I just bought a 2021 Ranger and the salesmen told me that Fordpass remote unlock/ start is free/ complimentary but he couldn't guarantee how long. My modem is turned off as well, at least for Data... Sure is nice going out to a nice warm truck for my ride to and from work and never have to even remember to remote start it

 

I've read articles like this from a few different places, so it appears to be free now...

https://www.engadget.com/2019-10-14-...-features.html

 

...17 months for me!

 

Just bought a 21 f350 today. All the features in the FordPass app are free, you only need to pay if you want the WiFi access point.

So door locks, remote start, gps location, fuel gauge, tire pressure, etc are free.

 

We have it on the F350 and the wife's F150. May of '19, while she was in Albuquerque, I got a notification of a security issue. I called her and it turns out someone bumped the truck with a cart in the hotel parking lot. I like the seeing the location and seeing at a glance your oil life left. I retired before I bought this truck or the scheduled start would come in handy from time to time, also.

 

Reading the small print at the bottom of the link I provided previously, along with some other internet articles leads me to believe that remote start, the TPMS on the app, etc. are all tied to the truck modem being active.
If true and it requires $20 to ATT every month, it's not happening for me. Those who say the features are free for a period of years or as long as I own the truck, please post some concrete information other than how long you've used it without being charged.
The link that I found shows varying periods for different model years and my 2020 is showing 1 year if I understood it correctly.

 

From that link...
"One of the big features that Ford has been adding to cars since 2016 for some 2017 year model rides is FordPass connected services. When the services first launched, they were offered via one, two, or five-year trial subscriptions depending on the model year of the vehicle. Ford has now announced the FordPass Connect service is now free.

The move makes Ford the first automaker to offers its remote features to drivers at no cost. The Blue Oval points out that GM’s OnStar costs as much as $14.99 per month after the free 3-month trial with a new car ends. FordPass with FordPass Connect creates a single mobile platform where owners can start/stop/unlock their vehicles remotely.

FordPass also allows the owner to schedule maintenance at participating dealers, schedule start times, and chat with Ford Guides, among other features. FordPass Rewards is also complementary and is Ford’s customer loyalty program. The program allows members to earn points that can be redeemed for complimentary maintenance with the purchase or lease of a new Ford vehicle.

The loyalty program allows the owners to earn points for servicing with the dealership, and they are automatically enrolled in the program when they sign up for FordPass through the app or online. Ford says that all year models equipped with FordPass Connect are now eligible for the service at no cost. The FordPass website hasn’t been updated as of writing and still calls out that a subscription is required.

FordPass remote features operate on the AT&T wireless network, and in areas with poor coverage for that network, remote services may not function. We assume that the free FordPass service will enable access to the Amazon In-Car delivery service in covered areas. Some areas also have a Sparkl cleaning service to clean Ford cars that can be accessed from within the app. In some cities, the app also gives parking details.

FordPass also allows the owner to schedule maintenance at participating dealers, schedule start times, and chat with Ford Guides, among other features. FordPass Rewards is also complementary and is Ford’s customer loyalty program. The program allows members to earn points that can be redeemed for complimentary maintenance with the purchase or lease of a new Ford vehicle.
The loyalty program allows the owners to earn points for servicing with the dealership, and they are automatically enrolled in the program when they sign up for FordPass through the app or online. Ford says that all year models equipped with FordPass Connect are now eligible for the service at no cost. The FordPass website hasn’t been updated as of writing and still calls out that a subscription is required.

FordPass remote features operate on the AT&T wireless network, and in areas with poor coverage for that network, remote services may not function. We assume that the free FordPass service will enable access to the Amazon In-Car delivery service in covered areas. Some areas also have a Sparkl cleaning service to clean Ford cars that can be accessed from within the app. In some cities, the app also gives parking details."

 

I won't copy/paste the large images, but thank you scraprat. That clears up a few things and is some good news.
I don't use the remote start on my FordPass app very often. And even though cell coverage is very good pretty much everywhere in my area I find the remote start to be hit or miss. So there's no way I'd pay a cent, much less $20 a month.

 

The service may be “complimentary”, the reality is that its NOT free.

Just as Google GMAIL, Facebook et al is “free”, Fordpass is benefiting FORD as your vehicle usage data has value to FORD.

By agreeing to the terms, you are “free” to give FORD your own vehicle data that has value.

So think carefully before giving away your personal usage and driving habits.

This type of individual identifying data can be used to do good, or ???, the possible ways it can be used is a topic that should be transparent to all.

You might not be so quick to offer up yourself as a product once the full ramifications are known.

Enjoy your remote start - but know that it’s never free.

 

I thought I was going crazy as the last two days I had the same thing happen to me. iPhone ring volume bar was about 4/5 full after riding and I usually have it low.

 

That's why I wear a tin foil hat when I drive my F250. That way Ford doesn't know what I'm thinking. Everything in this country is apparently a conspiracy of some sort these days.