[Robbb23]

The touch/swipe/slide door handle lock/unlock feature sucks! At least that's been our experience Sometimes they work effortlessly, sometimes never, sometimes what I did to unlock just keep making it lock, and times it's unlocked and just continues to unlock. Very frustrating but just using fob now as I've given up on this POS "feature". Maybe there's something the dealer can do as I can't imagine everyone has this system that works in this totally random nature. Thoughts???

I think if the car is capable of sending a message that its unlocked it should be able to lock itself after a pre set time.

 

[KevMeist]

I think if the car is capable of sending a message that its unlocked it should be able to lock itself after a pre set time.

But, that opens up the possibility that someone will lock themselves out of the car, no?

 

[Tampa8]

But, that opens up the possibility that someone will lock themselves out of the car, no?

The car knows if the fob is in the car. Rather than a pre set time, I think the "walk away" system would be better.

 

[KevMeist]

How can the car know the fob is in the car or six inches outside?

 

[Robbb23]

But, that opens up the possibility that someone will lock themselves out of the car, no?

But, that opens up the possibility that someone will lock themselves out of the car, no?

No. Most GM cars wont lock if the fob is in the car. But lock themselves after 45 seconds of closing the door.

 

[Robbb23]

No. Most GM cars wont lock if the fob is in the car. But lock themselves after 45 seconds of closing the door.

I drive a Honda Passport and a Cadillac Escalade in addition to the Tucson. Both lock the doors themselves.

 

[Tampa8]

How can the car know the fob is in the car or six inches outside?

Smart keys have been on cars for years. The fob sends out a modulated RF signal and the car knows based on how long it takes to receive it how far it is, and where it gets the signal. Meaning there are several antennas to pick up the signal and which one gets the signal helps determine where the key is.
This is a reason it is possible for the fob to somewhat drain a battery if it is nearby all the time.

That's how the courtesy lights on the handle work, proximity of the fob.

That's how the auto Hatch works, it knows when the fob is in the right place and only opens when it is the right distance, and the right location.

Leave the car running, get out with the fob and it warns you the car is still running. But no warning if you are in the car with it.

The data USB port turns on as you get into the car before you turn on the car based on seeing the fob.

 

[KevMeist]

Smart keys have been on cars for years. The fob sends out a modulated RF signal and the car knows based on how long it takes to receive it how far it is, and where it gets the signal. Meaning there are several antennas to pick up the signal and which one gets the signal helps determine where the key is.
This is a reason it is possible for the fob to somewhat drain a battery if it is nearby all the time.

That's how the courtesy lights on the handle work, proximity of the fob.

That's how the auto Hatch works, it knows when the fob is in the right place and only opens when it is the right distance, and the right location.

Leave the car running, get out with the fob and it warns you the car is still running. But no warning if you are in the car with it.

The data USB port turns on as you get into the car before you turn on the car based on seeing the fob.

Pretty short distance between cars being in the car and being "just" outside though. I'll take your word...I've never tried it. My keys stayed hooked on my belt loop and in my shorts pocket whenever I am out with the car.

 

[RevLauren]

Not true. There is nothing unsafe about the car in park and the back doors unlocked. Or front doors.

Safety means different things to different people in various situations. Anyone is a potential target of a car thief, purse snatcher, etc. Women alone can be particularly vulnerable, though men have been victims, too. One of the reasons that two-stage unlock was implemented (first just the driver's door, second stage, all doors) was for safety. If you find yourself in a potentially sketchy situation, it's best if only the driver door unlocks. Not to be overly dramatic, but my brother's wife experienced this a couple years ago. She was working late and came out of her building (in L.A.) after dark. She wasn't paying total attention to a loiterer in the parking lot. She beeped open the doors, got in and suddenly the right rear door opened and a guy got in. She is no shrinking violet, though, and she jumped out of the car and ran, while pressing the panic button on the fob. Lights flashing, horn honking, and a very nonplussed would-be car-jacker (or worse) fled. Is something that like common? Probably not. Depends on time and place. But I think personally that an extra button push is a very small trade-off for an extra measure of security. Just sayin' ...

 

[KevMeist]

RevL...I 100% agree with you.

 

[Tampa8]

Safety means different things to different people in various situations. Anyone is a potential target of a car thief, purse snatcher, etc. Women alone can be particularly vulnerable, though men have been victims, too. One of the reasons that two-stage unlock was implemented (first just the driver's door, second stage, all doors) was for safety. If you find yourself in a potentially sketchy situation, it's best if only the driver door unlocks. Not to be overly dramatic, but my brother's wife experienced this a couple years ago. She was working late and came out of her building (in L.A.) after dark. She wasn't paying total attention to a loiterer in the parking lot. She beeped open the doors, got in and suddenly the right rear door opened and a guy got in. She is no shrinking violet, though, and she jumped out of the car and ran, while pressing the panic button on the fob. Lights flashing, horn honking, and a very nonplussed would-be car-jacker (or worse) fled. Is something that like common? Probably not. Depends on time and place. But I think personally that an extra button push is a very small trade-off for an extra measure of security. Just sayin' ...

I posted this just before that post - "Those settings are important to some people, some do not want their doors to open till the engine is turned off for security, some want them opened as soon as the car is in park. Some want just the driver's door to unlock, some all doors....... "

I obviously understand, in fact you pretty much repeated what I already said. There's a choice for a reason, so the the flat out statement it is never safe for the doors to unlock while the car is running, is nonsense.

Tell me this, why is it safer when the car is off and doors unlocked - and you can't just drive off if someone approaches the car, than putting in park with the car running? People generally do not want the car to be off everytime passengers get in with busy families, Uber whatever because there is nothing unsafe about it. But that's why there is a choice.

 

[Dksmith]

I have a 2024 hybrid. Using the physical key fob to lock / unlock the doors seems to work fine. The problem is the inconsistency with locking or unlocking doors when the fob is in my purse. Lately, I can't lock the car on the passenger side at all. I know how to touch the handle - there's just nothing registering in the car. An hour later, though, when trying to unlock the car on the passenger side, the touch unlock works as it should? Any new updates on this issue?

 

[Tampa8]

I have a 2024 hybrid. Using the physical key fob to lock / unlock the doors seems to work fine. The problem is the inconsistency with locking or unlocking doors when the fob is in my purse. Lately, I can't lock the car on the passenger side at all. I know how to touch the handle - there's just nothing registering in the car. An hour later, though, when trying to unlock the car on the passenger side, the touch unlock works as it should? Any new updates on this issue?

Update on what issue? Virtually every problem locking, unlocking from touch is from user error, with a couple of possible exceptions. So if yours is not working and you say you know how to touch it, then that is what a warranty is for.

 

[tucsonInLA]

I've made peace with my doors after attending the 2 day workshop at my dealer on the lock's operation. 🤪 They offered a 3 day course, but I took notes and declined.


fwiw... hyundia salesman and door locks:

 

[karencook.va]

I have the same issue with my 2022 Tuscan. I hate that I can’t lock the doors before everyone shuts their doors or that I can’t lock the doors from the inside. The door handle feature to lock/unlock is a crap shoot. I have taken it to the dealership and of corse nothing goes wrong when I am there. It is a horrible feature and don’t even know why they went in this direction. I hate hate hate it!!

 

[KevMeist]

It's not a swipe, it's a simply touch at the dimpled area. A single fingerprint won't do, it wants a thumb size (or bigger). AND, I found that it takes almost a full second before it locks.

What really bothers me, is that if the driver (with the fob) takes some things into the house and the second person needs to gather a few more things, there is NO WAY to lock the car. The internal door switch/button doesn't work, and the outside door handle sensor doesn't work. The fob MUST be present.

And a warning, DO NOT put your fob down in the trunk area and close the trunk. You WILL be locked out. I've never in my life put keys in the trunk, I've seen (clueless) people do that in conventional cars and lock their keys there. So with a new car, I wanted to test the limits. I kept one fob about 20 feet from the car and tested with the other. DO NOT put your fob in the trunk!

For your second paragraph…this is what proximity lock/unlock is supposed to do.

 

[karencook.va]

Yup easy: Lock = 1 beep = one syllable. Unlock = 2 beeps = 2 syllables.
;-)

In theory that should work, and usually mine does. Other times it gets “confused” and will not lock/unlock and I have to drop everything I have in my hands to get the fob out of my purse. Glad I am not a mom with a baby.

 

[KevMeist]

I have the same issue with my 2022 Tuscan. I hate that I can’t lock the doors before everyone shuts their doors or that I can’t lock the doors from the inside. The door handle feature to lock/unlock is a crap shoot. I have taken it to the dealership and of corse nothing goes wrong when I am there. It is a horrible feature and don’t even know why they went in this direction. I hate hate hate it!!

Why would you want to lock your car if a door is still open?

 

[karencook.va]

Here's what tripped me up my first week of ownership. Ymmv. When I went to lock the car, I would just grab the handle, making sure to brush my thumb across the "lock" dimple on the outside of the handle. Sometimes it worked, most times it didn't. I finally figured out that while trying to lock, my fingers were also loosely wrapped around the handle, lightly (unintentionally) touching the handle inside (the unlock zone). That was apparently confusing the car, so it just stared at me and did nothing. It took a while to break that habit since that's how I've been grabbing car door handles for the last 50+ years, but once I quit touching the handle inside surface when locking, it's been 100% perfect.

Reading all these posts has helped me figure out how to use this feature “better”. I too have grabbed the handle when locking. But here is my question why would you make such a simple process so sensitive and difficult to use? I want to be able to just lock my Tuscan from the inside with other doors open. I miss that so much!

 

[janz8]

I have the same issue with my 2022 Tuscan. I hate that I can’t lock the doors before everyone shuts their doors or that I can’t lock the doors from the inside. The door handle feature to lock/unlock is a crap shoot. I have taken it to the dealership and of corse nothing goes wrong when I am there. It is a horrible feature and don’t even know why they went in this direction. I hate hate hate it!!

Don't let it consume you. You can always use the app to open or close the doors or use the fob if it's easier. I find the phone app is the easisest.
Make sure you don't grab the handle first if you are locking the door, it glitches the system. If you have cream or have just cleaned your hands with hand gel, maybe that affects your ability to lock or unlock the doors.
You can try to clean the area where the sensor is with a damp cloth, or maybe soap and water!

Good luck and happy new year!