• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


Infotainment wont stay in dark mode

Cdubya

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,693
Reactions
842
Points
262
Location
NE Ohio
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#21
This is ridiculous and Ford should be fixing this free of charge! I refuse to tinker with this any more or ask the dealer to look at it.
Sure, but the problem with that is some have been told September for the next version of Sync. I'm not waiting that long. The Sync3Updater just creates a USB stick like Ford would ask you to make once downloaded from the Ford site. The only wrench in it is that without any free rwdata, even updating Sync versions will error out. You need to try to get a hard reset and two soft resets in, and then immediately insert your update (downgrade) USB stick.

Hbalek, in your case, if your master reset (hard reset) hangs, try doing a couple of soft resets and then hard reset followed by two soft resets, downgrade USB stick. It has worked for me and others too.
 

OP
S
Messages
162
Reactions
88
Points
27
Location
Charles Town, WV, USA
Thread Starter #22
Between this and now what seems to be some sort of driveline issue (making a binding sound) I think my ST days are about done, I think as much as I loved it I'll be trading it in before the warranty runs out.
 

Messages
13
Reactions
6
Points
2
Location
Georgia
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#23
Between this and now what seems to be some sort of driveline issue (making a binding sound) I think my ST days are about done, I think as much as I loved it I'll be trading it in before the warranty runs out.
All new cars have their own issues, you just have to choose the ones you are willing to live with. A performance oriented vehicle isn’t going to net you the same monotony in reliability and vanilla day to day life as a standard A to B boring type vehicle. You are paying for ALL of the flair and temperaments, the aftermarket works to cull the temperament.
 

OP
S
Messages
162
Reactions
88
Points
27
Location
Charles Town, WV, USA
Thread Starter #24
So because its a performance vehicle that most of us paid over 50k for Ford doesnt have to build a decently reliable vehicle? Bullshit... I'd say quite the opposite infact. If the ST does it im sure the everything from the XLT to the Platinum does the same... Manufacturers need to stop making excuses and start building in quality again. My back up camera hasnt worked right since the day I bought it... how hard is it to get a back up camera right? I get theirs tradeoffs with everything but I expect my $50000 suv to atleast peform its basic functions it came with that I paid extra for.
 

Messages
190
Reactions
89
Points
27
Location
Sumner County TN
Vehicle
2025 Ford Explorer ST 400a
#25
$50K?
How about $62K sticker....
 

OP
S
Messages
162
Reactions
88
Points
27
Location
Charles Town, WV, USA
Thread Starter #26
I mean yeah, fair, I bought mine used but I guess you're right, just furthers my point. It's ridiculous.
 

Messages
13
Reactions
6
Points
2
Location
Georgia
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#27
So because it’s a performance vehicle that most of us paid over 50k for Ford doesnt have to build a decently reliable vehicle? Bullshit... I'd say quite the opposite infact. If the ST does it im sure the everything from the XLT to the Platinum does the same... Manufacturers need to stop making excuses and start building in quality again. My back up camera hasnt worked right since the day I bought it... how hard is it to get a back up camera right? I get theirs tradeoffs with everything but I expect my $50000 suv to atleast peform its basic functions it came with that I paid extra for.
What does the cost have to do with anything?

50-60k used to be the top of the pile in the automotive world, now’s it is low to low-middle tier, it’s not 1999 anymore.
I have a hot take for you, since you think it’s so simple to get a back up camera right, go ahead and bid that contract as a supplier and let us know how you fare.

I work in the auto mfg supply chain industry, as a whole it’s been so f-ked for the last 3 years I’m surprised there aren’t more issues than what we are having.
 

Last edited:
Messages
125
Reactions
51
Points
27
Location
Va
#28
I really really like my ST. However, for my 2021, my pains are the front windows that keep losing their programming for auto up/down, the sunroof rattle at 40F temps, and the rear subframe/diff issue. These are enough to question my continued ownership. Maybe these are addressed in the 2024 model....

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk
 

OP
S
Messages
162
Reactions
88
Points
27
Location
Charles Town, WV, USA
Thread Starter #29
I work in the industry too, im so sick of everyone using the supply chain as a crutch for half assed vehicles and half assed service. Its an excuse and its getting old. OE's can fix the problems, they dont want to, their still making money and their doing it cheaper than ever and charging consumers more than ever for less. Yes supply chains are messed up right now but thats not an excuse to produce a sub par product and sell it at a premium price. How can you blame the pandemic on an early build 2020.. before the supply chain issues even started? Yeah... Covid has nothing to do with why Ford electronics suck, its cause they sold out to the cheapest bidder.
 

Messages
13
Reactions
6
Points
2
Location
Georgia
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#30
I work in the industry too, im so sick of everyone using the supply chain as a crutch for half assed vehicles and half assed service. Its an excuse and its getting old. OE's can fix the problems, they dont want to, their still making money and their doing it cheaper than ever and charging consumers more than ever for less. Yes supply chains are messed up right now but thats not an excuse to produce a sub par product and sell it at a premium price. How can you blame the pandemic on an early build 2020.. before the supply chain issues even started? Yeah... Covid has nothing to do with why Ford electronics suck, its cause they sold out to the cheapest bidder.
What covid did create is an extremely high turn over rate, and loosened quality control standard.

The fix for your screen is a simple DIY, and 100% doable in less than an hour. If you aren’t willing to take it on then live with what you have. Yes, Ford put out a bad software package, but you have the means to fix it. You have to at some point take some ownership of the things you own and either fix it, which is free, or just stop blaming others.
 

Dale5403

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,974
Reactions
1,988
Points
262
Location
Mondovi, WI, USA
#31
What covid did create is an extremely high turn over rate, and loosened quality control standard.

The fix for your screen is a simple DIY, and 100% doable in less than an hour. If you aren’t willing to take it on then live with what you have. Yes, Ford put out a bad software package, but you have the means to fix it. You have to at some point take some ownership of the things you own and either fix it, which is free, or just stop blaming others.
So what is the do it yourself fix? A lot of people I'm sure would like to know.
 

OP
S
Messages
162
Reactions
88
Points
27
Location
Charles Town, WV, USA
Thread Starter #33
I did fix it, that does not negate the fact that Ford is still responsible to fix their own **** up when not everyone who owns one of these will have the ability to fix this problem... as I said, OE's need to stop using supply chains, the pandemic, and covid as an excuse for putting out shotty half assed products and not fixing their own mistakes.
 

Messages
190
Reactions
89
Points
27
Location
Sumner County TN
Vehicle
2025 Ford Explorer ST 400a
#34
You folks think these probs with the ST are a disaster? (rant on)...
I invested in well over a grand for proper cables, software, Mongoose interface,etc., because Ford could NOT fix my 2021 F150 Powerboost.
One of their OTA updates blocked/blacklisted the computer so it couldn't be updated via FDRS or OTA...They ended up replacing the IPMA module, (a $900 part), per the Ford engineers and that didn't completely fix it. Then wouldn't pay the dealer for the module or labor. Thats a good way to piss of the techs AND the customers.

I was ready to burn the truck to the ground. I finally get the software close enough to be tolerable after multiple firmware updates myself. (There are 43 modules in the Powerboost). The ST has nowhere near that many. I learned more about their service FDRS software than they did and even told them how to fix the 2021 PB....

-THEN-

It was recalled due to a simple windshield washer motor. Major safety issue!!! Ya wouldn't want that to fail in a torrential down pour. Their response, don't drive it till the part is replaced. Took months for Ford to get a $90 part to replace it. Then they replaced the wiper arms, (also a recall), then ok, figured we were done, I get a letter From Ford saying they know I had the motor replaced but we need to replace it again!
People were having axel bolts sheared off and many other things. And that is not even my whole story.
I spent many hours driving back and forth to the dealer over 22 miles one way. They once gave me a loaner car out of many drop offs because they had none. Wow! So, my wife had to follow me and pick me up. Double indemnity.

I was so pist I took a chance and traded it in for the 2023 ST.($62k ) Figure there were a gazillion of them on the road. First thing I did was update all the software, etc. I was having the screen go wonky, you name it. Then I get a recall for the camera. Ford says they will notify me when there is a remedy. I'm like, here we effing go again. If I have to go through all this shite again, I told my boy, eff Ford, time to take a different path. When the truck ran, it ran good. but when it didn't, ugh.

Ford dropped the ball on all its customers. It cares more about creating new vehicles/models rather than fix the ones we have. I've been a Ford guy for decades. I've never seen this type of incompetence and the way they treat customers. Go to a dealer now and look at a Full size Bronco if you find one, a Raptor, etc.. They are marked up $15K to $20K above sticker. Talk about rape when they won't even give a returning customer a sticker price?

This industry has gone to shite. Might as well go back to an older model with a carburetor.... at least I know how to fix those.. (rant off)...
 

Last edited:

hbalek

Active Member
Messages
950
Reactions
530
Points
232
Location
Kensington, MD, USA
#35
You folks think these probs with the ST are a disaster? (rant on)...
I invested in well over a grand for proper cables, software, Mongoose interface,etc., because Ford could NOT fix my 2021 F150 Powerboost.
One of their OTA updates blocked/blacklisted the computer so it couldn't be updated via FDRS or OTA...They ended up replacing the IPMA module, (a $900 part), per the Ford engineers and that didn't completely fix it. Then wouldn't pay the dealer for the module or labor. Thats a good way to piss of the techs AND the customers.

I was ready to burn the truck to the ground. I finally get the software close enough to be tolerable after multiple firmware updates myself. (There are 43 modules in the Powerboost). The ST has nowhere near that many. I learned more about their service FDRS software than they did and even told them how to fix the 2021 PB....

-THEN-

It was recalled due to a simple windshield washer motor. Major safety issue!!! Ya wouldn't want that to fail in a torrential down pour. Their response, don't drive it till the part is replaced. Took months for Ford to get a $90 part to replace it. Then they replaced the wiper arms, (also a recall), then ok, figured we were done, I get a letter From Ford saying they know I had the motor replaced but we need to replace it again!
People were having axel bolts sheared off and many other things. And that is not even my whole story.
I spent many hours driving back and forth to the dealer over 22 miles one way. They once gave me a loaner car out of many drop offs because they had none. Wow! So, my wife had to follow me and pick me up. Double indemnity.

I was so pist I took a chance and traded it in for the 2023 ST.($62k ) Figure there were a gazillion of them on the road. First thing I did was update all the software, etc. I was having the screen go wonky, you name it. Then I get a recall for the camera. Ford says they will notify me when there is a remedy. I'm like, here we effing go again. If I have to go through all this shite again, I told my boy, eff Ford, time to take a different path. When the truck ran, it ran good. but when it didn't, ugh.

Ford dropped the ball on all its customers. It cares more about creating new vehicles/models rather than fix the ones we have. I've been a Ford guy for decades. I've never seen this type of incompetence and the way they treat customers. Go to a dealer now and look at a Full size Bronco if you find one, a Raptor, etc.. They are marked up $15K to $20K above sticker. Talk about rape when they won't even give a returning customer a sticker price?

This industry has gone to shite. Might as well go back to an older model with a carburetor.... at least I know how to fix those.. (rant off)...
For me, the experience was tolerable because I had a good dealer service department, Sheehy Ford in Gaithersburg. No matter how catastrophic the failure they always came through to make it a better experience despite Ford never having a permanent fix for some things like the camera issue. So a careless dealer could make this a miserable situation for sure!
 

Messages
190
Reactions
89
Points
27
Location
Sumner County TN
Vehicle
2025 Ford Explorer ST 400a
#36
For me, the experience was tolerable because I had a good dealer service department, Sheehy Ford in Gaithersburg. No matter how catastrophic the failure they always came through to make it a better experience despite Ford never having a permanent fix for some things like the camera issue. So a careless dealer could make this a miserable situation for sure!
It wasn’t my dealer most of the time. It was a first year design. Ford never trained their techs to work on these vehicles. My dealer is a small family owned company. Great people that are loved by the community.

Onboard computers with all this tech, especially hybrids were a new adventure. The F150 in itself, is a great truck. But add all this tech crap made a terrible entrance into the world. It was almost as if they expected the new owners to be their test subjects. They released these ‘21s in 2 builds. Mine was the first build of its kind. I should know better never to buy the first of anything. But test driving it put me in love. It was like driving a vehicle intended to be a truck but the ride of a luxury vehicle. Best of both worlds. Complete with a 7.2kw generator onboard.

So, you’d THINK it wouldn’t be such a pain the ass!

So lets look at the Explorer, (originally nic-named the Exploder)… Its probably the most common suv on the road. Around here, every LEO dept uses them. FD, etc. Fleet services use them. Where I am, you see pickups or Suvs for the most part.

So with sooooo many Explorers on the road, how can Ford mess up?
This camera issue was not just the Explorers. My 21 F150 I mentioned had same prob. Eventually a software update fixed it. From what I understand, these vehicles with 360 cameras, the rear cam is the only prob. Supposedly, out of all the cams, the rear cam is analog as the others are digital.

Ford has a bad habit of leaving problems fester for years in which a lot are never fixed. Damn shame considering they are suppose to be the best p/u on the road.

I think what the consumer has to look at are other brands better? Chevy? Dodge? Foreign models are starting to infiltrate more and more.
Most people would never know the diff and just drive them. But folks like us into tech and such are more into our vehicle’s. So we notice things more.

My neighbor has a older Nissan p/u with over 120k miles on it. Loves it. Has reg maint done on it and it just keeps running like a top.

Wasn’t that the way Fords were years ago? Run them into the ground? The bodies rot out before the engines died?

And some bring up cost. My F150 was $76k. New ones similar are $80k plus.
Base Explorer ST start around $50. Mine was over $62k sticker. But that should not matter.
It should run as it should with consumers not having to worry.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

hbalek

Active Member
Messages
950
Reactions
530
Points
232
Location
Kensington, MD, USA
#37
It wasn’t my dealer most of the time. It was a first year design. Ford never trained their techs to work on these vehicles. My dealer is a small family owned company. Great people that are loved by the community.

Onboard computers with all this tech, especially hybrids were a new adventure. The F150 in itself, is a great truck. But add all this tech crap made a terrible entrance into the world. It was almost as if they expected the new owners to be their test subjects. They released these ‘21s in 2 builds. Mine was the first build of its kind. I should know better never to buy the first of anything. But test driving it put me in love. It was like driving a vehicle intended to be a truck but the ride of a luxury vehicle. Best of both worlds. Complete with a 7.2kw generator onboard.

So, you’d THINK it wouldn’t be such a pain the ass!

So lets look at the Explorer, (originally nic-named the Exploder)… Its probably the most common suv on the road. Around here, every LEO dept uses them. FD, etc. Fleet services use them. Where I am, you see pickups or Suvs for the most part.

So with sooooo many Explorers on the road, how can Ford mess up?
This camera issue was not just the Explorers. My 21 F150 I mentioned had same prob. Eventually a software update fixed it. From what I understand, these vehicles with 360 cameras, the rear cam is the only prob. Supposedly, out of all the cams, the rear cam is analog as the others are digital.

Ford has a bad habit of leaving problems fester for years in which a lot are never fixed. Damn shame considering they are suppose to be the best p/u on the road.

I think what the consumer has to look at are other brands better? Chevy? Dodge? Foreign models are starting to infiltrate more and more.
Most people would never know the diff and just drive them. But folks like us into tech and such are more into our vehicle’s. So we notice things more.

My neighbor has a older Nissan p/u with over 120k miles on it. Loves it. Has reg maint done on it and it just keeps running like a top.

Wasn’t that the way Fords were years ago? Run them into the ground? The bodies rot out before the engines died?

And some bring up cost. My F150 was $76k. New ones similar are $80k plus.
Base Explorer ST start around $50. Mine was over $62k sticker. But that should not matter.
It should run as it should with consumers not having to worry.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yeah mine was built in Nov. 2019 and had a slew of problems the first couple years.
 

KegsBdry

Active Member
Messages
929
Reactions
415
Points
182
Location
WashDC
#38
Yeah mine was built in Nov. 2019 and had a slew of problems the first couple years.
My ST was a Nov2019 build. It's hot and cold for issues. Every other oil change comes with more/different issues with parts to order. Luckily it's all under warranty. Just a pain in the ass driving back and forth from the dealership so often.

But its tough to stay mad at a beast you love & hate.
 

hbalek

Active Member
Messages
950
Reactions
530
Points
232
Location
Kensington, MD, USA
#39
My ST was a Nov2019 build. It's hot and cold for issues. Every other oil change comes with more/different issues with parts to order. Luckily it's all under warranty. Just a pain in the ass driving back and forth from the dealership so often.

But its tough to stay mad at a beast you love & hate.
I agree! I extended my warranty last Fall for 4 more years and tomorrow I get new set of tires at 41K miles.
 

Messages
79
Reactions
28
Points
17
Location
Philadelphia
Vehicle
2021 Explorer ST
#40
I’m about to hit 40k original miles on my Nov2020 build-bought new 2021 ST. Aside from the same Sync issues everyone is having, I’ve street raced and off-roaded this thing with no issues. May need to null out the custom exhaust system now that I’m getting older and need to hear conversations in the car, but otherwise way better experience than any BMW I’ve owned in the last 2 decades (a lesser plastic interior would have been nice though).

No gasket or high pressure fuel pump replacements every 20K miles is a win in my book.
 



Top