“Early next year, Ford is sending flash drives with a software upgrade to approximately 250,000 U.S. customers with MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch, the equivalent system in Ford’s luxury Lincoln brand. Owners can do the upgrade themselves in about 45 minutes, or dealers will do it for free. Ford is still deciding how it will offer the upgrade to 200,000 buyers outside of the U.S.,” Dee-Ann Durbin reports for The Associated Press.
“Ford knows of no other car company that has given owners the option of upgrading their own software on this scale. The unprecedented step underscores the urgency of the problem for Ford, which last month fell from 10th place to 20th place in Consumer Reports’ annual reliability rankings largely because of MyFord Touch. Ford also plummeted in a J.D. Power quality survey earlier this year,” Durbin reports. “Sync, a four-year-old voice command system that Ford designed with Microsoft Corp., serves as the platform for the more advanced MyFord Touch.”
Durbin reports, “Forrest Brown, a Ford dealer in Dyersville, Iowa, got a barrage of complaints last winter when customers were unable to defrost their windshields or turn up the heat because their screens were going blank.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: When crap collides.
Related articles:
Microsoft’s confusing, buggy Sync sinks Ford’s J.D. Power quality ratings – June 23, 2011
Ford: Apple iPhone compatibility coming to SYNC AppLink-capable vehicles in early 2011 – December 23, 2010
When crap collides: Ford and Microsoft team up for in-vehicle operating system – December 29, 2006
OMG. I thought the interface was just for music and navigation stuff. Critical functions run thru Microsoft?????
What were they thinking.?????
en
They were thinking just like Boeing, which is where Ford’s current CEO, Alan Mulally, came from. The close proximity of Redmond to Seattle has resulted in Boeing drinking the Kool-aid.
Boeing’s headquarters haven’t been in the northwest for years.
Neat theory but Boeing dosen’t use MS software for any avionics functions.
They’ve seen what MS software has done to US Navy ships.
lol. I remember that story. It was a warship wasn’t it? running NT4 if I remember right.
I doubt MS ever came up in any manner during discussions about avionics control systems. That is not a function that can be taken lightly.
I have no clue about the 787 but the 777 Avionics were designed by Honeywell.
they have never had a crash in a 777 that has resulted in a lose of life. The last time I checked it ranked 2nd in air safety right behind the Airbus A340.
A fatality or injury caused by a non-functioning equipment will land Ford and Microsoft in criminal, not civil court.
I live in Detroit. The ford tech guy at my church says the system was built using flash. Yeah, adobe flash. So there you go.
Interesting that my 2006 MDX has all the controls in the touch screen and it’s never frozen up, never rebooted, and all the other crap happening with the Ford/MS system. As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. Too bad that an Explorer costs about the same as an MDX and there is no comparison in the quality.
MDX rocks!!
What is MDX
ACURA SUV!
MDX is an Acura SUV. I have a 2011 TSX and the software is Microsoft proof errrr Bullet Proof!
Same with my 2012 RDX…..loving Acura!
Basic touch screen functions are easy to produce. Nothing exotic. It is the same as a switch with a screen as it primary source switch. Much as a cell phone blown up in oversize manner. Generally they function as well as any switch. Ford decided to use “Microsoft” and the underpinnings. Ford can easily build the electronics that drive the system as Honda would. But, they trusted the blue screw and. Virus probe Microsoft to drive the system. Hence the update. Not an electronic hardware recall. Thus indicating, at this time, that there system is as Honda’s, reliable. But the. Operating system and code, Microsoft, needing a fix. As any Mac user knows, by a PC with Windows and have a boatload of issues. Or, buy a Mac and far fewer. Ford would be better advised to put iPads as the interface and be done with Windowz. It is. Ot a Honda vs Ford. It is Microsoft.
I see that you’ve disabled spelling and grammar checking on your system. When you pontificate about the superiority of our chosen system, do us all a favour and proof your writing before posting.
True your NAV may not go blank but thats a first gen MDX so hopefully yours is not among the ones with faulty torque converters that can cause a sudden loss of power or destroy the $4000 transmission with little warning.
Nice rigs regardless and id still take one but anything can have issues.
Too bad Ford and MS slacked on QC. The first release of sync got high marks.
Integrating lots of electronic screens and gizmos in a car has always seemed very dicey to me for multiple reasons, not the least of which are the extreme temperature changes when a vehicle sits out in the open in the winter and summer. Especially in the south.
Also the dealers charge out the wazoo to fix that stuff.
Exactly.
If they want true ‘reliability’ then they need to go back to a system that can never fail.. like the windshield wiper control system on the WWII era Willy’s Overland Jeeps…
A HAND CRANK… Now that is RELIABILITY … well until the passenger gets shot or something…
😉
Totally agree, Synth. When I had my XLR a couple of years back, I came out to it one morning and nothing worked; wouldn’t turn over even, and every electric function was haywire. Called Cadillac, they sent out roadside assistance: the tech pops the hood, disconnects the battery, waits thirty seconds and reconnects it. Everything ran perfectly. Tech said it happened all the time, and I had to repeat the procedure myself half a dozen times. I had to reboot my car! Reminded me of the old joke about “if Microsoft built cars”. And now Ford is more or less letting them do that. At least it didn’t need a firmware upgrade!
I liked the part of the story where it talked about Apple
1
ROFL. You’ll just have to make allowances for us old time Mac users who get perverse pleasure from reading about MS fouling up yet again.
+1
I loath Sync in my Ford Edge.
Love the Ford, hate the Sync.
OK, it has to be said:
If Ford had worked with Apple, not only would the controls work, they would have a simple GI so anyone could use it without reaching for the manuel.
No one wants to have a system that breaks down be it an engine, Transmission, or their “sync” system, but when you cut corners like Microsoft does, you have to expect it.
Ford is currently not classy enough to work with Apple. Mercedes could be more appropriate variant, but, anyway, none of the parties are very interested in each other since both do their own voice assistant service.
Have the tried opening and closing the doors? I believe that sometimes works for Windows.
I was thinking maybe of treating like a dell laptop… disconnect the battery for a few minutes and it will probably boot back up and work for awhile.
At least our service center at work tells me this is a good fix for dull’s that wont init the display during boot lol
Actually that is a Microsoft update. Every other month Microsoft adds a bit of software in the monthly update that prevents the “init the display during boot” for all computers using an early version of XP. Even if the early version of XP has been updated all the way to SP 3 you get this problem that indicates a bogus HD failure.
Someone wants to sell more Windows 7 computers.
How did you do that?
If the system controls central functions then it should work perfectly all the time.
Ford are blaming the phone manufacturers for sync problems. Should have thought about that before releasing the system.
Friends don’t let Friends drive w/ Microsoft….
As you’re flying through the windscreen as a result of your Ford coming to a screeching halt due to the brakes being applied inadvertently due to failure in Microsoft designed software, the last thing on your mind will be, “Oh my God, it’s the blue screen of death.”
Wouldn’t that be the “Windscreen” of death?
My Canadian Fusion has the older Sync system with only the LED screen, so it has been straightforward to use. But it doesn’t do much. As per my dealers instructions, I’ve tried to use the online tool in the past to update it with a flash drive, but there is no indication that anything has actually happened when it is finished.
No, it’s the Microsoft BSOD when Windows shuts down on you without warning, just as your life is flashing by.
I knew what the OP meant. I was just riding his coattails by combining the BSOD and windscreen aspects into one pun…
Right gotcha. Went right over my head the first time I read it. I thought you meant “windows of death” rather than “windscreen of death.”
Gives new meaning to the phrase “car crash”
or system chrash
I’ve driven many FORD vehicle for work and many other Japanese based cars. All within the same milage range. Every single FORD was a POS. Shakes, rattles, vibrates at high speed, creaks, squeaks and never drives smoothly… The idiot that decided to use MS for their FORD vehicles made the right decision. POS couple with POS = The Best POS money can buy.
Ford = failed on road, dead.
FORD = Fix Or Repair Daily
Generally that has been my experience with American cars going up to the late 90s (the last time I bought a Chevy).
I still have an 88′ Chevy truck that I keep around for hauling and while the truck is well made mechanically, the interior fit and finish is total crap.
My friend’s 2003 Chevy Blazer feels exactly the same, panels rattle at random, the doors start to sag after a few years.
My 96′ isuzu trooper (not a well liked vehicle due to rollover incidents) in contrast feels as tight as the day we got it. Doors close nice and tight, weather stripping is still sealing out cabin nose and the interior does not rattle and feel cheap.
My wife seems to be happy with her 2008 VW Beetle so I’ll probably get another VW when its time to upgrade her.
I’ve heard US manufacturers have improved but I’m hesitant to test that with my hard earned dollars.
Hey, MDN, take a from Jobs. It’s not about what you do, but what you don’t do…what you leave out…like Microsft stories!
How any auto manufacturer allowed a company with a “blue screen of death” history into their cars still amazes me. I recall the story of some rich European whose BMW 7 Series, whose electronics were controlled by Microsoft software, refused to unlock the door. (“Open the car door, HAL!” “I can’t do that, Dave.”) Fire and rescue services finally got him out.
Ford should consider replacing Sync with iOS and Siri.
So it will stop working for several days each week?
So the car will just repeatedly state,”I can’t seem to connect to the network”?
“when crap collides”? that’s a lame comment. Love my Ford trucks. Of course it would be better with a differently designed “sync” system, but Ford makes the best trucks.
No one is surprised and I mean no one.
What I am surprised at is that car makers who have steadily seen & increasingly used electronic controls for 2 decades have not developed their own large internal programming group.
The need was & is obvious.
I have a 09 Flex with sync, and I rarely ever use it although I thought I would use it all the time. Its great that I can have it BT stream my music from my iPhone, but it can be terribly frustrating when trying to access or change functions or settings so it mostly stays turned off.
I’m impressed because I’ve always wondered why car companies never updated their software. I had an SUV a long while back that had about 5 shifting styles built into its chip, but the next year, it had about 200. I wanted to get the updated software but no go.
It’ll be even better when Apple offers software to car mfrs.
Is Apple currrently working with any car manufacturer? Imagine a Siri type interface with iPad like features in the dash. If they slap an Apple logo on the car and make it exclusive to the brand (Audi, Ford, etc..) I bet many people will buy the vehicle. Another new frontier or industry for Apple to disrupt?
FORD = Found On Road Dead; Fix Or Repair Daily – sounds like they continue to live up to their old by-line. I had deep respect for what Mulally and the still involved Fords have been doing with the company (particularly not looking to tax payers for any bail-out) but always thought that their going with Microsoft for their Sync system was totally idiotic. I think that is beginning to prove to be true. When I bought a new car last year, I never considered a Ford product primarily because of MS being involved. I speculate that used Fords ten years from now will sell for much less than other cars because of this MS issue. Btw, Apple should not get involved with doing the software for cars but merely providing license to manufacturers to use something like Airplay so that iDevices can be used to control the software internal to the car.
Ford under Alan Mulally may be concentrating on the right areas, customer satisfaction, quality products, etc. However, they have lost me. I had a Ford that had five recalls within 10 years and when speaking with a person working for Ford in their Parts Department said, “5 recalls in 10 years, you’re doing good!” The MS mentality at Ford became apparent when they started to put out products that they would get right on the third or fourth try.
GM, Chrysler I consider Obama Players since he saved the Unions at the expense of the Bondholders! NO THANK-YOU!
Currently, I am giving Kia a try.
People should be able to download the update from Ford/MS site SyncMyRide.com. Of course, when I went there to update Sync for my Mustang, MS made me click through a bunch of crap..only for the download to fail. They sure don’t make things easy 😉
The basic version of Sync is actually pretty good. I have an old iPod touch connected via USB for music, and it paired with my iPhone (contacts and all) without any issues. I’d use my iPhone for music, but song titles don’t show up over Bluetooth and skipping songs is kind of laggy.
MyFord?
Sounds sexy and desirable.
What a flare for branding these guys have!
I have a 2011 Ford Escape with Sync, I purchased it solely on the recommendation of Leo Laport. It basically works but does not support a lot of what the iPhone 4 should be able to do (IE Read incoming Text messages and send predefined Text messages), It should also be able to do even more using an iPhone 4S and Suri. Does Ford do regular updates or are we stuck with whatever version is in the vehicle at date of manufacture?
I pity you, listening to that fool.
If Apple was forced to undertake a massive operation such as this to replace faulty code on consumer devices globally, it would be massive headline news. There would be tv pundits discussing it and hundreds of related postings to reddit and digg.
Yet it’s barely mentioned anywhere. Microsoft has this magic ability to completely submerge from view whenever another one of its software catastrophes gets going. This kind of media control is beyond Murdochian and it’s damn right creepy.
The in car electronics in my Ford Focus and my previous one have proved to be so unreliable that after 35 years of buying nothing but Fords, I will be looking elsewhere ( Japan probably ) when I buy a new car next year.
It’s bad enough that the car lets me down during a journey, but the total cluelessness of the service staff and the costs and inconvenience incurred with them trying to sort the problems are unacceptable. It’s a shame because every other aspect of my Fords is excellent, but the in-car electronics have become a deal breaker.
There is no way that I will be spending a great deal of money in order continue being a beta tester for Microsoft’s experiments.
Ford urgently needs to learn that if they choose to fit a flawed electronics control system, then they might as well fit an unreliable engine too, as the car is unusable either way. In-car electronics are so tightly integrated into the car that third party replacements are impossible. The cost of a reliable operating system shouldn’t be significant, but the downside of using an unreliable operating system is massive. There are some things that you simply must not skimp on.