Another OTA Fail Victim / APIM Requires replacement

[asubpargamer]

I am another victim of the so called Job 1 OTA failures (2021 F-150 XLT). I took my truck in two weeks ago, they said they failed to be able to update the APIM and that they ordered a replacement. I received a text today from my dealer with the following:

"Good morning just reaching out with a quick up date reached out to the manufacturer about the status of the component and an eta on its arrival they advised they have the component but are having software issues with the stock they have they are in contact with ford to try and get updated software for the component so at this time we are on hold until ford releases the update for the component we have it escalated on our end just waiting on ford at this point so we have a couple of options we can hold on to the vehicle until the issue is resolved or we can get it back to you until the update is available let me know what will work best for you"

According to posts I have read, there is no hardware difference in J1 APIMS and newer ones, just bad update attempts / bad Ford firmware? This "manufacturer" they speak of kind of implies this as well. The part that concerns me is the waiting until "Ford releases the update" that addresses this issue. This has been an issue for over a year now, has it not?

My dealer did give me a loaner '23 F-250 for a loaner. I would not have a problem taking my truck back so they could have theirs back, especially since I just had ankle surgery and I cannot drive anyway. However, knowing that this has been an issue for sometime now and my dealer seems to think that "escalating" my issue is going to move the needle is a pipe dream.

Any thoughts on what I should do in this situation?

Sponsored

 

[rugedraw]

It doesn't seem like there is much you can do. You can't force Ford to send them an APIM. From my understanding, once they PMI the new APIM, it configures the APIM software to where it needs to be based on the current state of your truck, but I would have to digress to the more knowledgeable people on that.

 

[Static]

Hell man, if they're willing to give you a good loaner I'd wait it out and see if they can get it fixed. They have a good reason to get it done now while you put miles on their truck.

 

[asubpargamer]

It doesn't seem like there is much you can do. You can't force Ford to send them an APIM. From my understanding, once they PMI the new APIM, it configures the APIM software to where it needs to be based on the current state of your truck, but I would have to digress to the more knowledgeable people on that.

Makes some sense. I was just curious if the statement they made makes sense, or if it sounded like they were blowing smoke. Granted, I do not know their internal processes whatsoever, but seemed weird to say they contacted the manufacturer of the APIM module to find out what the eta was on getting one.

Hell man, if they're willing to give you a good loaner I'd wait it out and see if they can get it fixed. They have a good reason to get it done now while you put miles on their truck.

Yeah, that's where I am leaning. They did leave it as one of the options. In my mind, it kind of makes it more incentive to fix it.

 

[devern]

Either they had too many failed update attempts on the APIM, or the timer expired after the first attempt, security locking the APIM. If this is the same update/OTA failure as 22-2404, this disclaimer applies, and I would wager they ran into it:

CAUTION: Due to Ford cyber security requirements, the module repair procedure outlined in this article is limited to a maximum of 15 attempts with a total of 20 days from the first time the application is run before the application is permanently disabled for each unique VIN. Make sure that all required and compatible tooling listed in this article is available prior to performing this procedure to reduce the chances of encountering this lockout state. If a lockout occurs, module replacement may be necessary. Note that even if the application is run successfully, the 20 day timer (allowing 15 attempts) continue to run in the background. If the module repair application has successfully completed in the past, it is not required to be run again.

 

[fordtruckman2003]

Well when they do replace it they won't update truck all the way. You'll probably want to get a Mongoose ordered so you can DIY it without fooling with dealer that doesn't get paid to do updates.

 

[sbi]

Well when they do replace it they won't update truck all the way. You'll probably want to get a Mongoose ordered so you can DIY it without fooling with dealer that doesn't get paid to do updates.

So we're supposed to spend $700-800 on hardware for updates because Ford is effed up and can't/refuse to do it?!

 

[rugedraw]

So we're supposed to spend $700-800 on hardware for updates because Ford is effed up and can't/refuse to do it?!

It should not be that way, but that is what many of us resorted to. Dealers have gotten better dealing with these issues over the past two years, but there was a time when these trucks first came out that they were clueless.

 

[sbi]

It should not be that way, but that is what many of us resorted to. Dealers have gotten better dealing with these issues over the past two years, but there was a time when these trucks first came out that they were clueless.

I (still) refuse to do that . Both because of the $$ cost and also because I am too afraid of something going wrong. There have been too many horror stories of updates going south, whether it is a dealer update - such as this case - or an owner forced update.

 

[Ed21]

Just had 3-4.3.4 updates fail. I for one wish I could turn them off for good. Every previous one I got screwed something else up. Last being the camera button function. This 4.3.4 is to fix that. Truck is driven every day and I have no battery issues. Before the 4. updates my truck was great except for the sticker function I would have liked to see if could use it on occasion that was bypassed. Maybe I could use the stickers to decorate my dashboard. I know, I could spend $800 do it myself. So I can pay Ford for subscription services in the future to use what I payed for to put on my truck.

 

["Steve"]

brother!!

 

[2Lazy2P]

It should not be that way, but that is what many of us resorted to. Dealers have gotten better dealing with these issues over the past two years, but there was a time when these trucks first came out that they were clueless.

“Ford quality is job 1.“ I’m sure we all remember this commercial. Ford deserves criticism for the way they jumped into technology enhancements. An incredibly poor deployment that leaves the dealers scrambling to keep their customers happy.

What ever happened to Ford’s Rapid Hub? They were supposed to aid the dealer in “transforming the ownership experience to one that treats customers like family.” How is that working for dealers? From reading through the many threads about customer experiences with flawed technology and complicated, time-consuming resolutions, it’s not working well.

 

[rugedraw]

Nobody "has" to spend $600 to fix this. I am offering my two Mongooses as loaners. Depending on the status of your truck, you can easily do it yourself. All you have to do is get on the list.

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/thr...mming-vehicle-interface-lending-thread.13145/

 

[fordtruckman2003]

I (still) refuse to do that . Both because of the $$ cost and also because I am too afraid of something going wrong. There have been too many horror stories of updates going south, whether it is a dealer update - such as this case - or an owner forced update.

A very small percentage of owners have had any issues at all with updates and those were resolved with help from the nice people on forum.

To some of us we never want to see the dealer lot for anything so the DIY option is appropriate. Knowing what I know now from this forum it was my only option. My IPC isn't capable of OTA updating and going to dealer would be waste of my time and theirs.

 

[Ed21]

brother!!

With all due respect I know that some folks find it hard to understand that some of us just want a functioning truck. We might possibly not have the desire or want to spend the time in doing these updates ourselves. Different people have different interests and priorities in life. I’m not putting down nor is it my intention on offending anyone who chooses to want to spend the time etc. doing this themselves. I for one don’t care to.

Sponsored