How to Reset the Anti-Theft System on a 2003 Ford F-150
To reset the 2003 Ford F-150 anti-theft system, you’ll need to get your truck to recognize your transponder key.
Written by Claire Beaney
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Table of Contents
- How to reset the 2003 Ford F-150 anti-theft system
- What does the anti-theft system on a 2003 Ford F-150 do?
- What can trigger the 2003 Ford anti-theft system?
- Can the 2003 Ford F-150 anti-theft system lower your insurance rate?
- How to save on 2003 Ford F-150 insurance
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To reset your 2003 Ford F-150 anti-theft system, insert the key in the ignition and alternate between the “off” and “run” positions eight times—then wait for the locks to click before holding any button on your remote down in order to fully reset it.
If your car is as common as a Ford F-150, installing an anti-theft system is a must. Data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau for 2021 shows that, after Chevy full-size pickups, Ford F-150s are the most commonly stolen pickup trucks in the United States. This puts them ahead of popular sedans like the
Toyota Camry
and Honda Civic
.However, the anti-theft system might not seem so great if it’s preventing your truck from starting and you have to walk to work.
Luckily,
Jerry
, the trusted car insurance
super app, has made a guide to help you get your F-150 out of that annoying "no-start" mode. While we're at it, we'll even show you how installing anti-theft devices could help lower your Ford F-150 insurance costs
.Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversHow to reset the 2003 Ford F-150 anti-theft system
As an older model, resetting your 2003 Ford F-150’s anti-theft system is rather simple. Just follow these steps:
- Enter your car with your ignition key and remote, and place the key into the ignition.
- For the first 10 seconds, turn the key eight times from the "off" position to the "on" position, ending your eighth turn on the “on” position.
- After the eighth cycle, wait for the locks to click, then press and hold any button on your remote for 30 seconds.
- Hold that button down for up to 30 seconds, or until the locks automatically click again—this indicates a successful reset.
That’s it! If you happen to be without an ignition key when your 2003 Ford's anti-theft mode activates, you may need to take it to a dealership to have the system disarmed and new keys programmed.
If you want to completely disable the system, you'll need to have a dealer reprogram the powertrain control module (PCM).
What does the anti-theft system on a 2003 Ford F-150 do?
Ford vehicles feature what is known as a Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS)—the 2003 Ford F-150 specifically uses a SecuriLock™ PATS. “Passive'' means the security system activates without any necessary action from the driver once the ignition is turned off and the doors are locked.
The PATS system works by disabling the vehicle's engine and sounding an alarm in the event of a theft. If an unauthorized key is used to try to start the truck or open a door or the tailgate, the system will disable the engine.
Before you start worrying about being unable to start your engine, check for the flashing anti-theft indicator light on the dashboard to see if the security system has been activated. If everything is working as it should, the security light will illuminate briefly whenever the ignition is turned on, and then it should turn off again.
Transponder keys, or chip keys, are used in the 2003 Ford F-150s for added security—and your F-150 comes with two keys. To prevent the anti-theft system from going off when you use a spare key, you will need to make sure it’s properly programmed.
How to program a new transponder key
To program a new Ford key, you'll need both of the original keys, as well as your new spare (which you can acquire from a Ford dealer or a locksmith). If you don't have your spare key, a Ford dealer can program one for you, but you won't be able to do it yourself.
Here's how to set up a replacement key if you do have both originals:
- Insert a previously programmed key into the ignition
- Change the ignition's position from "off" to "on." Keep the key in the “on” position for at least one second, but no more than 10 seconds.
- Turn the ignition to "off" and take out the previously programmed key.
- Within ten seconds of taking out the key with the previously programmed code, put in the other key with the previously programmed code.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 with this second programmed key.
- Within twenty seconds of removing this key, put the key that has not been programmed into the ignition.
- Turn the ignition from the “off” position to the “on” position. Keep the key in the “on” position for at least one second and no more than ten seconds.
After that, your replacement key should be successfully programmed! If the key has been correctly programmed, the vehicle's engine will start and the theft indicator light will illuminate for three seconds before going out.
What can trigger the 2003 Ford anti-theft system?
Your F-150's PATS system is a vital deterrent to would-be thieves, but it is also prone to false alarms. Ford owners, for instance, have reported that fireworks and even a strong jolt can set it off. The anti-theft system could mistake these for break-in attempts and disable the vehicle, leaving you with the hassle of resetting everything.
Other things that could set off an alarm in an anti-theft system are:
- A dead battery
- Door lock cylinder or door handle failure
- Transponder key battery failure
If you can't figure out why your anti-theft system has been activated and can’t get it to reset on your own, a diagnostic scan tool or a trip to the dealership may help.
Can the 2003 Ford F-150 anti-theft system lower your insurance rate?
Installing an anti-theft device in your car can reduce your insurance costs, potentially saving you anywhere from 5% to 25% on your comprehensive coverage.
Of course, anti-theft technology isn't the only reason you can get a better deal on auto insurance. F-150s are known for their dependability on the road and on car insurance plans. Because Ford parts are among the cheapest on the market, the 2003 Ford F-150 is a reasonably priced full-size truck to insure.
Your insurance premiums could go down even further if you install an aftermarket alarm system or catalytic converter strap to prevent theft.
How to save on 2003 Ford F-150 insurance
Even with an anti-theft system installed, the risk of having your F-150 stolen is more significant than many other vehicles—and without
comprehensive insurance coverage
, you won't be able to make a claim in the event of theft.Although adding comprehensive coverage to your car insurance policy will raise your premium, the extra security it provides is usually well worth the cost. And with
Jerry
, finding savings on Ford insurance costs
is easier than ever.As
a licensed broker
, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from name-brand insurance companies and helping you finalize your new car insurance. Jerry will even send you a new set of quotes when your policy comes up for renewal—so you can make sure you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. On average, Jerry users save over $800 a year on car insurance!
“When we added a new car to our family, we were shocked at how high our current insurer was going to hike our rates. We usedJerryfor some comparison shopping and are now saving around $1000 a year. Thank you, Jerry!” —Darius P.
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