Powerboost not designed for use below -40C?!

[Burlworld]

I would need a heated garage with that kind of temperature.

It's settled then, I shall build a garage to resolve the situation. Thanks for the help

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[Samson16]

Hey all,

First post here. This was a great resource for researching the purchase of my 21 XLT Powerboost. Now I'm looking for some advice.

First, some context: I live in the Yukon, Canada. It gets extremely cold here, obviously. I was hesitant about getting a Powerboost (1st year model, etc) while living in an extreme climate, and diligently researched this vehicle before purchasing it. I was expecting a marked drop in fuel efficiency during the winter months (check), but figured I could live with that given the other benefits. Nowhere in all my reading, nor at any time during the purchase process with the dealer (dealer was in southern British Columbia - they were fully aware of where I live and the climate here. Claimed to have sold many vehicles to customers from northern territories) was any mention made of any usage limitations based on outdoor temperatures. I've now owned the truck for nearly 2 full winters, and have recently discovered (after a few no-start episodes) through a technical support request put in to Ford Canada through my nearest dealer in Whitehorse, YT, that the the HV hybrid battery is not designed to operate in temperatures below -40C. As in, the truck is locked out and doesn't even attempt to turn over on startup. A quote from the Hybrid/EV tech support in response to the tech support request from the dealer:

"Since we did find the DTC P0AFD (Hybrid/EV battery pack temperature too low) setting when the temperature is below the -40 degree mark, this is suspected of causing the vehicle to be in a no start condition. Within the normal operation and fault conditions of the DTC it does state that the high voltage battery is not designed to operate in temperatures below -40C and that fault sets when the thermistor internal to the HV battery detects it being below -40."

Further context - I have lived in the Yukon for 20+ years and am well aware of how to care for and prep a vehicle for extreme cold starts. This truck has coolant rated to -50C, a battery blanket, block heater, and oil pan heater. All confirmed to be functioning properly.

The Whitehorse dealer suggested I start with contacting the Customer Care line, who can be "quite helpful". Just got off the phone with them, they are apparently just a complaints department with no ability to escalate this or provide anything resembling a solution.

At this point, I am just completely baffled as to how these vehicles are even being sold in Canada (or Alaska for that matter). I realize -40 is an extreme temperature, but this is a temperature reached commonly across the country every winter...are we just supposed to not drive when it gets cold? Can they possibly actually be designed to just not operate below a certain threshold?! How can I be the only one?! This is a work vehicle, and due to the nature of my work, the colder it gets, the busier I get, and the more I need a reliable truck...therefore, it's essentially a $68 000 CAD brick of useless regret sitting in my driveway. Basically I need a fix or I need to sell the truck (to whom though?).

Anyways, I will be contacting the dealer where I made the purchase, and expect a loooong fight, but figured I'd deviate here for a minute in case any of you fellow Ford enthusiasts have any suggestions. Many thanks for reading...

I live in FLA and am impressed by the hardy conditions you face. I think this part of your post may provide a clue to what's needed.

"This truck has coolant rated to -50C, a battery blanket, block heater, and oil pan heater. All confirmed to be functioning properly."

What about an HV battery pack blanket? How do we keep it warm enough to function at start up after extended off periods? Can you keep it fueled up and use the pro-power to run the other heaters in generator mode? That would force the engine to kick on and the heat exchanger would warm the HV battery etc.. Just trying to think here.

 

[TheArborist]

It's settled then, I shall build a garage to resolve the situation. Thanks for the help

Garages are for boats not trucks!

I'm in Alberta. Had the same issues at -40 but no one knew what was going on.. No codes, nothing. Just wouldn't start so had to assume it was weak batteries.

If this is the actual case though, wtf?! Say we manage to keep the truck warm overnight and head to work next day, what do we do when we get stranded out in the bush at those temps??

I'll do some digging and see if we can get around this with Forscan

 

[Burlworld]

Garages are for boats not trucks!

I'm in Alberta. Had the same issues at -40 but no one knew what was going on.. No codes, nothing. Just wouldn't start so had to assume it was weak batteries.

If this is the actual case though, wtf?! Say we manage to keep the truck warm overnight and head to work next day, what do we do when we get stranded out in the bush at those temps??

I'll do some digging and see if we can get around this with Forscan

Yes, it is completely unacceptable that Ford would unequivocally volunteer a known -40 limitation to me, yet there is no reference to it anywhere in their own literature, online, or amongst dealers.

Did your truck attempt to turnover at that temp, or just nothing?

I would love to hear if you're able to figure out a Forscan solution.

 

[DrTone]

People weren't made for -40C. Why in the hell would you have your truck in a place that isn't made for people???

That's it, everyone needs to move out of Alaska and Canada.

 

[TheArborist]

Yes, it is completely unacceptable that Ford would unequivocally volunteer a known -40 limitation to me, yet there is no reference to it anywhere in their own literature, online, or amongst dealers.

Did your truck attempt to turnover at that temp, or just nothing?

I would love to hear if you're able to figure out a Forscan solution.

The truck didn't attempt to turn over. All cab lights and everything were on, the only sign that anything was out of the ordinary was this popup in this picture:

 

[Burlworld]

The truck didn't attempt to turn over. All cab lights and everything were on, the only sign that anything was out of the ordinary was this popup in this picture:

Yep, "stop safely now" is exactly what I had. I also had a few other non-critical-seeming driver assist type warnings, but I would bet you were locked out for the same reason as me, and if you'd run Forscan at that time would have seen the same code I mentioned in my first post.

 

[UGADawg96]

That's it, everyone needs to move out of Alaska and Canada.

Seriously though, why do people live where it gets to -40 ?

 

[Burlworld]

Seriously though, why do people live where it gets to -40 ?

Oh, because this is as far away as I can get from "Florida man". Worth it.

 

[DrTone]

Seriously though, why do people live where it gets to -40 ?

-40 for a hand full of days a year is a small price to pay to live in these pristine beautiful parts of the world.

 

[UGADawg96]

Oh, because this is as far away as I can get from "Florida man". Worth it.

Don't blame you for that, cause FL sucks, but would think you could find a place not so cold and still avoid southerners.

 

[UGADawg96]

-40 for a hand full of days a year is a small price to pay to live in these pristine beautiful parts of the world.

It sure is beautiful when I look at google images. If it is only a few days, then okay, I get it. I was thinking you were at -40 for three months straight.

 

[Natetroknot]

Hats off to you for living where you do. I’m jealous.

You should own a 2nd gen Tacoma, a V8 Tundra, or a 100 series Landcruiser.

Not the kind of country to go getting some new fancy spaceship to drive.

A small trade off, but that’s my recommendation!

 

[DT444T]

"This truck has coolant rated to -50C, a battery blanket, block heater, and oil pan heater. All confirmed to be functioning properly."

What about an HV battery pack blanket?

Seriously. They add all of that crap just to make it POSSIBLE to start in temperatures that early humans knew were inhospitable, but a blanket for the HV battery is a bridge too far...

 

[Burlworld]

Well, here we are again a year later at -43 C in the Yukon and my 21 Powerboost is a useless brick in my driveway. Thought I'd resurrect this thread to see if anyone else has had the same issue and actually made any headway with Ford recognizing this design flaw in any way?

I guess this thread can also serve as my annual warning to anyone who lives in a climate where it may occasionally reach -40 C (nearly all of Canada and Alaska) to steer far clear of these trucks unless you're willing to settle for a useless brick in your driveway when it reaches that temperature.

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