Plug and Charge Charge Faults

[Adaptor]

I have had a 2023 Ford Lightning since August 2024. I bought it new/from a dealer. Plug and Charge worked the first several times I used it but no longer does. I've deleted and reinstalled the Ford Pass App. I've contacted customer support and followed all their basic troubleshooting, including configuring the app and making sure connected services are on in the truck. My next step is going to the dealership, noting that others on this forum had their truck hardware opened, tested, and repaired. Any other lessons learned from this community?

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[Maquis]

Be sure you have a valid credit card stored on your Ford account.

 

[tubby]

If your 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning’s Plug and Charge feature worked initially but has stopped, it’s likely a hiccup in the system—either with the truck, the FordPass app, or the charging network sync. Since it’s a convenience feature tied to the Blue Oval Charge Network (mainly Electrify America for fast charging), let’s troubleshoot based on what’s common and what’s been seen with other owners as of February 21, 2025.
First, how Plug and Charge works: It’s supposed to auto-authenticate your vehicle at compatible stations (like Electrify America) using your FordPass account, skipping manual app or card activation. You plug in, it talks to the network via the truck’s modem, and charging starts—assuming your payment method and enrollment are intact. It worked for you at first, so your setup was likely correct initially.
Here’s why it might’ve stopped:

1. FordPass Sync Issue: The app or truck might’ve lost its connection to the Blue Oval network. Check FordPass under “Charging” > “Blue Oval Charge Network” > “Plug & Charge.” It should say “Activated” with a credit card listed. If it’s off or stuck (e.g., showing an error), try unenrolling and re-enrolling. Owners on forums like F150LightningForum.com have fixed similar glitches by canceling their Blue Oval subscription in the app, waiting a bit, then reactivating it.
2. Network Glitch: Electrify America (EA) stations, the backbone of Ford’s fast-charging network then, can be finicky. If EA updated its system or your truck’s credentials got out of sync, Plug and Charge might fail. Early Lightning owners reported this after EA station updates—charging still works, but you’d need to start it manually via the EA app or FordPass.
3. Software Bug: The Lightning’s had its share of OTA updates, and some—like those tweaking charging protocols—can disrupt features. A factory reset at the dealer or a software hiccup might’ve knocked Plug and Charge offline. Check your truck’s update history in FordPass (under “Vehicle” > “Updates”). If it’s lagging (e.g., pre-2024 builds stuck below v6.x), a dealer visit might force the latest firmware.
4. Free Charging Expired: Your Lightning came with 250 kWh of free charging, expiring three years from modem activation (or less if you used it up). If that’s gone, Plug and Charge might default to “inactive” unless your payment method’s still valid. Some owners on [banned site] noted Plug and Charge dropping after the promo ended—they had to re-link a card.
5. Station-Specific Issue: Not all EA chargers support Plug and Charge consistently—older units or those mid-upgrade can balk. If it stopped at one station, test another. If it’s universal, the problem’s likely truck- or account-side.

What to Try

• Quick Reset: Unplug, lock the truck, walk away for 5-10 minutes, then retry. This resets the charge port sometimes.
• App Check: In FordPass, ensure Plug and Charge is toggled on and your card’s current. Delete/re-add the card if it looks stale.
• Manual Start Test: Plug in at an EA station, start the session via FordPass or EA app. If it charges fine manually, Plug and Charge’s authentication is the issue—not hardware.
• Modem Reset: Disconnect the 12V battery (under the hood, negative terminal) for 10 minutes to reboot the truck’s systems. Owners report this clearing random glitches, though it’s a soft reset—settings might stay.
• Call Ford: Dial the EV hotline (1-800-392-3673 in the US). They’ve handled this before—give them your VIN and describe the “worked then stopped” pattern. They might escalate a ticket or suggest a dealer sync.
• Dealer Check: If no luck, book a service visit. Ask them to check the SOBDM (Secondary On-Board Diagnostic Module) for charge-related codes (e.g., U3000:49 signals a charger fault) and ensure the modem’s talking to Ford’s servers.

Best Guess
Most likely, it’s a FordPass/network sync issue—common enough that forums are littered with “it stopped, I fixed it by re-enrolling” stories. Start there; it’s free and fast. If that flops, software or modem trouble’s next, needing Ford’s techs. Hardware failure (like the charge port) is rare if manual charging works.
Where are you charging, and what’s the truck doing when it fails—any error messages in FordPass or on the station? That’ll narrow it down.

Disclaimer: Grok’s not a mechanic. Consult a Ford tech for a hands-on fix.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Welcome to the forum, double check the expiration date on the credit card you shared with Ford connected services.