Some Ford Maverick owners say their trucks have started on their own without any prompt from them, raising questions about what could be behind the unexpected behavior. The reports involve the Maverick’s remote-start systems, including FordPass and the key fob, as well as possible explanations related to its hybrid system.
Ford Maverick Owners Report Unexpected Starts
Remote starting has become a widely adopted feature in newer vehicles, allowing owners to start their cars or trucks using a key or smartphone app without being inside the vehicle.
The feature can be useful for pre-cooling a vehicle on a hot day or pre-heating it when temperatures are colder. However, the system normally requires the owner to activate it, making an unexpected start unusual.
According to a report from The Drive, some Ford Maverick owners have experienced their trucks starting without any apparent prompt from them.
One owner raised the issue in a thread on a private Ford Maverick Facebook group and found that other owners had experienced the same problem. One owner claimed the issue had occurred a “dozen times” during the four years he had owned the truck.
How the Maverick Remote Start System Works
The Ford Maverick offers remote starting in two forms. Owners can use the FordPass app to start the truck from their phones, and the system can also be scheduled to start the vehicle daily.
The second option is the remote-start function built into the key fob, although it is available only on higher-end variants.
Starting the Maverick with the key fob requires more than simply pressing a button once. The driver must follow a sequence to activate the vehicle, making an accidental activation less likely if the key fob is pressed or moved around in a pocket with other items.
That leaves the FordPass system as one possible explanation. The system does not require additional security measures before allowing the vehicle to be started through the app, meaning someone with access to the owner’s phone could potentially start the truck accidentally or intentionally without the owner immediately knowing.
Could the Hybrid System Be Responsible?
Another proposed explanation involves the Maverick’s hybrid system. The report suggests the truck may have a built-in software program designed to turn the vehicle on if the hybrid battery pack’s state of charge becomes too low.
However, the findings also indicate that some owners may be confusing this behavior with the operation of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, or PHEV.
In a PHEV, the engine can sometimes activate to circulate lubricants and prevent sediment from building up in the fuel lines. But this occurs while the vehicle is being driven, rather than while it is stationary, because of safety concerns.
Could Owners Simply Be Forgetting?
Another possible explanation raised in the report is considerably simpler: some drivers may be forgetting to turn off their vehicles.
Modern vehicles can be extremely quiet when parked, which can make it easier for drivers to overlook the fact that the vehicle is still running, particularly during rushed or distracted moments.
Ford Has Been Contacted for Answers
The cause of the reported unexpected starts has not been established. Ford has been contacted for clarification about the issue, and the article will be updated once the automaker provides feedback.
For now, the reports from Ford Maverick owners have raised several possible explanations, ranging from remote-start activation through FordPass to misunderstandings about how the vehicle’s hybrid system operates.
