SSM 52574 - Vehicles Equipped with SYNC4 - Solutions Being Developed

[3121]

Special Service Message 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 F-150, 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.



To determine the latest available version of SYNC 4 APIM software for your vehicle, please see...


GENERAL SERVICE BULLETIN 23-7146
Determining Latest SYNC 4 Software Level

Summary

This article will provide information on determining the latest level of SYNC 4 software due to FDRS limitations that may not expose available software updates and to make sure a complete update has been performed before returning the vehicle to the customer.


Service Information
In-vehicle method
NOTE: In some cases, other modules will need to be updated or updated multiple times before the latest SYNC 4 software is obtained. Always follow the directions in a TSB for the vehicle and model year completely to obtain the latest level of SYNC 4 software.

• While SYNC is powered up with ignition in run or accessory, go to the Settings selection on the center display screen.
- Refer to the Owner's Manual if Settings cannot be found.
• Go to General Settings.
• Select About SYNC.
• Find the SYNC 4 Software Version followed by a number structure such as 4.0.*****. (*=numbers) Compare that version to the latest version located in this link: SNYC 4 Latest Software Level.
• If the version in the vehicle is lower than the number in the document, then follow the applicable TSB or SSM to update the software.

Referring to PTS method
NOTE: In some cases other modules will need to be updated or updated multiple times before the latest SYNC 4 software is obtained. Always follow the directions in a TSB for the vehicle and model year completely to obtain the latest level of SYNC 4 software.

• Go to the PTS website.
• Under the Vehicle ID tab, select By VIN enter the VIN number and select Go.
• When the system loads, highlight the Diagnostics tab and scroll down and select SYNC. Review the part number or version located next to the CIP and compare that to the latest version located in this link: SNYC 4 Latest Software Level.
• If the version in the vehicle is lower than the number in the document, follow the applicable TSB or SSM to update the software.

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[BennyTheBeaver]

"additional software enhancements which are expected to be delivered over-the-air (OTA) by Q4 2024"

Bummer. That's a long wait.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Four+ months from now = soon

 

[3121]

I have had intermittent freezing of my APIM since purchase. It's not a huge deal, it happens 1-2 times a week. Not annoying enough for me to leave the truck at the dealers door-ding-alley, tear apart my dash and tell me "no trouble found".

I know some people have zero issue with freezing. My guess so far was lower quality chips used for early 2022 hardware, perhaps more sensitive to lower voltage like a 12v battery with only medium charge.

I've had every APIM update available OTA and seen very little improvement. The only big change I've seen on APIM stability was when they fixed the telematics icon and settings communication with the TCU.

 

[jhawkbear]

Does this mean that I can take my truck to the dealer and get them to do software updates for me? (My last update was almost a year ago)

 

[rugedraw]

Does this mean that I can take my truck to the dealer and get them to do software updates for me? (My last update was almost a year ago)

You can sure as hell try. Take this with you and tell them you Sync is acting up and say your vehicle has every problem listed here.

 

[The Weatherman]

Four+ months from now = soon

I wish. We are six+ months from BC 1.(something) and was designated as SOON by many here.

 

[Whammy Bar]

October? Lol. F*** off Ford. Hire a 2nd software person.

 

[bmwhitetx]

Short version of the SSM (i.e., edited for brevity):

Special Service Message 52574 ... Some vehicles ... may exhibit ... symptoms after all currently available ... (APIM) software updates have been performed.
[List of symptoms]

These symptoms may be due to the software in the APIM. ... ensure the latest APIM software is installed. ... [reference GENERAL SERVICE BULLETIN 23-7146 - if Sync up to date, nothing to do]

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

So if you already have the latest Sync version and also the symptoms, then nothing to do but "inform customers that Ford is working..".

Sigh.

 

[GoodSam]

- 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.

This is me, Sync4, AA delays, shaky nav/gps position, but especially all phone calls, where any sound/voice incoming/outgoing is turned into static (maybe an AI could interpret?). I wish I had seen this before ordering a newer 2023 phone...if no improvement, maybe I can send back. My wife has same 2020 model as me and seems to work without turning into a static-only connection.

 

[SmoothJ]

If they follow agile methodology, use JIRA (or something like it), and setup proper boards this should be a lot quicker with the right people. As I mentioned in another forum, SYNC should be open sourced to some extent.

 

[invertedspear]

October? Lol. F*** off Ford. Hire a 2nd software person.

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!

 

[GDN]

If they follow agile methodology, use JIRA (or something like it), and setup proper boards this should be a lot quicker with the right people. As I mentioned in another forum, SYNC should be open sourced to some extent.

I'm not going to argue that those are the tools of the trade these days (they really makes nothing better than other SLC choices of the last 40 years), but without a good staff, the right management support, testers, and most importantly - hardware to control in the truck and decent back end support services and servers, nothing is going to work.

I'm feeling like for a while Ford has none of the above.

 

[VAF84]

Bummer, I have these issue currently. I'll have to see if my Ford replacement vehicle has them too. The most annoying is the CarPlay phone issue. I'm having to switch between CarPlay and Ford Bluetooth fairly frequently. A pain when you're trying to drive and make calls.

 

[Ventorum94]

Special Service Message 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 F-150, 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.



To determine the latest available version of SYNC 4 APIM software for your vehicle, please see...


GENERAL SERVICE BULLETIN 23-7146
Determining Latest SYNC 4 Software Level

Summary

This article will provide information on determining the latest level of SYNC 4 software due to FDRS limitations that may not expose available software updates and to make sure a complete update has been performed before returning the vehicle to the customer.


Service Information
In-vehicle method
NOTE: In some cases, other modules will need to be updated or updated multiple times before the latest SYNC 4 software is obtained. Always follow the directions in a TSB for the vehicle and model year completely to obtain the latest level of SYNC 4 software.


Referring to PTS method
NOTE: In some cases other modules will need to be updated or updated multiple times before the latest SYNC 4 software is obtained. Always follow the directions in a TSB for the vehicle and model year completely to obtain the latest level of SYNC 4 software.

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

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