Class Action Lawsuit - Home Integration System

[Steely]

This is why the HIS system is superior to just a pro power generator hookup, and why I am investing so much time making this system work.

Yea and this is one of the cheaper ways to keep the solar production online during a grid outage. Plus with solar getting used first the system could last longer than advertised.

It'd be really nice if it worked.

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[Pitbull2o08]

My HIS was delivered on 11/4/24, and I am a Master Electrician, so I installed it myself with the final installation on 12/10/24, and can get the truck to deliver 377 VDC to the inverter, but it stops there, with no conversion to to 240 VAC, and shuts off shortly after. I have made multiple calls to SunRun (totally useless) Delta, (the most helpful), but of limited help and to Ford which told me on 12/31/24 that it is a known problem and they are sending out an OTA update in early January.

it is the reason I bought the Lighting because of the ability to add the HIS, and power my home.

They need to make it work, as the whole system is sizable investment, the truck purchase, installation of the FCSP and the HIS, and then needing to upgrade of the Electrical System to make it work.

Most frustrating is the lack of anyone to get info on the problem, and expected date for the resolution. SunRun installs the system, but say they don’t have anyone they can send to service it. Delta just makes the parts, not the installer. Ford ‘s name on the equipment, but they don’t have anyone they can send for service.

How do you sell a product you don’t have anyway to repair or service.

I would be willing to join a lawsuit if they don’t get this working soon.

They are ALWAYS sending OTA updates to fix the HIS problem. I got the same excuse May-July 2023 (stopped calling to ask) and in Aug 2024, then Oct 2024. Now here we are in Jan 2025.

Only problem is, half of us aren't receiving OTA updates, and dealerships won't do them unless you pay hourly shop rates.

 

[tls]

The hardware in the system is really good, but the system level support is atrocious. Thats why we need to take it upon ourselves to help get everyone working.

I disagree with the idea that the hardware, considered as a system rather than as a bag of components, is good. I believe it has a fundamental design flaw, to wit its reliance on not just one but *multiple* wireless technologies for communication between components that are connected by perfectly good wires.

Someone allowed a junior - or incompetent - engineer to specify this aspect of the overall system architecture and now they're stuck with it. I don't think they will ever make it work reliably.

 

[tearitupsports]

I disagree with the idea that the hardware, considered as a system rather than as a bag of components, is good. I believe it has a fundamental design flaw, to wit its reliance on not just one but *multiple* wireless technologies for communication between components that are connected by perfectly good wires.

Someone allowed a junior - or incompetent - engineer to specify this aspect of the overall system architecture and now they're stuck with it. I don't think they will ever make it work reliably.

I am saying the hardware made by Delta is good. It seems to work consistently and has no issues.

I agree that the FCSP to truck bluetooth communication is a disaster. Based on what I have seen the issue with that is nearly all in the truck (as of current updates), both from a range standpoint and the fact that the truck modem will fail suddenly (including in the middle of providing backup power).

That being said, even all these issues are workable if you understand the whole system and are willing to look at everything. My personal HIS system works fine because I have a tech and electrical background and work with system level industrial controls daily. Unfortunately there is no one that can support the whole system at any of the companies involved, so those without enough personal expertise cannot work their way through the issues one at a time until fixed. Their main troubleshooting is reboot, or even worse, reset the system which is a big mistake.

I am fairly confident I could get most any of the existing systems working, especially if on site, but unfortunately Ford isn't going to hire me to do that.

If anyone wants to message me, I would be glad to do my best to help them troubleshoot. I might start a thread with the proper way to test the system and a way to help start figure out where the trouble might be.

 

[Wattsgas]

I am saying the hardware made by Delta is good. It seems to work consistently and has no issues.

I agree that the FCSP to truck bluetooth communication is a disaster. Based on what I have seen the issue with that is nearly all in the truck (as of current updates), both from a range standpoint and the fact that the truck modem will fail suddenly (including in the middle of providing backup power).

That being said, even all these issues are workable if you understand the whole system and are willing to look at everything. My personal HIS system works fine because I have a tech and electrical background and work with system level industrial controls daily. Unfortunately there is no one that can support the whole system at any of the companies involved, so those without enough personal expertise cannot work their way through the issues one at a time until fixed. Their main troubleshooting is reboot, or even worse, reset the system which is a big mistake.

I am fairly confident I could get most any of the existing systems working, especially if on site, but unfortunately Ford isn't going to hire me to do that.

If anyone wants to message me, I would be glad to do my best to help them troubleshoot. I might start a thread with the proper way to test the system and a way to help start figure out where the trouble might be.

I appreciate the help that you offered me. Thank you. But my system is still unreliable. Ford has been telling me it is a known problem and they are going to release a OTA soon. Generally about a month to month and a half after I have contacted them.

I too worked on industrial automation in aircraft. I was able to troubleshoot the problems that my Master Electrician could not. I also have experience with Tesla Powerwalls, and in my other house I have had zero issues with the system for over 5 years.

I expected that Ford's system would perform as flawlessly as Tesla's. No One has ever been able to tell me what the issue is., or how to definitively solve it for 18 months. When it works you think oh great Ford fixed it. When it fails you don't know if it is due to the earlier problem or a new one.

Ford has never reached out to me and told me that my HIS has a known problem that we intend to fix. (They did warn me that my Phone as a Key on my Android phone may not work, so carry a FOB or make sure you have the passcode loaded to start and operate the truck)

They should not be selling a product that people pay extra to rely on. To us that have purchased it they should at least tell us that it may not work. But beyond that we should be compensated for their poor decision.

I would guess that I have spent more than 100 hours in the preceding 18 months troubleshooting a system that they should be able to see on their servers and note what the fault code is.

Delta was able to help me with troubleshooting the Inverter remotely.

I have received more useful information and advice from this forum than Ford.

I am avoiding testing the system. Because I know if it fails I am becoming more apt to try and fix it with my 12 pound splitting wedge, and where that may satisfy me for a minute and a half it will not improve my backup power situation or make me more comfortable with choosing Ford for my emergency power backup.

The truck is a nice ride, but the Home Integration System is criminal. As a consumer I shouldn't have to have a degree in Electrical Engineering and systems integration to have a functioning system sold to me on the promise of working from the Ford Motor Company.

 

[v2h8484]

Based on all the problem reports, it's clear that poor Bluetooth connectivity is one key issue preventing the HIS from working reliably. Reports of systems that work have indicated the need to park the truck so the Bluetooth module is close to the FCSP, suggesting signal strength is a key factor. So, perhaps hacking/extending the Bluetooth module antenna in the truck with something like this (https://www.amazon.com/Kaunosta-Uni...cphy=9060286&hvtargid=pla-2281435177618&psc=1) would help? It's not pretty but I have had good results using this hack to extend WiFi (same wireless spectrum as Bluetooth) connectivity.

 

[IWIRE]

Based on all the problem reports, it's clear that poor Bluetooth connectivity is one key issue preventing the HIS from working reliably. Reports of systems that work have indicated the need to park the truck so the Bluetooth module is close to the FCSP, suggesting signal strength is a key factor. So, perhaps hacking/extending the Bluetooth module antenna in the truck with something like this (https://www.amazon.com/Kaunosta-Uni...cphy=9060286&hvtargid=pla-2281435177618&psc=1) would help? It's not pretty but I have had good results using this hack to extend WiFi (same wireless spectrum as Bluetooth) connectivity.

Thanks, going to try it.

 

[VermontEagle]

It’s not, at this point about if there will be legal action, it’s about who wants to join and how many are having issues and want to join. I’m 100% of litigation simply out of principle at this point. I have 5-6 law firm here in D.C. wanting to jump on this ASAP, but I’m filtering it down to the best viable and capable firm. I appreciate the thoughts of others without the system, but the focus here is for those with the system that do not work or do not work as advertised.
For the comment about the guy that got his truck bought by Ford, I’d love more information and their contact info as that’s interesting to me

@nulafed

I just joined the site so my input might be a day late and a dollar short to the conversation (I don’t know what other threads may cover this topic) but:

IMHO you might want to consider also adding those without the system as well, or perhaps create a second, overlapping class. In my situation the capability to use the truck as a backup power source was a major factor in my decision to buy the Lightning. In fact it was a significant factor in my decision to buy my first EV. I chose not to go ahead with setting up the backup system after I discovered that I had to pay for the SunRun app separately, and at a steep price. The use of the truck as a “generator” was repeatedly impressed upon me, where the separate gouge by SunRun was not mentioned in the sale nor did I see it in any of the paperwork leading up to the sale. To me, all of these factors are material aspects of my decision to purchase, and I’m sure I’m not alone. I don’t know if you have established your class, but I imagine you would broaden the group considerably by adding those who didn’t set up the system but nevertheless were denied the promised capability.

P.S. Love the truck, btw! I just haven’t been thrilled with Ford’s handling of non-truck issues.

 

[Schroederhc1]

@nulafed

I just joined the site so my input might be a day late and a dollar short to the conversation (I don’t know what other threads may cover this topic) but:

IMHO you might want to consider also adding those without the system as well, or perhaps create a second, overlapping class. In my situation the capability to use the truck as a backup power source was a major factor in my decision to buy the Lightning. In fact it was a significant factor in my decision to buy my first EV. I chose not to go ahead with setting up the backup system after I discovered that I had to pay for the SunRun app separately, and at a steep price. The use of the truck as a “generator” was repeatedly impressed upon me, where the separate gouge by SunRun was not mentioned in the sale nor did I see it in any of the paperwork leading up to the sale. To me, all of these factors are material aspects of my decision to purchase, and I’m sure I’m not alone. I don’t know if you have established your class, but I imagine you would broaden the group considerably by adding those who didn’t set up the system but nevertheless were denied the promised capability.

P.S. Love the truck, btw! I just haven’t been thrilled with Ford’s handling of non-truck issues.

Same here. Primary reason I purchased the truck. I'd really like Ford to step up and make it work!

 

[sheppy]

I will join your lawsuit. It is now 2 years that I have been wrangling with the same duo (Ford and SunRun) to get our system working.

I would join the suit. The system has not been reliable. I just never know if it is going to work. It was a large reason that I purchased the Lightning.

I will have owned my 2023 Platinum Lightning two years on February 6th 2025 and I spent $11k on my HIS system and it will not work. I will join your class action Lawsuit.

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