Notices
2017 - 2022 Super Duty The 2017-2022 Ford F250, F350, F450, F550 & F600 Super Duty Pickup and Chassis Cab
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Change permanent keypad access code?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 13, 2020 | 01:23 AM
  #1  
xxxn's Avatar
xxxn
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Question Change permanent keypad access code?

Just got my first truck (and first Ford vehicle). It's a 2020 F-350 Lariat. I notice there is a permanent keypad access code in the manual pouch. Is it possible to change it? Seems like a security hole if it cannot be changed. Thanks!
 
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2020 | 03:21 AM
  #2  
Scottyg2333's Avatar
Scottyg2333
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 171
Likes: 1
Enter the factory code, followed by the 1-2 button and then enter the new code you want. Very easy to change. The permanent code is just that, permanent. Congrats on the new truck.
 
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2020 | 04:34 AM
  #3  
mecdac's Avatar
mecdac
Lead Driver
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,263
Likes: 149
From: In the field...

Seriously...
 
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2020 | 04:39 AM
  #4  
VA13FX4's Avatar
VA13FX4
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 741
Likes: 2
From: IA/GA/HI/FL/VA/CA/ME
There’s no way to change the permanent code. Take the card out of the owners manual that has the code on it and keep it in your house. It’s not a security risk unless you tell all your friends, family and enemies the code. You can add additional codes to use that are easier to remember if you want.
 
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2020 | 06:04 AM
  #5  
Poncho450's Avatar
Poncho450
Lead Driver
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,938
Likes: 1,355
From: NY/Canada border
Originally Posted by VA13FX4
There’s no way to change the permanent code. Take the card out of the owners manual that has the code on it and keep it in your house. It’s not a security risk unless you tell all your friends, family and enemies the code. You can add additional codes to use that are easier to remember if you want.
This ⬆︎. It's in the owner's manual. I change it on every new truck.
 
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2020 | 07:15 AM
  #6  
67L48's Avatar
67L48
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,366
Likes: 185
From: Frederick, CO
Originally Posted by mecdac

Seriously...
Good luck with that. If people did, a third of this forum would evaporate!
 
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2020 | 01:49 PM
  #7  
speakerfritz's Avatar
speakerfritz
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 14,237
Likes: 2,179
you can do it thru the ford sync software menu

 
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2020 | 06:37 PM
  #8  
VA13FX4's Avatar
VA13FX4
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 741
Likes: 2
From: IA/GA/HI/FL/VA/CA/ME
Originally Posted by speakerfritz
you can do it thru the ford sync software menu
Not the permanent code. You can add and change additional codes, but. It the factory code.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Oct 13, 2020 | 09:40 PM
  #9  
xxxn's Avatar
xxxn
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Page 69 and 70 on the manual for 2020 model don't seem to mention the capability of changing permanent code. Of course people may argue the word permanent implies it cannot be changed. When I'm given a pre-created password, the first thing I do is to change it and save the new password in a password manager with two factor authentication. Sadly Ford doesn't allow changing it. The code could have been exposed in the factory or dealer. Guess I have to live with it like many other potential security holes.
 
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2020 | 09:52 PM
  #10  
Flyct's Avatar
Flyct
FTE Community Team
Veteran: Air Force
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,337
Likes: 1,050
From: Florida
Club FTE Silver Member

If you ever lose the permanent code it is also printed on the back of one of the modules behind the passenger side fuse panel.

Here’s a video of a F150 location. It’s the same in the Super Duty


 
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2020 | 02:05 AM
  #11  
VA13FX4's Avatar
VA13FX4
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 741
Likes: 2
From: IA/GA/HI/FL/VA/CA/ME
Originally Posted by xxxn
Page 69 and 70 on the manual for 2020 model don't seem to mention the capability of changing permanent code. Of course people may argue the word permanent implies it cannot be changed. When I'm given a pre-created password, the first thing I do is to change it and save the new password in a password manager with two factor authentication. Sadly Ford doesn't allow changing it. The code could have been exposed in the factory or dealer. Guess I have to live with it like many other potential security holes.
Yes, it could have been exposed at the factory or dealer. But they also have access to your Keys. If you’re going to be paranoid about it you should probably change out all the key sets. The dealer also has your address, so you might want to think about moving.
 
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2020 | 11:03 AM
  #12  
jollyrogr's Avatar
jollyrogr
Cargo Master
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 2,277
Likes: 949
Originally Posted by VA13FX4
Yes, it could have been exposed at the factory or dealer. But they also have access to your Keys. If you’re going to be paranoid about it you should probably change out all the key sets. The dealer also has your address, so you might want to think about moving.
Haha yes. It's not paranoia if you know they're after you.
 
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2020 | 11:22 AM
  #13  
C12H24's Avatar
C12H24
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,555
Likes: 516
Originally Posted by jollyrogr
Haha yes. It's not paranoia if you know they're after you.
And, yes, sometimes there really are bugs on you.
 
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2020 | 01:31 PM
  #14  
xxxn's Avatar
xxxn
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
A physical key is harder to get than a code. Physical key can be replaced but this permanent code cannot. This is like "a permanent ssn has been assigned to you and you cannot change it even it's leaked and exploited". I'd hope Ford could at least give an option to disable this code.
 
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2020 | 01:39 PM
  #15  
OffBalance's Avatar
OffBalance
Laughing Gas
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 778
Likes: 14
From: Seattle area, WA USA
Originally Posted by xxxn
A physical key is harder to get than a code. Physical key can be replaced but this permanent code cannot. This is like "a permanent ssn has been assigned to you and you cannot change it even it's leaked and exploited". I'd hope Ford could at least give an option to disable this code.
I really like the code entry. But I agree fully that the permanent code should be allowed to be disabled or made limited or time-consuming to use. It probably won't be long until our trucks have fingerprint, retina, or face-scanning like our phones! Another consideration is that there is software now that can create a physical key from a photo. So it is about the same security as the entry code. Everyone needs to make sure there are no pix on the internet that show their house key hanging off their belt loop!
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:38 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE