Unable to add a record to your FordPass Service History?

[MetalsGeek]

FordPass supports an online service history database showing maintenance and repairs done to your vehicle. You can view this history with the phone app, but adding a record must be done through a computer browser. I used Google Chrome under Windows 10 by logging in to my account HERE. For newbies, you can find step-by-step instructions HERE.
Each service record is not very detailed, offering a limited subset of maintenance & repair actions in a list of check boxes. For example, the entries by my dealer for PDI and firmware recalls simply say "Other" with no details present. Normal scheduled services are limited to "Oil Change" and "Filter Replacement", so if you want to document the distinction between the engine oil and cabin air filters, you must put this in the NOTES section.
At my second oil change, I wanted to enter details on the oil used & filters replaced, as well as tire rotation direction and tread depth. When I filled out the form and clicked the SAVE button, I saw the error message, "Oops! Something went wrong adding your entry. Please refresh and try again later." I retried my action many times over several weeks before contacting the FordPass Support line at 800-883-2966. Eventually, the Ford rep and I discovered that the NOTES field accepts user text that will throw an error during processing into the database. If you have a similar experience, try weeding out these potential troublemakers. We did not have time to verify all potential causes, but the current list of suspects include:

• Reserved characters
  • Line breaks (multiple lines of text)
  • Certain punctuation (TBD)
• Too much text (guess >250 chars max)

The Ford rep I spoke with on 10/29/2024 said that he would create a software problem report to get this fixed and I might want to try the web page again in a few months to see if any updates had been made. I told Santa that what I want for Christmas is better QA in Ford's software development team.

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[oysterville]

It's a good idea to not rely on a third party "free" service when you can just do it yourself at home. It's less prone to the whims of that third party.

 

[MetalsGeek]

It's a good idea to not rely on a third party "free" service when you can just do it yourself at home. It's less prone to the whims of that third party.

I totally agree. I've done all my own maintenance & repairs for 50 years. (Eeek!) The main reason I bother with the FordPass Service History is that my engine is in the production group at risk of grenading due to out-of-spec crankshaft journals. If I ever have a warranty claim, I expect to need some sort of documentation that I actually did the requisite maintenance. My own service records live in an Excel workbook and are way more detailed than Ford's.

 

[oysterville]

Valid. I feel good about scanning docs and saving them redundantly but it's not for everyone.

 

[Automan21]

That crap app never works for me, can't get in to input maintenance. Receipts and notes for me.

 

[inline_five]

@MetalsGeek

I researched this intensely when looking at what documentation was needed to maintain warranty coverage. I happened upon a post on Reddit from someone whose job it was to take warranty calls/claims and process them, and their suggestions were eye opening.

Essentially they stated that owners who do their own maintenance should document exactly what was done. This included exact type of oil, quantity of oil added, model number of filter, date, mileage, and location along with all dated receipts and UPCs from containers that back up those claims. In addition they highly recommended taking a picture of stated receipts on the dash with odometer within view as well.

Listen, I understand many will quote the law that states Ford can’t deny warranty claims yadda yadda yadda but this was a person whose job it was to do just that.

They also recommended having every routine maintenance done at the dealer while under warranty to alleviate any and all concerns resulting from poor documentation. The cost differential is minimal.

That being said we have numerous reports here of dealers documenting using incorrect oil (whether correct oil type was used or not Is unknown) so I elected to DIY my maintenance while documenting everything they suggested.

I also found the same issues as you on the Ford site and was able to work through the issues and log the basics while also keeping a paper copy for my own records.

 

[Packer Bill]

Thank you for this information. I did not know that you can add service records via Ford's website.

 

[HeyBales]

That crap app never works for me, can't get in to input maintenance. Receipts and notes for me.

I'm surprised you found a place to input maintenance in the app - it was removed several versions back - like June maybe?
If your version is just unupdated & old and still shows an ability to input it - it can't function.

Description above is the way.

Or indeed - my folder with maintenance log, and envelope of receipts showing what was bought that I used.
I'm sure that ink will fade right when I need to show proof...

 

[Ozarkbeard]

If I ever have a warranty claim, I expect to need some sort of documentation that I actually did the requisite maintenance. My own service records live in an Excel workbook and are way more detailed than Ford's.

That's all you'll need.

When I had a premature (but out of warranty) failure of an engine in an F-150 years ago, Ford (not the dealer) agreed it failed too soon, despite being a few thousand miles out of warranty. They came up with a compromise to sell me an extended warranty at dealer cost, and then replace the engine @ no charge to me, except the cost of the warranty and the deductible. They never asked to see any receipts or other documentation of regular maintenance.

 

[MetalsGeek]

I'm surprised you found a place to input maintenance in the app - it was removed several versions back - like June maybe? If your version is just unupdated & old and still shows an ability to input it - it can't function.

My original post did mention that the phone app can only display the service history, and cannot edit it. Ford did indeed remove this capability, so you have to use a browser on a computer. I kinda assume this change was to address one specific situation, and I still wonder what that might have been. It must be a pretty funny story...

 

[sajohnson]

MetalsGeek,

Thank you for your post, it was very helpful!

 

[Cigargoyle]

You can still add to service history in the app. Just click "add" in the upper right corner under service history.

 

[Cherokee]

I have a file, My local Ford dealer is the only one who touches my Mav.
I drop the receipts in the file folder.

My dealer ship has all the records also.
My Ford pass app has them but it’s redundant.

 

[MetalsGeek]

You can still add to service history in the app. Just click "add" in the upper right corner under service history.

Thanks for that post. It's nice to see this functionality is back in the app. I still prefer entering records from my PC since I really hate the clunky virtual keyboards on phones.

 

[sajohnson]

Thanks for that post. It's nice to see this functionality is back in the app. I still prefer entering records from my PC since I really hate the clunky virtual keyboards on phones.

I agree. IMO, phones are a good backup. They're useful when away from home, but when I'm at home (which is most of the time) I much prefer using my laptop. There's no contest -- large display, full size keyboard, etc.

BTW, I was able to post my oil change record by typing the notes on one line with single spaces between sentences:

"Motorcraft FL910S. 100% Full Synthetic; 5W-30; API-SP."

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