Extremely Poor Fob performance (Raptor? Lariat?)

[Raptor1996]

Ok, so I have a 2024 raptor but I don't know if this is exclusively a raptor issue.

My Fob, despite fresh batteries and low (or no) interference has always needed to be essentially touching the vehicle to use buttons, remote start, and even keyless entry. I have vehicles which are years older (2020 and 2018) which do not have this issue, have never had this issue. to the point where:

my key must be in physical contact with the vehicle in order for automatic door unlock to occur
my key will not unlock/lock the vehicle from distances greater than ~10ft from the cab
my key will not remote start the vehicle from a distance of greater than ~10ft from the cab
additionally, it has never given me a "green light" when remote start works.

so my question is, could something (like an antenne) be unplugged somewhere? this is all rather repeatable but sometimes I can remote start my truck from 500ft away with line of sight from my hotel room, or lock it with they key in my pocket, or the remote entry will work with the fob in my backpack.

The inconsistancy drives me nuts, but I really do just want the performance older models seemed to have... it seriously frustrates me and I'm sure anyone else with the wireless fob.

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[stuartmunto]

Does you have a second fob to try?

There’s antennas all around the vehicle to detect the key fob. Doubt all of them are problematic, so simplest cause would likely be the key fob you’re using?

 

[Flak]

That's definitely not normal. If it's multiple fobs, that sounds to me like antenna shorted to the vehicle somewhere (probably manu defect). Not sure where it is in the RR though.

 

[Alaska Steve]

This is my 3rd keyless Ford, 2nd Ranger. I’ve never had the problems you are describing. I walk up, touch the handle, it unlocks. Fob in pocket, press start, it starts. Every time. Nine years running.

 

[Don Vandyke]

My fob is always in my pocket and never had any issues. You definitely have something going on. Could it possibly be your phone interfering with the fob???

 

[dnewsted]

I've had the same problems this winter in Michigan. I normally park in one of two secured locations where I leave the fob in the truck. The first time the truck did not recognize the fob after sitting outside in 20 degree weather for 8 hours. After manually warming the fob, cupped in hands until warmed, after a few minutes the truck recognized it. It happened a second time after changing the battery, but again in cold weather. What is odd, there were no problems doing the same exact things last winter. Now using the 2nd fob to see if there is any change.

 

[bbrptr]

Long shot here, but did you happen to enable the approach lighting in Forscan? I remember reading in a thread people were having similar issues after enabling that function.

 

[JimG]

I've had the same problems this winter in Michigan. I normally park in one of two secured locations where I leave the fob in the truck. The first time the truck did not recognize the fob after sitting outside in 20 degree weather for 8 hours. After manually warming the fob, cupped in hands until warmed, after a few minutes the truck recognized it. It happened a second time after changing the battery, but again in cold weather. What is odd, there were no problems doing the same exact things last winter. Now using the 2nd fob to see if there is any change.

why would you ever leave your FOB in your truck? I can think of many reasons for not doing so but can‘t think of one reason to leave it. I don’t know about a Ford, but other manufactures suggest not leaving your FOB close to your vehicle. The vehicle and the FOB will continue to communicate. They say it will shorten the FOB battery life. I also wonder if the 2 are talking back and fourth if the FOB “goes to sleep” for other reasons. That might be why it takes time for the FOB to warm up before it will work. I also know criminals have devices that can easily read your FOB. This gives criminals control of you vehicle and allows them to drive off as if they own it.

So again, if I’m not being too nosy, why do you leave your FOB in your vehicle?

 

[dnewsted]

why would you ever leave your FOB in your truck? I can think of many reasons for not doing so but can‘t think of one reason to leave it. I don’t know about a Ford, but other manufactures suggest not leaving your FOB close to your vehicle. The vehicle and the FOB will continue to communicate. They say it will shorten the FOB battery life. I also wonder if the 2 are talking back and fourth if the FOB “goes to sleep” for other reasons. That might be why it takes time for the FOB to warm up before it will work. I also know criminals have devices that can easily read your FOB. This gives criminals control of you vehicle and allows them to drive off as if they own it.

So again, if I’m not being too nosy, why do you leave your FOB in your vehicle?

I'll bite on the constant communication with the truck as a potential drain, but I've been leaving the fob in the truck while in "SECURED" areas for two years. If that was the issue then it should have been an issue earlier and also does not apply to the second instance 1 week apart. Also left the fob in my older Gen 1 Raptor with no issues. My wife leaves the fob in her Fusion sport with no problems. It's really odd how this just started this month.

To answer your question as to why I'd leave the fob in the truck, simple answer is because I can. The longer answer is because I'm in a rural area that does not butt up to a street that would be easily accessed by thieves.

 

[KStiff]

Ok, so I have a 2024 raptor but I don't know if this is exclusively a raptor issue.

My Fob, despite fresh batteries and low (or no) interference has always needed to be essentially touching the vehicle to use buttons, remote start, and even keyless entry. I have vehicles which are years older (2020 and 2018) which do not have this issue, have never had this issue. to the point where:

my key must be in physical contact with the vehicle in order for automatic door unlock to occur
my key will not unlock/lock the vehicle from distances greater than ~10ft from the cab
my key will not remote start the vehicle from a distance of greater than ~10ft from the cab
additionally, it has never given me a "green light" when remote start works.

so my question is, could something (like an antenne) be unplugged somewhere? this is all rather repeatable but sometimes I can remote start my truck from 500ft away with line of sight from my hotel room, or lock it with they key in my pocket, or the remote entry will work with the fob in my backpack.

The inconsistancy drives me nuts, but I really do just want the performance older models seemed to have... it seriously frustrates me and I'm sure anyone else with the wireless fob.

Different Topic: Where did you get the stripe kit for your front fenders?

 

[JimG]

I'll bite on the constant communication with the truck as a potential drain, but I've been leaving the fob in the truck while in "SECURED" areas for two years. If that was the issue then it should have been an issue earlier and also does not apply to the second instance 1 week apart. Also left the fob in my older Gen 1 Raptor with no issues. My wife leaves the fob in her Fusion sport with no problems. It's really odd how this just started this month.

To answer your question as to why I'd leave the fob in the truck, simple answer is because I can. The longer answer is because I'm in a rural area that does not butt up to a street that would be easily accessed by thieves.

1st thanks for the response. We are all creatures of habit, so to each their own. I thought you might say you have a tendency to forget where you leave things, thus you have the good sense to leave it where it is easily found. I only say this because I do it all the time. My wife thinks I have Alzheimer’s and that I need hearing aids. Told her no reason getting hearing aid cause I’d just forget where I left them.

I did a little research and the newer Ford FOBs have a built in motion sensor and will turn themselves off after a period of time.

Anyway cheers and have a great day.

 

[Arsenall11]

I'll bite on the constant communication with the truck as a potential drain, but I've been leaving the fob in the truck while in "SECURED" areas for two years. If that was the issue then it should have been an issue earlier and also does not apply to the second instance 1 week apart. Also left the fob in my older Gen 1 Raptor with no issues. My wife leaves the fob in her Fusion sport with no problems. It's really odd how this just started this month.

To answer your question as to why I'd leave the fob in the truck, simple answer is because I can. The longer answer is because I'm in a rural area that does not butt up to a street that would be easily accessed by thieves.

I’m the same, mine never leaves the center console. Two years now n draining , last f150 four years.

 

[dnewsted]

Did some more digging. According to the AI chat machine - "Ford has been actively rolling out software updates with enhanced security features, including "Start Inhibit" functionality via the FordPass app. This feature, introduced in 2024 and expanded in 2025, is part of Ford’s broader strategy to combat vehicle theft and improve cybersecurity. Additionally, Ford continues to deploy over-the-air (OTA) updates to address software vulnerabilities and improve system security. These updates are typically pushed automatically or via notifications through the FordPass app and SYNC system, and they may include patches related to keyless entry and access systems "

Kinda make sense, maybe? Not sure, but something changed.

 

[Frank_MCN]

Have any plug in accessories? I had an issue with range on another ford vehicle, turned out to be an after marked alarm system that used wireless sensors - one was faulty and continually transmitting that interfered with the fob which resulted in very short range. Other's have had issues with 12v plug in items like chargers interfering with TPMS so worth disconnecting anything like that.

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