Cabin heating problem on my 2021 model.

[Matstar]

I'm at the beginning of my fifth winter with my 2021 Mach E. A new problem has appeared with the arrival of the cold weather (Canada winter ;

I have a feeling it's a problem that appear after a software update.

Here's the problem:

If the car is started with remote start via Fordpass, when I get in and drive, it produces almost no heat.

CarScanner shows a maximum heating output of 2.22 kW.

If I start the car normally without remote start, or if the remote start cycle has finished and the car has been off for a few minutes before I start it normally while in the car , the heat seems to be the same as in previous winters.

In this case, CarScanner shows a heating output that varies between 3.80 and 4.88 kW.

Are others experiencing a similar problem?

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[Mach-Lee]

What temperature do you have the HVAC set to in FordPass? And how cold is it outside?

The heater will not run full blast unless you turn it all the way up or it’s extremely cold outside. An output of 2.2 kW is probably normal after it’s been running a while.

 

[Matstar]

@Mach-Lee outside temperature between -3C and 1C degrees. Inside temperature set to 22C. Real temperature inside from Car Scanner around 11C. The cabin no longer heats up and the air that comes out is cold.

Whether the heating is on auto or MAX, never more than 2.2 kW if remote start, whether it's right after starting or 20 minutes later.

If I stop the car for a few minutes and restart it without using the remote start, the heat immediately starts coming out again; the power is around 4kW until the cabin temperature is close to 22C.

If the car is completely cold and I don't use remote start, the heating power is normal around 4kW and the temperature inside the cabin easily rises to 22°C.

This is my fifth winter with the car and the heating has never behaved like it is now.

 

[sparkout]

I'm at the beginning of my fifth winter with my 2021 Mach E. A new problem has appeared with the arrival of the cold weather (Canada winter ;

I have a feeling it's a problem that appear after a software update.

Here's the problem:

If the car is started with remote start via Fordpass, when I get in and drive, it produces almost no heat.

CarScanner shows a maximum heating output of 2.22 kW.

If I start the car normally without remote start, or if the remote start cycle has finished and the car has been off for a few minutes before I start it normally while in the car , the heat seems to be the same as in previous winters.

In this case, CarScanner shows a heating output that varies between 3.80 and 4.88 kW.

Are others experiencing a similar problem?

 

[sparkout]

Like I said in my post, it's like watching grass grow, and each year the heat output is a little worse till it stops giving heat. What's happening with yours is what I experienced. It's not an update problem; it's a slow failure.

 

[Mach-Lee]

@Mach-Lee outside temperature between -3C and 1C degrees. Inside temperature set to 22C. Real temperature inside from Car Scanner around 11C. The cabin no longer heats up and the air that comes out is cold.

Whether the heating is on auto or MAX, never more than 2.2 kW if remote start, whether it's right after starting or 20 minutes later.

If I stop the car for a few minutes and restart it without using the remote start, the heat immediately starts coming out again; the power is around 4kW until the cabin temperature is close to 22C.

If the car is completely cold and I don't use remote start, the heating power is normal around 4kW and the temperature inside the cabin easily rises to 22°C.

This is my fifth winter with the car and the heating has never behaved like it is now.

I would say suspected heater failure, MAX defrost should produce an output of around 5 kW. You can also look at engine coolant temperature B, that is the output coolant temp from the heater. Should be above 45°C, 60°C would be typical in a defrost mode.

 

[Matstar]

I would say suspected heater failure, MAX defrost should produce an output of around 5 kW. You can also look at engine coolant temperature B, that is the output coolant temp from the heater. Should be above 45°C, 60°C would be typical in a defrost mode.

Thanks, I'll look into it.

What I find really strange is that, following other tests today, the problem only occurs when I start the car with FordPass and it's not plugged in.

If it's plugged in when I start it with FordPass, everything seems normal, just like in previous winters.

 

[Teslaeata]

Like I said in my post, it's like watching grass grow, and each year the heat output is a little worse till it stops giving heat. What's happening with yours is what I experienced. It's not an update problem; it's a slow failure.

First night below freezing and that e-heat has failed, froze my nads off by the time I got home

Gonna have to go to dealer and sort this out!

 

[sparkout]

Let me know how it turns out. My car heats up very well now. I'm happy with the car again. I think I'll keep it.
Ok I let off some steam with this heater problem, I feel better now that it's fixed so I will keep the car.

 

[Dhruval Shah]

Hello,

I'm having the exact same problem right now in Winnipeg (-25 °C). This is my fifth winter with my 2021 Mach-E and the heater has suddenly started blowing only ice-cold air, never happened before.

Saw your post from last month and was hoping you could help me out with a quick update:
What did the dealer finally diagnose and fix?

Did Ford’s 8-year high-voltage warranty cover it, or did you have to use extended warranty?
Any out-of-pocket costs for diagnosis or tear-down?

I have an appointment Dec 10 and still have both the HV warranty and FCPP Ultimate Wrap (out of bumper to bumper), just trying to know what to expect.

Thanks so much if you have a minute, really appreciate it!

Stay warm out there!

 

[Maquis]

Hello,

I'm having the exact same problem right now in Winnipeg (-25 °C). This is my fifth winter with my 2021 Mach-E and the heater has suddenly started blowing only ice-cold air, never happened before.

Saw your post from last month and was hoping you could help me out with a quick update:
What did the dealer finally diagnose and fix?

Did Ford’s 8-year high-voltage warranty cover it, or did you have to use extended warranty?
Any out-of-pocket costs for diagnosis or tear-down?

I have an appointment Dec 10 and still have both the HV warranty and FCPP Ultimate Wrap (out of bumper to bumper), just trying to know what to expect.

Thanks so much if you have a minute, really appreciate it!

Stay warm out there!

I don’t believe the heating system falls under the EV component warranty. You Ford ESP should cover it, subject to any deductible.

 

[Tampamike]

So, it looks like 12v batteries last 3-3 1/2 years and the original cabin heaters are good for about 4 1/2 - 5 years, well, unless you live in Florida.

 

[Maquis]

So, it looks like 12v batteries last 3-3 1/2 years and the original cabin heaters are good for about 4 1/2 - 5 years, well, unless you live in Florida.

It does seem like we are starting to see a rash of heater failures lately. You may be right, unfortunately.

 

[Teslaeata]

Hello,

I'm having the exact same problem right now in Winnipeg (-25 °C). This is my fifth winter with my 2021 Mach-E and the heater has suddenly started blowing only ice-cold air, never happened before.

Saw your post from last month and was hoping you could help me out with a quick update:
What did the dealer finally diagnose and fix?

Did Ford’s 8-year high-voltage warranty cover it, or did you have to use extended warranty?
Any out-of-pocket costs for diagnosis or tear-down?

I have an appointment Dec 10 and still have both the HV warranty and FCPP Ultimate Wrap (out of bumper to bumper), just trying to know what to expect.

Thanks so much if you have a minute, really appreciate it!

Stay warm out there!

Mine’s booked in this Thursday.

Has yours failed terminally?

If so could be the PTC heater.

Mine seems to fail to heat up when HVB charge level falls below a level, it was once 30/35% but latterly is around 60%.

After a charge above 60% today the heater got hot again

I am told this is a fault the symptoms of which have not been seen before, remotely they have seen a code set for the cabin coolant heater.

Apparently during diagnosis there is some test procedure they can or will do which requires the heater to be commanded on when the vehicle is cold and a fault with a number of components could cause this issue such as low coolant, blown fuse which is unlikely if it does work at certain times, the coolant cabin heater and coolant diverter valve if not a wiring or connection fault.

I did enquire after price & availability of a PTC heater in UK which are c£600 + fitting on an overnight delivery.

I checked coolant level and did try to access the under bonnet fuse box but had to take out the froot insert and then still couldn’t access the fuses because it looked too involved than I could be arsed with at that time

I’m out of both bumper-to-bumper and HV warranties at 54mths & 121,000 miles so will be shelling out for repairs myself.

I’ll keep this thread updated with my progress, pls update with your own.

 

[Dhruval Shah]

Mine’s booked in this Thursday.

Has yours failed terminally?

If so could be the PTC heater.

Mine seems to fail to heat up when HVB charge level falls below a level, it was once 30/35% but latterly is around 60%.

After a charge above 60% today the heater got hot again

I am told this is a fault the symptoms of which have not been seen before, remotely they have seen a code set for the cabin coolant heater.

Apparently during diagnosis there is some test procedure they can or will do which requires the heater to be commanded on when the vehicle is cold and a fault with a number of components could cause this issue such as low coolant, blown fuse which is unlikely if it does work at certain times, the coolant cabin heater and coolant diverter valve if not a wiring or connection fault.

I did enquire after price & availability of a PTC heater in UK which are c£600 + fitting on an overnight delivery.

I checked coolant level and did try to access the under bonnet fuse box but had to take out the froot insert and then still couldn’t access the fuses because it looked too involved than I could be arsed with at that time

I’m out of both bumper-to-bumper and HV warranties at 54mths & 121,000 miles so will be shelling out for repairs myself.

I’ll keep this thread updated with my progress, pls update with your own.

Took mine to the dealership. They said they found a software issue and applied an update under a recall. The service advisor mentioned the technician was confident the heater should work normally after this, and it was working at the time I picked the car up.

However, I’m now seeing the exact same scenario again. With outside temperatures around –25°C (–33°C with wind chill), the heater is blowing ice-cold air. Cabin temperatures dropped to around –5°C while driving.

I’ll be taking it back to the dealership for another round of diagnostics and am hoping they can resolve it this time. Otherwise, I may need to start looking into other options.

I’ll update once I have more information.

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