Flat Towing, unexpected brake lockup.

[Bsenecal]

I took mine to the dealership yesterday. It had multiple codes concerning communication issues in parking brake system. Mechanic was very knowledgeable and told me that this is not an isolated problem. He said an update seems to be causing issues. The vehicle senses movement if key is off and applies parking brake. This is supposed to be overridden when in neutral tow mode but for some reason it activates intermittently. He installed an update but wasn't sure it would help. He wants me to test it out to see what it does. If it's still a problem he is going to open a case with Ford to further investigate the issue.
Being it's impossible to duplicate the issue in the shop I appreciate the difficulties in solving problem. I will work with them to see if we can isolate problem.

Thanks for the update, hopefully what he did works.
Brian

Sponsored

 

[Fordified1]

So to be clear we are talking about two separate flat tow brake problems? Service brakes over-application or parking brake application while flat towing.

Service brake application being isolated to the V6 which has electric brake boost until starting MY2025 both engines will get electronic brake boost.

For the record, which fuse gets pulled to work-around each separate issue while flat towing?

 

[dgorsett]

[/QUOTE]

Results from test. The bronco was pulled by the motor home, bronco in flat tow, fuses pulled for entire time and all testing was at 15 MPH and a slight down hill road. So when I was in the driver seat I pushed as hard as I could and I did get one wheel to lockup. But I am pushing a lot harder than the RV3 and the sound I hear in the motor home when the bronco wheels do lock up on a trip sounds like all 4 wheels, not one and it sounds like the anti-lock brake system is active. So next I installed the RV3 got into the passenger seat and controlled the system. Started with the small SUV setting and manually fully applied the RV3 braking system. No lockup and worked well. Next pulled the breakaway switch and the RV3 applied max pressure and no lockup. Next, set the RV3 to the truck setting. Manually fully applied the RV3 braking system. No lockup and worked well. Next pulled the breakaway switch and the RV3 applied max pressure and no lockup.

So what I get out of this test is the SSM 51415 software update has a bug. At some point the bronco brake system is active and when the RV3 applies the brakes that works well with a dead pedal, will lockup the wheels which tells me the bronco brake system is active. So looks like the ball in in Fords court.

Did turn in the complaint to the ford customer relationship center at 866-631-3788. So maybe if everyone that has an issue with the wheels locking up does the same thing, maybe they will address this life safety issue.

I took mine to the dealership yesterday. It had multiple codes concerning communication issues in parking brake system. Mechanic was very knowledgeable and told me that this is not an isolated problem. He said an update seems to be causing issues. The vehicle senses movement if key is off and applies parking brake. This is supposed to be overridden when in neutral tow mode but for some reason it activates intermittently. He installed an update but wasn't sure it would help. He wants me to test it out to see what it does. If it's still a problem he is going to open a case with Ford to further investigate the issue.
Being it's impossible to duplicate the issue in the shop I appreciate the difficulties in solving problem. I will work with them to see if we can isolate problem.

Wow, you guys are doing good work. Maybe Ford will wake up with good objective data. I have a 2.3 with part time so I feel good about mine, but you guys are really contributing the hive knowledge.

 

[dgorsett]

So to be clear we are talking about two separate flat tow brake problems? Service brakes over-application or parking brake application while flat towing.

Service brake application being isolated to the V6 which has electric brake boost until starting MY2025 both engines will get electronic brake boost.

For the record, which fuse gets pulled to work-around each separate issue while flat towing?

Good point, parking brake would apply to 2.3 too

 

[Fordified1]

Good point, parking brake would apply to 2.3 too

We need one more thing to worry about right?

 

[73Corvetteman]

So to be clear we are talking about two separate flat tow brake problems? Service brakes over-application or parking brake application while flat towing.

Service brake application being isolated to the V6 which has electric brake boost until starting MY2025 both engines will get electronic brake boost.

For the record, which fuse gets pulled to work-around each separate issue while flat towing?tt

I originally thought is was a service brake problem but Ford mechanic thinks it is related to the parking brake software issue. We will see what happens with new update. Bad thing is we don't have a trip in the works for quite some time I really don't feel like burning up fuel in motorhome (7mpg) just to test it. Sometimes it wouldn't happen til a couple hundred miles into trip.I can still pull fuses if it acts up so I'm OK with waiting till next trip. Then have mechanic escalate issue with Ford if still happening.

 

[beerme1986]

So to be clear we are talking about two separate flat tow brake problems? Service brakes over-application or parking brake application while flat towing.

Service brake application being isolated to the V6 which has electric brake boost until starting MY2025 both engines will get electronic brake boost.

For the record, which fuse gets pulled to work-around each separate issue while flat towing?

here you go Bob.

 

[Runyon]

Does anyone have a 24 with a 2.7 having this issue besides me?

I was told by the dealer because my bronco doesn't fit the MY of SSM 51415 21-23 they will charge me for any troubleshooting. When I called customer Care they did not Care. they just pointed me towards the
NHTSA Website: https://www.nhtsa.gov/
NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline: 1-888-327-4236

And to keep my receipts if they charge me and If this becomes a recall they will repay me.
This is BS , this is a known issue and never a recall.

I'm currently looking to figure out some way to definitively prove this is an issue with the Bronco.
other that removing the fuses and it works.

This is an incredible safety issue and Ford doesn't seem to be finding an answer.


Most states have requirements for supplemental braking systems on towed vehicles, and the requirements vary by state:

• California: Trailers with a gross weight of 1,500 lbs or more require brakes
  
  
• Kansas and Wyoming: All vehicles must have a braking system that can stop within 40 ft from 20 mph on a level, dry surface
  
  
• Missouri: Independent braking systems are not required, except for trailers coupled by a 5th-wheel and kingpin
  
  
• Kentucky: Brakes are not specifically required on many passenger car trailers, regardless of weight
  
  
• • Ohio: Trailers with a GVWR over 2,000 lbs must have their own braking system
    

Towed Vehicle Braking System manufacturers often publish maps or charts that outline state-by-state requirements. It's important to research the laws in the state you're driving from and the state you're traveling to.

 

[73Corvetteman]

Does anyone have a 24 with a 2.7 having this issue besides me?

I was told by the dealer because my bronco doesn't fit the MY of SSM 51415 21-23 they will charge me for any troubleshooting. When I called customer Care they did not Care. they just pointed me towards the
NHTSA Website: https://www.nhtsa.gov/
NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline: 1-888-327-4236

And to keep my receipts if they charge me and If this becomes a recall they will repay me.
This is BS , this is a known issue and never a recall.

I'm currently looking to figure out some way to definitively prove this is an issue with the Bronco.
other that removing the fuses and it works.

This is an incredible safety issue and Ford doesn't seem to be finding an answer.


Most states have requirements for supplemental braking systems on towed vehicles, and the requirements vary by state:

• California: Trailers with a gross weight of 1,500 lbs or more require brakes
  
  
• Kansas and Wyoming: All vehicles must have a braking system that can stop within 40 ft from 20 mph on a level, dry surface
  
  
• Missouri: Independent braking systems are not required, except for trailers coupled by a 5th-wheel and kingpin
  
  
• Kentucky: Brakes are not specifically required on many passenger car trailers, regardless of weight
  
  
• • Ohio: Trailers with a GVWR over 2,000 lbs must have their own braking system
    

Towed Vehicle Braking System manufacturers often publish maps or charts that outline state-by-state requirements. It's important to research the laws in the state you're driving from and the state you're traveling to.

I have a '23 that I have had this problem intermittently. My dealer didn't charge me for the initial inspection. Did a small software update. Don't know yet if it helped as haven't had the opportunity to tow it yet. Being it's so intermittent I am not going to drive around pointlessly waiting for it to occur. I will have to wait till next trip to see if it still does it. If it does I will go back to pulling fuses till I get home and bring it back to dealer to see what they say.
I totally concur on the BS factor of ford's response to this problem. Apparently they didn't learn their lesson from the backup camera fiasco that garnered them a 60 million dollar fine from the nhtsa. I have lost all faith in ford doing the right thing by their customers.

 

[Runyon]

My situation with my 24 2.7 BL SAS. I'm using the RVI3 aux brake. Before I install it each time, I will pump the brakes several times just to release any braking energy in the system. I started doing that after speaking to the technical guys at rvi describing my problem to them. The EBB Re-Engagement is somewhat random. Typically I can drive and use the brakes for 45 minutes to an hour with no issue and then all the sudden even with light brake pressure, the Bronco Wheels will lock up. There have been occasions however that it happens very shortly after I start flat towing. While at a Ford dealership getting an oil change, I described the condition to the service writer. The tech checked out the vehicle and they said there was a code being thrown by the EBB and they actually ordered a new one and replaced it. That did not improve the situation at all. My workaround has been to select panic stop only mode on the rvi controller that requires a very hard braking force before the rvi will activate the brakes and then the Bronco locks up. The last time I flat towed I followed the fuse pulling procedure and everything worked perfectly doing that. I did that to see if I could eliminate the rvi device as the problem.

So yours is a 24 with the brakes locking up?.. just want to make sure its a 24. was told by the dealer since my 24 doesn't meet the requirements of the service note they want to charge me to troubleshoot.

 

[Runyon]

I have a '23 that I have had this problem intermittently. My dealer didn't charge me for the initial inspection. Did a small software update. Don't know yet if it helped as haven't had the opportunity to tow it yet. Being it's so intermittent I am not going to drive around pointlessly waiting for it to occur. I will have to wait till next trip to see if it still does it. If it does I will go back to pulling fuses till I get home and bring it back to dealer to see what they say.
I totally concur on the BS factor of ford's response to this problem. Apparently they didn't learn their lesson from the backup camera fiasco that garnered them a 60 million dollar fine from the nhtsa. I have lost all faith in ford doing the right thing by their customers.

my guess is they are playing the numbers, not many people tow so they wont issue a recall.

 

[lamokadave]

So yours is a 24 with the brakes locking up?.. just want to make sure its a 24. was told by the dealer since my 24 doesn't meet the requirements of the service note they want to charge me to troubleshoot.

Yes...24 Badlands SaS... Brakes lockup. Only way to guarantee they don't is to pull the two 60 amp fuses

 

[grtharris]

Runyon, what braking system to you have and what are you towing with?
I did 1900 miles to northern Minnesota for Thanksgiving with a over night stop going and coming back. Did not have a any braking issues this time.
I just wish we could figure out what causes it to happen. I know the car play on my radio goes completely off and back on continually when I'm close to a 5G cell tower.

 

[Runyon]

Rvi3 , I have towed other vehicles with this system with zero issues. I just towed a honda civic over 5k miles and 11 days without issue. i also towed a chevy tracker some 25k miles with no issue. I have only had this issue with two broncos. My first was a 21 that has since been returned as a lemon. That one the Transmission was replaced twice due to it coming out of neutral at some point even though it said it was in neutral tow on the screen. Take pictures of your dash and or use a dash cam to prove it was in tow mode. I had that along with gps locations to prove my case. And yes i love the bronco so much i got another. Was shocked to find out this is still an issue. I haven't found any other 24s with the transmission issue yet. But I am very careful, checking it every stop, taking pictures, using a battery charger, not just assuming its still in tow mode over night parking , I always take it out and back in. just wish they would fix the brake issue after 4 years.

 

[Flyer5]

Looking at flat towing my 23 BADLANDS 2.7L 2500miles. How do I know if I have the latest software with the brake problem fix. I will also add a dash cam inside the vehicle to monitor that it is in tow mode. Seems Ford is not worried much about fixing these issues or getting the word out to owners.

Sponsored