Anyone here with a vehicle that has the Ford Pass Connect system?

[lrrifleman]

Greetings!

I am about fed up with the high tech electronics in my GM truck, and on the verge of trading it in. I have a Chevy silverado half ton 4x4 that I love, but the Onstar system that I rely on is on the fritz again.

This vehicle was purchased new in November of '22. In November of '23 the communications module failed and it took almost 5 months to obtain a replacement. The module was replaced in March of '24, and has just failed in February of '25. Currently, GM doesn't have replacement modules that it can release. As a result, virtually all of the Onstar functions (navigation, internet, forward camera, and most remote functions) can't be performed. The extended warranty expires in about 29k miles. The part, when it can be found, runs about $1300, plus the labor and down time to install it. I have difficulty with a critical part that fails almost every 13 months like clockwork.

I was wondering if anyone with a newer Ford is experiencing similar problems!

And before someone suggests it, I have difficulty buying a foreign made vehicle, and my injuries kinda demand a larger vehicle.

As always, thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Walkin Horse]

I have a Bronco with the Ford Pass. I haven’t had any trouble with it. Right now my GF is driving it while her Nissan is in the shop. I have fun sending her screenshots of where the car is parked.

 

[HardToHandle]

I’ve had four Fords in the last 15 years while their version of OnStar, Ford Connect.
Never an issue.
Over 100,000 miles on several of those vehicles.
Never an issue.

 

[TX-Dennis]

A Ford Escape, 3 Lincolns, and 2 Broncos have all been flawless.

I do see some people complaining of issues with theirs, but I haven't experienced problems with any of the ones we've had. Android Auto and Apple Car Play just work as they should. Phone calls are clear. Some of the newer vehicles have the climate controls on the touch screen - the wife's new Lincoln does, and I do not like that, but it works. Fortunately my Bronco still has knobs and buttons for that.

All new vehicles have a plethora of electronics, and there are bound to be some with issues of any brand. I guess we've just been lucky, maybe?

Like all car makers, Ford has gone to a subscription for connected navigation and an internet hotspot. I do not partake. Who needs it when you've got your phone connected with Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze, or what have you?

 

[jeffrefrig]

The only issue so far on this little Ford Maverick I got the Mrs. is the back up camera fails sometimes. There's a recall for that.
The Chevy Malibu back up camera fails about once a month.
But, the remote starters work! Best invention since sliced bread.

 

[chief38]

According to my neighbor, his Ford Connect system on his SUV works OK, however the transmission is the issue giving him lots of problems. Ford keeps telling him everything is normal - yea, right! He is at the end of the warranty period and when the tranny goes South, he will be left holding the parts! Hopefully he will listen to his wife and get rid of it before it fails completely.

I have had many GM's and still have a GMC Yukon and the Communications systems has never given me any issues.

Every carmaker has their issues from time to time, including Mercedes, Jaguar, BMW, etc. and the rest of the pricy ones - been there / done that. For me, I have owned or leased almost a dozen Ford's, Mercury's and Lincolns (cars, trucks and SUV's) and almost 3 dozen GM's of all types for my wife and I and our kids when they were living with us. I would not trade my GM for a Ford and do not see another Ford in my future! I have just had way way better luck with the GM's.

When we sold my wife's Buick LaCrosse last year we bought a KIA Sportage Prestige, SX - loaded to the top with all the options. So far it has been absolutely incredible - no issues, rattles or hiccups!!! Had you told me 5 years ago I'd own a KIA, I would have laughed my butt off! BTW, 31mpg around town and 36+mpg on the highway - 2.5 liter, non turbo gasoline engine.

 

[Bald1]

If there is a documented problem with your GM during warranty period and warranty expires while waiting for parts, you are still covered. That said my 2022 F250 and my wife’s 2023 Bronco work great.

 

[WR Moore]

When you say "foreign made" you may well be referring to the head office. A whole lot of overseas brands have US factories.

Frankly, when electronics started invading vehicles I decided that product from the land of transistors might be a better choice. Also, the engineers seem to have more influence than the stylists and/or cost accountants. Although that last may have more influence now.

 

[bedwards]

I have a 2018 and a 2020 with the Ford pass. I've had no issues.

 

[venomballistics]

Ford seems to favor outsourcing electronics from Japan rather than China, in my observations.
Still no guarantee though.

BTW, the Subaru outback is straight outta Camden NJ

 

[venomballistics]

If there is a documented problem with your GM during warranty period and warranty expires while waiting for parts, you are still covered. That said my 2022 F250 and my wife’s 2023 Bronco work great.

Like the heated seats in the 2011 Buick that was never serviced due to a perpetual lack of parts

 

[WR Moore]

BTW, the Subaru outback is straight outta Camden NJ

That's corporate HQ, the manufacturing is in Indiana. Mercedes has a facility in Georgia. Toyota has plants in several states, apparently different plants make different products. Ford famously has plants in Canada.

 

[TX-Dennis]

Ford famously has plants in Canada.

and Thailand, China, Germany, Nigeria, Mexico, England, Taiwan, South Africa, Turkey, Romania, Vietnam, Argentina, Cambodia, India, Venezuela, Spain, and Poland.

 

[Ματθιας]

You might want to look at the lemon laws in your state. If you get loud enough, you might, might, get GM to buy it back.

 

[Repeater]

My 2020 Ford had connectivity issues for a short while in 2022 (a couple/three weeks). I was told it was because of a software upgrade that attempted to include older vehicles under the same new release. I've had no issues since. In fact, as new releases come out, I have more options available to me on the new version.

 

[roarindan]

I'm wintering in Fl. My truck is in NY. My App. will tell me the location of my F 250, how long ago it was moved, when it is running I can see it's location; how much gas i got, and during the cold winter months I can start it from here. Same with the Wifes' Escape up north. and I have it on the escape down here too.

 

[bdGreen]

I love the Ford Pass app.

My wife's 2020 Ford Edge Titanium is set up with it. She travels out of state frequently and I can monitor her fuel, tire pressure and location on my cell phone.

I have it on my 2019 F150 LIMITED also.
I think the technology is wonderful.

On my wife's car I set the dash gauging so that she can monitor her tire pressure. It shows the exact pressure for each tire. Not just a light showing 'low tire' somewhere.

Now, I am going to go through this story on Ford vehicles just in case anyone here is experiencing what I did, on both vehicles.

My F150 started to not recognize my key fob to unlock the truck ON THE DRIVER'S side only.

And, if you remain in your vehicle after you turned it off the radio will usually play for about ten minutes.

I noticed that shortly after I shut it of everything shut down.
When everything shuts down the Ford Pass app can't locate the vehicle because the vehicle went into 'Battery Saver' mode.

I have had my truck since 2019 and was preparing to make a long trip to Minnesota, in February. I went and bought a new battery and installed it. Now everything works fine. Apparently the battery monitoring system recognizes a weaker battery and goes into the 'saver' mode.

My wife complained about her key fob not working also. Yep, a new battery fixed it all up.

It's all good.

bdGreen

 

[robvious]

2018 Explorer Sport.. only tech issue is updating the maps... should be easy, after 3 days I gave up... just drove to New Orleans with 8 year old maps.. got there and back anyway.. but used phone on occasion...

 

[shunka]

Bdgreen -
With all the passive loads due to the crazy electronics the new cars and trucks go thRu batteries fast!
We put a harbor freight “smart charger” under the hood and keep the thing plugged in when parked at home. Sorta like we used to do in minnesota winters, but for the battery instead of a heater lol.

Hope this helps

 

[prairieviper]

The only issue so far on this little Ford Maverick I got the Mrs. is the back up camera fails sometimes. There's a recall for that.
The Chevy Malibu back up camera fails about once a month.
But, the remote starters work! Best invention since sliced bread.

Same here. The camera froze up only once on our 2024 Maverick. Just got the fix notification from Ford about a month ago and already had it done.