There have been four OTA updates to F-150s since roughly March. While the '21 F-150 has been out longer than that of course, Ford said OTA updates would come a little while after launch so that isn't unusual. In those four OTA updates (A bug fix one that didn't have a name, Power-Up 1.4, Power-Up 1.6, and now Power-Up 1.7.1), they have offered new features and fixed bugs.

They have released four in roughly 7 months, which is better than quarterly. They are still getting in the groove of it too.

So your post seems largely uninformed or at least exaggerated. The number of OTA updates will vary depending on build date. Mine has received three of them, but was built after the first one (the no-name one) was released, so it was just baked in already.

Ford can certainly improve, but I feel they are. The original update just said "bug fixes" in the patch notes, and customers said Ford needs to be more descriptive. And every update since has been more descriptive (can still be better), with the 1.7.1 patch notes being the most significant in terms of information.

 

Yes you are correct, it is 100% uninformed because Ford 100% intentionally keeps the consumer uniformed by sharing no revision history notes or release dates. Since owning my 2021 for 3 months now, I’ve received 1.4 and my Sync system is still incredibly buggy. My scheduling SecuriAlerts still gives errors saying FordPass isn’t responding Ford says goto the dealer, the dealer says contact Ford. My Sync screen randomly fades to black requiring a press of the brightness button to bring back alive. Sometimes auto folding mirrors don’t deploy on ignition. There are a LOT of bugs at this point and not a lot of spirited approach to fixing them.

I am a pretty tech savvy guy and have done resets, pulled fuses, take to the dealer, and what it really boils down to is software. Also, it is pretty annoying that Ford missed their “BlueCruise functionality expected 3rd quarter 2021CY” date and has said nothing about it. It’s even more troubling that it still reads that statement today on my connected services tab even after missing that date.

 

I do feel sorry for the dealerships; they have a bunch of guys who are used to turning wrenches, who are suddenly being thrust into the role of an IT help desk. They probably get something like a two hour video course on the trucks, and then are supposed to troubleshoot them. Dealers are going to have to hire IT/tech guys; currently they seem helpless at understanding problems - “Uh, it doesn’t work? Be patient, an OTA will fix it. Eventually. Maybe….”

 

https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos...ked-questions/

They have a few FAQs on the update, covering the BC update now indicating Fall 2021. BlueCruise was delivered by end of Q3 2021, as the statement on connected services just says BlueCruise functionality expected Q3 2021, and they have had it on newly delivered vehicles in that time. It doesn't say OTA update delivered by Q3 2021, that is just what we have all expected from it.

As to your other issues, some are probably not bugs? I have never, not once, had my power mirrors not deploy when I unlock the truck. That may be a body module problem. I also have never had my screen fade to black. As a fairly technical person, you should hopefully understand that not all problems are software.

I dunno, I feel like I am going down the road of sounding like a Ford apologist. I am not, and wish I had BlueCruise on my truck as much as anyone. It just feels like being an apologist when countering random attacks that even if based on some truth (Ford absolutely should do better on communicating the OTA time table for BC), seem to stretch beyond that and then bring in other problems that most don't experience (yours is the first I have heard of the power mirror issue) and expect it is some bug in the software instead of a possible wiring issue with your truck. Wiring issue that in a perfect world wouldn't exist, it just doesn't stand to reason to expect Ford to fix problems that may be hardware with OTA software updates. An actual software issue that Ford is fixing with an update is the Power Running boards redeploying after you lock the truck but are near it.

I have had my truck for five months now, and haven't encountered the issues you mentioned. My truck has nearly every feature an F-150 offers except adaptive steering and massaging seats, so it certainly isn't due to lack of content.

 

I had to set the option in the menu to activate the mirrors fold in and fold out, the power running boards redeploying after the truck is locked, sure it's annoying but not the end of the world, and for BlueCruise, i donno how much they are gonna charge to have it active, but a 2.5lbs weight sure is cheaper than what they gonna charge and it does the same thing

 

vulnox I sent you a message.

 

I completely agree with all of these statements and as a professional IT person who wears many many hats, I see this from multiple perspectives.

I love my truck mechanically aside from likely needing my steering column replaced because it rumbles and groans when moving into positions (Really really loud!)

I hate the software on this truck all of it feels like a proof of concept and highly unfinished (a simple example is the 12" instrument cluster. Why can't I customize the layout or the look of the gauges?)
The plain and simple fact is that I purchased a 72 thousand dollar truck and it's a perfectly reasonable expectation that ford would fix the pending issues in a timely manner.
There should have been a steady stream of bug fixes in the first 6 months of this new model. They pushed out a Gateway module update and TCU update to support SecuriAlerts.

Ford rushed the release of this OTA system to meet the production deadline and really dropped the ball by marketing the **** out of the OTA system that wasn't even tested and ready.
It just leaves me with a poor ownership experience and I've been a die-hard Ford guy my whole life (used to work for ford, and my grandfather was the president of the local UAW before I was born, and lots of families worked there)
These are no longer just vehicles they are rolling computers run by software and I'm tired of the same old Ford BS of releasing it and owners just dealing with it while paying a heavily bloated price for the experience.


I've never seen such a capable platform be crippled by horrible software as much as Ford has the F150.

 

Problem with the 2.5 lb weight is the obstruction on the wheel that more likely than theoretically would interfere in an emergency situation placing all of the liability directly on your shoulders. I don't know about you, but I certainly want nothing to do with being the guy on the news who killed someone or multiple someones in an accident by misusing jazzercise equipment . Meanwhile the sheriff shows photos of my ankle weight on my steering wheel as he builds a case for manslaughter and places me on the front page of Jalopnik as the meme of automotive stupidity. Its like the people who have died in Tesla's because they were in the back seat with autopilot engaged. I don't need to be that guy to save $600.

 

I've noticed on my truck that if I had if I get in the truck and immediately turn on the ignition it would sometimes kill the power to all accessories and stop the mirror and never attempt again. I then had to cycle the mirrors in and out with the button on the drivers door.

 

I would have to try that. My mirrors have never been an issue, but I rarely jump in and hit ignition immediately, I would have to be moving pretty quick. The moment I touch the door handle and it unlocks the truck they start deploying.