Neutral tow mode - HELP!

[bobhardy3]

I have a 2023 XLT Hybrid. I'm having problems with neutral tow mode.

I am deep into a 5,000 mile RV trip and my truck is telling me I'm in "neutral tow mode" when I shut down after driving the truck around (after unhooking). Upon shutdown, it says the truck is in neutral tow. Now, I cannot get it to go into "neutral tow mode" as it thinks it is already in neutral tow mode? I disconnected the battery under the rear seat hoping for a reset. No dice.

Any help is appreciated. It does crank and drive. I need to be able to tow it though!

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[bobhardy3]

I just noticed the shift indicator says its in "N" . It doesn't change indicators when shifting into P, D, or R. It does go into those respective gears, but indicates N of messages.

 

[jsus]

Oddly, the Maverick manual doesn't specifically call out a procedure for turning off Neutral Tow. Escape does, and the programming should be similar. It specifically calls out using accessory mode (first click of the key) and fully pressing the brake pedal. Wouldn't hurt to closely follow these steps. Though, if it's actually shifting into reverse and drive, and allowing you to drive the vehicle, then it seems the computer is confused somewhere.

 

[bobhardy3]

It's nuts! The first click of the key should be ACC, but doesnt do anything. I have to turn the key to a position next to start to bring up menu options.

I'm hoping a dealer can fit me in tomorrow. I agree the computer is confused. First it was the deep sleep mode issues, now this lovely present! Sheesh. Maybe a maintenance ferry will visit the truck tonight! - lol

 

[Johnkn]

OP, perhaps the 'computer confusion' is a low +12V battery. When you open the doors do the interior overhead lights come on?

Doesn't flat tow mode require starting the truck periodically to recharge the battery? Did you do that?

Perhaps put it on a charger tonight or attach a jump box to the pins under the hood in the AM and see if that helps.

good luck!

Edit, I hate to see someone stuck when traveling. Here's a link to the (2022) Owner's Manual, Flat towing begins on page 287 in the event you missed something. It appears to be the same info from the 2023 manual, just different page numbers.

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...n-us_07_2021-pdf.2847/?force-system-browser=1

I hope it helps

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[bobhardy3]

Interestingly, this is my third battery. I checked voltage with my multimeter and it is good. I appreciate the recommendation. I'm an hour early sitting outside a dealer hoping they can scan the truck and maybe reflash the computer. I'll post my results. Fingers crossed!

 

[PapaRed]

Exact thing happened to me in June - 2,000 miles from home. Ford dealer disconnected battery, reconnected 15 minutes later and all was well. They refused to warranty, charged me $185 but that's another issue.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I have a 2023 XLT Hybrid. I'm having problems with neutral tow mode.

I am deep into a 5,000 mile RV trip and my truck is telling me I'm in "neutral tow mode" when I shut down after driving the truck around (after unhooking). Upon shutdown, it says the truck is in neutral tow. Now, I cannot get it to go into "neutral tow mode" as it thinks it is already in neutral tow mode? I disconnected the battery under the rear seat hoping for a reset. No dice.

Any help is appreciated. It does crank and drive. I need to be able to tow it though!

Hi there. Could you privately message us with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer so I can look into this towing concern for you? Thank you!

 

[GPSMan]

12 v battery issues, including connectors, harnesses, and fuses, not just the voltage can explain a lot.

Also in mine; I get different voltages at different places in the truck.

Example:
No-Load
Battery terminals can be 12.4v while at the same time the cigarette lighter port can be 12.1 v. I think that is weird.

 

[bobhardy3]

Update: Dealer fixed it by resetting a module. It could have been an over the air update gone wrong.

 

[bobhardy3]

Exact thing happened to me in June - 2,000 miles from home. Ford dealer disconnected battery, reconnected 15 minutes later and all was well. They refused to warranty, charged me $185 but that's another issue.

I tried that and it didn't work. Dealer reset a module.

 

[swtiming8]

Update: Dealer fixed it by resetting a module. It could have been an over the air update gone wrong.

Did you happen to see which module and how did he reset it.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

12 v battery issues, including connectors, harnesses, and fuses, not just the voltage can explain a lot.

Also in mine; I get different voltages at different places in the truck.

Example:
No-Load
Battery terminals can be 12.4v while at the same time the cigarette lighter port can be 12.1 v. I think that is weird.

You are taking open circuit readings which can vary depending on draws occuring between your reading point and the positive battery point. A draw on the buss which occurs "downstream" from your point of reading has not occurred yet but draws between battery post and cigarette lighter point has affected reading. Close door turn off drl everything you can. Turn key off and put truck in accessory without ready status and your 12.1 reading should be 12.2 or 12.3 due to fewer draws active.

 

[bobhardy3]

Hi there. Could you privately message us with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer so I can look into this towing concern for you? Thank you!

Can't figure out how to pm you.

 

[kylec]

@bobhardy3 - I just got back from a trip from Virginia to Texas and back to Virginia. We were planning on flat towing our 2023 Maverick XLT and were able to tow many miles successfully, but ended up spending time at several Ford dealerships along the way. I had the same issue as you and followed the directions to a tee.

I could invoke “Neutral Tow” mode and tow successfully all day. However, when it came time to take the Maverick out of “Neutral Tow” mode, it was always a crap shoot. We never knew if we would be towing the Maverick the next day or looking for a Ford dealership to try to get them to “reset” it!

Two dealerships had mercy on us and were able to resolve the issue by resetting a module like they did for you. Several other dealerships either refused to give us service because they were too busy or the technician did not understand how to resolve the issue and told us that they had “cleared the error codes” but did not resolve the issue and we had to drive instead of tow the Maverick. Many wasted hours sitting in dealerships and waiting for resolution so we could continue on our journey.

Mixed results. Disappointing! Now we are home and I have an appointment with my primary dealership to have them look at it. I bought the truck to be able to tow it and if they can’t fix it so this does not happen again - I will have to move on to a more reliable tow vehicle (maybe a Jeep?).

The trouble is that I love the Maverick and don’t want to move on to a different vehicle. But if push comes to shove - I will move on.

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