Pre collision assist issue and Ford response

[Topspin7]

I just love people who expect to be treated like royalty. Here is my car it no worky fix it free and be quick about it. Or I seek asylum in your soon to be mine country. Where is free stuff, I need some. Joe invited me.

I

Unrealistic expectations, coupled with misunderstanding and stubborn unwillingness to learn, are guaranteed to produce disappointment. Expecting authoritative technical information from internet forums is foolish. Relying on the knowledge and skill of a single technician is only slightly less foolish. Ford is the authoritative source. Ask for clarifying documentation.

Ford vs. BMW: I own both. They are very different products, built, sold, and serviced to serve significantly different customer expectations. BMW charges significantly more at initial sale, and at every parts and service event along the way, and that supports the "free because you already paid dearly for them" perks that they offer to owners. Each methodology has its own advantages and disadvantages. When you're at the Ford dealer, it never hurts to ask for a complimentary loaner car, but you shouldn't expect it under most circumstances, or be offended if none are available. That's not Ford's business model. The Ford service advisor will certainly be able to recommend a rental company that will deliver a car to the dealership for you.

I’m not expecting authoritative tech info from the forum. I just want a sense of what other ranger owners experience. I was looking for a votingolling function so the forum members could click a button and we would be able to see a percentage of rangers with pre-collision assist working regularly vs. others who do not see it at all such as my truck.
Yes, Ford is the authority but their owners manual on this topic is vague and brief and the dealership is my window into the company. I don’t have access to HQ.

Like I said at the onset, I will try a different tech when I have time to go without a car. To be fair, Ford did offer to get me a rental but I declined because I would still have to pay out of pocket for about 25-30% of the cost due to them refusing to pay the taxes on the rental. I simply don’t want to pay for them to look into a warranty covered issue.

I’m not sure what the price break down is for BMW owners for the vehicle itself vs. a premium for future customer service. I paid negligibly more than invoice price on the BMW. I only had to bring it in for a nail in tire, no mechanical or tech issues ever. I’ve also owned Honda, Audi, Toyota and VW and have not encountered such an ambiguous tech issue with their cars. If my truck was truly malfunctioning straight off the lot, I’ll take the malfunction—I like the parking assist and driving alerts.

I honestly think Ford’s customer service is at least disorganized compared to these other companies, not just BMW. For example, the Ford service advisor sends you a text message after you bring the truck in explaining that the # is how they communicate with you and to simply text for any updates. But the text is just a facade in my experience. No one responds. They call you when they want and are unreachable until such time. Also, service makes no money off the full warranty cars so they take a back seat to cars which bring in money. That is the sense I get at the Ford service dept. you are there for them vs. them being there for you.

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[Dahveed]

@Topspin7 , you didn't answer the questions other members asked. Does your truck have the 302A technology package? This would add the front parking sensors (which SHOULD activate at low speeds such as in a parking lot) and adaptive cruise control. You should NOT be regularly getting a pre-collision alert (unless you drive like a mad man).

If you ARE getting the big flashing red alert in the dash at low speeds such as when parking in your garage the pre-collision system is malfunctioning.

If you get a series of increasingly urgent beeps along with a display of the truck in the center screen with green to orange to red segmented lines, the parking sensors are working appropriately. At least so long as this is only happening at speeds under 5 mph.

 

[Topspin7]

@Topspin7 , you didn't answer the questions other members asked. Does your truck have the 302A technology package? This would add the front parking sensors (which SHOULD activate at low speeds such as in a parking lot) and adaptive cruise control. You should NOT be regularly getting a pre-collision alert (unless you drive like a mad man).

If you ARE getting the big flashing red alert in the dash at low speeds such as when parking in your garage the pre-collision system is malfunctioning.

If you get a series of increasingly urgent beeps along with a display of the truck in the center screen with green to orange to red segmented lines, the parking sensors are working appropriately. At least so long as this is only happening at speeds under 5 mph.

I think I have it. Window sticker says something like XLT “equipment group” 301A. Cost shown for this is $1670 MSRP.

 

[Topspin7]

@Topspin7 , you didn't answer the questions other members asked. Does your truck have the 302A technology package? This would add the front parking sensors (which SHOULD activate at low speeds such as in a parking lot) and adaptive cruise control. You should NOT be regularly getting a pre-collision alert (unless you drive like a mad man).

If you ARE getting the big flashing red alert in the dash at low speeds such as when parking in your garage the pre-collision system is malfunctioning.

If you get a series of increasingly urgent beeps along with a display of the truck in the center screen with green to orange to red segmented lines, the parking sensors are working appropriately. At least so long as this is only happening at speeds under 5 mph.

This is helpful. Next time I go in. I will specify that the parking sensors are not working and that it has nothing to do with pre-collision. Thank you.

 

[Dahveed]

This is helpful. Next time I go in. I will specify that the parking sensors are not working and that it has nothing to do with pre-collision. Thank you.

You're welcome. Double check your front bumper. If you don't see the same small, circular sensors as you see in your rear bumper, then it does not have the front park assist. My XLT has 301A, but not 302A. So I have rear park assist, but not front.

 

[Joeiconic]

I have a 2021 XLT with the 301a package plus the technology package and I have both the pre-collision alerts AND the parking sensor alerts.

 

[Topspin7]

You're welcome. Double check your front bumper. If you don't see the same small, circular sensors as you see in your rear bumper, then it does not have the front park assist. My XLT has 301A, but not 302A. So I have rear park assist, but not front.

Yeah I think mine is like yours bc it is 301A. I don’t have the circular markings at the front like what is in the back.

 

[parkranger]

My pre collision goes off late at night on twisty country roads seemingly at random for no reason whatsoever. If I am ever found dead behind the wheel from a suspected heart attack then Jezebel, my dear truck, is surely out to get me.

The annoying thing is the red lights flashing inside wash out the driver's side of the windshield with glare. Apparently those red LEDs are brighter than my stock STX halogen headlights. ?

 

[Big Blue]

My pre collision goes off late at night on twisty country roads seemingly at random for no reason whatsoever. If I am ever found dead behind the wheel from a suspected heart attack then Jezebel, my dear truck, is surely out to get me.

The annoying thing is the red lights flashing inside wash out the driver's side of the windshield with glare. Apparently those red LEDs are brighter than my stock STX halogen headlights. ?

Probably the camera seeing something on the side of the road in your headlights. If it is consistent, you may want to try turning down the sensitivity a notch.

I've only had mine go off twice since I've owned the truck. Both times the system worked as designed. A slow drive pulling in front of me or the driver ahead of me causing him to brake. Yeah the first time does scare the heck out of you.

 

[myothercarizahearse]

disable pre-collision warning and see if you still have the same issues?

 

[mustang marty]

My pre collision goes off late at night on twisty country roads seemingly at random for no reason whatsoever. If I am ever found dead behind the wheel from a suspected heart attack then Jezebel, my dear truck, is surely out to get me.

The annoying thing is the red lights flashing inside wash out the driver's side of the windshield with glare. Apparently those red LEDs are brighter than my stock STX halogen headlights. ?

Had the red light thing also . Funny was outrunning a turbo ricerunner and traffic was a block ahead of me when it happened . Scared me .

 

[Azriq]

I feel the tech considering fixing Fords is his bread and butter should be able to get to the issue by my act of bringing it in and being without the truck for a couple days. It’s not my job to do their job. Also, Ford has a “service agent” who acts as a go between and he did the actual talking to the tech. I feel that Ford as a company is incompetent and lower tier having owned other vehicles. Should NOT be this difficult to figure out whether the pre collision is working or not especially with their recent recalls.

Based on the comments I’m not satisfied that the issue was resolved but not much I can do, other than what I did. Will have to try a different dealership when I have the luxury to be without a vehicle for several days as Ford will not provide a loaner. For example, BWM provides a loaner for any issue, even for a couple hours without question.

Decided to take a chance on Ford. Bad choice so far. The pre-collision is not a major issue, at least the truck still runs and performs its basic function. But knowing that I’m driving a brand new truck with something broken isn’t what I call brand satisfaction. Belt tensioner broke a month ago. In the shop for 10 days. My wife calls this truck a piece of junk.

it will take a death or two for Ford to officially designate a recall on the pre-collision or at least deal with it seriously.

It's not April Fools day yet so I'm not sure if you are joking but with an attitude like that, you would be immediately be shown the exit arrow and given a clear definition of "private property, goodbye" in many businesses.

 

[D Fresh]

disable pre-collision warning and see if you still have the same issues?

The most sensible approach.

 

[DpAtk]

The pre-collision sensor is a camera behind the rear view mirror. It is not the same as the proximity sensors in the bumpers.

The camera for the pre-collision system was obscured by something (like frost).

There is a defrost line across that part of the window. I just looked at it. Perhaps not all are like that.

 

[mustang marty]

Had a different problem where they said no codes came up .. Then on second visit they found a loose ground wire which would make the problem come and go . Fixed wire and no more trouble .

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