[boyelectric]

My F350 has been stolen twice in the past three months. As many are aware, Ford hasn't done much to keep people out of their pickup trucks. A screwdriver and 30 seconds grants you easy access without the drama of smashing a window. In addition to the two incidents of GTA, the truck has been rifled through probably a dozen times.

Does anyone have any insights about the Lightning's door locks? Has Ford finally improved them after 20 years of asking?

 

[THEsocalledfan]

My F350 has been stolen twice in the past three months. As many are aware, Ford hasn't done much to keep people out of their pickup trucks. A screwdriver and 30 seconds grants you easy access without the drama of smashing a window. In addition to the two incidents of GTA, the truck has been rifled through probably a dozen times.

Does anyone have any insights about the Lightning's door locks? Has Ford finally improved them after 20 years of asking?

Bigger question is can you move? Good grief.

 

[2023 lighting]

My F350 has been stolen twice in the past three months. As many are aware, Ford hasn't done much to keep people out of their pickup trucks. A screwdriver and 30 seconds grants you easy access without the drama of smashing a window. In addition to the two incidents of GTA, the truck has been rifled through probably a dozen times.

Does anyone have any insights about the Lightning's door locks? Has Ford finally improved them after 20 years of asking?

Where do you live? This is ridiculous.
With phone as a key it would be nice if conventional locks were eliminated. A backup lock could be located elsewhere.
But I imagine each door has traditional locks as usual.

 

[boyelectric]

I live in Seattle, but many big cities are like this. This is in a neighborhood where the cheapest (ordinary) house is a million now.

 

[Leaf to Lightning : )]

sounds like you need a security system, not a better 'door' handle or lock.

 

[boyelectric]

The long-standing issue is that people take a screwdriver, pop the lock cylinder and then slide open the lock in mere seconds. While there are aftermarket "fixes" like this, they really only help after the initial damage is done. That initial damage gets expensive, regardless of they got in or not. From that aftermarket company, it would seem to suggest that this problem has been present on Ford pickups from at least 1997-2020. I just don't know if Ford has changed something on the 2022 Lightning that would change how people break in so easily, and make them less likely to try. Alarms can help prevent the GTA, but the damage is already done to the door.

For more background on this issue in Ford pickups, there are about a zillion threads over at both f150forum.com and also ford-trucks.com, where people discuss this topic extensively. Here are two example of such discussions, but there are endless other examples:

Break In Through Driver Door Lock - Ford F150 Forum - Community of Ford Truck Fans

2015 - 2020 Ford F150 - Break In Through Driver Door Lock - At least according to SAPD, Ford trucks are the easiest to break into. Just got finished with police reports, dusting for prints etc... Apparently the thieves only needed to pry up the driver's-side door handle and then they just...

www.f150forum.com

BROKEN into last night, you are not gonna like this - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

2017+ Super Duty - BROKEN into last night, you are not gonna like this - The truck broke into last night around 12:30 they might have heard me coming as they only got some money (car wash quarters) and that was it...It was late and dark I did not notice, everything looked normal in the dim...

www.ford-trucks.com

When I look at the photos of the door handle where the lock cylinder is located on the 2022 Lightning, it seems different. I was just hoping for more info from someone who knows more than I do about this model.

 

[GDN]

I was hoping with the Lightning they would eliminate the key lock (like the EV leader has done). I believe however many pickups are used differently than the traditional family sedan, so they were afraid to alienate too many people/drivers. With the economy and number of thefts however, they must start to do something.

Likely every truck they've made in the last few years and especially with the Lightning it would be super simple to enable a PIN on the Sync screen that is required before starting/driving. It could be optional as maybe not all like it or want it, but it's too simple to not do it. A thief might get in, but they aren't going to drive it without your PIN to drive.

As for the true question my gut tells me the true door locks on this truck will be identical to what is on current models. More can be done, but it doesn't truly benefit Ford, so don't hold your breath.

 

[boyelectric]

I was hoping with the Lightning they would eliminate the key lock (like the EV leader has done). I believe however many pickups are used differently than the traditional family sedan, so they were afraid to alienate too many people/drivers. With the economy and number of thefts however, they must start to do something.

Likely every truck they've made in the last few years and especially with the Lightning it would be super simple to enable a PIN on the Sync screen that is required before starting/driving. It could be optional as maybe not all like it or want it, but it's too simple to not do it. A thief might get in, but they aren't going to drive it without your PIN to drive.

As for the true question my gut tells me the true door locks on this truck will be identical to what is on current models. More can be done, but it doesn't truly benefit Ford, so don't hold your breath.

I think I am coming to the same conclusion about the door lock style being unchanged from the gas version. From what I am reading, the last two years have seen Ford move to an "in handle" lock cylinder that is even easier to defeat. All you have to do is pull the door handle, insert pliers and twist the lock cylinder to unlock the door! If I end up with a Lightning (no word from Ford on my early reservation), my first step will be to eliminate the in-handle door lock entirely, replacing it with a one typically used in the rear doors; this seems to be the preferred method of preventing theft. I hope

I will also add a 3M Scotch Shield to the windows to slow down entry to the cab.

 

[2023 lighting]

I live in Seattle, but many big cities are like this. This is in a neighborhood where the cheapest (ordinary) house is a million now.

Just visited Seattle, beautiful city. We didn't get mugged or anything but we're mostly just in touristy spots.

 

[greatbreweh]

my f350 alarm went off early this morning, factory alarm on 2017 Lariat which is only activated when handle is pulled (and no fob present) as far as I know. Live in small town outside big city so can happen anywhere. Had a new dodge ram once and they punched through the sheet metal beside the lock cylinder and open the door that way twice same small town. Happens anywhere. I too hope ford made better theft deterance given the price of these things, I have tiny gps trackers in all my vehicles hard to find them if placed well.

 

[FM_Jack]

Well I just found out that my neighbors cars were busted in. My truck was sitting outside but untouched so I'm happy with that but not happy about not having the security camera feature. @Ford Motor Company Come on Ford

 

[HellBoy]

Well I just found out that my neighbors cars were busted in. My truck was sitting outside but untouched so I'm happy with that but not happy about not having the security camera feature. @Ford Motor Company Come on Ford

you don't have cameras in your driveway? :-O

 

[FM_Jack]

you don't have cameras in your driveway? :-O

I did, that one burned out and I just never got around to replacing it cause I was trying to find a solution for under the roof of the garage. And while I was going to make more of a point, I just watched ring camera videos of the guy that was going around.

No smash and grab. They were just checked for unlocked cars :\ So again, Drill Sergeant Hartman's voice enters my head. I feel kind of bad for the police officer that has to investigate. "So your car was unlocked?..."

 

[greatbreweh]

Well I just found out that my neighbors cars were busted in. My truck was sitting outside but untouched so I'm happy with that but not happy about not having the security camera feature. @Ford Motor Company Come on Ford

buy a tesla to monitor your ford! I know that was low blow!