3.5.1......Anyone? Anyone?

[altabrig]

In good faith Ford should offer software/firmware updates at a bare minimum for the duration of the warranty period.   Really, they should extend the update flashes as long as software is developed for the system.   It costs little to install and may create customer loyalty in a market where customer loyalty is not generally advantageous to the consumer.

[Laurel]

In good faith Ford should offer software/firmware updates at a bare minimum for the duration of the warranty period.   Really, they should extend the update flashes as long as software is developed for the system.   It costs little to install and may create customer loyalty in a market where customer loyalty is not generally advantageous to the consumer.

Nicely stated.  I doubt whether Ford would leave us in the lurch with this issue.  My nav works well and it is the older version as I have a November 2012 build date, but it would be nice to get the new one with the changes that have come out.  Thanks Jus for telling us how to check which one we have by going to Syncmyride.com.  I didn't know that I could do that.  Looks like I need to register for 911 --alas no vehicle health reports available in Canada, but I can get the 911 assist according to the site.

[Jus-A-CMax]

I talked to Galpin Ford again this afternoon, and yeah, they do acknowledge having a problem with the navigation and the update so we're all in a holding pattern for now. The top managers all know about it so its not leaving us early adopters in the lurch.

 

 

 

Nicely stated.  I doubt whether Ford would leave us in the lurch with this issue.  My nav works well and it is the older version as I have a November 2012 build date, but it would be nice to get the new one with the changes that have come out.  Thanks Jus for telling us how to check which one we have by going to Syncmyride.com.  I didn't know that I could do that.  Looks like I need to register for 911 --alas no vehicle health reports available in Canada, but I can get the 911 assist according to the site.

 

I'm sorry for being so brief....for those who are looking as to where it is...see the red box below in the syncmyride.com screen (after you have logged in):

 

 

Follow the instructions.

 

You need a usb drive and then it's pretty easy. Be warned though - the 2nd step process afterward (confirming your version) is pretty convoluted in the sense that it never acknowledges your upload of the XML file (HINT: take a copy of the .xml file that is in the USB drive just in case). It does work but hey... :runaway:

Edited April 13, 2013 by Jus-A-CMax

[sixtyeightmk2]

I've just read this. So I ordered a C-Max from Albany Ford in California - The original car was lost in transit and never came. Our Sales guy however told us that "Your car was found and it will be here Saturday." So Saturday came and went, and he said it hadn't been picked up yet. Then we came in Sunday and found a C-Max there but it had a different VIN and was not the one we ordered. Ford was unable to find the original car, we had a case number and everything. So we were dealer swapped and not told a damn thing until we showed up to pickup our car. Truth be told after reading all of this I wish I would have waited for a car with new firmware. We have had several reboots and ended up on dirt roads when following the NAV. I've fallen back to my Android GPS and google maps from now on.

 

So I'm noticing that you guys are mentioning the build versions - we picked up the C-Max around 1/12/2013 - and the one that we had ordered was missing for about a month.

 

Anyhow the car we got has the 3.1.3 firmware, and a lot of issues related to reboots. Also noticed that window seals are not completely sealing in some cases, and there are quite a few areas where the sound deadening material has now come loose and moves around. Also there are some issues with the left side of the car - front suspension area seems to be broken.

 

Taking it in prior to the 10k service to ask wtf is up with all these things.

[Adair]

Hi 68MK2,

It will be interesting to see if your dealership will give you a straight answer about the 3.5.1. Mine acts like I'm speaking a foreign language when I ask about it and seem very put-upon when I ask them to check repeatedly to see if it's available yet for *older* cars. I asked someone on SYNC chat the other day and got the standard party line......You have the latest version available for your car...... Seems like the cutoff date is sometime in Feb....before that 3.1.3, after that 3.5.1

 

Good luck getting the other issues taken care of.

 

Oh, and WELCOME!! Glad you found us!

[JAZ]

2-7-13 build date with Gen 2  version 3.5.1.

Edited April 22, 2013 by JAZ

[sixtyeightmk2]

Thank you as well! Some interesting news. Left the vehicle with the shop around 7:00am today.

 

I posted in another area of the forum - Was quoted by the senior guy at the shop that they spoke with Ford Engineers - an update is coming in two weeks per an actual Service Bulletin - but will require the car to get serviced. (Suspect that hardware will be getting replaced, but details were hidden from my view.)

 

I can't really find anything on google but I looked at the paperwork - had a serial number thing of "13A01" or something of that nature. Also will require a new SD Card "A4" Navigation software.

 

So it appears they do have some kind of a fix that will be showing up.

 

Also - Ford did have a huge issue getting vehicles off the line to folks in January. I suspect that something was found related to the issue everyone is talking about because they were literally "unable" to find my car within their railcars, but I know this stuff is tracked by satellite and RFID so probably BS to cover their butts. (at least 20 people I've talked to did not get their cars ordered with delivery date last week of December / 3rd week of January 2013.)

 

Not sure if related.

 

They are replacing all the stuff I mentioned - FOR FREE.  :happy feet:

 

 

Hi 68MK2,

It will be interesting to see if your dealership will give you a straight answer about the 3.5.1. Mine acts like I'm speaking a foreign language when I ask about it and seem very put-upon when I ask them to check repeatedly to see if it's available yet for *older* cars. I asked someone on SYNC chat the other day and got the standard party line......You have the latest version available for your car...... Seems like the cutoff date is sometime in Feb....before that 3.1.3, after that 3.5.1

 

Good luck getting the other issues taken care of.

 

Oh, and WELCOME!! Glad you found us!

Edited April 23, 2013 by sixtyeightmk2

[Jus-A-CMax]

Fingers crossed, that is awesome news...I hope Ford comes thru this time, this is the biggest pain in the neck in what is otherwise a SUPERB vehicle  :rockon:

[shaners]

Fingers crossed, that is awesome news...I hope Ford comes thru this time, this is the biggest pain in the neck in what is otherwise a SUPERB vehicle  :rockon:

 

I can't wait!  With the warmer weather my fuel mileage is great now so the only complaint is the glitchy MFT!

[Adair]

Ford Customer Care just told me that the update won't be out until the middle of June for

the C-MAX. :censored:

 

 

There must be a lot of folks calling, because I was on hold for about 20 minutes. :banghead:

[Jus-A-CMax]

Ford Customer Care just told me that the update won't be out until the middle of June for

the C-MAX. :censored:

 

 

There must be a lot of folks calling, because I was on hold for about 20 minutes. :banghead:

Doh!!!!!!

 

 

...but my GPS is working great though! But I had like 3 "Schedule Maintenance" in the last 3 days. Yeah...yeah...pull the other leg Micro$0ft.

[Adair]

Doh!!!!!!

 

 

...but my GPS is working great though! But I had like 3 "Schedule Maintenance" in the last 3 days. Yeah...yeah...pull the other leg Micro$0ft.

Well, I'm glad for you Jus, that your GPS is working well...........esp in your line of work. You need a GPS that gets you to where you are going. :happy feet:

 

But I confess to being annoyed at not knowing if my phone, radio, or..........heck, the whole SYNC system in my car.........will work when I go out in the afternoon. And I can't figure out what the he!! happened 2 weeks ago that made the wheels fall off (figuratively speaking, of course) :runaway:

[Wingrider01]

Ford Customer Care just told me that the update won't be out until the middle of June for

the C-MAX. :censored:

 

 

There must be a lot of folks calling, because I was on hold for about 20 minutes. :banghead:

 

The same basic thing has been said since December of 2012, I still stand by vaporware until it when it is installed - still in the "the check is in the mail" category. Personally things QTR 4 2014. Have had to many sync installed vehicles that have never had any upgrades to fix problems and faults

[Wingrider01]

Spoke to IVT specialist again today at ford, new story no eta on when it will be available for early adopters - specialist reminded me of the Mayor in the old dolly Parton movie with Burt Reynolds about the Chicken Ranch.

[Jus-A-CMax]

Spoke to IVT specialist again today at ford, new story no eta on when it will be available for early adopters - specialist reminded me of the Mayor in the old dolly Parton movie with Burt Reynolds about the Chicken Ranch.

Lol, u always have a great sense of humor, wing :rockon:  ok...time to retank and keep the holding pattern :salute:

[Wingrider01]

Lol, u always have a great sense of humor, wing :rockon:  ok...time to retank and keep the holding pattern :salute:

 

Not a sense of humor - I don;t have one, more like reality, tired of being jerked around by ford. If I wanted to be jerked around with incompetence I would call my ex-wife. If I stated exactly how I felt the moderators would be right on top of it and redact the heck out of it. If I pay 33K plus for something I expect it to work correctly. as of right now it is not working correctly and there is no resolution from ford on the event horizon.

Edited May 21, 2013 by Wingrider01

[Jus-A-CMax]

Not a sense of humor - I don;t have one, more like reality, tired of being jerked around by ford. If I wanted to be jerked around with incompetence I would call my ex-wife. If I stated exactly how I felt the moderators would be right on top of it and redact the heck out of it. If I pay 33K plus for something I expect it to work correctly. as of right now it is not working correctly and there is no resolution from ford on the event horizon.

 

You know if you're not happy with the car, just sell the damn thing, why put up with all the crap? As for redaction, as long as its not a personal attack on another poster, go ahead. Seriously, ever consider moving that CMax on if its causing all these issues...?

Edited May 21, 2013 by Jus-A-CMax

[ceemax71]

IMO, a large part of the quality problems and delays with the SYNC software is that it is mostly developed off shore at Ford Technology Services in Chennai, India.

While I respect and admire the Indian culture, I can only imagine their difficulty in creating quality, user-friendly software for a product (hybrid, plug-n vehicles) that they are only vaguely familiar with. 

 

Any system that is based on voice-recognition and is supposed to work with a multitude of cell-phones, media  players, and storage devices has to have extremely complex software.

 

Nobody seems to know why 3.51 has not been released for the C-Max's built before March 2013, (all other models have had the update including Fusion hybrids).  They might be holding off until most of the Fusion hybrids have been updated to avoid overwhelming the dealers service departments.  Version 3.51 has to be installed by the dealer on hybrids since the PCM module needs to be updated by a service technician.

 

FYI, I have SYNC version 3.51 and it is far from perfect.  It very seldom remembers the settings from the previous power-on (HVAC settings, entertainment settings, etc.)

 

There is also the possiblity that Ford is waiting to roll out a newer version than 3.51 to fix the remaining issues. :waiting:

[Jus-A-CMax]

In regards to the off-shore Indians, you get what you pay for, cheap rates, cheap quality of work and this applies to general contracting services as well. I've been in IT for decades and communication with offshore is one of the biggest hurdles. Right now, with my GPS functioning, I am less worried about the 3.5.1 update, Galpin got to the core of my issue and took care of it. Having said that, those with Nav issues, any upgrade to 3.5.1 is not a guarantee it will fix it for them either as I have seen others with 3.5.1 with Nav issues. Thanks to ArizonEnergi and others who had their GPS replaced, thats the best course of action for those with Nav issues...take pictures of the issue, see the Ford SA and have them replace the GPS unit. Wallah.

[pnwAl]

I'm looking at a new SEL with a build date of 03/19/2013. I will have to check the versions before I finalize the purchase. Anyone out there have a similar build date? Besides the 3.5.1 seems I should be looking for A4 maps, anything else? THX!

[JAZ]

I'm looking at a new SEL with a build date of 03/19/2013. I will have to check the versions before I finalize the purchase. Anyone out there have a similar build date? Besides the 3.5.1 seems I should be looking for A4 maps, anything else? THX!

That build date should guarantee you have 3.5.1 and the A4 maps.

[ceemax71]

I'm looking at a new SEL with a build date of 03/19/2013. I will have to check the versions before I finalize the purchase. Anyone out there have a similar build date? Besides the 3.5.1 seems I should be looking for A4 maps, anything else? THX!

My SEL has a build date of 3/16/13.  No problems other than minor SYNC issues.  Have 3.5.1 with A4 maps. 

[colea]

I'm looking at a new SEL with a build date of 03/19/2013. I will have to check the versions before I finalize the purchase. Anyone out there have a similar build date? Besides the 3.5.1 seems I should be looking for A4 maps, anything else? THX!

Yes, I had a build date of 3/13/2013 and have both 3.5.1 and A4 maps.

[Wingrider01]

You know if you're not happy with the car, just sell the damn thing, why put up with all the crap? As for redaction, as long as its not a personal attack on another poster, go ahead. Seriously, ever consider moving that CMax on if its causing all these issues...?

 

you willing to make up the difference is monetary loss I would incur if I trade this SDT in? Not willing to take a 12k financial hit on the car, Did not think so.  If I pay 33K plus for something I expect it to function correctly. I will bet you 100.00 that if I put my comments on this car in the exact terms that I am feeling you WILL redact it. 

 

I am sick and tired of being told that there is nothing wrong with the vehicle and that there is no fixes coming down the line. It ranks right up there with the 3 greatest lies in the world.  Ford and most of their dealers are so far out of touch on this car that the the "special services support team" did not even know that there was supposed to be a divider in the front cup holder.

 

It took me 5 months to convince them that the piece actually existed and then it was pure luck that when I was in talking to their service specialist that 3 brand new cars where rolled off the deliver truck and they all had it in their glove box - the new car preparation people where throwing them away because they did not know where they went - Ford still has no idea what the part number for the piece is - and they designed it.

 

Bottom line I want a functional car that every option that I have performs correctly, no lock ups on the sync system, a working navigation system (tbs installed and new gps modules) and a myriad of other annoying faults that are tied to the faulty software release in the Pre-2013 manufactured vehicles - what is wrong with that?  Maybe I have more exacting standards.

Edited May 21, 2013 by Wingrider01

[Laurel]

Wingrider01 I am sorry you are so disappointed thus far.  I guess we have been real lucky with ours as we have no nav or sync issues (knocking on wood) and we have a November 2012 build.  I think if you are a perfectionist type personality it would be hard to accept less than having everything performing as advertised.  I can see why you wouldn't want to take a big financial hit, but living with high stress and elevated cortisol levels as a result isn't good for you.  We sold our 2011 Lexus and 2011 Smart Car and took big financial hits and had to do some self talk before selling them i.e. we will lose money but in the end it is worth it to us.  I think putting your concerns in writing and sending them on to Ford would be a helpful thing as I'm sure they don't want unhappy customers.  Dealerships all seem to vary and we experienced that when I booked our first service for our C-Max.  First place was rude and indifferent so I cancelled there and went to a different one who treated us very well.  Best of luck and keep your chin up.