INTERMITTENT "Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power" Warning with no actual reduction in power...

[chanmnb]

Hi all,

I've been seeing a lot of "Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power" posts though my situation is a bit different than most. When I turn on the truck (I have a '23 XLT SR), I get the "Service Vehicle Soon" warning maybe half the time, the other times it starts with no warning at all. This started happening maybe a week into driving it for the first time. There's also no observable difference in driving performance...the truck can accelerate super fast and I see no degradation in range or anything strange. Only when I go into the Ford app is when I see the "Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power" warning.

I took it to the dealer who said they didn't get the "Service Vehicle Soon" warning when turning the truck on. They ran it through some basic diagnostics and nothing came up either, so they just returned it to me the same day. I just checked and my software version is SYNC 4.0.22326.

Not sure if I should be worried and take it to the dealer, or hope that a software update will fix this. Anyone have any ideas?

Sponsored

 

[jmc6020]

I was having this issue at the beginning of this year and took it to my dealer. They misdiagnosed it as a problem with the on board charger and ordered parts but said it was safe to drive. A couple of weeks later the truck wouldn’t start and had to be towed. The truck ended up with two modules in the battery that needed to be replaced which ended up being about 8 weeks in the shop.

Obviously I don’t know that is your issue as well.

 

[The Weatherman]

I would definitely take it to the dealer. It likely a battery module issue.

 

[Maquis]

Have you had 23B57 done yet?

 

[VAF84]

On day 3 of ownership, mine popped that light and went into limp mode. Then limp mode went away after a few restarts within minutes, but service light stayed on. By the time I drove it to the dealer 30 min away, the light was gone, and truck was back to normal. Left it there anyway for a diagnostic. They did the 23B57 TSB and claim it may have been related to that. Only took one hour to do the update. Keep my fingers crossed that was it.

 

[CaseyCo]

Mine has done this one time without reduced power. It cleared and hasn't popped up since. I'm currently waiting 3 weeks to get into the dealer to have them take a look.

 

[chanmnb]

I appreciate all the comments -- I'll bring 23B57 up to the dealer next time, hope that will clear it. I've had the truck for about a month now and have ~700 miles on it, other than the warning light there have been no performance issues. I realize past results do not predict future performance...

 

[davehu]

I've had the powertrain malfunction come on three times now. After the second one a few weeks ago I had it into the dealer. they checked for 23B57 and said my vin wasn't under the recall. I'm on 4.0.22326. also.
got the message for the third time a couple days ago. Got the truck back today. tech ordered a "gearshift module". will have it sent back to them when the part arrives. there was nothing noticeable about how the truck behaved. ho hum. I'm retired so my dealers pickup and delivery service makes this stuff pretty painless

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Hi all,

I've been seeing a lot of "Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power" posts though my situation is a bit different than most. When I turn on the truck (I have a '23 XLT SR), I get the "Service Vehicle Soon" warning maybe half the time, the other times it starts with no warning at all. This started happening maybe a week into driving it for the first time. There's also no observable difference in driving performance...the truck can accelerate super fast and I see no degradation in range or anything strange. Only when I go into the Ford app is when I see the "Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power" warning.

I took it to the dealer who said they didn't get the "Service Vehicle Soon" warning when turning the truck on. They ran it through some basic diagnostics and nothing came up either, so they just returned it to me the same day. I just checked and my software version is SYNC 4.0.22326.

Not sure if I should be worried and take it to the dealer, or hope that a software update will fix this. Anyone have any ideas?

Good morning Bryan! I would be glad to further help you out with these powertrain concerns if you'd like. Just shoot us a PM with your VIN and dealer name/location, and I'll get right on it. To send a private message, just click on our username and select "Start Conversation". Thank you!

 

[MurphysLaww]

Ours is in for the recall for checking the battery modules. It's been in for two weeks now, FordPass sent the Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced power alert last week, and then a "HighVoltage Battery Warning" Alert yesterday while still at the dealer. Apparently, whatever work they did did not go well, when we checked in.

It hadn't had a single issue since March when it had a Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced power alert. Hopefully they aren't creating more issues working on the vehicles.

 

[Dolio]

Just wanted to add: https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/-11-14-lightning-build-week-group-my2023.12470/page-24#post-355955 where I have had module #6 replaced and am currently in the middle of having Module #2 replaced.

I am curious, which build week group was your truck a part of, or when did you take delivery?

 

[chanmnb]

Thank sfor the info. How do you check the build group?

The order date was 10/1/2023, order 11085791.

 

[chanmnb]

Quick update for anyone following -- the dealership apparently has now gone through a few of these warnings now. They told me to come back when the service icon is on, and they could fix it with a software update (the 23B57 BECM, see screenshot on the ford.com website), though for some reason it could take up to 8 hours. The receptionist didn't sound very worried and told me it wasn't a big deal. So I'm hopeful the software update will clear everything.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Thank sfor the info. How do you check the build group?

The order date was 10/1/2023, order 11085791.

You can determine your trucks build date from this sticker on your drivers door jamb, the blend date is at the bottom center, ie 6/9/2022 [1202206098117]

Once we know which blend day, I can point you to the appropriate build week discussion

 

[chanmnb]

Build date is 8/11/2023.

Sponsored