Ford said its Fiesta and Focus – the UK’s two top-selling models overall – now have new security technology which disables keyless entry fobs when not in use to block illegal hacking.
The problem has attracted considerable attention as thieves target and steal cars without any need to break into the house for the keys, if they are left within wireless range.
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So-called relay box equipment is used to extend the signal from fobs in homes to unlock and start vehicles parked outside.
A new motion sensor in the Ford fob detects when it has been stationary for longer than 40 seconds and triggers a sleep mode which will not respond to attempts to hack its signal via a relay box or other nefarious equipment.
Moving the keyless fob by picking it up inside the home and taking it to the car will restore full functionality by the time drivers approach their cars, the automaker said, adding its fobs are designed to operate only within a two-metre radius of the cars they are bonded to.
Fiesta, including a van version, is already updated with the new fobs at no extra cost and Focus production starts next month.
Even better, Ford is offering the security upgrade to owners of current Fiesta and Focus models, priced from GBP65 (Fiesta), £72 (Focus) plus 0.9 hours labour to programme and test.
Standard supply with other models will follow within two years.
Ford has only standardised Thatcham category one alarms range-wide since mid-2017, however.
The UK’s Thatcham Research earlier this month launched security ratings to help consumers better understand the theft risk of new cars against a back drop of rising vehicle thefts. The new ratings assess whether measures to specifically address the keyless entry/start vulnerability, have been adopted.
Ford’s Mondeo rated ‘poor’.
The Porsche Macan was also deemed poor but has since been upgraded and given a ‘superior’ rating.
