SSM 52574 - Vehicles Equipped with SYNC4 - Solutions Being Developed

[Ish]

To clarify, this appears to apply to SYNC 4 (XLT and Pro Trims only) and not SYNC 4A (Lariat and Platinum).

I have SYNC 4A (Lariat) and have the CarPlay wireless connectivity/sound issue with my personal phone (iPhone 15 Pro Max) but not my work phone (iPhone 15 Pro) both on the same iOS…

my two workarounds are first disconnect and reconnect which works 90% of the time and if not, restart (volume - & >>) which has solved it every other time.

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[GDN]

I have SYNC 4A (Lariat) and have the CarPlay wireless connectivity/sound issue with my personal phone (iPhone 15 Pro Max) but not my work phone (iPhone 15 Pro) both on the same iOS…

my two workarounds are first disconnect and reconnect which works 90% of the time and if not, restart (volume - & >>) which has solved it every other time.

It is just a 3 second interruption, but I just plug in a cable each time I get in. I've given up on wireless CarPlay. I've turned it completely off. There comes a time you have to cut bait and fist and accept that Ford is not a SW company and just can't make this stuff work. I've come to the conclusion I'll save myself the headache and daily negative thoughts of Ford. I plug in and accept it.

 

[Whammy Bar]

They had a job posting a few weeks back for a Software Development Manager. I applied to see if I can help fix any of this. Wish me luck!

You can use me as a reference. GL!

 

[Runaway Tractor]

If I do not currently have any Sync malfunctions, does updating to the latest versions in FDRS trigger the problem to start happening? OR, are they just saying that if you are already having Sync malfunctions, the updates will not fix it yet?

 

[Nftypjs]

I have an intermittent audio issue since I've owned the lightning (MY23 Pro with tow tech package and 360 camera), but I believe it got worst after an update in February. Pixel 8 pro, connected to wireless (though also happens if it's plugged in) If listening to music via Pandora, quite often as the song transitions to the next song, the audio will simply not play. The song continues to play on the app and AA screen. Just no audio. It happens ONLY in transitions to the next song. Simplest solution that I've found is that if I switch to FM radio, the sound plays immediately, then switch straight back to AA, and sound starts immediately, with the caveat that the song is now X:XX seconds into the song as it has usually been playing in the background just not out loud. This is persistent over the last updates ford has sent to the car. It does NOT happen with Audible app that I've noticed (might be something to do with fewer track transitions), but it is regular with Pandora, and spotify. Happens to my wife's phone if she's using CarPlay also (iphone 15 pro).

 

[rugedraw]

I have an intermittent audio issue since I've owned the lightning (MY23 Pro with tow tech package and 360 camera), but I believe it got worst after an update in February. Pixel 8 pro, connected to wireless (though also happens if it's plugged in) If listening to music via Pandora, quite often as the song transitions to the next song, the audio will simply not play. The song continues to play on the app and AA screen. Just no audio. It happens ONLY in transitions to the next song. Simplest solution that I've found is that if I switch to FM radio, the sound plays immediately, then switch straight back to AA, and sound starts immediately, with the caveat that the song is now X:XX seconds into the song as it has usually been playing in the background just not out loud. This is persistent over the last updates ford has sent to the car. It does NOT happen with Audible app that I've noticed (might be something to do with fewer track transitions), but it is regular with Pandora, and spotify. Happens to my wife's phone if she's using CarPlay also (iphone 15 pro).

I have the exact same problem on my 2021 F150 on the latest Sync running a Galaxy S24 Ultra. It happens even running wired AA. I do the same thing and switch media sources to get it back.

I also have an issue where the Google maps on AA just appears black. Sometimes, unplugging the phone from USB and plugging it back in fixes it, and other times I have to reset Sync to get the maps to show. Little annoyances I've just learned to live with.

 

[ytwytw]

How does 2022 mach e has newer software than anyone else?
2021 and 2023 mach e and lightning owners are thr forgotten ones

 

[02Reaper]

I wonder if this update is going to pan out like the CSP update that was supposed to be coming out Q4 of 2023? While I had mine done at the dealer, it was supposed to be an OTA update that didn't show up till later than they said. Come on Ford. If you have a team working on just your electric vehicle things, there's no excuse for things taking so long.

 

[TaxmanHog]

SSM 52574 Vehicles Equipped with SYNC4 - Intermittent Symptoms After All
Available Software Updates Performed - Awareness of Solutions Being Developed​

Some vehicles equipped with SYNC4 may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms after all currently
available accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software updates have been performed.
- General system performance, stability, and intermittent system reboots.
- Intermittent Wireless CarPlay or Android Auto function.
- Phone related concerns with intermittent No Audio or Static.
- Navigation/global positioning system (GPS) related concerns through CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Alexa function consistency and stability.

These symptoms may be due to the software in the APIM. Replacing the APIM will not resolve these
symptoms for the customer. Before returning the vehicle to the customer, review the procedures within
Workshop Manual, Section 415-00 and ensure the latest APIM software is installed. Refer to General Service
Bulletin (GSB) 23-7146 for help determining the latest available level of software.

IMPORTANT: some module software updates will only display as available on Ford Diagnosis and Repair
System (FDRS) after prerequisite modules are updated. This may require the technician to update certain
modules multiple times during the service visit, before the latest APIM software is accessible in FDRS.

If symptoms continue after latest APIM software has been installed, inform customers that Ford is working on
additional software enhancements which are expected to be delivered over-the-air (OTA) by Q4 2024 on F150, F-150 Lightning, Mustang Mach-E, Mustang, Escape, Corsair, Expedition, Navigator, Bronco, Mustang,
and 2023-2024 F-Super Duty. Software will update automatically if vehicle connectivity is enabled in the
vehicle's settings. For all other vehicles with SYNC4, schedule a service visit for customers in October 2024,
when the updated APIM software is expected to be available to dealers. Monitor OASIS for additional
information.

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/attachments/52574-pdf.87521/

 

[TaxmanHog]

I want an independent thread on the topic, it has been mentioned in other threads.

 

[Newton]

Customer: “It crashes and the nav thinks that I’m in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.”
Service Tech: “Do you have all of the latest updates?”
Customer: “Yes!’
Service Tech: “That’s the problem.”

OK, I worked in the biz back in the day and know that bugs happen, but is anybody trying anymore? Once I was getting pressure from the executives on a horrible bug that was happening to a humongous “must never fail” customer. It sounded just like something that test had informed me I had f*** up on our build of software that wasn’t even scheduled to be released internally for several months. Sure enough, when I looked at the build number it was from … last Friday. It turns out that this customer was so gold-plated that our execs had pressured support to give them the “absolute latest version”, so they did.

Is that the standard of software development now? I’m glad that I am out. The way it used to work is that you would have several months of testing before stuff went live and a blue screen/reboot was the ultimate egg-on-face moment for the test and development teams. Now it seems like, well, stuff happens.

 

[invertedspear]

Is that the standard of software development now? I’m glad that I am out. The way it used to work is that you would have several months of testing before stuff went live and a blue screen/reboot was the ultimate egg-on-face moment for the test and development teams. Now it seems like, well, stuff happens.

There are two opposing forces in development, specifically for SaaS and Web Applications.

One says, go back to the old way and have nice long test cycles. Most of which don't really catch much presuming your developers are competent. Your releases are slow and you are constantly beat to the market by your competitors.

The other says to go the Amazon route, and release constantly. Then run automated tests, and if they fail something, roll your release back automatically.

Most places miss on the "automated test and rollback" part of that and leave us where we are.

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