Overtemperature Condition - Badlands

[jamlot]

I had an annoying and potentially troubling issue happen with my new 2023 BS Badlands on a recent trip:

L.A. to Vegas trip, with approx. 1000 miles on the Odometer. I was trying to take it easy as per the engine break-in instructions, but at one point in the trip, going uphill on the freeway in approx 110 degree heat, I accelerated (pedal to the floor for a a few seconds) to pass someone and I got some engine temp / coolant warning, and saw that the engine temp had surged very high. The vehicle went into limp mode and I pulled over immediately. Turned off vehicle for a min, then back on, and everything seemed back to normal. Pulled over at next gas stop and inspected coolant and could see no other issues with the vehicle. Drove the rest of the way to Vegas with no problem.

The vehicle sat in parking lot for a couple days until the trip back home. Drove around Vegas a bit - no problems. About 30 min into the trip back home on the freeway, I got a wrench icon and vehicle seemed to be in limp mode again. Same routine as before with restarting vehicle, no more limp mode, but now I had check engine light. Ford Pass app showed 'Service Engine Alert', with detail being "The Engine Control System has detected the engine has reached an 'Overtemperature' condition." and "Check the vehicles coolant level." I checked coolant level again, and it was fine. The vehicle was not in limp mode, seemed to be running fine, and I was in the middle of nowhere, so I drove it back to L.A. taking it super easy and staying under 65, A/C lowish, and no major accelerations the whole way.

Took it to dealer when I got back, they ran diagnostics and picked up the same/similar error codes, but could not explain why. They cleared the codes and said they drove the vehicle around to try and reproduce the issue, but could not. I've had the vehicle back for about a month now and haven't had any issues, but have also not pushed it too hard in the summer heat, and wanting the engine to finish it's break-in period.

Has anyone had this overtemp condition? I'm hoping this was just new vehicle computer gremlins shaking out and it won't re-surface, but not very confidence inspiring for a new vehicle. FWIW, I had an 2021 OB before this that I traded in, and didn't have any issues like this.

Thanks for any tips!

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[gatornek]

I stopped at 1000miles on ODO. LA to Vegas. August heat. Up a hill .... and then...

"Why in the Lord's name would you accelrate?"

I've driven between Vegas and SOcal on numerous occasions. It is not a drive I would take in my brand spankin new Badlands, in the middle of Summer. You gotta give you engine some time to break in before you put it through a fairly solid 'torture test' like that one. And fine, lets say, you GOTTA make the drive. I would baby it the whole way there, and stop for a good 20-30 minutes AT LEAST twice to let the engine take a break.

 

[gatornek]

FWIW, I broke down in Death Valley National Park with someone once. Driving that are of the country during this time of year is a heavy duty task for ANY engine, let alone a 1K

Essentially, your engine tripped 'overheat' and that had to be cleared out of the PCM before it would go away. And it went away because the Death Valley conditions went away. You should be good. I'd recommend moving to full synthetic oil. I changed mine out in my Badlands at 1K miles. Full synthetic oil is better at preventing overheat conditions, although I'm not saying it would've prevented it here.

 

[Sandman]

I had this happen last month. I just had my FE in for a warranty A/C problem repair. Upon getting it back I went on a routine 100-mile trip with A/C on each time I accelerated to pass a car the warning came up. The A/C was not cooling the car. Eventually, my FE went into limp mode and could not be driven over 45 MPH. The vehicle CPU turns off A/C and the turbocharger is bypassed to keep from overheating. Apparently, the plastic shutters in front of the radiator were not opening and causing overheating conditions. It's a cheaply made system with a linkage that is fragile. The solenoid failed causing the shutters to stay closed all of the time. At the time the FE was at 16,000 miles on the odometer and up till now, I had no issues in any driving conditions. They replaced the entire shutter and solenoid. I get it back next week lets hope its good to go.

 

[rocks]

I hate the shutter systems on vehicles. Just another thing to go wrong like it did for you. It's a wonder the system works in snow/ice climates.

 

[hellb0y]

This is very weird - an overheating condition in such brand new vehicle is not a good sign…I understand it was hot outside but doesn’t sound like you were overloaded or anything or the sorts to even trigger this…

 

[rocks]

This is very weird - an overheating condition in such brand new vehicle is not a good sign…I understand it was hot outside but doesn’t sound like you were overloaded or anything or the sorts to even trigger this…

Exactly right. Not normal. Vehicles run in hot weather. As he stated, a shutter issue. Scary.

 

[jamlot]

Apparently, the plastic shutters in front of the radiator were not opening and causing overheating conditions. It's a cheaply made system with a linkage that is fragile. The solenoid failed causing the shutters to stay closed all of the time. At the time the FE was at 16,000 miles on the odometer and up till now, I had no issues in any driving conditions. They replaced the entire shutter and solenoid. I get it back next week lets hope its good to go.

Thanks, this is very helpful info. I haven’t had the issue since getting back from the dealer about a month ago, though as I said I haven’t really pushed it since then since I just broke past the 1300 mile mark. Although I haven’t had the issue pop-up again, I’m afraid it might if put in similar conditions, so I should prob see if they will inspect the system you described to see if it needs to be replaced. Though with my luck they’ll probably say they don’t see any issues and refuse to replace anything unless this happens again. They said they “checked everything” and all looked fine, but you know how that goes…

 

[Fergus]

21 Outback just did this yesterday and today when getting on highway and going up hill for 1st 10 minutes then temp goes back down. Then I can drive normally. Wierd. Is it a shutter issue???

 

[Ford Motor Company]

21 Outback just did this yesterday and today when getting on highway and going up hill for 1st 10 minutes then temp goes back down. Then I can drive normally. Wierd. Is it a shutter issue???

Hi there! Will you send us a message with your VIN and your local Ford dealer? I can look into things on my end.

 

[Arthonon]

Hi All, new to the forums here, and I'm sorry for resurrecting this old thread, but I found it while doing a search for an issue. I also apologize for this being my introduction to the forums.

I just bought a 2021 Bronco Sport Badlands, had test driven it twice and drove it for 35 miles home with no issues, but the very next morning, I noticed a new sound, kind of a whining or high-pitched buzz or hiss from the engine, and then while driving 9 miles to work, I had a high coolant temp error pop up on the screen and the car went into limp mode.

I found a side road and pulled over, and before I even stopped, the error went away. I parked for a few, checked things on the engine and the coolant level seemed fine and there were no leaks. The actual temperature gage didn't seem to show a high level. It was a cool day, below 60F, so I don't think that was a factor.

After that, I started it up and drove the remaining couple of miles to work and had no issues, but still heard the sound, although it seemed more quiet. I'm pretty sure the sound isn't the turbo, as it was audible instantly after starting it. It's also possible that I just didn't notice it before a quiet morning startup, and of course there certainly may not be a connection to the error message.

After it sitting for an hour or so, I drove it for another 5 or 6 miles, on both surface streets and the freeway, and had no issue.

Does this sound familiar to anyone here? The drivetrain still has 14 months of warranty coverage so if there is an issue, I'm hoping it's covered. I'm probably having a strong reaction because it's the day after I bought it, and I wasn't expecting any issues so soon.

Thanks!

 

[Quashish]

How many miles?

One thing I might try is open the coolant reservoir cap and run the car with the heater on all the way see if any air bubbles come up in the coolant tank

 

[Arthonon]

Thanks Quashish, it's just under 44,000 miles.

I'll try your suggestion and see what happens - thanks again!

 

[Quashish]

my idea behind this is since its certified used type of thing, I assume they did a fluid change before reselling. maybe the tech missed a step and didn't burp the coolant system? I know you drove it twice before this but. idk, air pockets can maybe get a system with so many electronics involved a little screwy.

hopefully someone else has an idea.

where in the cabin did the sound seem like it was coming from? driver side or passenger?

 

[Arthonon]

Hey, my apologies for not responding for a while, I started trying to get a recording of the sound to post here, and while doing that, the over-heat message popped up again and I got it on video. The vehicle seems fine, then suddenly overheats (the temp gauge does show high temp), but then a minute later, everything is good, and it can be fine for a couple of days.

But I called the dealership from where I bought it, which isn't a Ford dealership and it's not a CPO, but they are still working to take care of me, potentially going as far as paying a Ford dealership to fix it, so I think it will be taken care of.

They think it's either the shutters malfunctioning, a bad sensor, or thermostat. I should know more in a few days.

Thanks!

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