Software Issue stemmed from Keyless Entry - Buyer Beware

[Anthony Pascuma]

My 2019 Chili Ranger Lariat 4X4 has presented me with ZERO Problems to date.. I have done some minor upgrades like everyone else but nothing out of the ordinary. On March 26th 2021 I took my truck into a reputable Ford Dealer for 20K Service. No issues everything completed but I asked for them to fix the keyless entry. They ordered a new one and 4 days later I went back to have that installed.... My truck is still at the dealer and apparently they cannot figure out how to fix it. At this point I have been told it was the keyless module, the BCM and now we've finally settled on "missing software" and waiting on Ford to write a new "code fix". I have called Ford Customer care and have asked to be placed in the buy back program. This is the most frustrating experience I have ever had, the truck ran fine, started right up when I dropped it off, and now I'm being told, they cannot even get it to start. I'm concerned that if it is something with the software, it may never be right again. I love my truck and I am really unhappy I've had to revert to looking at getting rid of it, but if the techs cant fix it in 40 days.. how can I trust when I do get it back it's correct. In this case if it was front end parts and just waiting, no problem.. but software issues are something that today's techs are not taught to fix.. More to follow.

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[Porpoise Hork]

Sounds like they deleted the keys from the truck or did not recode them correctly.

 

[Anthony Pascuma]

Yeah - they brought me home to get the other key fob - ordered a new BCM and the truck still wouldn’t take the software build. Now they are saying Ford sent a software update which was “missing code” and “we are waiting for Ford to send a new software update”. At this point, I don’t believe they know what the problem truly is and are trying to figure it out. The service manager seems to think my software was bad from the factory and the keyless entry was the tipping point.. I haven’t seen any other information on this happening to a large number of vehicles so I find that hard to believe. To their credit they have given me a loaner since after the first week it has been in the shop.. but it’s somewhat concerning since everything is software driven nowadays.

 

[JaysOnTheEDGE]

What was originally wrong with the keyless entry that required repair? Was it a Fob issue or the passive keyless entry system?

 

[Trigganometry]

Honestly with today’s technology and the vehicles that they are bloating with code you would think by now they could use OBD connector or some other hot point to connect and tunnel in through an internet connection from the factory and rewrite the whole system too to bottom the same way as factory does it. Somebody is slacking pretty bad at Ford for this type of oversight

 

[VAMike]

time to call ford customer care

 

[SymChris]

When you say “keyless” you mean the ‘Intelligent Access’ with just the fob on your person and you just open the door correct? Or do you mean with one of the touch-pads that you enter a combination? There’s a difference there, which I can’t help with but it help clarify for others.

Myself I have the “IA” and haven’t run into that issue (knocks wood). From what they seem to be looking at I’m thinking you have IA too, so will be watching what the fix ends up being.

p.s. “buyer beware” is a bit over-the-top. Can understand that you’re pi$$ed off but…

edit: P.S. P.S. - it’s Hot Pepper Red, not Chili…

Signed,
A fellow 2019 hot pepper red owner

 

[OFC Ranger]

I vote we start a petition to change the name of the color code to Chili Pepper.

 

[Anthony Pascuma]

I have called customer care and are in dialogue with them. They have also elevated this and asked for support to the dealership. Yes it's Chili Pepper Red and I'm frustrated. The Securicode Keyless Entry pad died due to lifespan of the internal battery, which is what started this entire debacle. The buyer beware comment only stems from buying one of those. Mine was part of my build, as I spec'd mine brand new and ordered it. If I had purchased it aftermarket (after I received my truck from factory), I believe the service manager would not have run this under the warranty and that could be an issue for other owners who add a key pad after the fact. Just trying to keep other owners appraised of the issues which can stem from these add-ons. No issues with the Key Fobs, Fordpass App (starting etc..), just a simple new keyless entry keypad and coding it. I agree that with today's technology the service dept should be able to hook it up and recalibrate or update all software from Ford MCO. Thanks for comments.

 

[VAMike]

I have called customer care and are in dialogue with them. They have also elevated this and asked for support to the dealership. Yes it's Chili Pepper Red and I'm frustrated. The Securicode Keyless Entry pad died due to lifespan of the internal battery, which is what started this entire debacle. The buyer beware comment only stems from buying one of those.

I ordered mine with the keypad, had the same issue with the bad batch, and my dealership swapped it with no issues. (It's not normal for the battery in the keypad to die that quickly, there was a service bulletin telling dealers to replace them under warranty because there was a batch of units with problems.) It sounds like your dealership screwed something up badly, but I guess it's possible it's a ford problem that simply hasn't affected anyone else.

 

[Motorpsychology]

I vote we start a petition to change the name of the color code to Chili Pepper.

I think we should copyright "Chili Pepper Red" and then charge any manufacturer that wants to use it for a color name for the right$.

 

[delaware]

My 98 XJ Jeep Cherokee was "Chili Pepper Red." Fn loved that car. Not mine, but a link to the exact Jeep I once owned for 12 years: My 98 Chili Pepper Limited - Jeep Cherokee Forum

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