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If you own a 2021 F150 and you're on Sync 20262, 20301, 20312 or your Sync version is blank and cannot turn on auto-updates, this thread is for you!

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.
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Buyer2021

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A valuable post / thread for those affected, I'm sure.

(thankful I'm not in that 'club')

Just curious, with apology if I missed an already posted answer ....

If one undertakes solution 2, and gets things up to current status, does that then allow OTA auto-updates to occur thereafter (or will subsequent updates have to be done using FDRS forever)?
 
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rugedraw

rugedraw

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A valuable post / thread for those affected, I'm sure.

Just curious, with apology if I missed an already posted answer ....

If one undertakes solution 2, and gets things up to current status, does that then allow OTA auto-updates to occur thereafter (or will subsequent updates have to be done using FDRS forever)?
Yes, once the truck is fully updated, the OTA process does a decent job of keeping you updated. This applies to all vehicles that are behind regardless of how far behind it is. All FDRS does is speed up the OTA process.....it does not break it. Once you fully update with FDRS, you won't see OTA's for a while, but that's because there is nothing to update. Ford would have to release new software for one of the modules before you would need another OTA.
 
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Buyer2021

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Yes, once the truck is fully updated, the OTA process does a decent job of keeping you updated. This applies to all vehicles that are behind regardless of how far behind it is. All FDRS does is speed up the OTA process.....it does not break it. Once you full update with FDRS, you won't see OTA's for a while, but that's because there is nothing to update. Ford would have to release new software for one of the modules before you would need another OTA.
So, for folks truly 'stuck', would another 'solution' be to convince / pay a Ford dealer out-of-pocket to get things "fully updated" using FDRS (rather than replacing the APIM and making that 'current')?

No idea of the time or labor charge to do that, but perhaps no more $ (or little more $) than undertaking DIY solution 2?
 

Ghurst

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lol…. At least I’m beyond all this!!
 
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rugedraw

rugedraw

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So, for folks truly 'stuck', would another 'solution' be to convince / pay a Ford dealer out-of-pocket to get things current using FDRS (rather than replacing the APIM and making that 'current')?

No idea of the time or labor charge to do that, but perhaps no more $ (or little more $) than undertaking DIY solution 2?
I guess, but it would be MUCH cheaper to buy a Mongoose and do it yourself. We're talking 15 plus hours (most likely more) worth of updates to get fully up to date if you're as far behind as the issue this thread is about.
 

Buyer2021

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.... it would be MUCH cheaper to buy a Mongoose and do it yourself. We're talking 15 plus hours (most likely more) worth of updates to get fully up to date if you're as far behind as the issue this thread is about.
Gotchya (wow, maybe ~15+ hrs of updates, I had no idea!), so no 'economy' to be had in my wacky notion.

Thanks again for all you provide to the forum, including patience answering wacky questions!

(y) :)

@rugedraw for President ..let’s go!
I understand the well-intended sentiment but would never wish that curse on @rugedraw ! 😄
 
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rugedraw

rugedraw

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How about an option to bring our trucks to Rugedraws home and just pay him to update them? :)
It wouldn't be the first or the last time I've had a member's vehicle parked in my driveway.
 

Kanuck

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So, for folks truly 'stuck', would another 'solution' be to convince / pay a Ford dealer out-of-pocket to get things "fully updated" using FDRS (rather than replacing the APIM and making that 'current')?

No idea of the time or labor charge to do that, but perhaps no more $ (or little more $) than undertaking DIY solution 2?
My dealer rate is $189.00 per hour, there for the latest IPMA or APIM, which takes 3 and 4 hrs = 7 hours x $189.00 = $1323.00 plus taxes. Going to the dealer is NOT an option. You could buy the Mongoose and 15 - two day licenses.
 

Ghurst

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How about an option to bring our trucks to Rugedraws home and just pay him to update them? :)
lol….. he sure would be busy!!! If he wasn’t so far from Indiana…. I’d sure pay him to get my truck totally up to date!!!
 

m_bt54

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For anyone not so sure about doing this, just do it. There are numerous people on here who will assist and it’s dummy proof. This dummy ignored low voltage warnings and had his battery die mid update and I was still able to easily recover from it.
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