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Ford F-150: lost key, dead fob or locked out?

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Which key your F-150 takes by year, how to get in and start it when the fob dies, and which door and tailgate recalls to check.

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The Ford F-150

Ford of Canada says the F-Series was Canada's best-selling vehicle overall in 2025, for the 16th year in a row (138,470 units). A third-party sales tracker says the F-150 accounts for the large majority of the F-Series volume it charts.[1][2]

Four generations are covered: 2004–2008, 2009–2014, 2015–2020 and 2021–2026. The key went from blade key plus separate remote (to 2010), to remote-head key or Intelligent Access (IA) push-button fob (2011 on), to flip key or passive fob (2021 on).[3][7][8][10][15]

Cold is behind several F-150 lock records: a Canadian recall of 2015–2017 door latches that can freeze, and Ford bulletins published in the U.S. on frozen latches and cables in trucks up to the 2022 model year. On Équité Association's 2024 Ontario list by number of thefts, the 2023 F-150 ranked #5.[25][31][33][37][46]

Which key does your Ford F-150 use?

Model yearsKeyStartWorth knowing
2004–2008SecuriLock transponder blade key plus separate remoteTurn keyOne key works every lock, tailgate included.[3][4][5]
2009–20142009–2010: blade key plus remote. 2011–2014: remote-head key, or IA fobTurn key; push-button with IARemote-head key and IA fob first appear in the 2011 manual.[3][6][7][8][9]
2015–2020Remote-head key, or IA fob with removable bladeTurn key; push-button with IAIA battery: two CR2025 (2015–2017), one CR2450 (2018–2020).[10][12][13][14]
2021–2026Flip key, or passive fob with removable bladeTurn key (flip); push-button (passive)Canada 2026: no IA listed on XL; optional on XLT, standard on Lariat.[15][17][18][19][20]

Not sure which generation you have? The model year is on your ownership (vehicle permit).

Dead fob, locked out or trunk stuck: what the owner's manual says

Hidden blade and door keyhole (2015–2026)

2015–2020 IA fob: slide the release on the back and pivot the cover off. 2021–2026 passive fob: push the release button and pull the blade out. The blade opens the driver door when the fob battery is low (2018); the 2021 and 2025 manuals put the keyhole at the rear end of the driver's outside handle.[10][13][15][16][17]

Dead fob: the backup slot (2015–2025)

For 2015–2020 push-button trucks, the 2015 manual says: put the fob in the backup slot, press the brake, then the start button. Slot location: center console (2015, 2018 manuals), cup holder or console (2020, 2021), or under the storage compartment lid, buttons facing the rear (2025).[10][13][14][15][16]

Fob battery by year

CR2032 in the 2005–2010 remote, the 2011 keys, the 2015–2020 remote-head key and the 2021–2026 flip key. Two CR2025 in the 2015–2017 IA fob. One CR2450 in the 2018–2026 IA or passive fob.[4][8][10][12][13][15][17]

Key locked inside (2005, 2018, 2021)

The 2021 manual: locking the truck deactivates a passive key left inside, and the key's unlock button reactivates it. The 2005 and 2018 manuals warn the truck can still be locked with the key in the ignition.[4][13][15]

Door keypad code (SecuriCode)

On 2015–2016 trucks the keypad is "invisible until touched". The five-digit code is on the owner's wallet card or from a dealer (2005, 2021 manuals); seven wrong tries lock it for one minute (2009). Ford bulletins (U.S. data): 2024 trucks ship with no code card, reading the code needs two programmed IA keys, and some 2024–2026 trucks have no factory keypad. The 2026 manual shows the code on the cluster with two keys inside.[4][6][10][11][15][17][21][22]

Tailgate will not open

The tailgate lock takes the ignition key (2005, 2021). The 2018 electronic tailgate releases from a button inside its handle. For a tailgate that will not open, the 2021 manual lists: be in Park, no obstruction, freezing conditions, low battery voltage.[4][13][15]

Spare keys and all keys lost

The 2005 and 2021 manuals: owner programming of a spare needs two working keys; otherwise, a dealer. With all keys lost, the 2010 and 2021 manuals say to have the truck towed to a dealer. From the 2011 manual on, a security tag or label holds the key cut information.[4][7][8][15]

Recalls involving locks, latches or keys

RecallModel yearsWhat it covers
TC 2011-047 (Ford 11S15)2009–2010Interior door-handle spring mount can fracture; the latch could open in a side crash.[23]
TC 2017-276 (Ford 17C09)2017Dealer-sold chrome door-handle covers could let a door unlatch in a side impact.[24]
TC 2017-502 (Ford 17S33)2015–2017Water freezes in the latch, or cables are bent or kinked, so a door "will not open or will not close" or may open while driving. 222,408 in Canada, incl. 2017 Super Duty.[25]
TC 2017-519 (Ford 17S36)2017 (10-speed)Shift-linkage pin can fall out; the ignition key could be removed when not in Park.[26]
TC 2018-165 (Ford 18S10)2017–2018Unseated shift-cable clip; the ignition key could be removed when not in Park.[27]
TC 2020-023 (Ford 20S01)2015–2018Electric tailgate latch may unlatch on its own; the repair modifies the wiring harness and fits a new release switch. Recall in Canada only; the U.S. got program 20N01 (U.S. data).[28][29]
TC 2021-771 (Ford 21S53)2018Tailgate latches may unlatch while driving; both are replaced.[30]

To check whether your own vehicle has an open recall, enter its VIN on the manufacturer's recall page — Transport Canada lists them here. To browse recalls by make, model and year, use the Transport Canada recalls database.

Known problems and what owners report

Doors frozen shut, 2015–2019 (U.S. data)

TSB 16-0155 covers 2015–2017 latches that fail in freezing temperatures. Programs 18N03 (2015–2018 sealing) and 19N06 (2018–2019 trucks built April 2018 to March 2019: outside-handle cables that freeze and hold the latch open) are addressed to U.S. dealers. NHTSA lists 199 latch and lock complaints for 2015–2020 trucks, versus 20 to 36 for each other generation.[31][32][33][34]

Power door lock dead, 2015–2020 (U.S. data)

Program 20M04 covers 2015–2019 lock actuators that freeze or corrode; the door still locks and unlocks by hand with the indicator on top of the door panel, or with the door key. TSB 21-2207 covers one or more dead power locks on 2019–2020.[35][36]

Doors that will not open or lock, 2021–2024 (U.S. data)

SSM 50543: in freezing weather, 2021–2022 doors may not lock or unlock, or may be hard to open; the wet lock-indicator cable is replaced, "not the latch". SSM 52633: 2021–2024 doors that will not open from the outside handle may have an inertia lock engaged by closing or opening a door with excessive force; it can be reset.[37][38]

"No Key Detected" and key programming

TSB 24-2211 (2024): passive entry dead or "No Key Detected", fixed with body control module (BCM) software. TSB 26-2185 (2024–2026): no crank and no fob works in the backup slot, while lock and unlock still work. Ford marks both for North American markets. On 2015–2019 trucks, key programming "error 232" means a damaged BCM (U.S. data).[39][40][41]

Theft and key security

The F-150 was on every Équité Association Ontario top-10 list by number of thefts from 2020 (grouped with the F-250 to F-450) to 2024. On the 2024 lists, the 2023 model year was #5 in Ontario with 1,093 thefts and #4 in Canada. Local news citing York Regional Police data ranked it #3 in York Region for 2025.[42][43][44][45][46][47][48]

In Peel Police's Project High Five (2022), thieves forced the driver's door and programmed a new fob through the OBD port, "not the result of relay thefts", police said (news report). Ford Canada's Security Package for 2024–2026 trucks adds Start Inhibit; it needs the Ford app, an activated modem and a plan.[49][50]

Ford F-150 keys — questions

Where is the hidden key in an F-150 fob?

On a 2015–2020 Intelligent Access fob, slide the release on the back and pivot the cover off; on a 2021–2026 passive fob, push the release button and pull the blade out. The 2021 and 2025 manuals show the keyhole at the rear end of the driver's outside handle.

How do I start an F-150 with a dead fob?

On 2015–2020 push-button trucks, the 2015 manual says to put the fob in the backup slot, press the brake, then the start button. The manuals place the slot in the center console (2015, 2018), the cup holder or console (2020, 2021), or under the storage compartment lid (2025).

Does the frozen door latch recall cover my F-150?

Transport Canada recall 2017-502 (Ford 17S33) is for door latches on 2015–2017 F-150s (222,408 vehicles in Canada, including 2017 Super Duty). Ford program 19N06, for outside-handle cables on 2018–2019 trucks built April 2018 to March 2019, is addressed to U.S. dealers.

Falcon Locksmith is an independent locksmith, not affiliated with or authorised by Ford. Vehicle and product names belong to their respective owners and are used only to identify the vehicle.

Related help

Car LockoutKey Fob ProgrammingSmart KeysAll Keys LostSpare Car KeysIgnition Repair All Ford keys →

Other Ford models

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Sources

  1. Ford of Canada — 2025 sales highlights (2026)
  2. GoodCarBadCar — Ford F-Series sales figures (third-party)
  3. Wikipedia — Ford F-Series, twelfth generation (third-party)
  4. Ford — F-150 Owner's Guide (2005 model year)
  5. Ford — F-150 Owner's Guide (2008 model year)
  6. Ford — F-150 Owner's Guide (2009 model year)
  7. Ford — F-150 Owner's Guide (2010 model year)
  8. Ford — F-150 Owner's Guide (2011 model year)
  9. Ford — F-150 Owner's Manual (2014 model year)
  10. Ford — F-150 Owner's Manual (2015 model year)
  11. Ford — F-150 Owner's Manual (2016 model year)
  12. Ford — F-150 Owner's Manual (2017 model year)
  13. Ford — F-150 Owner's Manual (2018 model year)
  14. Ford — F-150 Owner's Manual (2020 model year)
  15. Ford — F-150 Owner's Manual (2021 model year)
  16. Ford — F-150 Owner's Manual (2025 model year)
  17. Ford — F-150 Owner's Manual (2026 model year)
  18. Ford Canada — 2026 F-150 XL
  19. Ford Canada — 2026 F-150 XLT
  20. Ford Canada — 2026 F-150 Lariat
  21. Ford — SSM 52310, 2024 keypad code (via NHTSA, 2024)
  22. Ford — SSM 54546, trucks without a factory keypad (via NHTSA, 2026)
  23. Transport Canada — Recall 2011-047 (2011)
  24. Transport Canada — Recall 2017-276 (2017)
  25. Transport Canada — Recall 2017-502 (2017)
  26. Transport Canada — Recall 2017-519 (2017)
  27. Transport Canada — Recall 2018-165 (2018)
  28. Transport Canada — Recall 2020-023 (2020)
  29. Ford — Customer Satisfaction Program 20N01, tailgate (via NHTSA, 2020)
  30. Transport Canada — Recall 2021-771 (2021)
  31. Ford — TSB 16-0155, door latches in freezing temperatures (via NHTSA, 2016)
  32. Ford — Customer Satisfaction Program 18N03, door latch freezing (via NHTSA, 2018)
  33. Ford — Customer Satisfaction Program 19N06, outside-handle cable (via NHTSA, 2019)
  34. NHTSA — F-150 owner complaints (as of September 30, 2026)
  35. Ford — Program 20M04, power door-lock actuators (via NHTSA, 2021)
  36. Ford — TSB 21-2207, power locks inoperative (via NHTSA, 2021)
  37. Ford — SSM 50543, doors in freezing temperatures (via NHTSA, 2022)
  38. Ford — SSM 52633, door inertia lock (via NHTSA, 2024)
  39. Ford — TSB 24-2211, passive entry and No Key Detected (via NHTSA, 2024)
  40. Ford — TSB 26-2185, no crank and No Key Detected (via NHTSA, 2026)
  41. Ford — SSM 48108, key programming error 232 (via NHTSA, 2019)
  42. Équité Association — Top 10 most stolen vehicles, Ontario (2020 list)
  43. Équité Association — Top 10 stolen vehicles, Ontario ("2021" list)
  44. Équité Association — Top 10 most stolen vehicles, Ontario (2022 list)
  45. Équité Association — Top 10 most stolen vehicles, Ontario (2023 list)
  46. Équité Association — Top 10 most stolen vehicles, Ontario (2024 list)
  47. Équité Association — Top 10 most stolen vehicles, Canada (2024 list)
  48. AuroraToday — York Region top-10 stolen vehicles (2026)
  49. Global News — Peel police Project High Five (2022)
  50. Ford Canada — What is the Ford Security Package?

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