYI when I reset my backup start passcode, my door code stopped working....

Messaging you now to get some details.

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