Internal Cable Corrosion

[Willshire1011]

I have had intermittent issues with the following:

• Display continuously reporting USB error and unresponsive device
• Front USB ports will not work.
• Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and connected devices will not work
• Phones will not connect to profiles
• Phone as a Key is no longer working (assumed to be an issue with the previous bullet: Phones not connecting)

I took my Mustang Mach E to the dealer to investigate and they determined my USB ports were faulty, they ordered the part and I returned a week later. When they were replacing the USB ports, the new device was not working.

A direct quote from the service manager: "We found the issue is a corroded cable that was completely wrapped in a non-standard tape like scotch tape".

Can someone from @Ford and @Ford Motor Company reach out to me for further investigation? The dealership was extremely apologetic and could not explain the taped-up and corroded part.

The dealer is having to keep my car until the new part arrives which means I have to drive a loaner and pay for gas.

Also something I noticed that is not a major issue, just a question, and complaint.

I noticed that the connector that is corroded is a USB Mini type B cable. I believe this means that the USB ports on the car would be capped at 1.5A of charging. This creates a major limitation since this type of connector is no longer recognized as an industry-standard connector. If Ford wants to use USB Type C and USB Type A chargers in the correct capacity, this was a mistake.

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[X1Nightmare]

Ford has utilized that same USB cable for APIM communications for years, and unfortunately is the same style still currently being used

you wouldn’t notice it though, as it plugs into the back of the media hub that has the normal style USB A and C connectors used.

 

[Willshire1011]

Totally agree and nothing I can do other than call out the obvious.

1. It’s not recognized as standard anymore
2. USC C and USB A hub in the cars could provide a huge benefit if they supported 3+ amp

I would really like @Ford Motor Company to chime in too about the corrosion scotch tape. Also I would like to know my options for getting reimbursed for gas since I have to drive a gas guzzler until mine is fixed.

 

[NewGuy]

There are probably better venues to get in touch with Ford than a privately owned website.

 

[Logal727]

Totally agree and nothing I can do other than call out the obvious.

1. It’s not recognized as standard anymore
2. USC C and USB A hub in the cars could provide a huge benefit if they supported 3+ amp

I would really like @Ford Motor Company to chime in too about the corrosion scotch tape. Also I would like to know my options for getting reimbursed for gas since I have to drive a gas guzzler until mine is fixed.

I thought the back port underneath the rear passenger air vents 3 amps

 

[scoopman]

Totally agree and nothing I can do other than call out the obvious.

1. It’s not recognized as standard anymore
2. USC C and USB A hub in the cars could provide a huge benefit if they supported 3+ amp

I would really like @Ford Motor Company to chime in too about the corrosion scotch tape. Also I would like to know my options for getting reimbursed for gas since I have to drive a gas guzzler until mine is fixed.

The Ford account here isn't empowered to do anything other than say "this isn't the experience we want you to have" and to ask for your VIN, and then they just tell you to go to a dealer.

I do think you ought to call the BEV customer relations folks and open a case and expect gas reimbursement for your troubles.

 

[Rocky29670]

I have had intermittent issues with the following:

• Display continuously reporting USB error and unresponsive device
• Front USB ports will not work.
• Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and connected devices will not work
• Phones will not connect to profiles
• Phone as a Key is no longer working (assumed to be an issue with the previous bullet: Phones not connecting)

I took my Mustang Mach E to the dealer to investigate and they determined my USB ports were faulty, they ordered the part and I returned a week later. When they were replacing the USB ports, the new device was not working.

A direct quote from the service manager: "We found the issue is a corroded cable that was completely wrapped in a non-standard tape like scotch tape".

Can someone from @Ford and @Ford Motor Company reach out to me for further investigation? The dealership was extremely apologetic and could not explain the taped-up and corroded part.

The dealer is having to keep my car until the new part arrives which means I have to drive a loaner and pay for gas.

Also something I noticed that is not a major issue, just a question, and complaint.

I noticed that the connector that is corroded is a USB Mini type B cable. I believe this means that the USB ports on the car would be capped at 1.5A of charging. This creates a major limitation since this type of connector is no longer recognized as an industry-standard connector. If Ford wants to use USB Type C and USB Type A chargers in the correct capacity, this was a mistake.

Did your dealer get yours fixed yet? I'm having internet issues with paak and Android auto dropping both wirelessly and usb connected. This morning I had a fault code this morning that usb device wasn't connected properly and all I had in were charging cables that didn't get unplugged. Neither one was charging, but luckily the wireless charging pad was working.

 

[Willshire1011]

Funny enough @Rocky29670, I was about to type my update:

I finally got the car fixed this week! The part took almost 10 days to come + 1 day to fix. Since being fixed, all my issues are resolved.

Ford reached out to me and let me know that they provide up to $200 per month for gas reimbursement for rentals or loaners. The reached out to the dealer to confirm all details, then provided my receipts.

 

[Mach-Lee]

Funny enough @Rocky29670, I was about to type my update:

I finally got the car fixed this week! The part took almost 10 days to come + 1 day to fix. Since being fixed, all my issues are resolved.

Ford reached out to me and let me know that they provide up to $200 per month for gas reimbursement for rentals or loaners. The reached out to the dealer to confirm all details, then provided my receipts.

So did they identify and fix the water leak that caused it to corrode? It's probably a windshield leak or an A/C drain leak.

 

[Willshire1011]

So did they identify and fix the water leak that caused it to corrode? It's probably a windshield leak or an A/C drain leak.

No, they were not able to identify any cause for the cable corrosion. They said there were no signs of water or any leaks. The corrosion was only on the inside of the connected cable.

If I were to take a SWAG at the issue, it almost looks like the cable had moisture in it prior to connecting the components together or it was corroded at time of install.

 

[Rocky29670]

No, they were not able to identify any cause for the cable corrosion. They said there were no signs of water or any leaks. The corrosion was only on the inside of the connected cable.

If I were to take a SWAG at the issue, it almost looks like the cable had moisture in it prior to connecting the components together or it was corroded at time of install.

That's interesting that a water leak was brought up because mine had a water leak from a faulty seal from the windshield recall that caused a water leak near the data port. I'm wondering if mine also has a corroded wire. My usb are now back to working, but I still think that the rear brake assist isn't working. I'm not sure if that's related or not.

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