Ford will sell & deliver Mavericks without chips controlling non-safety critical features

[Timothyd]

Has anybody except me noticed that the Whole World is a CLUSTER F.? I just don't have time to worry about a heated seat. I'm worried about some Mad Man backed in a corner with a magic button. None of us may be taking delivery of our trucks if this nonsense isn't stopped.

And if anybody wants to right this off as politics, be my guest.

Only Stalin or Bozobama could fix this.

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[Turtle]

I can't see this going well for Ford or the buyers, why don't they take their lowest selling model and stop production for a year and cannibalize the chips for their other vehicles? A quick Google search shows the escape and EcoSport have a 2 out of 5 in reliability and consumer satisfaction, why not pause production to "address these concerns" and catch up on everything else?

The ESCAPE sells more than Ranger and Mustang. ECOSPORT is done.,I have a 2018 and 2021 Escape - great automobiles.

 

[davnau]

In the conversation with my Uncle Jim referenced in post #180 I didn't mention "Chip Creep" - - something my uncle elaborated on where the Chip works loose from vibration, heat, and cold. Seems Ford has already had serious problems with Chip Creep years ago. I didn't mention it because I didn't think the thought of modules with a plug-in Chips would ever be discussed. I can say that based on what problems Ford had in the past that there will be no "sockets" or "plug-in" Chips coming out of any Ford facility. Only modules with Chips soldered on the PCB will be untilized.

Again, this thread has evolved into hysteria. Ford is not proposing to ship an "incomplete" vehicle -- it's just missing a non-safety related option like yes, heated seats. The switch, wiring and heating element will still be installed, just the Chip in the module that controls it will be missing. Something that can be installed later by replacing the module.

I still contend that having a dealer service tech solder anything that small over and over is not going to happen very easily, and I would trust a modern socket before having the tech solder anything. Just too easy to short it out. That's why it normally done with robots.

There are no easy solutions, just ones with various tradeoffs. For me, I'd rather wait until the vehicle was completed at the factory before shipment.

We'll have to see what happens.

 

[2pmader]

Ford will sell partially built vehicles awaiting chips or related components that control non-safety critical features, it told dealers today.

Dealers will get the missing chips within 1 year to install on the already-sold vehicles, Ford said.

news story:


DETROIT – Amid an ongoing chip shortage, Ford is reportedly planning to ship and sell vehicles without certain non-critical chips as the automaker deals with a pile of unfinished vehicles.

Automotive News reports that Ford told dealerships on Saturday that they plan to sell vehicles without chips for some non-safety features, with plans to install them in the already-sold cars within a year.

Ford, like other automakers, has been dealing with a shortage of semiconductor microchips, and have a growing inventory of vehicles waiting for chips.

Ford isn’t the first to eliminate some chip-powered features. GM temporarily dropped heated seats in some models earlier this year.

Ok I have been assured that my 10/13 FE order has to get built in 22 but now am convinced it will be a incomplete truck

 

[psklenar]

I still contend that having a dealer service tech solder anything that small over and over is not going to happen very easily, ...

Oh, I agree whole heartedly.

But as others have posited, I really suspect that while everyone is using the term "missing chips", the real issue is missing MODULES (which in turn are missing the actual chips). So once the chips are available, the vendor adds them to the modules and sends the modules to Ford or dropships directly to the Dealer Service centers for installation. Dealer Service centers should be able to handle plugging in a module or unplugging a dummy module and replacing it with a working one.

pat----

 

[Watchman]

I still contend that having a dealer service tech solder anything that small over and over is not going to happen very easily, and I would trust a modern socket before having the tech solder anything. Just too easy to short it out. That's why it normally done with robots.

There are no easy solutions, just ones with various tradeoffs. For me, I'd rather wait until the vehicle was completed at the factory before shipment.

We'll have to see what happens.

There will be no soldering? Sorry, you are just not understanding. I have US patents for the development of a digital watch so I have first hand knowledge in PCB and Chip technology. When the device tech removes the module missing the proper chip to activate and control the deactivated "function" he will either return the module he removed to Ford or discard it. It's as simple as it can get.

I'm not picking on those that "might" end up without heated seats for a period of time but they will either have to accept it or wait until Ford can build and ship it with heated seats. Based on what we know, I would think that choice would be obvious.

 

[Lunysgwen]

I am confident that there will be no soldering here. You can look at all kinds of diagrams and see that the majority of vehicle controlled systems are, indeed, module based. You can plug the empty receptacle and mark it for backfill later with instructions on how to properly install said module. Ford isnt stupid, it's got an army of engineers who will think this through and make it easy for people to install.

The days of cars being run by a single ECU are way behind us.

 

[ssavon66]

I guess it would all depend on what the "non critical" features are. I know it was mentioned things like heated seats etc... but I would need to know what all won't be working.

 

[Tonycouture]

I think it's time AMERICA steps up and starts building these chips, WE DONT NEED CHINA, we need to start supplying our companies with AMERICAN made chips and this issue would be solved

 

[Strokes]

I would take that deal. As long as Ford 'makes it right' with some of the suggestions others have made here.

 

[Starwatcher]

I'm strangely ok with this!

Me too
I can do without anything beyond a base truck. My dealer is a good one and I won’t have a problem with them later.

 

[Bruinman]

Wow, knowingly driving away from the lot with an incomplete brand new vehicle. Ford is desperate. I think the supply issues are getting worse, not better.
Report: Ford to sell cars without some non-safety related chips, install them later (clickondetroit.com)

Ford is a bunch of morons. Ordered my 2.0 with everything on it except the first edition model on 12/4/21. Still don't have a Vin.
I guess I'm never getting mine. So annoying.

 

[Watchman]

I think it's time AMERICA steps up and starts building these chips, WE DONT NEED CHINA, we need to start supplying our companies with AMERICAN made chips and this issue would be solved

"Starts building chips" . . . Again!

It's sad America took so long to get back to doing what American Jack Kilby invented while at Texas Instrument in 1958.

Updates can be found on the net about the revival of American Microchip manufacturing across America. We have a bit of a wait but it's coming back.

 

[NeedForSteve]

Well, this thread is incredibly hyperbolic

 

[Turtle]

According to the tech agent at Ford of Canada, the only vehicles being shipped missing not essential chips are ford Explorers. I just got off the phone with them. We need to quit listening to the internet.

The internet’s quote never mentioned any specific car or truck.

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