Lost Lock and Unlock Feature

[Jim Ayres]

I've lost the automatic lock and unlock feature by touching the door handle of my 2015 MKZ with technology package. The feature doesn't work with either key. The dealer says to bring the car in to re-program. Anyone else have this problem?

 

[drolds1]

I think you're mixing up terminology here.  Autolock and unlock has nothing to do with intelligent access:

 

 

Autolock Feature

The autolock feature will lock all the doors when:

• all doors are closed,
• the ignition is on,
• you shift into any gear putting your vehicle in motion, and
• your vehicle attains a speed greater than 12 mph (20 km/h).

The autolock feature repeats when:

• you open then close any door while the ignition is on and your vehicle speed is 9 mph (15 km/h) or lower, and
• your vehicle then attains a speed greater than 12 mph (20 km/h).

Autounlock Feature

The autounlock feature will unlock all the doors when:

• the ignition is on, all the doors are closed, and your vehicle has been in motion at a speed greater than 12 mph (20 km/h);
• your vehicle comes to a stop and you switch the ignition off or to accessory; and
• you open the driver door within 10 minutes of switching the ignition off or to accessory.

Note:  The doors will not autounlock if you electronically lock your vehicle after you switch the ignition off and before you open the driver door.

This feature is owner-configurable through the message center. 

 

Intelligent access is standard on every MKZ not just those with the technology package. This is what allows you to unlock and lock the doors,as well as open the decklid, if you have the fob within 3 feet of the car.  This is not owner-configurable.  There's apparently something wrong with your car's receiver and that's why you need to take it to the dealer.  They're going to have to do a diagnosis on it to determine what the problem is.

[Jim Ayres]

Yes, you're correct. It's the intelligent access that wasn't working. I had it configured so that I could lock or unlock all of the doors by touching the handle of any of the doors. I had the key fob in my pocket and was right next to the car and could not unlock it from any of the doors. I then used the key fob to unlock the car. Then when I wanted to lock the car, it would not lock by touching any of the door handles. Fast forward one hour. Now the intelligent access is functioning properly, as configured.

[R2D2]

Maybe there was something nearby you emitting a signal at the same frequency as the system thus blocking it. Just a thought

[JoeBrown]

I've had this happen when my wife was pulling the door handle on the passenger side before I touch the handle to unlock the door. After that touching the drivers door handle did not unlock the door. Pressing the button on the remote or putting in the combination opened the door.

 

I've never had a problem with locking the doors by touching the handle.

 

Like R2D2 mentioned it could have been a interfering signal nearby. I've had that happen but rarely.

[Jim Ayres]

Thanks for the info guys. Everything is back to normal now, so I'm not going to worry about it.

[drolds1]

I've had this happen when my wife was pulling the door handle on the passenger side before I touch the handle to unlock the door. After that touching the drivers door handle did not unlock the door. Pressing the button on the remote or putting in the combination opened the door.

 

I've never had a problem with locking the doors by touching the handle.

 

Like R2D2 mentioned it could have been a interfering signal nearby. I've had that happen but rarely.

Maybe she's touching the sensor on top of the handle when you're in range wit the fob, Joe:

 

 

Touch the top of the door handle to lock your vehicle. There will be a brief delay before you can unlock your vehicle again.

Radio interference can certainly affect intelligent access:

 

If excessive radio frequency interference is present in the area or if the transmitter battery is low, you may need to mechanically unlock your door. You can use the mechanical key blade in your intelligent access key to open the driver door in this situation.

[Max]

Thanks for the info guys. Everything is back to normal now, so I'm not going to worry about it.

Did you fix it or reset itself?

[Jim Ayres]

I didn't do anything. It just started working again after about an hour or so.

 

It was nice that the dealer offered to pick the car up at my work and give me a loaner if needed. Nice to know if I ever do need warranty work done.

Edited January 12, 2015 by Jim Ayres

[SteveB_TX]

Welcome to the wonderful world of electronic gremlins!  :)

[NV Rick]

There was a problem several years ago in the Las Vegas area where many were complaining that they couldn't use remotes to unlock/lock their cars. There was speculation that there was some govt testing going on at Nellis AFB that might be interfering. The problem disappeared as quietly as it started.

[Darryl Anthony]

I've had the same problem with my 2015 Lincoln MKZ. Sometimes when I get out of the car and touch the ridge on the top of the door handle, the door does NOT lock. This happens on ALL of the doors. Yes, the numbered panel on the outside post will work and so does the key fobs. I have to reset the door unlock/lock with touch by placing the key fob in the center console and starting the car then turning the car off. Then the door lock will work again.

 

I have taken the car in for repair and they replaced a module that controlled all the doors. But, that didn't solve the problem. So, I have to take it in again so they can run diagnostics again.

 

The problem is that I can not recreate the problem and it only happens occasionally... Maybe once a month and at times a few times a week.

 

The techs at the dealership called support and they said that replacing that module was the only thing they knew to do because they had not had reports of this problem before. For that statement alone, I doubt if they will be able to fix it.

 

So, if this can't be fixed, I will base my future reviews on this problem and the other quality and design flaws I have encountered.

[Jim Ayres]

It's funny you posted this today. A little while earlier today I started to walk away from the car before locking it like I usuually do by touching the top of the door handle, and used the key fob instead. Later when I went back to unlock the car by placing my hand between the handle and door, it wouldn't unlock no matter which door I tried. I used the key fob to unlock it, and since then it all works fine. Based on your post, I'm not going to worry about. It only happens once in a while so it's no big deal to me. Took the car in last week for it's first service and everything was great. I really like the level of service at my Lincoln dealer, Witt Lincoln in San Diego, and I really love my car. I guess cars are kind of like kids, you still love them even if they're not perfect.

[Darryl Anthony]

Thanks for you comments. I've printed a few posts and taken them to the dealership to show them that there really IS a problem so they can let Lincoln know I'm not the only one.

 

For me, it's really a pain because I use this method every time to lock/unlock my car. Unfortunately, not enough people are complaining about this problem because tech doesn't admit there IS a problem because they claim they have not received any other complaints. Therefore, they don't know how to fix it. I can only hope for the best and they can figure it out. As for my local dealership, they have been great and they're doing their best to help.

 

Oh, and I have a friend that has a 2014 MKZ. He had the same problem, but it only happened a couple of times.

[JoeBrown]

Just for the record I've never had that problem. This is the only way I lock my car. It always works no matter which door I use to lock. Took delivery of my MKZ April 2014.

[Robert Iggy Cerami]

Never happened to me with my 13 ... But as happened a few times with my 15.. might have something to do with the embedded modem...That is the only different gizmo that as been added that I am aware of... Other than my 15 having a gas engine it is exactly the same car as my 13

Edited March 14, 2015 by Robert Iggy Cerami

[Darryl Anthony]

My friend's 2014 MKZ has had this problem and his car does NOT have an embedded modem. So, that's not the problem. I had thought the same thing at first. But, thanks for your comments. Every comment or suggestion helps and could lead to Lincoln solving the problem.

 

FYI to everyone, I had a 2013 Lincoln MKX with a similar feature being able to use the door sensor to lock/unlock door and never had a problem. The cars today with this feature might be slightly different in their design and electronics, I don't know. But, after talking to Ford and Lincoln, they are coming out with more and more models with this feature. So, there will probably be more failures in the future. THEN, maybe tech will be able to figure it out and get them fixed.

[lowfatdog]

Oh they know about it!  The engineers were supposedly given videos of it happening on my 2013 MKZ.   Originally the dealership claimed it was user error and even claimed they gave us a copy of the users manual pages where it showed how to properly open up your door.  LOL!  I hate Liars especially when they try to make it look like it's your fault.  :-)  They never gave me a copy of the manual pages or discussed it with me. When I read that in the repair order,   I just about came un-glued!  After I showed them video of it happening on multiple occasions,  They finally believed me.  It also happened on our loaner MKZ,  This was 16-18 months ago so yes,  they know about it!    

[tgara]

The Intelligent Access system on my car works fine every time, and I've only heard about isolated reports of it not working.  Therefore, I do not believe this is a widespread problem.  My guess is that the issues posted above were isolated incidents.  And I'm not convinced they were not the result of user error either.   ;)

[Darryl Anthony]

I do research on everything before I buy anything or complain about a product. I go in prepared, so I know what I'm talking about. This door handle lock unlock failure is more widespread than some people realize. There are examples online plus Ford and Lincoln are now aware of the problem. However, they still don't have a solution yet.

 

In my case the door handle lock finally failed when service technicians had the car. They hooked up their computer to the car to see if it showed where the error was. But, nothing showed up in the tests and the system reset itself while they were running tests and it started working again. At least this proved to them that there really was a failure.

 

The tech contacted both Ford and Lincoln dealers and tech support. They found this problem occurs in both brands and more customers are now complaining. Yet, they simply don't have a fix and they don't know what to do about it. This does not give me much confidence in these brands. So, I'm considering going with Lexus on my next car.

[drolds1]

This does not give me much confidence in these brands. So, I'm considering going with Lexus on my next car.

Right.  Because nothing ever goes wrong with their systems.

 

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/es350-2007-2012/613657-intelligent-key-problems-help.html

[Darryl Anthony]

The point to my comment about possibly changing to Lexus is this:

 

I've owned several car brands and had issues with most of them. BUT, no matter the brand or problem, the car was always fixed. However the door lock issue has been around for at least 3 years and Ford / Lincoln still doesn't have a solution.

 

Therefore, my confidence and trust in Lincoln is fading.

 

And FYI, I have owned more Lincolns than any other brand and loved them all. I even really enjoy my MKZ. I just don't accept a problem with a feature that can't be fixed.

[drolds1]

The point to my comment about possibly changing to Lexus is this:

 

I've owned several car brands and had issues with most of them. BUT, no matter the brand or problem, the car was always fixed. However the door lock issue has been around for at least 3 years and Ford / Lincoln still doesn't have a solution.

 

Therefore, my confidence and trust in Lincoln is fading.

 

And FYI, I have owned more Lincolns than any other brand and loved them all. I even really enjoy my MKZ. I just don't accept a problem with a feature that can't be fixed.

 

If you read the posts on clublexus.com, the problem wasn't resolved.  In fact, the thread ended with the poster stating that Lexus was "scratching their heads."  So, I fail to see your point.  If you think that all problems with Lexus automobiles are always resolved to the owner's satisfaction, then I think you're deluding yourself.  Do an Internet search for Lexus problems and complaints and you'll see.   Here's one of many sites.  One post:

 

 

In June of 2014, I leased a new 2014 Lexus GS350 F-Sport. Well starting around 1700 miles the car started having issues such as warped rotors and the rear power sunshade decided when to retract and deploy on its own. Then a couple of months later, the real issues started with the car. I would go to get into the car but it wouldn't start. The engine would act like it would turn over and start but it wouldn't. Sometimes it took up to 10 tries to get the car started. Sometimes it just would go to accessory mode without even attempting to start. So needless to say, the car has been back and forth to the dealer for multiple electrical problems.

Here are the biggest examples: Obviously, the non-starting issue. The power retractable steering wheel and power seat took me on a wild ride while driving down the road. The power rear sunshade still has a mind of its own. The Lexus Parking Assist senses things are there when nothing is actually there and then sometimes they decide not to work at all. My Navigation System crashing and rebooting while driving. Horrible squealing with the brakes, etc.

The car has been in and out of the service department for all the electrical issues and they can't find the reason for the car not starting or any of the other electrical issues. The car only has about 7600 miles on it and it's currently in the shop since May 11, 2015. I'm getting quite annoyed and concerned that Lexus would produce a $60,000 vehicle with these types of problems. They are known for their reliability, craftsmanship, safety, and state of the art cars -- I beg to differ. I am just waiting to hear back from the dealership to get the next excuse of why they couldn't fix the car. Needless to say, this is my first and last Lexus. I just want Lexus or the Lexus dealership to buy back this horrific lemon of a car and give me my down payment back. There are better options out there.

Help

 

With all the advanced technology being added to cars these days, there are going to be glitches.  Do you ever have to reboot your computer or cell phone?  Acura is recalling cars because a glitch in the collision mitigation system is causing unexpected application of  the brakes without driver input.  Occasional non-functioning of touch-locking is really small potatoes in the scheme of things. The common denominator is these cases is that happens occasionally.  It's possible may be due to factors beyond anyone's control, such as electrical interference, and there is no easy solution.

 

It's happened to me a couple of times.  I couldn't care less.  There are three other ways to lock the door.  I mostly use the button on the door panel to lock the car but on the one or two occasions when I used the touch feature on the door handle and it didn't work, I either used the fob or the keypad and went about my business without giving it a second thought.  It certainly isn't important enough to make me consider another brand of car, especially one with a  track record of of covering up safety defects and being fined for it.

[Darryl Anthony]

Thanks for posting the Lexus article. I wasn't aware there were so many problems with that brand. I based my possible decision of going with Lexus because I owned an LS a few years ago and had no problems at all. I found the build quality, features, ride, and handling excellent.

 

I understand that nothing is perfect. But, I just get very irritated when there is a problem that seemingly can't be fixed. In my opinion, if there is a design flaw, then they should change the design.

 

I will base my decision on which brand or model to buy next on several things such as: Overall owner reviews, quality, features, realibilty, etc.. Then if it comes up with a problem that can't be fixed, I'll simply trade that one in again. Actually, my track record is good and have only traded a car due to unresolved issues twice over a period of many years.

 

Of course, I'm still hoping they will figure it out and get it corrected within the coming months.

[SteveB_TX]

Just to add my 2 cents here... I used to use the ridges thingies to lock my Z for I guess about the first 8 months or so.  I can't remember now the last time I locked the car that way.  I now use the inside door lock button to lock the car.  It is so much faster and more convenient for me to just jab at the button as I claw my way out of the deep dark recesses of my Z.  Funny, I bought the Z because I was having problems getting in and out of my Mustang GT convertible (top up of course).  Now I find myself having the same difficulty getting in and out of the Z.  That's why I can't wait until the MKC gets Sync 3.   Sorry for hijacking the thread... just wanted to share.  :)