Yet another Gateway Module failure

[BroncoBigBrick2021]

Last week, morning of 10/18, I was about to go for a drive in my 21 Bronco Big Bend, and the driver information center and radio were completely black, car would not start. Put it on the battery charger for a few hours, still wouldn't start (although the headlights worked and the horn would "toot toot" when the door was closed). I arranged a tow truck for the following morning, 10/19, by that time it had lost any usable charge.

Dealer contacted me on 10/24, they suspect the gateway module or harness to be defective. They initially couldn't read the codes for the vehicle, but they borrowed a gateway module from an employee vehicle and put it in mine to see what would happen, and they were able to send the data to a field engineer for analysis. Of course, they aren't sure when a new gateway module will arrive.

To their credit, my local dealer (Lunghamer) has given me an excellent loaner vehicle without any hassle. Service manager said they would beg, borrow & steal to get a part. Hoping to see a resolution soon.

I received a software update on 10/5, not sure if that is related. I did have phone connection issues leading up to when the Bronco died, I just wrote them off.

Sorry for the long post, enjoy the obligatory Bronco on a tow truck pic!

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[PescadorPirate]

I feel your pain. I have been without my 2023 Badlands for over 7 weeks!!!! Took delivery in July 2023 and it hasn't worked since the day I drove it off the lot. We need to make some NOISE on this issue. There are over a hundred cases of this and Ford cannot seem to find a fix. I had a field service engineer spend two days on my vehicle this week with no resolution and no pathforward. WTF!!! I was in the software business for 30+ years and have never seen anything like this and frankly this is simple shit relative to the software I worked with. Very disappointing.

My dealer has been supportive up to this point and provided me a loaner vehicle but I want my Bronco!

 

[Xrayphoton1]

I feel your pain. I have been without my 2023 Badlands for over 7 weeks!!!! Took delivery in July 2023 and it hasn't worked since the day I drove it off the lot. We need to make some NOISE on this issue. There are over a hundred cases of this and Ford cannot seem to find a fix. I had a field service engineer spend two days on my vehicle this week with no resolution and no pathforward. WTF!!! I was in the software business for 30+ years and have never seen anything like this and frankly this is simple shit relative to the software I worked with. Very disappointing.

My dealer has been supportive up to this point and provided me a loaner vehicle but I want my Bronco!

Sounds like they need to buy it back from you

 

[NVMarkus]

@PescadorPirate or this should be lemon buy back, or get you a new one... 7 weeks is way too long

 

[BroncoBigBrick2021]

Received a call from the Service Manager this morning- a super cool guy, by the way. He ordered the module last week, today he received the dreaded "backorder" status. No ETA on replacement module.

On the upside, I dig the F-150 loaner they gave me.

 

[PescadorPirate]

Still waiting for a resolution to my problem. Don't take comfort in getting a new gateway module, I think I have had two put in and neither work. Field Service Rep was out last week and no report back after looking at vehicle for two days.

BTW, Ford told me today they will not help in getting you a new vehicle given supply/demand issues. Buy back is the only option.

This is a joke. Ford should be embarrassed by the lack of focus on customer service. I would not have had an FSR out last week if I hadn't written to the Ford Executive office.

 

[broncobeth]

I am at 4 months without my Bronco. Still awaiting reprogramming of gateway module. My dealer said its not as simple as replacement module- that they need to reprogram/fix the reason its defective. Replacements are not an option. Buyback offer is not great. Even if you got full amt back, good luck trying to buy a new Bronco w/ current interest rates.

Meeting with a lawyer tomorrow to weight out all options. But feels like a lose-lose.

It is a shame because it was a great vehicle while it lasted.

 

[PescadorPirate]

Contact Ford executives, I at least got my issue escalated. Lawyers are a waste of time. As long as vehicle is under warranty get your dealer to provide a loaner (@ no charge). Here is Jim Farley and Elena Ford emails. MAKE SOME NOISE!

[email protected]
[email protected]

send them emails letting them know this is unacceptable.

 

[BroncoBigBrick2021]

Update: New gateway module was received December 19. Time from breakdown to completed repair: 63 days. The customer liaison assigned by Ford was great, as was our service manager at Ford.

After some thought and deliberation, we decided to part ways with the Bronco. Ford is a leader in badass designs and body styles, but the engineering and QA (along with the supply chain) need a lot of work.

Best wishes to you, Bronco friends! You might need it.

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