FIXED: mazda remote start not working

The Quick Fix: What to Check Immediately

If your Mazda remote start is not working, the most likely reason is that your Mazda Connected Services subscription has expired or a door sensor is triggered. Before you panic or call the dealer, open your MyMazda app. If it asks you to subscribe or pay, that's your problem right there.

If the subscription is active, go out to the car. Open and firmly close the driver door, passenger doors, trunk, and specifically the hood. The hood latch sensor is the number one hardware cause for this failure. Once everything is shut, try again.

---

Is It The App or The Car?

Lets break this down. Modern Mazdas (roughly 2020 and newer) don't usually use the key fob for remote start. They use the smartphone app. Older models or ones with dealer-installed packages use a special sequence on the fob.

Depending on which system you have, the fix is different. I'm going to cover the App issues first because that is what most people are dealing with these days.

1. The Mazda Connected Services Subscription

This is the part that makes everyone mad. When you bought your new Mazda (like the CX-5, CX-50, CX-90, or Mazda3), the dealer probably told you about the cool app features. What they might have mentioned quickly (or forgot to mention) is that it was a 3-year trial.

Recently, Mazda started moving people from the free trial to the paid version. It costs about $10 a month or $65 for a year. If your remote start suddenly stopped working on a random Tuesday, check your email. You likely missed a renewal notice.

If you don't pay, the remote start feature is disabled immediately. There is no "grace period" really. You can check your status inside the MyMazda app under the menu.

2. The "Deep Sleep" Mode Issue

This one catches alot of people off guard. Mazdas are smart. If the car detects that the battery is getting a little low, or if you haven't driven the car in several days (usually 5 to 7 days), it enters "Deep Sleep" mode.

Basically, the car turns off its internal modem to stop the battery from dying completely. Since the modem is off, it cannot receive the signal from your phone to start the engine. It's not broken; it's actually saving you from needing a jump start.

The Fix: You have to go out and physically start the car with the push button. drive it around for about 20 minutes to charge the battery back up. The remote start should work fine after that.

3. The Infamous Hood Latch Sensor

If I had a dollar for every time this was the issue, I'd be rich. According to many mechanic friends and forums, this is a huge pain point specifically for the Mazda CX-5 and CX-30 models.

Remote start systems have safety overrides. They will never start the engine if the car thinks the hood is open. This is to prevent the engine from starting while a mechanic has their hands inside the belts.

The problem is the sensor (microswitch) in the hood latch can get dirty, corroded, or just fail. So, your hood is closed tight, but the dashboard light says "Hood Open." If that light is on, remote start is disabled.

How to test this:

• Sit in the car and turn it on.
• Look at the dashboard. Is the red car icon with an open hood illuminated?
• If yes, get out and slam the hood again.
• If the light stays on, you have a bad sensor. You'll need to replace the hood latch assembly (or have the dealer do it under warranty).

Common "User Errors" (We All Do Them)

Sometimes the car is fine, and we are just messing up the process. It happens. Here are the rules the computer follows that you might be breaking.

The Key Fob is Inside the Car

You cannot remote start the car if the spare key is sitting in the glove box or cup holder. The car knows the key is inside and assumes you are about to drive it, so it disables the remote function to prevent confusion or theft.

The Transmission isn't in Park

This seems obvious, but double check. If the shifter isn't fully clicked into "P", the signal is rejected. This is a critical safety feature mentioned in the Owner's Manual.

Hazard Lights are On

Believe it or not, if your hazard flashers are on, the system usually rejects a remote start request. It assumes the car is in distress or being worked on.

Low Fuel

If your gas light is on, the remote start often wont engage. The system is trying to prevent you from idling the car until it runs completely dry, which is bad for the fuel pump.

Troubleshooting The MyMazda App

If the car seems fine (battery is good, doors closed) but the app is just spinning and spinning, the problem is likely software. The MyMazda app is known to be a little... glitchy sometimes.

Step 1: Force Close the App
Don't just minimize it. Swipe it away completely so it has to reload from scratch.

Step 2: Clear the Cache (Android)
If you are on an Android, go to Settings > Apps > MyMazda > Storage > Clear Cache. This clears out old temporary data that might be clogging the connection.

Step 3: Update the App
Go to the App Store or Google Play Store. An outdated version of the app might not be able to talk to the Mazda servers anymore.

Step 4: The "Server Down" Reality
Sometimes, Mazda's servers just go down. If you get a "System Error" message, check Reddit or Mazda forums. If everyone else is complaining, you just have to wait it out. There's nothing you can do until they fix the server on their end.

Dealer-Installed Key Fob Remote Start

If you have an older Mazda (pre-2020) or you paid for the separate remote start accessory that works with a special key fob, your troubleshooting is different. You aren't dealing with an app; you are dealing with radio frequencies.

1. Change the Battery

This is the #1 fix for fob-based systems. Even if the light on the fob still blinks, the signal might be too weak to reach the car. Go buy a fresh CR2032 battery (or whatever size your specific fob takes). They cost like $5 at the grocery store.

2. The "Valet Mode"

Some aftermarket or dealer-installed systems have a "Valet Mode" that disables remote starting. This usually happens if you press a weird combination of buttons by accident in your pocket. Look up the manual for your specific remote starter brand (often seemingly generic fobs) to see how to exit Valet Mode. usually its holding two buttons down simultaneously.

3. Reprogramming

If the battery was dead for a long time, the fob might have lost its pairing with the car. You might need to visit the dealer to have them reprogram the fob to the car's computer.

When to Visit the Dealer

I am all about DIY fixes, but sometimes you are beat. You should book an appointment if:

• You have confirmed the subscription is active.
• You have driven the car recently (so battery is charged).
• No doors or hoods are open.
• The app gives a persistent "Failure" message every single time.

It could be a faulty TCU (Telematics Control Unit). This is the hardware in the car that talks to the cell towers. If this burns out or glitches, no amount of app updating will fix it. This is a warranty job, don't try to fix this yourself.

Alternative Options (If You Hate the Subscription)

Look, I get it. Paying a monthly fee just to warm up your car in the winter feels like a rip-off. If you are tired of the MyMazda app issues, you can actually install an aftermarket remote starter.

Brands like Compustar or Fortin make kits that work with your existing factory key fob. Usually, you press "Lock-Unlock-Lock" or "Lock-Lock-Lock" on your regular key, and the car starts.

The Pros:

• One-time cost (usually $300-$500 installed).
• No monthly fees.
• Reliable (doesn't depend on cell service).

The Cons:

• Range is limited to how far your key fob reaches (the app works from anywhere in the world).
• You lose the "vehicle status" alerts on your phone.

It's worth considering if you plan to keep the car for more than 3 or 4 years.

Summary Checklist

Before you go, let's run through the checklist one last time. If you want to start your car right now, do this:

1. Walk around the car. Push on the trunk and the hood to make sure they are clicked shut.
2. Get in and start the car manually. If it starts up slow, your battery is weak. Drive it for 20 mins.
3. Check your phone. Update the MyMazda app.
4. Log out of the app and log back in.
5. Check your subscription status in the menu.

Hopefully, this gets you back on the road and warm!

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know if my Mazda remote start subscription is expired?
A: Open the MyMazda app. Go to the menu (usually the hamburger icon in the top corner) and look for "My Services" or "Subscriptions." It will tell you clearly if your Connected Services package is Active or Expired. If it's expired, the "Start" button on the main screen will usually be greyed out or disappear.

Q: Why does my car shut off when I open the door?
A: This is a standard safety feature on almost all Japanese cars (Toyota and Subaru do it too). It prevents theft. If someone were to smash your window while the car was remote started, they can't just drive away. The moment the door opens, the engine kills so that you have to get in with the actual key to restart it.

Q: Can I use remote start without the app?
A: On newer models (2021+), generally no, not from the factory. Mazda moved almost entirely to the App-based system. However, you can have an aftermarket system installed that uses your physical key fob. Some people claim there is a "secret" trick on the factory fob, but Mazda has disabled this on most US trims to push the subscription service.

Q: How long will the car run on remote start?
A: It runs for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, the engine will automatically shut off to save fuel. You can usually do two remote start cycles in a row, but after that, you have to start the car manually.

Q: Will remote start work if my check engine light is on?
A: Usually, no. If the Check Engine Light (CEL) is illuminated, the computer disables remote start to prevent damaging the engine further. You need to scan the code and fix the issue first.