Ford keys — what you should know
Ford has used its PATS immobiliser since the late 1990s and moved to a high-security keyway across most of the range in the 2010s. Some Fords allow a new key to be added on board when two working keys are already present, which is a genuinely cheap path if you have both — bring them. The F-150 is among the most stolen vehicles in Ontario and Transit vans are targeted for their contents as much as themselves.
The key system on a Ford
| Keyway | H75/H84 edge-cut on older vehicles, HU101 high-security on newer |
|---|---|
| Immobiliser | PATS, in use since the late 1990s. Some models accept a new key on board when two working keys are present |
| Models covered | F-150, Escape, Explorer, Edge, Bronco, Mustang, Transit, Maverick, and the rest of the range |
A model not listed is not a problem — give us the year and we will confirm before dispatching.
Ford keys — questions
Can you make a Ford key if I have lost all of them?
For most Ford models and years, yes, and at the vehicle rather than at a dealership. H75/H84 edge-cut on older vehicles, HU101 high-security on newer — we cut from code obtained through authorised channels or by decoding the lock directly, then program to the immobiliser on site. PATS, in use since the late 1990s. Some models accept a new key on board when two working keys are present. We verify ownership before any of it, every time.
What kind of key does a Ford use?
H75/H84 edge-cut on older vehicles, HU101 high-security on newer. PATS, in use since the late 1990s. Some models accept a new key on board when two working keys are present. This matters because cutting alone is never enough on a modern vehicle — a key cut without programming works the lock and turns the ignition, and the engine cranks and does not start. Give us the year and model and we will tell you exactly which key your car takes before coming out.
How much is a Ford key, and how long does it take?
Price follows the key type, not the badge — a transponder key is at the low end, a remote head key in the middle, a proximity smart key at the top because the blank itself is expensive. A spare with a working key present is usually thirty to sixty minutes on site. All-keys-lost takes longer, and several makes impose a manufacturer security wait of ten to sixty minutes during programming that nothing can shorten.