In at least some implementations, a method for preventing inadvertant operation of a vehicle access system that includes a plurality of inputs involves providing a keypad operable to output signals to control a vehicle system based on entry of a code via the inputs, detecting when a predetermined access sequence is inputted via the inputs and outputting a signal to a vehicle system to allow access to the vehicle, and operating the keypad in a disabled mode wherein the keypad output signals are not outputted. The disabled mode may be activated either actively or passively or both, and the disabled mode may be terminated either actively or passively or both.