Post recall software update blues

[SondraBurnsRed]

My Bronco sport was runing pretty good before I did the update (recall 24s24). Didn't really have any weird issues besides bad gas mileage. After I did the update every time I'm idling I get charge system service soon. My gas mileage dipped to about 16 MPG. Before that I was averaging around 20. I am pretty freaking upset. I was on the fence about getting the update since my car was running fine and everything was working as it should. My Auto stop start does not work anymore. I had replaced the battery a little less than a year ago and I didn't have any issues after that. I am just so frustrated with this vehicle and I don't trust it. I have a feeling that I'm going to get stuck somewhere and that is an awful feeling to have with a vehicle that is less than 3 years old. It has stalled out on me 2x already. Once I was able to start it right back up and the second time I was stuck in traffic for a little longer but it did start after a few minutes. I've been through nothing but problems with this car. Two water pumps, thermostat, an RDU replacement, had to have the camshaft carrier gasket replaced, a new torque converter, and now this shit. My car feels like it's going to stall out every time I get gas. I will never buy another Ford again. I called Ford a few weeks ago and submitted a complaint about this car and that got me nowhere. They really need to do something if they want to keep their customers. Sorry if it seems like I'm rambling on I'm just frustrated and Ford is no help.

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[Dude]

My Bronco sport was runing pretty good before I did the update (recall 24s24). Didn't really have any weird issues besides bad gas mileage. After I did the update every time I'm idling I get check charge system now. My gas mileage dip to about 16 MPG. Before that I was averaging around 20. My Auto stop start does not work anymore. I had replaced the battery a little less than a year ago and I didn't have any issues after that.

Here is another post for the same message “Charging System Service Soon” (Dec 2022) so perhaps that message is not the added messaging that’s part of Recall 24S24 or perhaps the recall invokes the same message (Ford has not stated what is the messaging that got added with Recall 24S24).

You might want to look over the following post and see if there are any tidbits of help. You already got a new battery a year ago.. do you remember if the dealership did a thorough test of the charging system including alternator, etc?

https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/2022-bronco-sport-check-charging-system.7829/

 

[SondraBurnsRed]

Here is another post for the same message “Charging System Service Soon” (Dec 2022) so perhaps that message is not the added messaging that’s part of Recall 24S24 or perhaps the recall invokes the same message (Ford has not stated what is the messaging that got added with Recall 24S24).

You might want to look over the following post and see if there are any tidbits of help. You already got a new battery a year ago.. do you remember if the dealership did a thorough test of the charging system including alternator, etc?

https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/2022-bronco-sport-check-charging-system.7829/

The message wasn't coming up until I did the recall. Literally the same day. I ran tests on my alternator to make sure that it's actually charging and it is. I didn't go through the dealership to get a new battery due to the fact that the motorcraft batteries were junk and didn't want to pay $300 for a new one from Ford that's gonna last 2 years. I got an AGM battery from elsewhere. After I put the battery in, my auto start stop started working again and I noticed i wasn't having the trouble starting the car like I was before that. I did not have any tests done after I put the battery in. I work at a dealer And most of the work has been done by me in the shop. But I have never seen so many damn issues with any other bronco sports.

 

[ScareCrow]

The message wasn't coming up until I did the recall. Literally the same day. I ran tests on my alternator to make sure that it's actually charging and it is. I didn't go through the dealership to get a new battery due to the fact that the motorcraft batteries were junk and didn't want to pay $300 for a new one from Ford that's gonna last 2 years. I got an AGM battery from elsewhere. After I put the battery in, my auto start stop started working again and I noticed i wasn't having the trouble starting the car like I was before that. I did not have any tests done after I put the battery in. I work at a dealer And most of the work has been done by me in the shop. But I have never seen so many damn issues with any other bronco sports.

This thread sounds like a lot of your problems.......

Sorry to hear of all the problems, my 21 Badlands has been great. Knock on wood

 

[Dude]

The message wasn't coming up until I did the recall. Literally the same day
I ran tests on my alternator to make sure that it's actually charging and it is.
I did not have any tests done after I put the (AGM) battery in.

That kinda confirms the “Charging System Service Soon” message likely is triggered due to the Recall 24s24 BCM/PCM Calibration changes.

Something detected by those Calibration values spits out that message now. The recall only states this about the added messaging “…and (recall 24S24) provide notification to the driver if the battery is degraded”.

I would guess the SOH (State of Health) of your battery is below the percentage Ford software deems is good. Most Ford dealerships have the tool that provides the SOH test and this is what another (now former) Ford person said about that topic in a different thread: (https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/battery-state-of-health-report-from-dealer.10826/)

“SOH is determined by an external tester (Midtronics GR-1) based on internal capacitance of the battery. SOH > 50% is reported as "Good".”
Midtronics GR-1 Battery Management Center

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V267-6161.PDF

 

[Bronclahoma]

My Bronco sport was runing pretty good before I did the update. Didn't really have any weird issues besides bad gas mileage. After I did the update every time I'm idling I get check charge system now. My gas mileage dip to about 16 MPG. Before that I was averaging around 20. I am pretty freaking upset. I was on the fence about getting the update since my car was running fine and everything was working as it should. My Auto stop start does not work anymore. I had replaced the battery a little less than a year ago and I didn't have any issues after that. I am just so frustrated with this vehicle and I don't trust it. I have a feeling that I'm going to get stuck somewhere and that is an awful feeling to have with a vehicle that is less than 3 years old. I've been through nothing but problems with this car. Two water pumps, an RDU replacement, had to have the camshaft carrier gasket replaced, I've had a new torque converter, and now this shit. My car feels like it's going to stall out every time I get gas. I will never buy another Ford again. I called Ford a few weeks ago and submitted a complaint about this car and that got me nowhere. They really need to do something if they want to keep their customers. Sorry if it seems like I'm rambling on I'm just frustrated and Ford is no help.

I feel for you. I can only imagine how helpless people feel in your situation. I'd get this rig running and trade it.

My son runs a fleet of thousands of vehicles. Everything from a few half-tons to big rigs. He buys a lot of 2500 and 3500's. He has even bought a handful of BS for company cars in areas that have snow. He has commented that he is having higher maintenance costs on Fords. Chevy 3500 cab and chassis don't work well for his applications. He is buying more Rams. He's had problems with his own company Ford rides, the Eco-boost twin turbos. His last one was on its third set of turbos at 87K. He is currently driving a K2500 Chevy with a 6.2L gas engine.

I've had a 21 BL and now driving a 23 BL. I've been fortunate. Other than the update recall that was done at my home, neither BL had any service. Battery died on the 21 in eighteen months and now we now why. Plus it was a lead acid battery. So is the one on my 23. I've enjoyed both BLs, although I'm thinking about trading my current one for something with more off-road capability. Probably not a Ford. Ford needs to do better.

 

[BabyBen]

I had a similar message about a year ago and then a few days later I was stuck. It was the original battery which was not an AGM. After AGM replacement no problems but just to be sure I carry a NOCO with me. Surprised at your mileage. My displayed mileage runs about 25 in town and between 29 to 35 on road. My recall is set for Monday and I will ask them if I can expect new messaging. Really dislike the Auto-Start function. In Florida heat the car stalls at every stop if I forget to push the off button. Got to be hard on the engine and starter. Worst feature ever designed for a gas engine by far, my opinion. Wish I could just turn it off permanently.

 

[Debby]

FYI. My wife’s 2023 BS went in for a software recall two weeks ago. After 800 miles, all is well. It seems to run exactly as before the recall and still gets 27.6 mpg. Am I just lucky??

 

[SondraBurnsRed]

I had a similar message about a year ago and then a few days later I was stuck. It was the original battery which was not an AGM. After AGM replacement no problems but just to be sure I carry a NOCO with me. Surprised at your mileage. My displayed mileage runs about 25 in town and between 29 to 35 on road. My recall is set for Monday and I will ask them if I can expect new messaging. Really dislike the Auto-Start function. In Florida heat the car stalls at every stop if I forget to push the off button. Got to be hard on the engine and starter. Worst feature ever designed for a gas engine by far, my opinion. Wish I could just turn it off permanently.

Sadly the auto start stop working means my car is working fine. ? I don't mind it here in PA. When I bought the car after a few months it stopped working. Then after owning it for 2 years, the battery died. Then I put a new different brand AGM in and everything was working just fine. Until the damn update.

 

[SondraBurnsRed]

I feel for you. I can only imagine how helpless people feel in your situation. I'd get this rig running and trade it.

My son runs a fleet of thousands of vehicles. Everything from a few half-tons to big rigs. He buys a lot of 2500 and 3500's. He has even bought a handful of BS for company cars in areas that have snow. He has commented that he is having higher maintenance costs on Fords. Chevy 3500 cab and chassis don't work well for his applications. He is buying more Rams. He's had problems with his own company Ford rides, the Eco-boost twin turbos. His last one was on its third set of turbos at 87K. He is currently driving a K2500 Chevy with a 6.2L gas engine.

I've had a 21 BL and now driving a 23 BL. I've been fortunate. Other than the update recall that was done at my home, neither BL had any service. Battery died on the 21 in eighteen months and now we now why. Plus it was a lead acid battery. So is the one on my 23. I've enjoyed both BLs, although I'm thinking about trading my current one for something with more off-road capability. Probably not a Ford. Ford needs to do better.

I wish I could get rid of it. I'm a college student now and can't afford to buy another car right now. I was making a hell of a lot more money then when I bought it. I'm done with school next May, so I just need it to last until then.

 

[Robink]

After the recall I lost 2mpg. Why is that??

 

[Mark S.]

After the recall I lost 2mpg. Why is that??

From the reports of some, it sounds as though the software controlling the transmission is reset. These vehicles employ a learning function to adapt to individual driver's habits. It may be that your transmission hasn't yet adapted back to your driving habits. Give it a tank or two, then check it again.

 

[sajohnson]

Really dislike the Auto-Start function. In Florida heat the car stalls at every stop if I forget to push the off button. Got to be hard on the engine and starter. Worst feature ever designed for a gas engine by far, my opinion. Wish I could just turn it off permanently.

My wife is the primary driver of the BS BL. She is in the habit of turning off the auto stop/start right after starting the engine, but I agree, being able to turn it off permanently would be better.

I seem to recall reading here on the forum that there is a way to disable it. You might want to do a search and see what you find (if you haven't already).

Presumably, Ford took the added stress of the stop/start function into account, and used a more durable starter, starter solenoid, etc. I'd include a better battery in that list, but that doesn't seem to be the case... Regardless, it's obviously better not to cycle the starting system every time a vehicle comes to a stop. I assume that feature is included to help Ford meet CAFE standards.

A potential silver lining is that if Ford did beef up the starting system, and auto stop/start is NOT used, there should be fewer than average issues with it.

 

[ATLAS BLUE BADLANDS]

I had a similar message about a year ago and then a few days later I was stuck. It was the original battery which was not an AGM. After AGM replacement no problems but just to be sure I carry a NOCO with me. Surprised at your mileage. My displayed mileage runs about 25 in town and between 29 to 35 on road. My recall is set for Monday and I will ask them if I can expect new messaging. Really dislike the Auto-Start function. In Florida heat the car stalls at every stop if I forget to push the off button. Got to be hard on the engine and starter. Worst feature ever designed for a gas engine by far, my opinion. Wish I could just turn it off permanently.

See the ASS Eliminator link in my signature - one of the first things I did on the wife's '24 Outback and my '24 Bronco Sport. VERY easy install in the Bronco Sport. A little more involved in the Subaru Outback.

 

[BabyBen]

My wife is the primary driver of the BS BL. She is in the habit of turning off the auto stop/start right after starting the engine, but I agree, being able to turn it off permanently would be better.

I seem to recall reading here on the forum that there is a way to disable it. You might want to do a search and see what you find (if you haven't already).

Presumably, Ford took the added stress of the stop/start function into account, and used a more durable starter, starter solenoid, etc. I'd include a better battery in that list, but that doesn't seem to be the case... Regardless, it's obviously better not to cycle the starting system every time a vehicle comes to a stop. I assume that feature is included to help Ford meet CAFE standards.

A potential silver lining is that if Ford did beef up the starting system, and auto stop/start is NOT used, there should be fewer than average issues with it.

I know there are ways to disable it but I am on extended warranty and messing with the software or hardware may void it. the best one I heard of is plugging a dummy connector into the camper hookup to fool the system that a trailer is attached. But that may wipe out eco mode. Not sure. This way I can just pull the plug prior to servicing at Ford. Hope your right about the starter having longer life. I am an old time backyard mechanic and back then re-starting a hot engine too much could cause pre-mature breakdown.

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