"Limited slip differential reduced torque"

[Dewey3]

I just saw it for the first time at the end of last week and just shy of 1,500 miles. Mine came on immediately after starting and pulling away from the pick-up lane at the grocery store. I haven't seen it since, and based on some of the replies here, I'm beginning to wonder if my case was the turn away from the curb immediately after starting the engine. Maybe in my case, all of the various sensors had not yet synced as I pulled away, and because I was turning away from the curb, naturally the outside rear tire was turning faster than the inside rear tire. I've been keeping an eye on it since, but haven't had it again.

 

[JOE LIPSKY]

After receiving the Limited Slip Differential Reduced Torque message randomly (especially when going up hills) I brought my 2018 Limited with HD tow (51k miles) into the local Ford dealership. After having to bring it back three times (first time they said it just needed a software update which was wrong), they finally had their service manager take it for a ride. After hearing what he thought was a bad bearing noise. Their drive train specialist tore the rear end down and had to replace multiple bearings and races and the Limited Slip differential hydrolic actuator which was leaking fluid. So disappointing that there was so much internal damage on a vehicle I baby and rarely use to tow (bring my dry 5k lb boat on a 1.5k lb trailer to the marina at the beginning of the season and home at the end). Luckily it was still under factory warrantee otherwise I'd be using my extended warantee luckily I had smarts to purchase when I bought the vehicle due to it's complexity.
Still love the Expy but having serious doubts on the longevity I'll be getting from Ford.

 

[Redwater]

I bought Ford Expedition XLT 2021 this summer, just 15,000km. But I have a Electronic limited slip differential - Wrench warning on dash on November. I went to dealer to check and they diagnosed, they found harness issue. They replaced pig tail connector. However, I get a wrench warning about slip differential again.

Original summer tire sizes 275 65 R18, but I changed winter tire size to 275 55 R20. So I don’t know if that is a reason for a wrench warning on dash or other reason?

I still love expedition, very comfort for driving.

 

[PNWExpy]

2020 xlt with FX4 and 11000 miles. I put new 295/70/18s on and while playing around in town/large parking lots I got the Limited Slip Differential Reduced Torque message. I didn’t notice any changes though just ignored it and hasn’t happened again… yet.

 

[PNWExpy]

Meant to say playing around in the snow with traction control off.

 

[KDM39]

All,

I'm experiencing this issue on my 2020 Max Platinum. Purchased used at 27K miles and conveniently started receiving this error message shortly thereafter. Took to two separate Ford dealers and neither could figure out what was triggering the error (they did not break down the rear differential claiming they had a 6-8 week queue and required the vehicle to sit in their lot to remain in the queue).

Curious as to whether folks have been able to resolve or determine the verdict. I am running a different brand rear tire, but they are the same size as the front (albeit newer/less wear) and the message was showing up before the rear tires were replaced.

 

[5280tunage]

All,

I'm experiencing this issue on my 2020 Max Platinum. Purchased used at 27K miles and conveniently started receiving this error message shortly thereafter. Took to two separate Ford dealers and neither could figure out what was triggering the error (they did not break down the rear differential claiming they had a 6-8 week queue and required the vehicle to sit in their lot to remain in the queue).

Curious as to whether folks have been able to resolve or determine the verdict. I am running a different brand rear tire, but they are the same size as the front (albeit newer/less wear) and the message was showing up before the rear tires were replaced.

What? Sit in the lot for 6-8 weeks after diagnosing? Unless they find something that is truly a safety issue, I call BS. Hell, they could open things up, take a look, find nothing real bad, close it up, and fill it back up while they wait for parts. I guess transportation is definitely becoming a nice to have these days. I'm not lucky enough to have 3 or 4 cars, just the two we need all the time.

With that said, I recently got a warning message that my limited slip differential was disabled. I don't believe it said anything about reduced torque, I clicked okay and it went away. No orange tool light but I guess I can try and pull codes to see if anything shows up. I'll try to take a picture next time it happens.

*edit* - Just tried to look for any codes via scanner and forscan, no codes in the system. Also should probably say that my issue happened while on completely dry roads in 2WD, normal driving mode, under light acceleration.

 

[KDM39]

Thanks for the response, 5280tunage. I agree with the BS position of the dealer. Apparently their "heavy service" team (who is responsible for inspecting/breaking down the rear differential to inspect) has a long queue, and they wouldn't hold my spot unless I left the vehicle. The second dealer (and the shop I bought it from in Las Vegas, Team Ford), was willing to get me in. After a week, they told me that they couldn't diagnose it and called the Ford help line, who similarly didn't have a response. At that point, I had no confidence in their ability to diagnose the problem and didn't feel comfortable with their team breaking down the rear differential and potentially causing more issues.

The error comes on almost every time we drive; dry roads, 2WD. I don't notice any difference in the torque/acceleration, but i'm afraid of what may happen if we need to use 4WD.

Again, if anyone has successfully troubleshot this issue, please let me know. Very disappointed in this experience with Ford all around. CPO = ****.

 

[Fastcar]

Thanks for the response, 5280tunage. I agree with the BS position of the dealer. Apparently their "heavy service" team (who is responsible for inspecting/breaking down the rear differential to inspect) has a long queue, and they wouldn't hold my spot unless I left the vehicle. The second dealer (and the shop I bought it from in Las Vegas, Team Ford), was willing to get me in. After a week, they told me that they couldn't diagnose it and called the Ford help line, who similarly didn't have a response. At that point, I had no confidence in their ability to diagnose the problem and didn't feel comfortable with their team breaking down the rear differential and potentially causing more issues.

The error comes on almost every time we drive; dry roads, 2WD. I don't notice any difference in the torque/acceleration, but i'm afraid of what may happen if we need to use 4WD.

Again, if anyone has successfully troubleshot this issue, please let me know. Very disappointed in this experience with Ford all around. CPO = ****.

I have the ultimate solution. If they can't figure out the problem and you have a warranty......Run it until it comes apart then have them replace it.

 

[5280tunage]

So @KDM39 , help me understand. Do you get any actual mechanical feedback when this happens? I.e. do you feel shudder, vibration, anything? Other than maybe limp mode? If not, and knowing those other dealers haven't found anything yet, this sounds a lot like an electrical issue, whether it's a sensor, set of sensors, ecu/pcm issue. I'm not sure how the vehicle isn't recording a little more useful information. Stupid question, have they checked for electrical issues? Wheel speed sensors, etc? Thing is from my perspective, cruising down a straight road, 2wd, there really should be no reason for the elsd to even try too engage, let alone throw errors.