service issues

I bought a 2020 st ford explorer approx.. 11 months ago. I am now getting a 4-wheel drive fault saying service is required. I called the dealership I purchased it from, and they told me it was covered. I asked if I take it in, when could I get it back? They told me bring it in and they would put it in line , and in 4 weeks they would look at it. Not fix it but look at it. does this sound like good business? My inspection is due at the end of this month. It won't pass with that fault on the screen. Any ideas?

Welcome to the post covid world of piss poor service and complete lack of accountability. If there are any other ford dealers near you, I would see if they can get you in quicker. Very common problem, most likely the AWD module under the driver seat.

4 weeks?? Where are you located?
I would call other dealers..

Welcome to the forum.

You need to get a code reader and run a diagnostic. could be something simple like a bad half shaft speed sensor.

Bad AWD module ground?

Welcome to the forum.

Call other dealers outside of you general area. It might be worth driving a few hours to get it fixed sooner.

Note that there are MANY small issues that can cause the light, but only a couple of major ones. As mentioned, you should read the OBD code(s) and post them here or ask another dealer/shop about possible fixes.

4wd fault has popped up for me and later went away on it's own.

That's how it began for me then had a sensor replaced, then came back on less than a year later, then had the FADA replaced. So far so good after a couple months of driving.

I haven’t had any issue since it went away.

Yeah, this car has had numerous dash warning that another keystart will be totally fine. I don't worry about it unless it is a code that keeps coming back. I periodically check my car for codes using Forscan Lite and there is almost always a few codes logged. Most are not even noticed by me driving the car so I just clear them and move on. In contrast, my Wife's Audi Q5 has had almost no codes or issues since she bought it in 2020 and that was a midcycle refresh year.

I'm in the same boat so to speak with a Apim and TCU issue....There are a number of issues that are leading to your long lead time. First off, CDK was hacked weeks ago and it put all the dealerships and service centers into a back log of work. CDK is the computer system used by thousands of sites around the country. They use it to manage every aspect of the dealership operation. Another issue that you are having without knowing it is, there are issues with the 2025s that ford is scrambling to fix behind closed doors. I live near one of the massive holding lots in the Midwest and there are local videos popping up of hundreds of 2025s sitting in the lot waiting for some sort of fix before being released. Now, you might be asking yourself why would that hinder your lead time, well..... Ford might be looking at a massive recall of some sort with whatever the hold up is with the 2025s and this is leading them to telling service locations to try alternative options outside of just replacing parts.

I have seen this with my ST and my buddies Raptor. His trans was shifting like junk and Ford told the tech to update the trans software 3 times before they told them to pull the valve body and inspect it for marring. They told them, if there was no marring to the valve body to just keep forcing the reprogramming and testing the shifting till it shifted correctly.... Long story short, it seems Ford does not want to warranty parts right now and wants to warranty the labor hours to keep forcing computer updates.

Again, this is just my point of view but even the dealers say this stuff is silly and a waste of time b/c they have seen all this before on other units and it all ends with parts replacement....

The 10R60/80 transmissions are indeed having internal hardware issues with one of the clutch drum bushings moving out of position, opening a fluid path that kills it.

I've been fighting this all month. 85 messages on the ford app in 2 weeks- nearly all the faults the car can show. Took 2 weeks to get an appt, took my 2020 ST in Tuesday- they found a extra wire harness up under the dash- this may have been an alarm (I think the dealer alarmed them during covid when nobody was working the lot). Took it out and it cleared....1 mile after leaving all the faults are back took it back 10 min after leaving. Yesterday they said it's a PO504 code- Brake sensor, replaced and they say they drove it 25 miles. Took it home, went to fill up the tank and the errors back, but fewer. Took it back this morning, and they decided it's the half-shaft speed sensor (which I had mentioned when dropping it off- after reading the forums when the issues started- but why believe me?). Hopefully they get it replaced today. I'm out $700, including a $220 diagnostic fee which apparently gets added whenever you bring a non-warranty issue in.
I bought this in April 2020, might have been the first guy with the Blue screen back-up camera problem- took 4 trips in 2020/21, then the recall came out later. Overall, I've enjoyed it....we replaced a Jag F-Pace with this: more power, better 4WD on ice/snow, better gas milage, more comfortable to drive, better suspension, more safety features, and Massaging seats! and for less $$. But it has had more recalls, warranty issues, and now this sensor- than the 2 Jaguars I had before this car.

To be fair, I had problems in my area LONG before COVID.
There were only 2 service shops in a major metropolitan area - that gums everything up.

Update- A week later, it's still in the shop. The sensor wasn't the issue. So they said, Probably the Halfshaft itself.....finished that yesterday...and it faulted again during the test. Today they are thinking its the AWD module. I'm not complaining, when they realized they could charge Ford for the powertrain warranty I got a loaner. The loaner is an ST-Line, which is nowhere the same as a ST. Less Power, more spartan interior, doesn't have the drive modes- but it is stickered $14K less than my 2020 was. I guess its the new name for a XLT.

AWD module, shocker who could have ever guessed that?

So am I wrong thinking I should get a refund on the $700 I paid prior to realizing it warranty work? Thanks to all of you, I told them where to start, but they chose other things until none fixed it.