Ford files for a patent for remote vehicle seizure

WASHINGTON — Ford has filed for a patent that could result in cars being impounded if a driver misses payments in the future.

A patent application from Ford Global Technologies was filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office in August 2021 and published on February 23, 2023. TheDrive.com was the first to report on the patent.

A company representative confirmed to the Detroit Free Press that the patent is still pending and has not yet been issued.

Now, just because someone is late in paying for one car, doesn’t mean that their car will just immediately leave on its own. But it will be an option in the future if the patent is approved.

The patent application describes “systems and methods for vehicle seizure”. It details various strategies for dealing with missed or late payments, which include sending messages to the car’s display screens or the owner’s smartphone for the first time.

If these messages are ignored, the patent application discusses a number of possibilities for what could happen next. It includes a system where the lender can remotely disable some “optional” components such as cruise control, radio, air conditioning system or remote key fobs.

After a period of time, the process may increase to include a “continuous and obnoxious” sound playing any time the owner is present in the vehicle.

According to the patent application, if the owner still cannot contact their creditor at this point, the car could lock it up. There are caveats though, such as allowing driver access on weekdays for work or within the “geofence” zone. The app explains that drivers will still be able to access the car during a medical emergency.

If all else fails, then you can remotely order the car to go to a waiting tow truck or confiscate the site for seizure.

The patent application even details a scenario where the car goes straight to the junkyard if it is determined that the market value is below the “financial viability” of removing it.