In Brief
Ford tested its latest F-150 security package by staging a confrontation with a 360 kg Kodiak bear. The test, crafted as a spectacular demonstration, aimed to prove the effectiveness of intrusion alerts sent to smartphones and the active protection features, especially against theft. This Security Package offers real-time notifications, remote engine-start blocking, and post-theft assistance, with a one-year subscription included and then billed starting in the second year. Ford also paired this package, on certain markets, with insurance-deductible coverage in the event of theft that isn’t recovered, underscoring its commitment to user safety.
Ford found a radically bold way to test its new connected security service. Rather than a thief with a crowbar, the brand tapped a real 800‑pound Kodiak bear, roughly 360 kg, to attack a latest-generation pickup. The behemoth, nicknamed Tag, was filmed shaking, clawing, and even cracking a window of a Ford F-150, all in a staging designed as an “in the wild” test—and as a high-profile PR operation.
Behind this wildlife-film setup, the objective is clear: to demonstrate how the new Ford F-150 Security Package responds to a non-human, violent, and unpredictable “attack.” The F-150 remains one of the most targeted vehicles by thieves in North America, and Ford is now betting on a package of connected services to reassure customers. The automaker goes so far as to promise insurance-deductible coverage in the event of theft, giving this dramatic video about the Ford Security Package an extra dimension.
A Kodiak Bear Trained to Rough Up the Ford F-150
Tag isn’t a wild bear that happened upon a poorly parked pickup. He is a trained Kodiak, accustomed to on-set work, earning a living in the entertainment industry. He has notably played the bear prowling around the Dutton ranch in the series “Yellowstone.” For this test, his trainer, Keith Bauer, guided him step by step through a forest clearing to recreate an intruder’s moves: standing against the bodywork, shaking the vehicle, and attempting to get into the cabin.
The meeting wasn’t spontaneous. It was designed as a photogenic opportunity and an in-the-wild test, as the expression goes, to see how the system reacts to a non-human aggressor. Tag willingly played along. He rose to his hind legs, loomed over the hood, vigorously shook the pickup from side to side, sank his claws into the sheet metal, and left deep marks that won’t help resale. At one point, he even slid a paw through a window, triggering a “Potential Cabin Intrusion” alert, then pushed his head into the cabin, perhaps searching for something that might resemble those 69 soda cans mentioned in the original tale. Ford notes that an animal-welfare specialist was on hand to ensure Tag didn’t injure himself.
What the Ford F-150 Security Package Does During the Attack
Behind every paw strike, the most interesting action actually happens off screen, on the owner’s smartphone. When Tag shatters the glass and extends his paw, then his head, into the cab, the system dispatches a “Potential Cabin Intrusion” alert signaling a possible cabin intrusion. When the bear subsequently manages to open the door by slipping his paw into the handle, the app pops up a “Door Opened” alert. A humorous note from the test is that the F-150’s handle was designed for gloved human hands, which makes it wide enough for… a bear paw.
Beyond these notifications, this package rests on a suite of anti-theft features already available in the F-Series lineup. The Ford Security Package uses the vehicle’s sensors, its onboard connectivity, and a link to the Ford app to continuously monitor what happens around and inside the pickup. In the event of a suspicious incident, the driver receives a real-time alert and can react, even when far from the vehicle. The manufacturer also highlights remote capabilities that are aimed more at human thieves than bear intruders.
Concretely, this pack includes:
- Theft Alerts : real-time notifications sent to your phone in case of potential intrusion, an open door, unauthorized movement, or towing of the vehicle.
- Start Inhibit : the ability to remotely block the engine start, even with a valid key or transponder, if the owner believes the vehicle is under threat.
- Stolen Vehicle Assistance : a 24/7 assistance center helps locate a stolen vehicle and cooperates with law enforcement to recover it.
- Truck Bed Camera : a wide-angle camera to monitor the truck bed, with the video feed viewable in the app when the pickup is parked.
Ford states that the package is included for one year on the Ford F-150 and 2024-and-later Super Duty models (excluding F-150 Lightning), as well as on certain SUVs starting in 2026. After this initial year, the service becomes paid, at $7.99 per month (roughly €7.50 at current rates). The automaker has also launched a US program to cover insurance deductibles: if a 2024-2025 gasoline or hybrid F-150 or Super Duty equipped with an active Ford Security Package subscription is stolen, not recovered, or damaged, Ford can reimburse up to $2,500 (about €2,300) of the deductible in 40 American states. No details are provided for Europe or the French market. For American pickup owners, this dramatic bear-attack scene is meant to illustrate, in spectacular fashion, the presence of a digital guardian that can react the moment something goes wrong around their truck.
Comparison Table
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Bear weight | 360 kg (800 lb) |
| Inclusion period of the pack | 1 year |
| Price after one year | $7.99/month (~€7.50) |
| US deductible coverage | Up to $2,500 (~€2,300) |
| States eligible for deductible coverage | 40 |
Key Takeaways
- Ford staged a spectacular test of its F-150 Security Package with a 360 kg Kodiak bear.
- The Security Package sends real-time smartphone alerts for intrusions or opened doors.
- The package includes advanced anti-theft features, such as remote blocking and 24/7 theft assistance.
- A one-year subscription is included, then the service costs $7.99/month.
- In the United States, Ford offers deductible reimbursement up to $2,500 for certain stolen or damaged models.
- Availability of these benefits in Europe or France has not been specified at this time.
FAQ
What is the Ford F-150 Security Package?
It is a set of connected services designed to protect the vehicle from theft and intrusion, featuring smartphone alerts and dedicated assistance.
How was the system tested?
Ford enlisted a trained 360 kg Kodiak bear to simulate an extreme attack on an F-150 and observe the Security Package’s responses.
Is the service free for F-150 owners?
The package is included for one year on new F-150 and Super Duty models, then becomes a paid service from year two.
What alerts are sent in case of intrusion?
Real-time notifications such as “Potential Cabin Intrusion” and “Door Opened” are sent to the owner’s smartphone.
What happens if the vehicle is stolen despite the package?
Ford offers, in 40 U.S. states, deductible reimbursement up to $2,500 if the vehicle is not recovered or is damaged.
Is this service available in Europe or France?
No details have been provided about availability or deductible coverage for Europe or France.
