Orange Gear Of Death (O-GOD) - Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power

[grizwizwg]

I purchased my Lightning 5/2024, almost exactly 5 months ago. I don't drive much, so it has a grand total of 2,580 miles on it as I type.

To this point, the Lightning has been pretty good. Though we are experiencing issues with inoperative front parking sensors, we have scheduled service at a local dealer for the Customer Satisfaction Program (recall?) that will address this.

I get in the truck yesterday and see the Orange Gear Of Death (I know it's a wrench, but that's not as impactful an acronym) for the first time. It just says service vehicle soon. Other than the front parking sensors still not working, I didn't notice much for impact. I check the Ford Pass app in my phone and it says "Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power. What is Happening? Illuminates when the system has detected a powertrain or a four-wheel drive fault. What Should I Do? A Powertrain or All Wheel Drive (AWD)/Four Wheel Drive (4WD) fault has been detected, contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible." I've attached a screenshot from the app. I already have an appointment scheduled for the parking sensor issue, will call to add this to it.

My questions for the forum are:
1. Has this happened to you?
2. If so, what was the outcome?
3. How do I have 2 significant errors on a 2nd or 3rd generation BEV within 5 months and 2,580 miles?
4. What is up with dealerships charging a $400-500 diagnostic fee to find a problem that 100% has to be under warranty? This was explained to me when I called and actually did happen when my wife took her Mach-E in for a repair.

As someone who converted from Teslas to Fords, I'm disappointed in the quality and variation of dealership service center experience. With our Teslas, mobile appointments were a thing and much of the diagnostics could be seen on my phone app in real time. In 5 years of owning 3 Teslas, I never once paid anything for a repair that was covered under warranty...never even heard of a diagnostic fee. Could it be because that's how Ford dealerships make money since Teslas does not have dealerships?

Any info is appreciated

Sponsored

 

[Maximum Effort]

I believe I had that message on my 2022. It showed up after it did an update and went away the next day. As for the dealer charging for diagnosing a warranty issue, find a different dealer and call ford cussed and let them know the dealer is doing that on a new vehicle under warranty.

 

[jetfixr1]

There is no way a dealer should be charging a diagnostic fee for any vehicle within their bumper to bumper warranty. They are just plain wrong. Did you have an update recently?

 

[hturnerfamily]

I've found these 'faults' in the many EVs we've owned to be annoying, and frankly, not always truthful...

first, take the time to pause, breath, and be calm.... it's not the end of the world.

second, do the 'first' thing you should do in these situations: turn the vehicle OFF - wait 30 second, then back ON

third, do the 'second' thing you can more easily do than taking it to someone who probably knows less than you, your Ford Dealer, and simply REMOVE the Negative post of 12v battery, for 30 seconds, then reattach.


Only then, should you contact Ford and ask them, even before you go to your dealer.

 

[MichaelCA]

I had it happen once. Turned off and turned back on and it never came back.

 

[TaxmanHog]

My questions for the forum are:
1. Has this happened to you?
2. If so, what was the outcome?
3. How do I have 2 significant errors on a 2nd or 3rd generation BEV within 5 months and 2,580 miles?
4. What is up with dealerships charging a $400-500 diagnostic fee to find a problem that 100% has to be under warranty? This was explained to me when I called and actually did happen when my wife took her Mach-E in for a repair.

Welcome to the forum, in this node {ISSUES} you'll find a variety of threads some touch on what you're experiencing.

Others have already given you starting points to self check the situation if you're comfortable doing it.

1. I've only had this error a couple of times (early in my ownership) just after an OTA posted, never had a sustained issue, never needed service center intervention

2. The shutdown wait a while and restart resolved the issue, but for others who've had actual powertrain issues, it's come down to, weak LVB, malfunctioning contactors, bad cell in one of the many HVB modules, bad sensors or actuators in the thermal management system, pumps & diverter valves, take your pick, could be any of these things .... or none.

3. I'm ignoring the FFE & MME, so this is GEN 1 of the F150 BEV pickup truck, though the technology and design are similar to it's stable mates, Ford is still on a long arch of a learning curve.

4. Ignorance and highway robbery, are other dealers an option? To their defense, they might not have dug deep enough to understand whatever ails your truck short of owner abuse is on them. Given that you & the Mrs. have already had poor experiences with this dealer, shop around if that is feasible.

 

[grizwizwg]

Wow! This forum is awesome! Really appreciate the input from everyone.

I did not have an update right before this error popped up, but I did have one today. Hence, I'll jump in tomorrow and see if I get the same warning, will relay here accordingly.

I am also taking everyone's advice that this dealership charging for diagnostic fee thing is rare & wrong, did find an alternative. Granted, the options in Northern AZ are sparse so they may be taking advantage of that. If this second one seems just as greedy, I'll make the trip down to Phoenix for any future service work.

FWIW, it's a 2023 Lightning Lariat, extended range battery. Just installed a Real Truck Roll-N-Lock cover on the bed, loving that.

Thanks all

 

[shutterbug]

4. What is up with dealerships charging a $400-500 diagnostic fee to find a problem that 100% has to be under warranty? This was explained to me when I called and actually did happen when my wife took her Mach-E in for a repair.

FAD. Find Another Dealer. If you're in Phoenix area, I've had good service from Chapman Ford.

 

[Heliian]

What is up with dealerships charging a $400-500 diagnostic fee to find a problem that 100% has to be under warranty? T

It's bullshit, that's what it is.

Never heard of that happening and that particular dealer is the absolute slimmest dealer ever.

Even an out of warranty diagnostic would cost at MOST 1 hour of labour.

Find a reputable dealer.

 

[Frank in AZ]

Can you name the dealer? I live in Northern Arizona near Seligman and would like to avoid that dealer. I bought my truck in Vegas.

 

[invertedspear]

I'll make the trip down to Phoenix for any future service work.

Drive right on past Bell Ford. They're pretty useless with EVs. Camelback is terrible too. Chapman was good, or at least didn't come off sounding like they hate EVs. Sanderson is supposedly good too, but no personal experience with them.

 

[grizwizwg]

Our bad experience with my wife's Mach E was at Galpin Ford. $525 for labor on diagnostics after we'd only had it for 1 week. There was something wrong with the rear parking sensor when it's put in reverse and the code popped up the day we took delivery. So, clearly, it was nothing we did. They were going to charge us another $600 to "remedy" and we said no way. Going to get another diagnosis and compare experiences elsewhere. Mind you, none of this was disclosed up front, only when we went to check on the vehicle. At that point, you're basically holding my car hostage unless I pay you for this undisclosed diagnostic fee. Unbelievable. I believe Teslas not having dealerships have a rarely-discussed advantage in this service/repair/recall space. Just should not be a crap shoot.

A non-related update completed on my Lightning yesterday (audio stuff) and sure enough, Orange Gear Of Death is gone today. You all were right! I'll remember this input going forward and greatly appreciate the discussion.

Based on the fellow AZ folks that commented here, we changed our preferred dealership to Chapman in Scottsdale...already booked an appointment for the CSP# 24B56. Will let you all know how that goes. Not a fan of driving 90 minutes for service when I have a dealership 15 minutes away, but if the experience is better, I'll do that every time.

 

[grizwizwg]

Update on my issue. First of all, Chapman Ford in Scottsdale is awesome! Great service, excellent communication...greatly appreciate the recommendation.

Second, the reason for the Orange Gear of Death was a failed battery cell. Apparently my Lightning has 9 of them and 1 was faulty...with only 2,680 miles on the odometer. Chapman was great about it, fixed the situation within 3 days, I'll be back on the road as soon as I pick it up. But, as someone who has only driven EVs for the past 10 years, I've never heard of that. Has anyone else seen or heard of this happening?

 

[Grumpy2]

Battery issues have happened in about 4% of Lightnings, see the following on this forum:


https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/powertrain-malfunction-reduced-power.12873/

When you pickup your truck please ask for a copy of the work order. Your turn around time of only 3 days would indicate you may had a different issue than what I have referenced above which involves removing and replacing a battery module usually taking at least 10+ days.

Nice to read that your Dealer is working well with you.

 

[TaxmanHog]

But, as someone who has only driven EVs for the past 10 years, I've never heard of that. Has anyone else seen or heard of this happening?

We've had a more than a few Lightning owner join to report such incidents, fewer join for the mundane purpose of stating "It's running great", but knock on wood I and larger proportion of forum members have had no issues with their battery modules

Sponsored