What are your thoughts so far?

[peterk9]

Same here...I purchased 2 Explorer ST's and one of them does this but the other one does not, yet Ford insists it is normal and no repair action will be taken! Between a new $60k truck vibrating and being told it's normal even though the identical sencond one purcahsed at the same time doesn't do it, I'm done with Ford. The pathetic software of the "BIG" touchscreen was the icing on the cake though...I really can't believe how terrible the software/interface is and how poorly it uses all the space of this large screen. AA and Carplay are tiny at the top and then you have an as large or larger section underneath for just the radio info? And then if you increase or lower the volume, the pop up blocks eveythign right in the middle of the screen?!? It's obvious Ford engineers don't drive anything else but Ford's and have no idea how aweful their infotainment system is, compared to literally any other manufacturer!

Welcome to the Forum.
The pop-up when changing the volume is only there for a second or two so I don't see why that should be a problem. I believe it was the same with the 5th gen vehicles. As for the screen, it was like that when you bought it so you should have known what you were getting at that time although from pictures I have seen it could be better utilized. Aso, I don't believe any vibration is normal. What have you checked? Balance, alignment?
I haven't had any issues with the infotainment system at all but then I don't use AA or Carplay. Nothing but the basic system.

Peter

 

[metroplex]

Welcome to the Forum.
The pop-up when changing the volume is only there for a second or two so I don't see why that should be a problem. I believe it was the same with the 5th gen vehicles. As for the screen, it was like that when you bought it so you should have known what you were getting at that time although from pictures I have seen it could be better utilized. Aso, I don't believe any vibration is normal. What have you checked? Balance, alignment?
I haven't had any issues with the infotainment system at all but then I don't use AA or Carplay. Nothing but the basic system.

Peter

It's been well documented how the Explorer's full screen infotainment system wastes space. They could have done a better job managing it. I believe it was rushed coding to get the Explorer ready for launch. The Edge's SYNC4 system is a lot better and should have been what came on the 2020 Explorer. Shoulda coulda woulda...

 

[Mattoronto]

Welcome to the Forum.
The pop-up when changing the volume is only there for a second or two so I don't see why that should be a problem. I believe it was the same with the 5th gen vehicles. As for the screen, it was like that when you bought it so you should have known what you were getting at that time although from pictures I have seen it could be better utilized. Aso, I don't believe any vibration is normal. What have you checked? Balance, alignment?
I haven't had any issues with the infotainment system at all but then I don't use AA or Carplay. Nothing but the basic system.

Peter

Thanks for the welcome and appreciate the feedback Peter.

I bought both of them before any dealers had inventory so no, I didn't see how bad the infotainment UI was until we got them and started driving them...I'm not sure how many other new vehicles you have experienced but it's really bad and I never imagined any automaker could put something that bad into a brand new model/vehicle. They should be using the bottom portion to display volume changes, etc. without interfering with the already tiny AA/Carplay allocated space at the top (nothing should be overlaying that portion) and other vehicle interface screens. If you have to change anything on the vehicle side, you have to relaunch AA/Carplay again and it goes back to the home page instead of leaving the top running continously without interruption. The bottom is MORE than enough room for these features and it seems clear to me that the real problem is Ford has incompetent software engineers. They can usually build a decent vehicle and I REALLY like the ST chassis and overall design but the UI makes driving them very frustrating/annoying...it's sad because this could be so easily solved yet they will just continue redesigning new systems for new vehicles and leave customers to struggle with the garbage from last year, just like most other legacy automakers. They could turn a bad thing good if they just spend a little time to improve the system and push an OTA update.

As the original poster described regarding vibration, it is not a tire/alignment issue...definite driveline. It's there with both winter and summer wheels/tires and the dealer did double check alignment and road force tires anyways to no avail. I have just accepted that Ford is focused on new models and are borderline incompetent with regard to software development so I won't be purchasing any more. You may feel otherwise and I hope you find your Ford's to be more satisfactory and I do but I suspect if you just try any of the other automakers it will be abundantly clear how bad this part of their product is.

 

[peterk9]

As per my signature, I've had a 2011 Limited and a 2017 Platinum plus the previous and current Lincolns. Have you updated to build 21194 yet?

Peter

 

[Mattoronto]

As per my signature, I've had a 2011 Limited and a 2017 Platinum plus the previous and current Lincolns. Have you updated to build 21194 yet?

Peter

Yes, I was hopeful the latest update would have some improvements from the initial software that they presumably rushed out to not delay vehicle deliveries but unfortunately it made no difference to anything at all. It did however serve as additional evidence that Ford is going to have major issues with software implementation as the update procedure was just as bad as the UI...it takes about 20 minutes to update but the car turns itself off when running at idle before then!!! I tried to update 3 times and every time it would turn the car off before the update was completed, even with the key FOB in the car...like really!!?!? The only way to complete the update is to actually DRIVE during the update process so the car does not go to sleep in the middle of the update...what a fail. Meanwhile Tesla's are frequently getting new features added to already superior software/product that is beamed to them OTA with nothing more than a single button press. I worked for Ford corporate for 10 years and am quite disappointed to see such major failures on their part as it relates to software. It's frustrating knowing that they could do so much better if they understand and accept they have to focus more on the software side but the 3 Tesla's I also own make it clearer every day that as Tesla continues to accelerate in these areas, the legacy makers just cannot keep up. Hopefully they will figure things out before they all die, but for now Ford seems to really be the absolute worst of them all, strictly in terms of software anyways!

 

[peterk9]

The vehicle doesn't need to be running for these OTA updates. As long as it is connected to a WiFi source it will update on its own. Mine completed while parked in the garage. That's a great advantage of using OTA updating. Now if using a USB drive, then yes, it has to be running.

Peter

 

[Mattoronto]

The vehicle doesn't need to be running for these OTA updates. As long as it is connected to a WiFi source it will update on its own. Mine completed while parked in the garage. That's a great advantage of using OTA updating. Now if using a USB drive, then yes, it has to be running.

Peter

Right, so it doesn't take a superstar engineer to figure out that you have to disable the automatic vehicle shut off freature during an update procedure but nope, the engineers didn't figure it out and neither did any of the management that signed off on it...like this is BASIC stuff.

 

[peterk9]

Right, so it doesn't take a superstar engineer to figure out that you have to disable the automatic vehicle shut off freature during an update procedure but nope, the engineers didn't figure it out and neither did any of the management that signed off on it...like this is BASIC stuff.

Some USB type updates have been known to take 30 - 45 minutes or longer. Having a vehicle idling that long is not a good thing and in some places it may be against local bylaws. That is why the OTA update is the preferred method. No 'wear and tear' on the vehicle and it's seamless.
Also, according to the Manual;
You can temporarily switch off the
shutdown feature any time the ignition
is on using the information display. See
Information Displays (page 112). The
feature only remains off for the current
ignition cycle.
This seems to indicate that the "superstar engineers" may have taken this scenario into consideration.

Peter

In any case, non of these last number of posts have anything to do with the thread title.

 

[Mattoronto]

Some USB type updates have been known to take 30 - 45 minutes or longer. Having a vehicle idling that long is not a good thing and in some places it may be against local bylaws. That is why the OTA update is the preferred method. No 'wear and tear' on the vehicle and it's seamless.
Also, according to the Manual;
You can temporarily switch off the
shutdown feature any time the ignition
is on using the information display. See
Information Displays (page 112). The
feature only remains off for the current
ignition cycle.
This seems to indicate that the "superstar engineers" may have taken this scenario into consideration.

Peter

In any case, non of these last number of posts have anything to do with the thread title.

I don't think that was in the REV1 manual I got with the first release vehicles but eitiher way, why should the user need to fumble through more poorly designed menus/settings to one-time disable a shut down so their 20+ min update can finish without the car turning off half way through the update??!!?? Are you really trying to say this is a good UI/design?? WOW. Any competent software engineer would simply disable auto shut down during updates automatically, it's not difficult. This is totally pathetic and Ford should be really thankful for customers like you Peter.

 

[peterk9]

That paragraph was taken from version 3 of the Manual which is available to everyone.
There are some things that the owner has to take responsibility for. Everything that is required to allow you to do what you want is there.
All I can say is that for what I do and use, the system is working fine. I'm not expecting it to do every little thing for me.

Peter

 

[RogueLifter29]

Update on ownership:

Well, with 29k miles in the 3 years 8 months we have owned this car, here is what I have had to replace:

17.5k miles - starter went out. Covered under warranty, stop/start is the culprit

19k miles - battery replaced, completely dead one morning, replaced under warranty

21k miles - Battery Monitoring system replaced under warranty

24.5k miles - rear door hatch issue, wont open, replaced under warranty

27.5k miles - starter failed - warranty replacement

28k miles - starter failed - warranty replacement and new battery monitoring system installed

29k miles - battery dead, replaced under warranty, starter fail again.


As much as we have enjoyed this SUV, I will be walking away from it today. This has been my first experience with the blue oval when it comes to SUV's and we bought it after speaking to so many people about the reliability and enjoyment they had with the 2019 models and earlier. I thought to myself sure, lets get the new one and see how it is.

Between the trans hard shifts, the non stop electrical issues (never had water damage or been in deep anything, bought new from the dealer), the the "support" from Ford, and the overall build quality of this vehicle, I dont see myself coming back to it.

I really wanted to love this suv. It looks aggressive, drives great when its running, and can fit everyone comfortably, but I cannot ignore the problems this vehicle has had. Hell, my VW had less issues and that thing was a pain. Outside of a warranty, I would never want to be stuck with the bills on them and I would 100% recommend you all get an extended warranty on these units.

I hope to be back on the forums once Ford gets it together, but I cant see it with how its been. I hope no one else has these issues and maybe I just got a Friday car, but the electrical problems and it leaving my family stuck multiple times with no loaner car or having to wait for clearance to get one is just not the type of support I was expecting in the brand.

Posting this so anyone looking for feedback on the suv or any issues they may have, they can always reference the thread.

 

[DoraAExplorer]

Dang man, it appears you got a bad one for sure. We have owned two an XLT SAP model and a Timberline. Besides some cosmetic things not much has gone wrong.

 

[peterk9]

I wonder how many of those repairs were actually necessary. It seems like they possibly were just throwing parts at it in hopes of a cure.
I 100% do agree about getting an ESP if you plan to keep it past the warranty period. As for me no issues with my vehicles, (Explorers and Lincolns) but then I don't drive a lot anymore and don't keep them longer than 3 or 4 years.

Peter