- Ford expands Start Inhibit to fight F-150 and Super Duty thefts.
- System disables engines remotely and alerts local authorities.
- Owners receive alerts for break-ins and suspicious movement.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of vehicles seem to vanish without a trace, as far as their owners are concerned, anyway. In 2024 alone, over 850,000 vehicles were stolen across the USA, racking up around $8 billion in combined losses for owners and insurers.
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Among the most commonly stolen models is the Ford F-150, which saw nearly 5,000 units disappear in just the first half of the year, according to data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
Now, Ford is trying to fight back in the cat-and-mouse game with some very advanced technology. It’s called Start Inhibit, and it modernizes the idea of LoJack to maybe its finest degree yet.
Stepping Up Digital Defenses
The tech actually debuted on the 2024 F-150, but it’s slowly finding its way into other Ford offerings. As of 2025, it’s in the F-250, and that makes sense. The two pickup platforms are wildly popular and represent a large chunk of Ford’s sales. Even thieves love them.
To use Start Inhibit, customers must have and use the FordPass application. Within it, they can disable the engine remotely. That’s true even if the thief in question cloned a key or stole a real key to the vehicle.
The feature comes standard for one year with purchase, then runs $7.99 a month. On top of that, the service pushes alerts for unauthorized entry, door openings, and suspicious movement, giving owners an early heads-up before thieves can get far.
Remote Isn’t the Only Trick
The real superpower isn’t just remote capability, though. It’s how Start Inhibit is linked to authorities. When a vehicle is reported stolen, Ford’s call center verifies the case with police, then works with officers to locate the truck, disable it, and guide investigators to the final stop point.
“Usually, within an hour is when we try to work as hard as we can to get those vehicles,” said Detroit Police auto theft officer Ibrahim Kakish to Detroit News, noting that faster intervention typically means the truck is still intact.
The service isn’t far removed from its asset tracking hardware and software available to Ford Pro Telematics. That system uses GPS trackers and software to track assets like trailers, generators, and more.
The Privacy Question
It’s worth noting that this service isn’t without its own potential concerns. Start Inhibit only works with FordPass, and using the app means agreeing to Ford’s terms and conditions. Those permissions involve giving up a fair bit of personal data.
Some of that information, like GPS location and ignition system status, is clearly essential for the service to function. But other items are less obvious. For instance, does Ford really need access to the apps installed on your phone in order to keep tabs on your truck?
We reached out to the Blue Oval brand for clarification on that and some other related topics. We’ll update you here if we hear back.
