I noticed this a month or so after I got my 2015 F-150. I accidentally just barely touched the "start" position on my key-start F-150 (the key slipped actually), and the engine cranked another second or two until the engine caught.

It was then that I realized that the electronics necessary for push button start are already built into every vehicle. It's just that for some of us, you have to twist the button.

 

Yep, they've been this way for years. If I remember right, my '07 F150 did the same thing, as did my '08, 10, 11, and '13 MY Ford vehicles. Most people are accustomed to holding in the "start" position until the engine starts, so they may not know about this.

 

My 2010 Focus and 2011 truck are the same way.

 

Like remote start, the aftermarket will maybe make kits to install on these current trucks that don't have it for those that want it, I would imagine that only a few parts are needed to add this capability to these trucks as the modules for cranking are already there.

 

So it looks like '07 was when this started - my '06 is oldskool. However, it is smart enough to not let you bump the starter against a running engine. So I got that going for me....