Shift System Fault - Service Required

[BryanMachE]

So been a reader here for a bit, unfortunately due to an issue with my 2022 Mach-E GT (non performance) now a poster. After driving the car home and into the garage on Friday, on Saturday when I went to take the vehicle out I got the following message on my display:

SHIFT SYSTEM FAULT - Service Required.

Car now has red light, and when attempted to move the car into gear, the PRND indicator just flash yellow on the indicator rather than remain a solid color and the car will not go into either Reverse, Neutral or Drive. Called Service, they said "Well get it towed here". To be expected I imagine, but not what I wanted to hear.

Problem being that the cars in a residential garage. My first tower showed up, and he could not get the car into neutral. Said he could "drag the car" but I refused to let him for concerns regarding the possible damage to the vehicle. He said he needed "Go-Jacks" to move the car out about 6 feet before it could be loaded on the flat bed.

So this is where the story starts. I've been reading about similar issues with slightly older models (2021 and early 2022) but haven't seen a TSB about a GSM update that may be required for mid 2022. I'll update more as the saga continues. Waiting now for the next tow guy to show, and thankful that happened at home.

EDIT #1. Word of advice. Call the number and talk to the tow guys before they show if you are in a tight spot. I've had two cancel now. 3rd guy with pictures seems to think he will be able to pull this off.

EDIT #2: Successful tow (I think) to the dealership. Took about 4 hours after the call to get the car to the dealership. They had never seen the error. Won't have a guy until tomorrow am whose is the "right guy" for this sort of stuff. See how tomorrow goes.

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[Beerbronco]

This really sucks, I hope they get it fixed soon for you. When did you take delivery and do you know when you car was built. I have a 2022 GT as well that was built in second half of year (August 2022).

 

[Mach-Lee]

Problem being that the cars in a residential garage. My first tower showed up, and he could not get the car into neutral. Said he could "drag the car" but I refused to let him for concerns regarding the possible damage to the vehicle. He said he needed "Go-Jacks" to move the car out about 6 feet before it could be loaded on the flat bed.

First, did you see this: TSB 22-2490 - Shift System Fault, Unable to Engage Park, P07E4 Code in SOBDMC

The code will usually clear if you just fully shut off the vehicle for 10 minutes and come back to it. Did you try that?

Also it's unfortunate you had to go to all that trouble, you should educate yourself about emergency tow mode. If you used emergency tow mode you would have been able to just push it out of your garage:

 

[BryanMachE]

Thanks for the reply and I'll put in an update.

I did see that video with the emergency tow mode, but with this error, that mode would not work. I watched the video and followed along in the car, and nothing happened. Well, not totally true. After I put in that mode (which actually is labeled neutral "something" in the 2022 edition, but in the same spot) it grayed, out and I could not even access it. Car was still in Park. One of tow drivers got in the car with me, got to the same screen, but was not able to make it work. Had to send him back.

After a full day in the shop, no updates. I was able to procure a loaner which he gave me "for 30 days, I'm sure it won't take that long" , so at least I have wheels. But the car clearly requires a specialist, which they don't have readily available. Seems odd to me because I live in Northern California Bay Area, so surprised in this electric vehicle friendly market no one has been able to even work on the car yet.

I did see that TSP. I printed it out and handed it to them today when I picked up the loaner car, in hopes to expedite the process a bit. Of note the car is stuck in exactly the same spot where the tow truck left it, in the drop off circle. It's my guess they can't even get it to move.

Hopefully tomorrow brings better news.

 

[Mach-Lee]

I did see that video with the emergency tow mode, but with this error, that mode would not work. I watched the video and followed along in the car, and nothing happened. Well, not totally true. After I put in that mode (which actually is labeled neutral "something" in the 2022 edition, but in the same spot) it grayed, out and I could not even access it. Car was still in Park. One of tow drivers got in the car with me, got to the same screen, but was not able to make it work. Had to send him back.

Usually when emergency tow mode gets grayed out it's because the 12V battery is too low to enter. So I would suggest the dealer put a 12V battery charger on it overnight and see about updating the software. There could be something else wrong too.

 

[BryanMachE]

When you say "fully turn the car off", what exactly do you mean by that? Something like turn the car off for 10 minutes and turn it on again? I have been thinking that since most of these cars are like computers now, the best thing to do is reboot them from time to time.

12V dying seems unlikely as the Car is 2 months old (granted it was built a while ago and sat in middle of Missouri for months in a train car). However I did drive it the day before and it worked fine. Still worth trying I guess.

 

[BryanMachE]

This really sucks, I hope they get it fixed soon for you. When did you take delivery and do you know when you car was built. I have a 2022 GT as well that was built in second half of year (August 2022).

Sorry missed the question. So I took delivery in the car in November. Best I can figure based on the email updates sent by Ford, it was made in July. (Maybe early August).

Another update to the saga. Ford corporate called, got someone assigned to my case. They have an engineer working virtually with the local tech. He wasn't able to give me a clear solution for the problem, as they were working the "multiple options" but I am supposed to get an update on the car by this Friday. Clearly not a quick fix. Sigh.

 

[BryanMachE]

Well heard back from the dealer today. Apparently they don't have a good solution for the problem yet. I was told "at least a week, maybe two".

I'm now starting to look into the lemon law.... sigh.

 

[Neil4Real]

Well heard back from the dealer today. Apparently they don't have a good solution for the problem yet. I was told "at least a week, maybe two".

I'm now starting to look into the lemon law.... sigh.

Have you talked to your Ford case manager? It sounds like the dealer might just be pushing you off. Did you ask about the TSB that @Mach-Lee posted that you gave to them? Ask about the 12v battery? You, unfortunately, have to really push your advisor.

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

Who is the dealership?

 

[BryanMachE]

Marin County Ford in Novato.

Dealer finally called today and said they think they found the problem. Apparently there is rodent damage and they ate the wiring. As a kicker, it's "not covered by warranty".

I park my car in a garage, and it's a finished garage. No sign of rodents. Drove the car every day after purchase.

Prior to purchase, the car sat in Missouri for 3 months because they couldn't move the car due to the supply chain.

I wonder where this happened? I asked if they was noticed on pre-inspection, and he said "they never would have seen it because they would need to remove the front panel".

I'm fighting this, but not sure how this will work. Initial quote is $800, and they aren't even sure if it will fix the problem.

So pissed off.

 

[AKgrampy]

Marin County Ford in Novato.

Dealer finally called today and said they think they found the problem. Apparently there is rodent damage and they ate the wiring. As a kicker, it's "not covered by warranty".

I park my car in a garage, and it's a finished garage. No sign of rodents. Drove the car every day after purchase.

Prior to purchase, the car sat in Missouri for 3 months because they couldn't move the car due to the supply chain.

I wonder where this happened? I asked if they was noticed on pre-inspection, and he said "they never would have seen it because they would need to remove the front panel".

I'm fighting this, but not sure how this will work. Initial quote is $800, and they aren't even sure if it will fix the problem.

So pissed off.

Not that it helps at all but I am really surprised at the number of cases reported concerning rodents eating the wiring on Mach’s. I would assume it is for all cars though. Something about soy based insulation or something like that. There was even a case where rodents ate through the wheel well. I just hope you can get your car fixed and operating.

 

[Hammered]

Marin County Ford in Novato.

Dealer finally called today and said they think they found the problem. Apparently there is rodent damage and they ate the wiring. As a kicker, it's "not covered by warranty".

I park my car in a garage, and it's a finished garage. No sign of rodents. Drove the car every day after purchase.

Prior to purchase, the car sat in Missouri for 3 months because they couldn't move the car due to the supply chain.

I wonder where this happened? I asked if they was noticed on pre-inspection, and he said "they never would have seen it because they would need to remove the front panel".

I'm fighting this, but not sure how this will work. Initial quote is $800, and they aren't even sure if it will fix the problem.

So pissed off.

Yeah, there'd been lots of fords sitting all over the place. If they want to go the class action route as I recall an F150 having a similar issue (sitting, rodent). Given the economy, might contact some firms. Raise hell. It'd be one thing if your vehicle wasn't parked for months in a field, but it was, and rodents and fields are like peas and carrots.

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