Bye-Bye Ford

[airbrush]

Last year I bought a new 2024 Expedition leftover and have been delighted with it. However, now my "Complimentary Subscription" has run out for the Ford Connectivity Package, and the navigation feature has been disabled. Yes, I always use Google Maps or Waze anyway, but it ****** me off to no end that they dare to charge for such an elementary, and very basic mapping package. I'd feel different if the maps, POI's and other features were up to date. But to charge for a **** package is outrageous. I'll wear this vehicle out but the next won't be a Ford. BTW, I've bought new Ford products since the early '70's. No more.

 

[Grrumpy]

Didn't you know that only the first year was free and that after that , you would be charged ?????
And, if you knew....why are you pissed if you knew that after if you wanted it, you would be charged ????

 

[airbrush]

It was my belief that the nav feature would continue, albeit without map and POI updates.

 

[Hardcase60]

If I recall correctly from some dated posts on this same issue, Ford is not the only manufacturer doing the same thing. Our '18 Expy Max Platinum still had the maps available but without the updates, which was fine-no big deal. The newly acquired '23 Max Limited had the packages included, apparently for the full 36 months, which expired soon after we got it. I totally agree that it's BS that the maps are no longer available even w/o the updates once the trial period expires. Ford could do better.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

You're going to be very disappointed when you learn that every manufacturer is moving towards subscription services for everything, including heated seats.

 

[HILLY]

Manufacturers (and I work for one...) are moving to subscription based services. This isn't going to get better whether it's Ford or someone else, so to say you'll take your business elsewhere is just about moot. I can understand the logic of the feature continuing on albeit without the real-time updates, etc. I'm already starting to see where Nav is starting to only function as a part of a service such as CarPlay/Android Auto which is something I predicted a long time ago. The HU is basically becoming an amplified interface for the phone; the phone does all the work. Not sure I like it either as it's not as stable or robust. Who has never had an issue with the phone not connecting at startup where a phone or HU reboot is required; delete and re-pair; random disconnect on the road when at the most inconvenient time; etc.?

 

[texsn95]

The nav in our 22 works fine, when did this subscription thing start, 23? And is it only for the Platinum trims with the massive tablet thing, or for all of them?

 

[duneslider]

I thought I had been hearing that manufacturers were moving away from allowing Carplay/android auto and doing their "own" thing which I assumed would mean we have to pay a subscription to connect to the car.

I see it getting worse, not better. I have no plans to buy a new car of any brand for a long long time.

 

[DieselMonk]

I am not buying any vehicle with my hard earned $$$ where the option I want or need is a subscription. Period. I don’t care what blah blah… the answer is no.
The mapping I don’t care about, but something like heated seats or whatever, try me… won’t be happening. If that’s the case than I wouldn’t be buying the prices they have in mind, unless it’s a sweet deal like 50% off.
These days car manufacturers not only Ford but also Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche and such have to start treading very carefully, since there are way too many problems with gadgets and modules needing to be replaced in a rather ridiculous rate, even leave drivers stranded for no good reason. That alone is going to make a decision on do I really wanna spend a 100k on a brand new headache with monthly options to pay even if the car is 3 weeks at the repair shop? How about no until quality improves. Not sure what they are smoking, but don’t want any off it.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

I am not buying any vehicle with my hard earned $$$ where the option I want or need is a subscription. Period. I don’t care what blah blah… the answer is no.

Agree. This is my position on everything subscription-based wherein the subscription is not inherently necessary to the nature of the product. I'm an IT guy and I'm still running MS Word 2007 and the Adobe CS6 suite (2012) because I simply refuse to pay a subscription for these products. I'm definitely not doing it for my vehicle.

 

[dlcorbett]

Good luck with getting a new vehicle with desirable features, all manufacturers are going the subscription route. Hell, ford is actually late to the game.