diff --git a/selfdrive/car/ford/tests/print_platform_codes.py b/selfdrive/car/ford/tests/print_platform_codes.py
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000..670199980a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/selfdrive/car/ford/tests/print_platform_codes.py
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+from collections import defaultdict
+
+from cereal import car
+from openpilot.selfdrive.car.ford.values import get_platform_codes
+from openpilot.selfdrive.car.ford.fingerprints import FW_VERSIONS
+
+Ecu = car.CarParams.Ecu
+ECU_NAME = {v: k for k, v in Ecu.schema.enumerants.items()}
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+  cars_for_code: defaultdict = defaultdict(lambda: defaultdict(set))
+
+  for car_model, ecus in FW_VERSIONS.items():
+    print(car_model)
+    for ecu in sorted(ecus, key=lambda x: int(x[0])):
+      platform_codes = get_platform_codes(ecus[ecu])
+      for code in platform_codes:
+        cars_for_code[ecu][code].add(car_model)
+
+      print(f'  (Ecu.{ECU_NAME[ecu[0]]}, {hex(ecu[1])}, {ecu[2]}):')
+      print(f'    Codes: {sorted(platform_codes)}')
+    print()
+
+  print('\nCar models vs. platform codes:')
+  for ecu, codes in cars_for_code.items():
+    print(f'  (Ecu.{ECU_NAME[ecu[0]]}, {hex(ecu[1])}, {ecu[2]}):')
+    for code, cars in codes.items():
+      print(f'    {code!r}: {sorted(map(str, cars))}')
diff --git a/selfdrive/car/ford/tests/test_ford.py b/selfdrive/car/ford/tests/test_ford.py
index 2ad3f5db1b..5d7b2c3332 100755
--- a/selfdrive/car/ford/tests/test_ford.py
+++ b/selfdrive/car/ford/tests/test_ford.py
@@ -1,12 +1,15 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
+import random
 import unittest
-from parameterized import parameterized
 from collections.abc import Iterable
 
 import capnp
+from hypothesis import settings, given, strategies as st
+from parameterized import parameterized
 
 from cereal import car
-from openpilot.selfdrive.car.ford.values import FW_QUERY_CONFIG
+from openpilot.selfdrive.car.fw_versions import build_fw_dict
+from openpilot.selfdrive.car.ford.values import CAR, FW_QUERY_CONFIG, FW_PATTERN, get_platform_codes
 from openpilot.selfdrive.car.ford.fingerprints import FW_VERSIONS
 
 Ecu = car.CarParams.Ecu
@@ -23,7 +26,7 @@ ECU_ADDRESSES = {
 }
 
 
-ECU_FW_CORE = {
+ECU_PART_NUMBER = {
   Ecu.eps: [
     b"14D003",
   ],
@@ -37,9 +40,6 @@ ECU_FW_CORE = {
     b"14F397",  # Ford Q3
     b"14H102",  # Ford Q4
   ],
-  Ecu.engine: [
-    b"14C204",
-  ],
 }
 
 
@@ -53,29 +53,96 @@ class TestFordFW(unittest.TestCase):
   @parameterized.expand(FW_VERSIONS.items())
   def test_fw_versions(self, car_model: str, fw_versions: dict[tuple[capnp.lib.capnp._EnumModule, int, int | None], Iterable[bytes]]):
     for (ecu, addr, subaddr), fws in fw_versions.items():
-      self.assertIn(ecu, ECU_FW_CORE, "Unexpected ECU")
+      self.assertIn(ecu, ECU_PART_NUMBER, "Unexpected ECU")
       self.assertEqual(addr, ECU_ADDRESSES[ecu], "ECU address mismatch")
       self.assertIsNone(subaddr, "Unexpected ECU subaddress")
 
-      # Software part number takes the form: PREFIX-CORE-SUFFIX
-      # Prefix changes based on the family of part. It includes the model year
-      #   and likely the platform.
-      # Core identifies the type of the item (e.g. 14D003 = PSCM, 14C204 = PCM).
-      # Suffix specifies the version of the part. -AA would be followed by -AB.
-      #   Small increments in the suffix are usually compatible.
-      # Details: https://forscan.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=70008#p70008
       for fw in fws:
         self.assertEqual(len(fw), 24, "Expected ECU response to be 24 bytes")
 
-        # TODO: parse with regex, don't need detailed error message
-        fw_parts = fw.rstrip(b'\x00').split(b'-')
-        self.assertEqual(len(fw_parts), 3, "Expected FW to be in format: prefix-core-suffix")
+        match = FW_PATTERN.match(fw)
+        self.assertIsNotNone(match, f"Unable to parse FW: {fw!r}")
+        if match:
+          part_number = match.group("part_number")
+          self.assertIn(part_number, ECU_PART_NUMBER[ecu], f"Unexpected part number for {fw!r}")
 
-        prefix, core, suffix = fw_parts
-        self.assertEqual(len(prefix), 4, "Expected FW prefix to be 4 characters")
-        self.assertIn(len(core), (5, 6), "Expected FW core to be 5-6 characters")
-        self.assertIn(core, ECU_FW_CORE[ecu], f"Unexpected FW core for {ecu}")
-        self.assertIn(len(suffix), (2, 3), "Expected FW suffix to be 2-3 characters")
+        codes = get_platform_codes([fw])
+        self.assertEqual(1, len(codes), f"Unable to parse FW: {fw!r}")
+
+  @settings(max_examples=100)
+  @given(data=st.data())
+  def test_platform_codes_fuzzy_fw(self, data):
+    """Ensure function doesn't raise an exception"""
+    fw_strategy = st.lists(st.binary())
+    fws = data.draw(fw_strategy)
+    get_platform_codes(fws)
+
+  def test_platform_codes_spot_check(self):
+    # Asserts basic platform code parsing behavior for a few cases
+    results = get_platform_codes([
+      b"JX6A-14C204-BPL\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00",
+      b"NZ6T-14F397-AC\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00",
+      b"PJ6T-14H102-ABJ\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00",
+      b"LB5A-14C204-EAC\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00",
+    ])
+    self.assertEqual(results, {(b"X6A", b"J"), (b"Z6T", b"N"), (b"J6T", b"P"), (b"B5A", b"L")})
+
+  def test_fuzzy_match(self):
+    for platform, fw_by_addr in FW_VERSIONS.items():
+      # Ensure there's no overlaps in platform codes
+      for _ in range(20):
+        car_fw = []
+        for ecu, fw_versions in fw_by_addr.items():
+          ecu_name, addr, sub_addr = ecu
+          fw = random.choice(fw_versions)
+          car_fw.append({"ecu": ecu_name, "fwVersion": fw, "address": addr,
+                         "subAddress": 0 if sub_addr is None else sub_addr})
+
+        CP = car.CarParams.new_message(carFw=car_fw)
+        matches = FW_QUERY_CONFIG.match_fw_to_car_fuzzy(build_fw_dict(CP.carFw), CP.carVin, FW_VERSIONS)
+        self.assertEqual(matches, {platform})
+
+  def test_match_fw_fuzzy(self):
+    offline_fw = {
+      (Ecu.eps, 0x730, None): [
+        b"L1MC-14D003-AJ\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00",
+        b"L1MC-14D003-AL\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00",
+      ],
+      (Ecu.abs, 0x760, None): [
+        b"L1MC-2D053-BA\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00",
+        b"L1MC-2D053-BD\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00",
+      ],
+      (Ecu.fwdRadar, 0x764, None): [
+        b"LB5T-14D049-AB\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00",
+        b"LB5T-14D049-AD\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00",
+      ],
+      # We consider all model year hints for ECU, even with different platform codes
+      (Ecu.fwdCamera, 0x706, None): [
+        b"LB5T-14F397-AD\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00",
+        b"NC5T-14F397-AF\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00",
+      ],
+    }
+    expected_fingerprint = CAR.FORD_EXPLORER_MK6
+
+    # ensure that we fuzzy match on all non-exact FW with changed revisions
+    live_fw = {
+      (0x730, None): {b"L1MC-14D003-XX\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"},
+      (0x760, None): {b"L1MC-2D053-XX\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"},
+      (0x764, None): {b"LB5T-14D049-XX\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"},
+      (0x706, None): {b"LB5T-14F397-XX\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"},
+    }
+    candidates = FW_QUERY_CONFIG.match_fw_to_car_fuzzy(live_fw, '', {expected_fingerprint: offline_fw})
+    self.assertEqual(candidates, {expected_fingerprint})
+
+    # model year hint in between the range should match
+    live_fw[(0x706, None)] = {b"MB5T-14F397-XX\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"}
+    candidates = FW_QUERY_CONFIG.match_fw_to_car_fuzzy(live_fw, '', {expected_fingerprint: offline_fw,})
+    self.assertEqual(candidates, {expected_fingerprint})
+
+    # unseen model year hint should not match
+    live_fw[(0x760, None)] = {b"M1MC-2D053-XX\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"}
+    candidates = FW_QUERY_CONFIG.match_fw_to_car_fuzzy(live_fw, '', {expected_fingerprint: offline_fw})
+    self.assertEqual(len(candidates), 0, "Should not match new model year hint")
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
diff --git a/selfdrive/car/ford/values.py b/selfdrive/car/ford/values.py
index a5494c921c..b1868bfa9b 100644
--- a/selfdrive/car/ford/values.py
+++ b/selfdrive/car/ford/values.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import copy
+import re
 from dataclasses import dataclass, field, replace
 from enum import Enum, IntFlag
 
@@ -7,7 +8,7 @@ from cereal import car
 from openpilot.selfdrive.car import AngleRateLimit, CarSpecs, dbc_dict, DbcDict, PlatformConfig, Platforms
 from openpilot.selfdrive.car.docs_definitions import CarFootnote, CarHarness, CarDocs, CarParts, Column, \
                                                      Device
-from openpilot.selfdrive.car.fw_query_definitions import FwQueryConfig, Request, StdQueries, p16
+from openpilot.selfdrive.car.fw_query_definitions import FwQueryConfig, LiveFwVersions, OfflineFwVersions, Request, StdQueries, p16
 
 Ecu = car.CarParams.Ecu
 
@@ -143,6 +144,76 @@ class CAR(Platforms):
   )
 
 
+# FW response contains a combined software and part number
+# A-Z except no I, O or W
+# e.g. NZ6A-14C204-AAA
+#      1222-333333-444
+# 1 = Model year hint (approximates model year/generation)
+# 2 = Platform hint
+# 3 = Part number
+# 4 = Software version
+FW_ALPHABET = b'A-HJ-NP-VX-Z'
+FW_PATTERN = re.compile(b'^(?P<model_year_hint>[' + FW_ALPHABET + b'])' +
+                        b'(?P<platform_hint>[0-9' + FW_ALPHABET + b']{3})-' +
+                        b'(?P<part_number>[0-9' + FW_ALPHABET + b']{5,6})-' +
+                        b'(?P<software_revision>[' + FW_ALPHABET + b']{2,})\x00*$')
+
+
+def get_platform_codes(fw_versions: list[bytes] | set[bytes]) -> set[tuple[bytes, bytes]]:
+  codes = set()
+  for fw in fw_versions:
+    match = FW_PATTERN.match(fw)
+    if match is not None:
+      codes.add((match.group('platform_hint'), match.group('model_year_hint')))
+
+  return codes
+
+
+def match_fw_to_car_fuzzy(live_fw_versions: LiveFwVersions, vin: str, offline_fw_versions: OfflineFwVersions) -> set[str]:
+  candidates: set[str] = set()
+
+  for candidate, fws in offline_fw_versions.items():
+    # Keep track of ECUs which pass all checks (platform hint, within model year hint range)
+    valid_found_ecus = set()
+    valid_expected_ecus = {ecu[1:] for ecu in fws if ecu[0] in PLATFORM_CODE_ECUS}
+    for ecu, expected_versions in fws.items():
+      addr = ecu[1:]
+      # Only check ECUs expected to have platform codes
+      if ecu[0] not in PLATFORM_CODE_ECUS:
+        continue
+
+      # Expected platform codes & model year hints
+      codes = get_platform_codes(expected_versions)
+      expected_platform_codes = {code for code, _ in codes}
+      expected_model_year_hints = {model_year_hint for _, model_year_hint in codes}
+
+      # Found platform codes & model year hints
+      codes = get_platform_codes(live_fw_versions.get(addr, set()))
+      found_platform_codes = {code for code, _ in codes}
+      found_model_year_hints = {model_year_hint for _, model_year_hint in codes}
+
+      # Check platform code matches for any found versions
+      if not any(found_platform_code in expected_platform_codes for found_platform_code in found_platform_codes):
+        break
+
+      # Check any model year hint within range in the database. Note that some models have more than one
+      # platform code per ECU which we don't consider as separate ranges
+      if not any(min(expected_model_year_hints) <= found_model_year_hint <= max(expected_model_year_hints) for
+                 found_model_year_hint in found_model_year_hints):
+        break
+
+      valid_found_ecus.add(addr)
+
+    # If all live ECUs pass all checks for candidate, add it as a match
+    if valid_expected_ecus.issubset(valid_found_ecus):
+      candidates.add(candidate)
+
+  return candidates
+
+
+# All of these ECUs must be present and are expected to have platform codes we can match
+PLATFORM_CODE_ECUS = (Ecu.abs, Ecu.fwdCamera, Ecu.fwdRadar, Ecu.eps)
+
 DATA_IDENTIFIER_FORD_ASBUILT = 0xDE00
 
 ASBUILT_BLOCKS: list[tuple[int, list]] = [
@@ -201,6 +272,8 @@ FW_QUERY_CONFIG = FwQueryConfig(
     (Ecu.shiftByWire, 0x732, None),   # Gear Shift Module
     (Ecu.debug, 0x7d0, None),         # Accessory Protocol Interface Module
   ],
+  # Custom fuzzy fingerprinting function using platform and model year hints
+  match_fw_to_car_fuzzy=match_fw_to_car_fuzzy,
 )
 
 DBC = CAR.create_dbc_map()