Does vehicle still send your data to Ford if you don’t activate the modem?

[Ron Quixote]

This makes it seem like your vehicle doesn’t transmit your data to Ford if you don’t activate the modem.

I’d be willing to part with $150 worth of points to opt out of tracking. Am I understanding this right?

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[Glisch]

I tried to find details on this and came up with nothing on the tracking. This is complete conjecture but I would not be surprised if Ford is still able to track driving data on your vin / share with their partners, but the modem just isn't linked to your app unless you activate.

I am in a different industry, but device identification and tracking are a lot more prevalent than most realize. It sucks, but it's the world we live in.

To me the reward points don't matter, but losing out on the ability to remote start / climate control the truck from the app is a deal breaker.

 

[nullderef]

Pretty certain the in vehicle modem is only for the WiFI access point. I do not have it and I can use the app on my phone for remote start, tire pressure, etc... It is most likely sending telemetry data back to Ford along with any/all errors.

 

[Crapblaster]

The TCU is cell signal connected. OTA updates use the TCU also. If you don't want to be tracked, you will have to disconnect the antenna wire to the TCU. I don't know where it is on the rangers, but it is on the back of the cab on F150's.

 

[JDCV67]

Brother it is 2025 Ford, NSA, DOD, 5Is, USSS, US Marshals, IRS, AT&T, Verizon, and many more are tracking everything 24X7X365.

 

[They Call Me Bruce]

The TCU is cell signal connected. OTA updates use the TCU also. If you don't want to be tracked, you will have to disconnect the antenna wire to the TCU. I don't know where it is on the rangers, but it is on the back of the cab on F150's.

the antenna cable goes to the modem on the 2023+ super dutys, four quick disconnect cables to render it useless. located behind the felt backing of the rear passenger side seat. I guessing it's the same on the rangers.

 

[TSY]

Data acquisition is a big part of vehicle design - if you mod or adjust the vehicle it's logged in-vehicle (which can typically used in defence of warranty claims). With expanded CAN bus implementation the logging now reaches the periphery of the vehicle: modem or not. So if it's a convenience feature you use... then keep it / but insofar as data logging it wont help to remove it if you make a warranty claim.

In theory some telemetry data can be opted out in the center tft menu - I am not sure if that's rebroadcast data only and/or stored in-vehicle, or wholly omitted.

 

[Jason B]

Why worry if Ford is tracking you, when your phone is doing the same thing, unless you run SW that blocks that too.

But to the question. I think they want you to activate you Connected Services, mainly built in navigation and a mobile hot spot. That cost money to have things that are better done with Apple Car Play or Android Auto.

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