How to lock the Explorer liftgate?

[360]

So, I just went to Sams Club, got out of my 2015 FE, locked it up tight and went inside. When I came out of Sams, it was pouring the rain, and as I looked over to where I parked, I noticed the liftgate was wide open. At first I did a double-take to see if it was even MY Explorer, and of course it was. The only thing I can think of is that it opened as I was walking into the store, shoving my keys in my pocket.

So from this, I have learned several things:

1. My car was unsecured while shopping
2. My car was open to the elements
3. It somehow was able to open on its own, despite having to hit the button twice to open it.

I certainly don't want it to happen again. What if I were to park it for a long period of time, and a hurricane blows through? The entire inside would be ruined.

Is there something that can be done to prevent it from happening again, besides the obvious of not shoving the key in my pocket, or hiring someone to sit in the vehicle at all times to make sure all the doors remained closed and locked while I am away?

 

[blwnsmoke]

I do not believe there is a way to lock the trunk. The FOB will always be able to control the EX. What I do is tuck my keys in my pocket but I let the FOB hang out of my pocket. It generally hangs down and easily accessible when approaching the EX.

 

[peterk9]

The liftgate locks automatically when you lock the vehicle. I'm guessing that with the XLT you have the Integrated Keyhead Transmitter (IKT) and not the Intelligent Access (IA) keyfob. The picture of the IKT in the Owner's Guide (2014) does not show a button for just the liftgate so I'm guessing that you have to unlock the doors in order to open the liftgate. If yours does have a button for the rear gate then it must have been pressed in order for it to have opened.
When you noticed the liftgate was open, were the other doors all still locked?
I have the IA keyfob and always have it in my jean's change or watch pocket. Never had any issues with it accidently triggering.

Peter

 

[dco43054]

You must have the power liftgate?

Simple answer is be more careful with the key fob. It's designed to open when you push the button.

There is no lockout I've heard of, other than disconnect the power to the actuator.

 

[tmg19103]

With power liftgate most likely was an accident hitting of the button on the fob. Another key on your chain could have pressed against the button twice in your pocket.

Only other thing would be an electrical issue. I walked by my neighbors BMW the other day and noticed all four windows were all the way down and it was about to rain so I knocked on his door. Car is not equipped for the fob to roll down the windows and he did not do it. Later in the week his mirrors just started folding on their own.

Hopefully your fob somehow just got hit twice.

 

[peterk9]

You must have the power liftgate?

Simple answer is be more careful with the key fob. It's designed to open when you push the button.

There is no lockout I've heard of, other than disconnect the power to the actuator.

With the power liftgate you can set it to 'Enable' or 'Disable' in the Information Display. I believe that 'Disable' will prevent the keyfob from opening it.

Peter

 

[360]

With the power liftgate you can set it to 'Enable' or 'Disable' in the Information Display. I believe that 'Disable' will prevent the keyfob from opening it.

Peter

Thanks Peter. I will verify this.

My keyfob can open the hatch but you have to press it twice in rapid succession. Weird it would happen in my pocket.

 

[peterk9]

It does seem strange. I just hope there isn't another issue which caused it.

Peter

 

[FordService]

Thanks Peter. I will verify this...

Have you had the chance to check this out yet, 360? You might want to bring this up the next time you're at your dealership, too; I'm sure they'd be happy to inspect. Keep us in the loop.

Crystal

 

[360]

Have you had the chance to check this out yet, 360? You might want to bring this up the next time you're at your dealership, too; I'm sure they'd be happy to inspect. Keep us in the loop.

Crystal

Yes, you CAN disable the liftgate, but it literally DISABLES it. I then have to manually open it. The dash button doesn't even work. It would be nice if it would NOT open while the vehicle is LOCKED. Not sure why this was not programmed that way.

 

[peterk9]

It shouldn't open by itself if the vehicle is locked but that ability to open it with the key fob or manually when the vehicle is locked is a nice thing to have. I do that frequently. Then when the liftgate closes, it automatically locks. In this case I usually use button on the liftgate itself so I don't need to get the key fob out. Very handy.
Also just found out that setting mine to 'Disable' doesn't in fact disable it. Something to have the dealer check out next week when I go in for oil change and my Winter wheel/tire package installation.

Peter

 

[360]

Also just found out that setting mine to 'Disable' doesn't in fact disable it. Something to have the dealer check out next week when I go in for oil change and my Winter wheel/tire package installation.

Peter

Interesting.

 

[Bobmbx]

Just for fun, every time you find yourself on a Ford dealers lot, push your buttons. It'll be fun watching one or two liftgates swinging open for no apparent reason. I don't know if this will work, but we used to do a similar thing with garage door openers, driving around neighborhoods holding the button down. It was surprising how many doors would open.

Back in HS, my best bud and I had the same kind of car..year, make and model. Different colors. My key worked in his car, and vice versa. There is no end to the fun you can have with that. That was 1979; I'm assuming things a bit different today.

 

[omar302]

Also just found out that setting mine to 'Disable' doesn't in fact disable it. Something to have the dealer check out next week when I go in for oil change and my Winter wheel/tire package installation.

Peter

There is note about it in the Owners Manual (2011-2012 editions) that seems to have been removed in the 2013 Manual:

Note: If the power liftgate system is turned off in the message center,
the system cannot be activated with the outside release handle or
control button on the liftgate. The system will need to be turned on to
resume operation with the outside release handle or control button on
the liftgate. The power liftgate is still operational through the use of the
transmitter and instrument panel button when the power liftgate is
turned off in the message center.