Smart Unlock
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2012 Ford Pickup, 2012 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2012 Ford F450 Super Duty, and 2012 Ford Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The smart unlock feature prevents the doors from locking with the key in the ignition lock cylinder. When the Body Control Module (BCM) receives a lock command from a door lock control switch only with the key in the ignition lock cylinder and one of the front doors open, the BCM commands the doors to unlock.
The vehicle can still be locked with the ignition key in the ignition cylinder by locking the doors with the push button rods, the door lock cylinder or a lock command from a Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.