Finally got everything fixed. Had to replace APIM plus the complete climate control buttons etc. apparently the climate control has its own computer chip and when the APIM went out it fried it as well. That is what was causing the flashing lights, the chip was bad. Suggest that it you replace APIM you have them check the climate controls as well.

 

Can a APIM with nav out of a 2016 F-150 be used in a 2019 if the VIN is changed?

 

First, I apologize in advance for being new to this forum and being fairly ignorant of all the threads previously posted. But I'm in search of answers as well.

I purchased a used 2016 Taurus SHO a couple weeks ago (approx 53k miles on it) and have already experienced Sync 3 issues. I can pair my Samsung Galaxy S9+ just fine. I can call or receive a call just fine. The problem is that I cannot "End Call" with the Sync 3 system (from the 8" display or from the steering wheel controls). It simply locks up the system... and the Audio system will not work once this happens. Sometimes (rarely) it will hang up after I shut the car off, or after I do a soft reset. Unpairing the phone does not clear it. I can hang up from the phone itself, but the Sync 3 stays froze. This happens repeatedly anytime I try to recreate the problem

I've also downloaded and installed the latest Sync 3 software, but get the same reproducible problem. I brought the car to the dealer shortly after purchasing it and had it diagnosed. They recommend replacing the APIM (GB5Z-14G371-H) as well, with an estimated cost (including labor) of around $950. Wow! A four year old car with an obsolete computer system... my wife's 9 year old Dodge works fine with my 1 year old phone! Since this is a used car, my level of warranty coverage does not cover that part. So to answer your question, this is not just a NAV-related problem (as mine does not have NAV).

Has there ever been a class action suit to bring about some kind of recall for these widely known issues? Why does the consumer have to pay to upgrade a defective system that came with their vehicle in the first place? To me that's just ridiculous!

I've also read that upgrading to an Android system may sound like a cool idea, but you can possibly loose certain functions (like heated seats). No thanks. And although it's inconvenient, I can buy a lot of bluetooth earpieces for $950 (vs upgrading to a new APIM).

I agree though, Ford needs to gets its act together and do the right thing. Quality is obviously not Job 1!

-------------------------------------------------------
30 minutes later...

UPDATE: I tried something I read in an earlier post somewhere... disabling the "Auto-Update-Import" feature for phone contacts when I first pair my phone. I have over 900 (personal & business) contacts in my phone... maybe Sync 3 can't handle that many.

I can now make and take phone calls AND hang up without the system completely locking up. For whatever reason though, it now shows "Voice Recognition Not Ready". I previously had that function when it had the "End Call" issue, but now don't.

I can now access my call history via the steering wheel controls, so I can at least make calls that way. So it half-works now (which I can live with), but it still has issues nonetheless. It would be nice if the Sync system had speed dial/presets like other vehicle systems offer.

I hope this helps someone else who maybe experiencing this problem.

 

I have a 2016 Mustang that has the same issues. After fighting with the dealership and making some kid at Ford customer care cry, I decided to start googling. The APIM has been replaced once and I have the same issue. Raised this to my local news station. Hoping I get some traction. This time the car has been in a week. I don’t drive it because it is such a pain to deal with. Hoping it gets fixed this time.

 

Good news! (Update to my original Feb 23, 2019 post on a Ford Escape forum)
Voice Recognition is Back! I just downloaded Ford's latest SYNC update for my 2016 F150 Lariat (its an early 2016 which seems like the ones having the problems upgrading from v1.0 to v3.0.18093). While I was able to upgrade to v3.0.18093 last year - the upgrade broke my Voice Recognition button and I no longer had Navigation voice commands. Now, I'm on Version 3.0.19205 and my Voice Recognition works again and Apple CarPlay works now too. Finally making use of that CarPlay required USB hub upgrade I bought a year ago (HC3Z-19A387-B BLUE). Didn't have to replace the APIM !
-Mike

 

I also have problems with APIM: sometimes freezing, sometimes being unresponsive, etc. I own an F150 King Ranch, 2016, out of warranty, but I have the PremiumCare extended warranty with a $100 deductible. The dealership said that they have to check first if the software is up to date. They will charge me $165 for diagnosis, and whatever is to install the latest software. If the problems persist within 2-3 weeks, I need to get it back, and then run some more diagnostics, and only after that can they try to replace the APIM (after I pay the deductible, which may or not be waived if the service dept manager agrees to it). However, if it starts acting up in 2 months after that, they will have to run again the diagnosis at a price of $165, and start all over again. It doesn't seem to be right, as pretty soon I may be out of more money than if I just buy an APIM and install it. Any thoughts?
Thanks
PS, MyFord says that my Sync3 is up to date

 

try cyanlabs sync 3.4 upgrade first, if it still acts up APIM is bad, buy from reputable seller on Ebay.

 

Ford has been sending dealers nasty-grams about replacing APIMs that haven't been updated to the latest software before replacing them. That is where that is coming from. If you are on V3.0 19205 you are on the latest. If you have lag etc, they will test the APIM, it will fail and replacement would be needed. Since you have the extended warranty it should be covered.

 

Is this upgrade compatible with APIM 2016?

 

Any Sync 3 system can be upgraded to 3.4. These guys are experts.