2020 Expedition occasionally doesn't start

[Nick Kory]

Hi, just bought a 2020 XLT. Occasionally (and generally when in a hurry), the car won't start. Press the ignition button and lights flash, headlights flash, but nothing turns over. 15-30 min later, starts right up. Happens once a week, maybe less. Saw some threads on internet that this has happened before and could be related to anti-theft system. Any ideas on what I should tell dealership?

 

[5280tunage]

We've also had a fair share of strange issues on here related to dead or dying batteries. Even brand new 2020's end up having dead/crappy factory batteries. Just a thought as it sounds electrical most likely.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Hi, just bought a 2020 XLT. Occasionally (and generally when in a hurry), the car won't start. Press the ignition button and lights flash, headlights flash, but nothing turns over. 15-30 min later, starts right up. Happens once a week, maybe less. Saw some threads on internet that this has happened before and could be related to anti-theft system. Any ideas on what I should tell dealership?

Battery - and/or loose or corroded battery terminal connectors.

 

[Calidad]

Never had an issue with our 2019. But its easy to fail start hitting the button before pressing the brake. Could also be as simple as a bad brake pedal switch.

 

[Jhlee730]

Did you find a resolution? My 2020 does the same thing

 

[Overtow]

I have the reverse of this - every now and again my truck won't actually shut down. I press the button to turn off and nothing happens. I reported this on my warranty service back in February but they were not able to replicate of course. I need to catch it on video...

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

 

[Msparks]

Hi, just bought a 2020 XLT. Occasionally (and generally when in a hurry), the car won't start. Press the ignition button and lights flash, headlights flash, but nothing turns over. 15-30 min later, starts right up. Happens once a week, maybe less. Saw some threads on internet that this has happened before and could be related to anti-theft system. Any ideas on what I should tell dealership?

 

[Msparks]

Did you find a solution to this problem? My car does the exact same thing and I’m at my wits end with it!

 

[Jhlee730]

It has not happened for a couple weeks
I did.charge my battery and possibly a weak battery messes with the security sytem that disables the start

 

[wakeboarder]

We have a 2019 superduty at work that does something similar occasionally. My hypothesis is that it occurs when parked with something near the driver side rear taillight for an extended period of time. It happened to me a couple of times on a recent trip, but it only occurred when there was something very near the rear driver side taillight. In order to reset, I had to get out, lock and shut the door, then reopen.

 

[Jhlee730]

PAS engine disabled?
What is the perimeter sensor for the PAS do?
Maybe that triggers security sustem.
I.took it.to dealer and they wanted.to keep it.forever to try.and find the.problem

When they told.me.to.rent.a.car i got.pissed.and.left

 

[Deep8174]

Car not starting with no or weak ignition is almost always a battery issue.

 

[ROBERT BONNER]

There are lots of valid possibilities already listed. One that isn't listed is possible RF interference. Does the automatic unlock operate? If not and if everything off of the fob seems to be blocked, you could be experiencing RF interference. The fobs share a set of frequencies with those licensed to surveillance camera communication. So, if you vehicle is bombarded with this type of RF where it is parked, it can overload the FOB to vehicle communication and trigger an intentional anti-theft shutdown. I've had it happen on multiple vehicles. The temporary fix is to lift up one of the console cupholders where you will see a chamber to place the fob in. Put it in that chamber and the vehicle should start and run normally if that is the issue. Long term....don't park it there or eliminate the interference.

 

[Jhlee730]

Not it. Auto Unlock works. Kicker is, it does not display no key fob detected. Dash is blank, screen just says Ford.
Headlights flash when you push start

 

[Jhlee730]

Expedition acted up again dealer can’t locate issue unless it is in a failed state.
showed them a video that shows headlights and dash flickering plus one other that shows vehicle shutting off after opening and closing door

 

[duneslider]

I would still suggest a load test on the battery to see what sort of state it is in. Slightly weak batteries will cause all sorts of issues in modern cars.

 

[JasonH]

The easiest first step is to get the battery load tested. My Expedition behaved just like this when the carwash left accessories on and killed the battery the other day. On my Focus Electric, the built-in cellular connection was draining the 12V when the connection was poor and the vehicle was parked for an extended period, like in parking garages. Ford issued a software update to address the issue. Assuming the battery is ok, there may be something similar happening here.

 

[buckwheat-phd]

What do the logs say? I'm REALLY curious about this one

 

[buckwheat-phd]

It could well be the brake switch. There was a SB about this on certain Mercedes models that ran for years. Setting off the CE light, SRS light etc was also on the list. All for a $10.00 brake pedal switch

 

[buckwheat-phd]

Could also be as simple as a bad brake pedal switch.

Ditto