My Ford Pass Patience Is Wearing Thin

[Altivec]

Hey we all get frustrated but I think this is a bit much. When I purchased my super expensive Cadillac ELR, the app was equally annoying but then it stopped working completely. Found out, that after 3 years, they expected me to pay for their dumb Onstar subscription service in order to use the app. Cheapest package is around $50CAN/month. I don't drive the car that often so I can't justify $50/month to precondition 3 times a year, so my expensive car doesn't even have an app to this day. This subscription cost them my business. I will no longer look at GM for this reason alone.

Although, Ford has a long way to go, I am not even remotely experiencing what you are. They have made slow but steady progress. I chose a lightning over other EV trucks because of its fully boxed frame, build quality, frunk with propower, etc... I did not choose a lightning for its phone App, so for me I am happy getting new stuff as they add it in. It's well known that Ford is way behind on software. If that was my priority, I would have got a Tesla. Again. I am not saying that Ford doesn't have to improve things, because they do, but if you don't have the patience to deal with software, you so have other choices. For me, knowing what I am going to have to deal with those other brands, I am good with being patient waiting for software updates.

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[gregoryhcain]

Maybe I missed it because the rant was so long but is there any correlation to which smartphone people are using. I have an Apple 12 and don’t have any of the issues other than simple things like there is no one time precondition setting. My Apple Car Play works perfectly too. Is it the non Apple users having problems or am I just lucky?

 

[DatOleMan]

Free app not working correctly?! Ford will roll out a more reliable subscription service that will work flawlessly. Will you pay for it or complain you should get that service for free?

Chevy charged me for an app where I can only start, unlock/lock doors and know the location of the vehicle.

I’m growing with Ford tech like I grew with MS and Apple.

 

[Scott Libre]

Maybe I missed it because the rant was so long but is there any correlation to which smartphone people are using. I have an Apple 12 and don’t have any of the issues other than simple things like there is no one time precondition setting. My Apple Car Play works perfectly too. Is it the non Apple users having problems or am I just lucky?

In past, Pixel 8 Pro, beta 14 and 15 no issues

Now, Pixel 9 Fold beta 15, no issues

I used to support mobile devices in my past network job. I can't tell you how many times end users clicked NO to "Notifications" when installing a 2FA software for VPN authentication, even though the written instructions were clear.

We had some users who would never update their software or replace their 5+ year old phone. Not saying these issues reported by the OP are because of this.

 

[Whammy Bar]

Did your phone update? There is a problem with android phones, mostly newer Samsung, and the December security patch.

No, I'm on Android 15. No updates since QPR1.

 

[Grumpy2]

Wow, after reading these rants ... I am really glad I just have a PRO.

 

[Lightning Rod]

I too have been experiencing some of the issues OP has mentioned. Just this morning, I went to set a departure for 15 minutes in the future, and I kept getting the message... "Vehicle in Battery Saver Mode, yet I just parked it there 12 hours prior to that. So I had to go out and start it manually.

Yesterday, it would not allow me to remote start. It kept saying something like Not Available at this Time.

My PaaK has been working fine but this app is surly acting up as of late.

I have a Samsung S23 Ultra and I'm not sure what the fix is either.

 

[Altivec]

Wow, after reading these rants ... I am really glad I just have a PRO.

I too want a precondition now button, and propower with truck off options but I am really glad and very happy I have a Platinum. I am also okay waiting for these things to get implemented as they are 1st world problems. I will throw a tantrum too though, if they give up on the lightning and stop the updates. If they do that... Then they will lose me as a customer too. Treating us first adopters right will be the key if they succeed or not, hopefully they are smart enough to understand that.

On a side note. Not sure why you said what you said. Does the PRO not come with Ford Pass? I thought all Ford vehicles came with Ford Pass ... Maybe I thought wrong.

 

[Smokewagun]

Well, in my faulty mind, it should be simple. I have Wi-Fi switches and plugs all over. Signal sent. On or off.
I deal with relying on our sister company providing complex integration on sophisticated wastewater and water systems controlling a crap load more devices, systems, alarms, and schedules than the simpleton system Ford has. We’re talking life-safety systems. This is just starting a charge event and shutting it off at a preset limit. Same with preconditioning. Adding a simple override to charge now or precondition now cannot be not that big of a deal. Yet, here we are. I guess I’m more frustrated that I’ve had updates prior that stop most functions AFTER the update was sent, receiving offers for services Ford doesn’t even have, then taking away options originally offered to provide a simple, unorganized system, that pales in comparison to flipping a light switch. He’ll, MyQ for my garage door has tons more features, and is flawless. But, it didn’t cost $65,000. You pay to get this, right?
Can they just test it before release? Make sure it works?
Now, my “Ford Advisor” has responded to me and offered some “tries”. I’ll report back. Hoping this helps.

 

[Pioneer74]

That's not the app. That's a low 12V battery problem.

 

[Altivec]

Well, in my faulty mind, it should be simple. I have Wi-Fi switches and plugs all over. Signal sent. On or off.
I deal with relying on our sister company providing complex integration on sophisticated wastewater and water systems controlling a crap load more devices, systems, alarms, and schedules than the simpleton system Ford has. We’re talking life-safety systems. This is just starting a charge event and shutting it off at a preset limit. Same with preconditioning. Adding a simple override to charge now or precondition now cannot be not that big of a deal. Yet, here we are. I guess I’m more frustrated that I’ve had updates prior that stop most functions AFTER the update was sent, receiving offers for services Ford doesn’t even have, then taking away options originally offered to provide a simple, unorganized system, that pales in comparison to flipping a light switch. He’ll, MyQ for my garage door has tons more features, and is flawless. But, it didn’t cost $65,000. You pay to get this, right?
Can they just test it before release? Make sure it works?
Now, my “Ford Advisor” has responded to me and offered some “tries”. I’ll report back. Hoping this helps.

As other have mentioned, your rant about Ford Pass may not even be the problem. Others are not experiencing what you mention, I know I certainly haven't. It could be your phone, it could be a low 12v, it could be something else

I have had MyQ for years. If you think it started out great and solid, you are wrong. We've had a ton of connectivity issues, software over hauls, major API changes which caused us huge integration problems. It hasn't been until the last couple years that it's become pretty solid. Apple Watch integration is still very bad (in my mind, it should be simple, it's just open and close, right). You are also comparing a mature, developed, simple open/close garage opener to a 3 year old platform with a ton of modules, huge safety implications if they get it wrong, all from a mainstream auto company that has no previous experience with software. I guess I just did a lot more research and was just more aware of what to expect when buying my lightning. Since I purchased my truck, it's only improved software wise, and that's all I can ask for.

I too think it's completely dumb not having a precondition on demand button. But you know what, there wasn't one when I bought the truck. I am hopeful from feedback that they will add one, but to demand it via a rant as if I am entitled to it? Not so sure about that. As mentioned, there are other manufactures that have more mature software platforms. If that is your priority above everything else, you bought the wrong truck.

I hope you are able to find out what the problem is and get it resolved. Peace.

 

[rndman]

Ford tech services told me that Paak will work on my 24 Flash. I guess their tech people are clueless.

Still can't get my text messages to show up on my screen. Every now and then, something will appear.

Rick

I was told today by FordPass support that PaaK (involving starting and driving the truck with just the phone) is not available for flash. It need the hardware which is only present in Lariat and Platinum.

 

[MAG]

I have had my issues with FordPass but we shouldn’t feel special,I also have a 2024 VW ID4 that comes with it’s own app.It has it’s own set of issues,I love the fact that it can tell me car’s unlocked but I can’t lock it with app! Most issues are similar to Ford’s so I’m lucky,two bad apps but out of the pair Ford is better(slightly).

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