rugedraw
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I am starting this thread because I have noticed an influx of these cases popping up recently. This makes sense as these 2021 trucks are now being traded in for 2024+ or coming off lease and reintroduced into the used truck market. In an effort to reduce the amount of work it will take to explain this on an individual basis, this can serve as a reference point for these unfortunate souls that bought a truck not knowing what they got into. If you are the original owner of a job 1 2021 F150 and you never get updates, this may apply to you, too.
First off: Your dealer did not know and they did not sell you a vehicle knowing it was defective. Even if it is a certified pre-owned vehicle, the process to certify a vehicle does not include making sure the software is up to date or updating it even if isn't.....they only have to apply recalls.
Backstory to this problem: F150's built in the first production run for 2021 (build date before 7/7/2021) either shipped from the factory with bad software or received bad software via an OTA that prevents more updates from ever coming in. The red flags are if you truck is on one of the Sync versions mentioned above in the "About Sync" menu of your touchscreen, if your auto-updates button is gray out and you cannot turn it on, if your Bluecruise does not work (If equipped), if you do not have full screen phone capability, ability to use you camera(s) while driving, and more. This issue also plagued job 1 2021 Mach E's. It is a problem we know all too well on the forums, but dealers do not know about it. They don't know about it because Ford never admitted to it directly and only put out incognito bulletins out that never directly admitted how to identify and fix the problem.
There are only two known ways to fix this issue:
1) The dealer will swap out your APIM for a new one. The difficult part about this will be to convince the dealership you have a problem. You would need to have some kind of extended warranty and then find a way to be able to bill the warranty for the work without an actual diagnosis that the APIM is messed up.
2) You will need to invest in the tools needed to do it yourself. It requires a $575 cable that will allow you to use FDRS (Ford Diagnostic Repair System) software to fix the issue yourself in a multi-step process. You will also need a 20amp minimum power supply ($100), a windows based laptop, a USB drive, paid access for FDRS ($50 for a 2 day pass) and A LOT of patience. Post #1 of the thread below described what FDRS is. Do not let it overwhelm you.....no experience is needed and this community will walk you through it:
https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/ecu-module-programming-guide-using-fdrs.8249/
The third options is to live with your truck as it is forever with antiquated software and missing or broken features.
The issue can be fixed, but it will require some effort on the part of the owner.
This post is to be a considered a WIP and I will amend it accordingly as needed.
First off: Your dealer did not know and they did not sell you a vehicle knowing it was defective. Even if it is a certified pre-owned vehicle, the process to certify a vehicle does not include making sure the software is up to date or updating it even if isn't.....they only have to apply recalls.
Backstory to this problem: F150's built in the first production run for 2021 (build date before 7/7/2021) either shipped from the factory with bad software or received bad software via an OTA that prevents more updates from ever coming in. The red flags are if you truck is on one of the Sync versions mentioned above in the "About Sync" menu of your touchscreen, if your auto-updates button is gray out and you cannot turn it on, if your Bluecruise does not work (If equipped), if you do not have full screen phone capability, ability to use you camera(s) while driving, and more. This issue also plagued job 1 2021 Mach E's. It is a problem we know all too well on the forums, but dealers do not know about it. They don't know about it because Ford never admitted to it directly and only put out incognito bulletins out that never directly admitted how to identify and fix the problem.
There are only two known ways to fix this issue:
1) The dealer will swap out your APIM for a new one. The difficult part about this will be to convince the dealership you have a problem. You would need to have some kind of extended warranty and then find a way to be able to bill the warranty for the work without an actual diagnosis that the APIM is messed up.
2) You will need to invest in the tools needed to do it yourself. It requires a $575 cable that will allow you to use FDRS (Ford Diagnostic Repair System) software to fix the issue yourself in a multi-step process. You will also need a 20amp minimum power supply ($100), a windows based laptop, a USB drive, paid access for FDRS ($50 for a 2 day pass) and A LOT of patience. Post #1 of the thread below described what FDRS is. Do not let it overwhelm you.....no experience is needed and this community will walk you through it:
https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/ecu-module-programming-guide-using-fdrs.8249/
The third options is to live with your truck as it is forever with antiquated software and missing or broken features.
The issue can be fixed, but it will require some effort on the part of the owner.
This post is to be a considered a WIP and I will amend it accordingly as needed.
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