krjones

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Ford Mustang Mach-E I had BlueCruise installed by Ford service. Here's what to expect... Cruise_Mustang-Mach-E_02_M.jpg.renditions.original


On Tuesday, I took my 2021 Mach-E into my local Ford dealer, so that they could manually install the necessary updates to enable Blue Cruise. A bit of background, back in late-January my vehicle stopped communicating with Ford Pass. I think this was a common issue with one of the OTA updates messing up the TCU or something. Regardless, the vehicle hasn't been connecting to cloud services for months now, so I wanted the updates installed not just for Blue Cruise capabilities, but also just to get the modem up and running again.

Anyway, I came to my appointment armed with the attached PDF (OPTIONAL PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM 21G01) provided by Ford to its service techs, outlining the steps to perform all the updates. I did this, because I've heard that since they don't get paid for performing these updates, service reps will claim that they can't do it. I've personally been told that certain things can't be done when I know for a fact that they can. Thankfully, I got no resistance, and the rep I was working with was great, but I'd still advise people to come prepared.

The most important thing to note about this process is that IT TAKES A LONG TIME. You'll see in the PDF that there are numerous modules that need to be installed. Initially I was told it would take 8 hours. I left the dealership, and awaited a phone call telling me my car was ready for pickup. A couple minutes before closing time, they called and said that it was taking longer than they thought, because something had crashed during one of the updates. They said it would be ready around lunchtime the following day, but in my mind I'm thinking, "Wait, it crashed mid-update. Is my car bricked?"

By mid-afternoon I still hadn't heard from the service rep, so I tried calling, left messages, but no one called me back. Again, I'm thinking, they've bricked my car, and they're trying to figure out what to do about it before they tell me. Eventually my wife just drove me out to the dealership, so I could talk to them in person. Timing was good, because they said the tech was out doing the mandatory test drive to ensure the Blue Cruise was functioning properly.

While I was waiting, a service rep explained that mine was the first vehicle they'd done these updates on. He confirmed that after the mid-update software crash that the car was completely unresponsive for a period of time, and they thought they'd bricked it. Somehow, though, they brought it back to life, and all was well. He said that while Ford estimates it's an 8 hour job, they found it was more like 12 hours, but I'm not sure if they're counting the panicked troubleshooting they had to do to resuscitate my car.

Another important note: the rep told me that just that day Ford had mandated that owners who bring their Mach-E in for the Blue Cruise update be given a rental vehicle, since the process takes so long. Even if it had been an option presented to me, I probably wouldn't have taken it, because my circumstances didn't necessitate a loaner, but still good to know.

I haven't had a chance to try the Blue Cruise yet, but I'm happy to report that all the systems that weren't functioning these past few months are now restored, and I'm maybe even seeing improved range?? Admittedly, this could just be my imagination or coincidence that the weather has been warmer this week, but a 100% charge was giving me 250 miles of range, and now it's giving me 309 according to FordPass. 🤷‍♂️ Also could be my imagination, but the touch screen seems to be way more responsive than it was before, and I like the little design changes, like moving the on-screen volume meter so it's not shooting vertically through the middle of the screen anymore.

Anyway, to sum up:
• Come with the OPIP doc in case the service rep doesn't know about the update or is trying to get out of having to do it.​
• Expect 8-12 hours for the job to be completed. This isn't a "wait-in-the-lounge" type of service appointment.​
• If you need a loaner, and it's not offered to you, tell them you heard that Ford has informed its service reps to provide a rental vehicle while the updates are taking place.​
• Pray that you don't have a system crash mid-update, or if you do, that the tech knows some alchemy to turn bricks back to functioning EVs.​
 

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generaltso

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I've heard that since they don't get paid for performing these updates
They get paid to perform the updates.

Another important note: the rep told me that just that day Ford had mandated that owners who bring their Mach-E in for the Blue Cruise update be given a rental vehicle, since the process takes so long.
That's not new. A rental vehicle was included in the original bulletin.
 

AZBill

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They worked on my car for 2.5 days, plus it was parked at the dealer for a weekend, so after 5 days I end up getting BlueCruise Not Available messages. I am so tired of software updates taking this long. I have an open case with Ford Customer Service and told them what my car is doing after the update attempts. No response back yet.
 

Matador09

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Mine was updated by the dealer as well. If they tell you that you'll get your car back that day, they're lying or don't know what they're doing. It took my dealer 3 days because they thought they bricked my APIM midway.
 

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Cruise_Mustang-Mach-E_02_M.jpg.renditions.original.jpg


On Tuesday, I took my 2021 Mach-E into my local Ford dealer, so that they could manually install the necessary updates to enable Blue Cruise. A bit of background, back in late-January my vehicle stopped communicating with Ford Pass. I think this was a common issue with one of the OTA updates messing up the TCU or something. Regardless, the vehicle hasn't been connecting to cloud services for months now, so I wanted the updates installed not just for Blue Cruise capabilities, but also just to get the modem up and running again.

Anyway, I came to my appointment armed with the attached PDF (OPTIONAL PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM 21G01) provided by Ford to its service techs, outlining the steps to perform all the updates. I did this, because I've heard that since they don't get paid for performing these updates, service reps will claim that they can't do it. I've personally been told that certain things can't be done when I know for a fact that they can. Thankfully, I got no resistance, and the rep I was working with was great, but I'd still advise people to come prepared.

The most important thing to note about this process is that IT TAKES A LONG TIME. You'll see in the PDF that there are numerous modules that need to be installed. Initially I was told it would take 8 hours. I left the dealership, and awaited a phone call telling me my car was ready for pickup. A couple minutes before closing time, they called and said that it was taking longer than they thought, because something had crashed during one of the updates. They said it would be ready around lunchtime the following day, but in my mind I'm thinking, "Wait, it crashed mid-update. Is my car bricked?"

By mid-afternoon I still hadn't heard from the service rep, so I tried calling, left messages, but no one called me back. Again, I'm thinking, they've bricked my car, and they're trying to figure out what to do about it before they tell me. Eventually my wife just drove me out to the dealership, so I could talk to them in person. Timing was good, because they said the tech was out doing the mandatory test drive to ensure the Blue Cruise was functioning properly.

While I was waiting, a service rep explained that mine was the first vehicle they'd done these updates on. He confirmed that after the mid-update software crash that the car was completely unresponsive for a period of time, and they thought they'd bricked it. Somehow, though, they brought it back to life, and all was well. He said that while Ford estimates it's an 8 hour job, they found it was more like 12 hours, but I'm not sure if they're counting the panicked troubleshooting they had to do to resuscitate my car.

Another important note: the rep told me that just that day Ford had mandated that owners who bring their Mach-E in for the Blue Cruise update be given a rental vehicle, since the process takes so long. Even if it had been an option presented to me, I probably wouldn't have taken it, because my circumstances didn't necessitate a loaner, but still good to know.

I haven't had a chance to try the Blue Cruise yet, but I'm happy to report that all the systems that weren't functioning these past few months are now restored, and I'm maybe even seeing improved range?? Admittedly, this could just be my imagination or coincidence that the weather has been warmer this week, but a 100% charge was giving me 250 miles of range, and now it's giving me 309 according to FordPass. 🤷‍♂️ Also could be my imagination, but the touch screen seems to be way more responsive than it was before, and I like the little design changes, like moving the on-screen volume meter so it's not shooting vertically through the middle of the screen anymore.

Anyway, to sum up:
• Come with the OPIP doc in case the service rep doesn't know about the update or is trying to get out of having to do it.​
• Expect 8-12 hours for the job to be completed. This isn't a "wait-in-the-lounge" type of service appointment.​
• If you need a loaner, and it's not offered to you, tell them you heard that Ford has informed its service reps to provide a rental vehicle while the updates are taking place.​
• Pray that you don't have a system crash mid-update, or if you do, that the tech knows some alchemy to turn bricks back to functioning EVs.​
They had my car for a week to do the windshield/roof recall and install Blue Cruise. When my car was returned, I thought I had BC because the car indicated I was driving in BC areas. When I turned it on, it was NOT hands free. So, I'm not sure what I need to do.
 


Pbaran

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I took my Job 1, 12/20 Premium, Extended range, RWD, Mach-E in for the Blue Cruise Update. Work began on 5/4 and as expected problems have occurred. My dealer has been in contact with Ford, received instructions and update files all to no avail. It has been out for 3 test drives and I have been told that the last update didn't work. I assume they mean Blue Cruise. I was wanting Blue Cruise for my trip from Florida up to Maine later this month. Is there anything that I can do to move the update along?
 

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I've got mine scheduled with service dept for BC update in about a week. Thank you kindly for the PDF attachment; I had not seen that but will be sure to print it out and show it to service dept.
 

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Happy it worked for you.

My suggestion is to discuss with Service Manager first, to get his/her take on if they can do it. Once I aligned with manager, we scheduled with service rep.

Took mine in on Monday, got back on Friday. They said they put 25 hours into it. Similar issues as OP, failures at some modules needed to be restarted.

All is working perfect now with operating Blue Cruise, etc.
 

AndyR

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I took my Job 1, 12/20 Premium, Extended range, RWD, Mach-E in for the Blue Cruise Update. Work began on 5/4 and as expected problems have occurred. My dealer has been in contact with Ford, received instructions and update files all to no avail. It has been out for 3 test drives and I have been told that the last update didn't work. I assume they mean Blue Cruise. I was wanting Blue Cruise for my trip from Florida up to Maine later this month. Is there anything that I can do to move the update along?
I'd suggest speak to service manager and verify they are working with Ford Tech hotline to get it done.
 

Blue highway

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They had my car for a week to do the windshield/roof recall and install Blue Cruise. When my car was returned, I thought I had BC because the car indicated I was driving in BC areas. When I turned it on, it was NOT hands free. So, I'm not sure what I need to do.
My car was in this condition for a while. The dealer needed some help from Ford to get this sorted, but one more trip and they did.

You need to take it back to the dealer if you want this to work.
 

MSP Mach E

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Quick Question, I had the same lengthy install on my Blue Cruise. Took over 3 days to complete it.

I tried it out and it seems to function ok, but don't love it. Probably because I enjoy driving the car, vs surfing the internet while driving.

I have spent some time playing with the settings on the ADAS features on the vehicle and can't seem to disable the lane keeping assist since they installed Blue Cruise. It wont let me disable the steering wheel vibrate when you close in on the lane markers.

Anyone else having this problem?
 

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I'm glad I didn't get the Blue Cruise, the car is already way too buggy without it. More tech equals more problems, just be glad your car crashed while updating instead of crashing into something while driving.
 

SwimAround

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I must be on the outlier of problems. I have taken my vehicle in to have this service performed 2 times each five days. I just picked it back up this morning after being assured that the vehicle is good to go ends up that its not ready at all. i am still receiving the Blue Cruise is not available prompt and my lane assist with hands on the wheel is also gone. Any help would be greatly appreciated because I'm at my wits end with this.
 
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krjones

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UPDATE: Just finished a drive from the Hudson Valley to NYC. I was able to use Blue Cruise for the 40 miles of the trip that had me on I-87-S. Worked flawlessly, and I never felt unsafe. The attention detector didn’t feel over sensitive. When it dinged me, I definitely deserved it. Haven’t looked at the lane keep assist settings that some of you mentioned not being able to adjust anymore, but I’ll check it out.
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