Ford joins top automakers Tesla, GM and Volkswagen to present its break-in detection feature to its FordPass smartphone app. According to Engadget, “The system — rebranded as “SecuriAlert” after launching as “Guard Mode” on commercial vehicles — is rolling out to connected car owners for the first time.”
Once it is activated, the feature sends a push notification to the car owner’s phone whenever it notices an unwarranted entry. An unwarranted attempt could mean someone trying to open the doors or gain access with a key. Ford intends to use the latter to identify attempts to access a car using a cloned or stolen key. More broadly, it can simply alert you if your car’s alarm is triggered whether you’re in earshot of it or further away.
If SecuriAlert is set off, the FordPass app will show you the time, the attempt took place and the reason behind it. It will also give the vehicle’s last known location. At best, the system is suited for when you’re away from your car and should be disabled when you return to it.
SecuriAlert is now available as part of FordPass suite of connected features, a range of which were made free to customers beginning in 2019.
