Another remote start gone wrong, GLOWING CAT

[NotAnonymous]

That's T-shirt temperatures.

Hell, a random 40 degree January day in the North is almost shorts weather!

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[DrewcioAdenade]

Isn’t heating the cab the entire reason for remote start?

That's the typical reason. The other potential reason (at least with other vehicles, IDK about the Mav Hybrid) is to help the engine get to a better operating temp in the cold. Some engines have different fuel/air profiles depending on engine temp, in addition to cold fluids not moving as well in things like transmissions. As an extreme example, I have a WRX. If it's below ~20F and I let it warm up, I get 2-3 MPG worse than what I'd get in spring/summer. 5-8 MPG worse if I don't.

 

[nickmav]

I'm planning to use the block heater until I'm absolutely positive this is fixed. Hopefully they will replace the Catalytic on those that were glowing red.

Never had a block heater. So you just grab an extension cord and plug it into the block heater cord under the hood?

 

[Grim_Skunk]

Never had a block heater. So you just grab an extension cord and plug it into the block heater cord under the hood?

Pretty much.. Also get one of those outdoor outlet timers to start heating up 3-4 hours before your leave every morning, instead of leaving it plugged in all the time.

 

[nickmav]

Pretty much.. Also get one of those outdoor outlet timers to start heating up 3-4 hours before your leave every morning, instead of leaving it plugged in all the time.

sweet tip! Thanks

 

[Rando26]

For me, the block heater doesn't make a difference. If it's cold enough, the truck does it regardless. I think it has to do with the temperature at the intake

The only thing I've found is to idle it for less than 10 minutes. Or switch it into neutral from park when it starts surging.

 

[PNWMaverick]

Can’t say I have found 1 Ford Escape Hybrid with the same issue. Checked their forums and I’m sure some one would have brought it up in the last 3years!!!

Sounds like Ford is downplaying the seriousness of this issue to cover their ass. The problem seems exclusive to Mavericks but they spread it to the Escape Hybrid. Of course the software update would be pushed to all of them regardless and not cost Ford anymore money to do so.

Now for those who had melted part of their engine bay! I don’t see why Ford couldn’t announce repairs for the few that it has negatively impacted.

I’m sorry to say I might go back to getting a RAV4. The problems are stacking up. If I don’t see the writing on the wall who can I blame but my self? Talk me off a ledge before I sell my accessories and politely walk away from Ford’s dumpster fire.

This might push you over the ledge......

We are all Beta Testers on this truck. New vehicle, first run(s); our pleasure is finding all the broken bits and things they need to fix for the 2023-2024 model years. Some have already found issues that have been fixed for 2022 production.

If you aren't prepared to call Road Side Assistance at least once....that Rav might be a good idea.

 

[Doxie_Mommy2]

Just wanted to share this…I think the smell may have something to do with the fan being on high. I had the temp set at 72, turned the fan on high (no idling) while was driving for about 5 minutes and when I pulled in the garage I could smell the rotten egg smell very faintly. The truck didn’t idle at all! Looking forward to getting this software update. So frustrating to have a new vehicle and not get to enjoy it to the fullest.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Just wanted to share this…I think the smell may have something to do with the fan being on high. I had the temp set at 72, turned the fan on high (no idling) while was driving for about 5 minutes and when I pulled in the garage I could smell the rotten egg smell very faintly. The truck didn’t idle at all! Looking forward to getting this software update. So frustrating to have a new vehicle and not get to enjoy it to the fullest.

Hi there! Would you send us a private message with your VIN and dealership name and location? I’d like to look into this concern on my end.

 

[Doxie_Mommy2]

Hi there! Would you send us a private message with your VIN and dealership name and location? I’d like to look into this concern on my end.

Message sent

 

[SpruceDuck]

Hi there! Would you send us a private message with your VIN and dealership name and location? I’d like to look into this concern on my end.

And so here is my latest correspondence with Ford, because now almost two months have gone by without much anything changing since my troubled Maverick landed at the service department. This post is directed at Official Ford Account. Forgive me for not mincing words:

Ford Motor Company,

I would like to let you and other members of this forum know the response I have thus far received from Ford Corporate regarding this matter has been abysmal.

One rep after another I have spoken to agrees with many of us that there's a legitimate fire risk involved with this issue. The field technician told my service manager to tell me to not use the vehicle in a way that might induce this issue (why? because THEY WEREN'T CONVINCED IT WAS SAFE OR SOUND). And yet Ford has issued a statement to its service departments to tell any customers who have this problem (who I assume must self-report, and won't be sought out by Ford), the vehicle IS SAFE, SOUND, and CAN BE USED NORMALLY WITHOUT CONCERN FOR ADDITIONAL WEAR AND TEAR OR DAMAGE if the symptoms should arise.

So, WHICH IS IT FORD?

IS IT SAFE?
OR IS IT UNSAFE?

I apologize for speaking almost rhetorically, because it seems like no one at Ford is listening, so I suppose this letter is as much for me and other customers who are upset as it is as a last ditch effort to evoke a coherent response from Ford.

I seriously hope no one has to get injured or suffer property damage because of Ford's conflicting responses. There’s a shared-reality forming out here where many, many people, including actual Ford employees, utilizing their training and common sense, believe there is a legitimate possibility this defect could lead to a fire. And yet, let me reiterate, Ford has made a statement that basically says, “don’t worry… nothing to see here.” Either all the customer service reps and the field technician and the service manager, the finance manger, the sales manager and I are all delusional for worrying about this being a fire hazard, or Ford is delusional about it NOT being a fire hazard. Again, which is it? Could the truth reside somewhere in the middle? NO... it cannot. It's not hard to see how a rational person would be worried about this.

If this isn’t a hazard, then Ford is doing a TERRIBLE job explaining to its affected customers AND employees why this is really nothing to worry about. But I call "hogwash." How can a car that stinks of burning plastic, rotten eggs, with billowing exhaust, a surging engine, and a glowing. molten-orange catalytic converter not be something to be concerned about? The car isn't even producing error codes. Maybe Ford realizes it is something to be concerned about, but thinks a little pre-TSB memo is going to magically dispel our well-earned paranoia. I'm not sure what would be worse--- Ford thinking a memo is going to make peoples' worries go away, or Ford blowing off their customers' worries. Could the truth reside somewhere in the middle? YES... because it could be both that Ford wants to fix/make this problem go away as soon as possible, but also wants pretend I and many others don't have a genuine reason to worry or be disappointed our BRAND NEW TRUCK OF THE YEAR might be a conflagration risk.

I haven't driven new Maverick but once in 7 weeks. It's still at the dealership. I told the service manager I wasn't going to drive it as is. Based on what the field service technician said and what she knows of the problem, she understood and agreed with why I thought it wasn't wise to drive it.

No matter how this is being resolved (memo, TSB, maybe eventually a recall?) it seems a bit obvious Ford shouldn't tell me that this obvious problem isn't a problem even though your company also says it's a problem. If it isn’t a hazard, why are Ford employees and customers still worried it's a hazard?

I know you were very kind in bringing this matter to the attention of someone at Ford Customer Service, but they have, thus far, failed miserably at addressing this issue in a satisfactory manner. There is no resolution in sight, and I am sorry to say your efforts to help all of us on this forum, at least in my case, have thus far failed to resolve anything. If anything, again, at least in my case, my pursuit of meaningful answers from Ford has resulted in one futile conversation after another.

Seriously, it's a bad look.

That's being kind.

And that's all.

Not sure what could be done at this point to keep me as a Ford customer, but I'm ready to be surprised.


Kindly,

Daniel

 

[AnthonyMav]

I have an update from my service visit.

First, George Wall Ford is great and the people there are customer service focused, from the buying process to the service dept.

I dropped the truck off and showed videos and photos of the glowing cat and P0073 code for the ambient temp sensor. I explained that Ford said they would put out a software update to resolve the issue in late March. The service department took my truck and were able to identify the issue and let me know that the software update is not yet ready. It could be ready in late April.

they were unable to address the ambient temperature sensor because the bulletin from Ford mentions that the two could be linked together and it is unadvisable to replace the sensor at this time. So once the update comes out they will have guidance on what to do with the sensor. They are calling me when the update is ready, and will most likely have to replace the sensor at that time.

in the meantime, prevent it from happening by not warming up the truck with the heat on and letting it idle. The ambient temperature check engine light will only affect not having a digital read out on the dash and not being able to use auto climate control. It’ll be fixed soon.

 

[KeinoDoggy]

I have an update from my service visit.

First, George Wall Ford is great and the people there are customer service focused, from the buying process to the service dept.

I dropped the truck off and showed videos and photos of the glowing cat and P0073 code for the ambient temp sensor. I explained that Ford said they would put out a software update to resolve the issue in late March. The service department took my truck and were able to identify the issue and let me know that the software update is not yet ready. It could be ready in late April.

they were unable to address the ambient temperature sensor because the bulletin from Ford mentions that the two could be linked together and it is unadvisable to replace the sensor at this time. So once the update comes out they will have guidance on what to do with the sensor. They are calling me when the update is ready, and will most likely have to replace the sensor at that time.

in the meantime, prevent it from happening by not warming up the truck with the heat on and letting it idle. The ambient temperature check engine light will only affect not having a digital read out on the dash and not being able to use auto climate control. It’ll be fixed soon.

Great! Keep us posted.

 

[Espeer]

And so here is my latest correspondence with Ford, because now almost two months have gone by without much anything changing since my troubled Maverick landed at the service department. This post is directed at Official Ford Account. Forgive me for not mincing words:

Ford Motor Company,

I would like to let you and other members of this forum know the response I have thus far received from Ford Corporate regarding this matter has been abysmal.

One rep after another I have spoken to agrees with many of us that there's a legitimate fire risk involved with this issue. The field technician told my service manager to tell me to not use the vehicle in a way that might induce this issue (why? because THEY WEREN'T CONVINCED IT WAS SAFE OR SOUND). And yet Ford has issued a statement to its service departments to tell any customers who have this problem (who I assume must self-report, and won't be sought out by Ford), the vehicle IS SAFE, SOUND, and CAN BE USED NORMALLY WITHOUT CONCERN FOR ADDITIONAL WEAR AND TEAR OR DAMAGE if the symptoms should arise.

So, WHICH IS IT FORD?

IS IT SAFE?
OR IS IT UNSAFE?

I apologize for speaking almost rhetorically, because it seems like no one at Ford is listening, so I suppose this letter is as much for me and other customers who are upset as it is as a last ditch effort to evoke a coherent response from Ford.

I seriously hope no one has to get injured or suffer property damage because of Ford's conflicting responses. There’s a shared-reality forming out here where many, many people, including actual Ford employees, utilizing their training and common sense, believe there is a legitimate possibility this defect could lead to a fire. And yet, let me reiterate, Ford has made a statement that basically says, “don’t worry… nothing to see here.” Either all the customer service reps and the field technician and the service manager, the finance manger, the sales manager and I are all delusional for worrying about this being a fire hazard, or Ford is delusional about it NOT being a fire hazard. Again, which is it? Could the truth reside somewhere in the middle? NO... it cannot. It's not hard to see how a rational person would be worried about this.

If this isn’t a hazard, then Ford is doing a TERRIBLE job explaining to its affected customers AND employees why this is really nothing to worry about. But I call "hogwash." How can a car that stinks of burning plastic, rotten eggs, with billowing exhaust, a surging engine, and a glowing. molten-orange catalytic converter not be something to be concerned about? The car isn't even producing error codes. Maybe Ford realizes it is something to be concerned about, but thinks a little pre-TSB memo is going to magically dispel our well-earned paranoia. I'm not sure what would be worse--- Ford thinking a memo is going to make peoples' worries go away, or Ford blowing off their customers' worries. Could the truth reside somewhere in the middle? YES... because it could be both that Ford wants to fix/make this problem go away as soon as possible, but also wants pretend I and many others don't have a genuine reason to worry or be disappointed our BRAND NEW TRUCK OF THE YEAR might be a conflagration risk.

I haven't driven new Maverick but once in 7 weeks. It's still at the dealership. I told the service manager I wasn't going to drive it as is. Based on what the field service technician said and what she knows of the problem, she understood and agreed with why I thought it wasn't wise to drive it.

No matter how this is being resolved (memo, TSB, maybe eventually a recall?) it seems a bit obvious Ford shouldn't tell me that this obvious problem isn't a problem even though your company also says it's a problem. If it isn’t a hazard, why are Ford employees and customers still worried it's a hazard?

I know you were very kind in bringing this matter to the attention of someone at Ford Customer Service, but they have, thus far, failed miserably at addressing this issue in a satisfactory manner. There is no resolution in sight, and I am sorry to say your efforts to help all of us on this forum, at least in my case, have thus far failed to resolve anything. If anything, again, at least in my case, my pursuit of meaningful answers from Ford has resulted in one futile conversation after another.

Seriously, it's a bad look.

That's being kind.

And that's all.

Not sure what could be done at this point to keep me as a Ford customer, but I'm ready to be surprised.


Kindly,

Daniel

Hi there! Would you send us a private message with your VIN and dealership name and location?

 

[SpruceDuck]

I have an update from my service visit.

First, George Wall Ford is great and the people there are customer service focused, from the buying process to the service dept.

I dropped the truck off and showed videos and photos of the glowing cat and P0073 code for the ambient temp sensor. I explained that Ford said they would put out a software update to resolve the issue in late March. The service department took my truck and were able to identify the issue and let me know that the software update is not yet ready. It could be ready in late April.

they were unable to address the ambient temperature sensor because the bulletin from Ford mentions that the two could be linked together and it is unadvisable to replace the sensor at this time. So once the update comes out they will have guidance on what to do with the sensor. They are calling me when the update is ready, and will most likely have to replace the sensor at that time.

in the meantime, prevent it from happening by not warming up the truck with the heat on and letting it idle. The ambient temperature check engine light will only affect not having a digital read out on the dash and not being able to use auto climate control. It’ll be fixed soon.

Did your dealership comment on whether or not it’s possible damage was done to the cat or adjacent components?

I’m so glad to hear you’re happy with your customer service experience at your dealership! And I’m glad they were able to articulate the issue and the proper way to handle it.

good luck moving forward— I hope you get to enjoy your Maverick.

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