25 ST Powertrain Malfunction / Reduced Power

[PaulWieds]

So, appreciate folks who’ve had this issue serviced reporting out! But I am just wondering if I should break my back to get the car into service for this issue ASAP or is it safe to keep driving it? Thanks all!

As an update on my end, just had the light come back on this morning on the way to a meeting. Two hours later pulling back into my driveway it shut off… pretty frustrating that a car I have only had for 2500 miles / 3 months is having issues…

 

[enphor]

Clearing codes does not 'fix' any underlying issue (if there is one), i.e., an ECU reflash/update, etc.

Not talking about clearing to "fix" anything, just to read the specific code to understand more accurately what is going on.

In my example case clearing the code was fine because I know what happened and it wasn't due to something broken.

 

[Caster]

Clearing codes does not 'fix' any underlying issue (if there is one), i.e., an ECU reflash/update, etc.

You are correct for some of the times. Its not uncommon to get a code out of no where that doesn't come back after clearing it. Also, many times clearing a code that may come back will allow you to continue on out of limp mode until you can get it into a dealer.

 

[AMCfoxbody]

@enphor and @Caster Fully agree with what you are both saying - having the reader has been a game-changer for me in the past. Was able to understand a critical powertrain issue with my Subaru Forester, diagnose it and fix on my own likely saving hundreds of dollars at the shop. In this case, I already knew what the issue was and that a TSB was available - so was easy enough to get it re-flashed.

 

[DEC2024]

So, appreciate folks who’ve had this issue serviced reporting out! But I am just wondering if I should break my back to get the car into service for this issue ASAP or is it safe to keep driving it? Thanks all!

As an update on my end, just had the light come back on this morning on the way to a meeting. Two hours later pulling back into my driveway it shut off… pretty frustrating that a car I have only had for 2500 miles / 3 months is having issues…

The dealer didn’t go over the details of the TSB/SSM so who knows if it’s a software glitch or not and the seriousness of it. I know a few TSBs on one thing can lead to something serious down the road. Even though some solutions might not be the real fix, I personally I choose to get serviced right away.

 

[enphor]

@enphor and @Caster Fully agree with what you are both saying - having the reader has been a game-changer for me in the past. Was able to understand a critical powertrain issue with my Subaru Forester, diagnose it and fix on my own likely saving hundreds of dollars at the shop. In this case, I already knew what the issue was and that a TSB was available - so was easy enough to get it re-flashed.

I had a 15' Forester XT that was cobb tuned. Loved that little SUV, definately a little sleeper with that WRX engine under the hood (albiet a bit de-tuned more for low end torque). Still was a fun vehicle and surprised every passenger with how she moved. I moved into the ST when checking out the latest Subaru lineup , how they got rid of the turbo for the forester, and everything else looked lame to me except the WRX. I needed more utility and room. ST fit the bill in spaces with in my opinion the right combo of performance, comfort, utility. And now all the stuff I have done to it , I'm happy to say it has the capability to surprise and give me a bit of a scare with how fast she can get going now.

 

[Ohioguy93]

Just had the wrench show up last night for the first time followed by the message in the connected Ford app indicating Powertrain Malfunction/ Reduced Power. Parked it and went into the gym, came out and it was still on. Stopped at the dispensary and on my way out the light was off again. Wondering if its worth to schedule service for this issue right away? 2522 miles on a 2025 ST I purchased in August of this year.

Mine was at the dealer for maybe 3 hours. They new exactly what it was, it just needed a software update.

 

[Cdubya]

Mine was at the dealer for maybe 3 hours. They new exactly what it was, it just needed a software update.

If they knew what it was, why 3 hours? Most modules a flashed in 5-10 minutes.

 

[D Hummel]

If they knew what it was, why 3 hours? Most modules a flashed in 5-10 minutes.

My service appointment is scheduled for tomorrow. Shall see.

 

[Birdofprey]

Had the engine wrench light engine over temp warning come on today On my 2025 ST. after driving little over 200 miles without any problems. stopped at the local Brahms in Dumas, Texas. when I got back in the car to leave, it said engine overheat. luckily there was a Ford dealer in town. drove there in limp mode. They reprogram the PCM I was on my way in about an hour. Kudos to Dumas Ford.

 

[Caster]

Is everyone getting the root issues here- Bull$hit Software. We are all having issue after issue after issue with software problems. Over-complication and over-sophistication of vehicles is not how it should be. This adds to higher vehicle costs with a hell of a lot more owner frustration.

 

[D Hummel]

Had the engine wrench light engine over temp warning come on today On my 2025 ST. after driving little over 200 miles without any problems. stopped at the local Brahms in Dumas, Texas. when I got back in the car to leave, it said engine overheat. luckily there was a Ford dealer in town. drove there in limp mode. They reprogram the PCM I was on my way in about an hour. Kudos to Dumas Ford.

Thx for that info Birdofprey. My dealer is about to pickup mine w/200 miles in 15 minutes for the Powertrain malfunction error. Others note their errors present more frequently when cold, now I'm thinking it's the same. Hope software issue will be the last.

 

[Birdofprey]

I’ve got 5000 miles on mine now. first issue I’ve had. I really enjoy this one.

 

[D Hummel]

2025 Ford Explorer ST: So this is the result from my service call regarding the Orange Wrench light. "Ran EEC test to get P0929 at GSM. Ran Oasis to find SSM 53118. Performed SSM for update to FSM that will correct this issue. Cleared codes after update." Took for a test drive on interstate this evening. All seems well.

 

[cdast]

I just picked mine up from the dealership. Same fix everyone else is getting. Unfortunately my Apple Carplay won't connect now... I don't think it has anything to do with a GSM software update...

 

[3rdExplorer1stST]

Light came on as I was pulling out of the garage this evening, drove right back in and took the wife’s car. Went back to start it 3 hours later, no light, nothing in the app. Little over 3K miles and it was less than 10 degrees when parked at work today. So I guess we’ll see if it’s my turn next.

 

[D Hummel]

Light came on as I was pulling out of the garage this evening, drove right back in and took the wife’s car. Went back to start it 3 hours later, no light, nothing in the app. Little over 3K miles and it was less than 10 degrees when parked at work today. So I guess we’ll see if it’s my turn next.

Know warmth is a rare commodity this time of year in MN, but really think there is a relationship with temps and orange wrench.

 

[Caster]

Seems as though more issues are found via legit noises or felt issues like vibrations or harsh clunking, etc. . So many times when people take vehicles in, the determination is that the sensor put there to detect a problem is what is actually bad - meaning the sensor itself is bad and not whatever it was put there to supposedly detect an issue with. This is the same with excessive and glitchy software.

Some electronics made vehicles better but the dipshits couldn't figure out when to stop and instead went WAY to far. This drives up prices, complexity, warranty claims, and of course leads to more issues to deal with for the consumer when the electronics go bad.

When will they figure out that simplicity is not a bad thing.