Sync4A Updates

[ElectrifyCLT]

Hey all! New member here having just gotten a 2022 Expedition Timberline. It was the Finance Manager's courtesy vehicle for most of last year until it was put up for sale in January. I was able to get ~10k off as well as special Ford financing that's available to clear out 2022 model years.

This is my second Ford, my other car being a Mach-E GT. We simply needed more space for our family on road trips.

The other big benefit is that both our vehicles now use Sync4A (15-inch screen) entertainment systems. But stepping into the Expedition is like stepping back in time in terms of software. The Sync4A system in Mach-E has been updated significantly, with benefits like:
- Dedicated Camera button for 1-touch access to cameras
- Volume knob can now be used for changing temperature and heated/cooled seats.
-Streamlined and improved CarPlay experience.

In the Mach-E, the Sync system is now rock solid. I can't remember the last time I had a hiccup with CarPlay connecting or any lag in the system at all. The Expedition is very clearly running some of the original Sync software, and in fact hard crashed on me on the way to work this morning.

Anyone with a newer 2023 or has had a 2022 Expedition for awhile... can you tell me what software version you're running? Has Ford been pushing software updates for these things? I know they advertise the 4A system in Expeditions as being OTA capable (just like Lightning and Mach-E), but I'm not sure if they have actually shipped anything.

I have access to FDRS as well as the necessary Mongoose adapter & power supplies to run updates myself if they're available there.

Thanks!

 

[KetMalice]

Welcome to a nightmare. The APIMs (control module) fail almost monthly. 2022 Timberline is nothing but problems.

I’ve had 4 APIMS replaced, it’s in the shop being diagnosed to get the 5th one replaced.

 

[KetMalice]

Might be somewhat nostalgic for you when the screen boots into Mach-E mode and the touchscreen buttons don’t work.

 

[ElectrifyCLT]

Might be somewhat nostalgic for you when the screen boots into Mach-E mode and the touchscreen buttons don’t work.
View attachment 77233

Sure looks like you've got a software that's mashing the two together. There's no "rear" button on Mach-E as it's just a dual zone system. That's crazy.

 

[m3olsen]

@ElectrifyCLT , thankfully not everyone on here is suffering monthly APIM failures. Regarding your original question - I believe mine is on Sync version 3.5.4 - I know I hit 3.5.3 while others already had 3.5.4. I came across a chart somewhere - swore it was Wikipedia but search is currently finding nothing - that did show Expedition updates were WAY behind Mach E. I'm encouraged by the functionality you're describing and do sure hope it makes it to us as well.

 

[nationalgallery]

Have had my '22 for 4.5 months now; never any Sync problems except for occasionally won't activate CarPlay with my phone when starting and I have to use the touchscreen to engage CarPlay. Looking forward to an update with those additional volume knob functions: on the Mach-E can the volume knob also adjust fan speed and turn fan off?

 

[ElectrifyCLT]

@ElectrifyCLT , thankfully not everyone on here is suffering monthly APIM failures. Regarding your original question - I believe mine is on Sync version 3.5.4 - I know I hit 3.5.3 while others already had 3.5.4. I came across a chart somewhere - swore it was Wikipedia but search is currently finding nothing - that did show Expedition updates were WAY behind Mach E. I'm encouraged by the functionality you're describing and do sure hope it makes it to us as well.

Yeah I know... I think as is it's about as stable as my Mach-E was prior to the major refresh to 4.x.x. For those curious, here's the Ford weblink showing the updates. I know the exact Wikipedia page you're talking about (frequented many Mach-E forum users as well). It was taken down for violating Wikipedias rules on croudsourced changelings. It's a shame that Ford doesn't make the software update logs more readily available to users.

Have had my '22 for 4.5 months now; never any Sync problems except for occasionally won't activate CarPlay with my phone when starting and I have to use the touchscreen to engage CarPlay. Looking forward to an update with those additional volume knob functions: on the Mach-E can the volume knob also adjust fan speed and turn fan off?

Yeah it's not bad. For me I've just had that 1 crash and it's otherwise been rock solid. If this 3.x.x software currently on Expy is any indication, knowing the hard reboot procedure (Press and hold both the Volume Down and Seek Right buttons on the steering wheel controls for 10 seconds) is super important. I don't think I've used it on Mach-E since going up to 4.x.x

Yes, the knob does let you control fan speed as well. The way the knob functions is volume by default and tap the other icon (temperature, seat heat, fan) to bring up the knob adjustment functionality. Aside from stability, that + the one tap access to cameras are the best updates they've made.

 

[RacerBX1]

It looks like the last update for the Expedition Sync 4A came out in November 2022. I have a 2023 that I got in mid-December and have not had any updates. I hope and look forward to easier access to the camera button, and additional function to the volume knob would be great.

 

[tphford]

I’ve got a 2023 and not had any updates at all.

 

[JExpedition07]

Your APIM likely is not bad. I picked up my 2023 F-150 on February with Sync 4 and about 50% of the time it fails to connect. Everyone has been having this issue on the F-150 for 2022 and 2023. Ford recently rolled out 4.2.1 for Sync 4, but there was an email sync 4A updates will be sent out soon. Since March 30th when my 2023 F-150 received the update my navigation has returned and it has stayed connected. We will see if it lasts. The F-150 does not have Sync 4A, we have 8” or 12” screens, but similar issues. It’s not the Modem.

I was totally ticked off on my first outage, it was during an ice storm and my remote start wouldn’t work!!!

 

[eamatherne]

Ive been having my 2022 Expedtion Platinum since August of 2022. Not one update has been done via OTA. I was told about the update to Sync 4A as it relates to the volume knob being used for the fan speed etc. I actually saw it work in a Lighting truck.

I brought my vehicle in becasue I was expoeriencing some reboots and black screens. The dealer told me that there were no updates for my vehicle and that nothing was wrong with it! I guess the Expeditions or not on the "urgency" list for updates! Who knows, maybe the 22-23 Expeditions, beings they are not all electric, like the Lighting and the Mach E, will never get the Sync 4A update described.

 

[Hisurfernmi]

I've had my Expy 22 w/Sync 4A since last September and there have been just (2) updates. Currently at 3.5.4

We had considered a Mach E and I have kept up with the changes they made to those over the years. Really jealous of the software changes that haven't shown up on the Mach E. I hope they consider them for the Expy, and don't discount Expy drivers as not as tech savvy as Mach E drivers. Part of the reason I got the 15" screen was I figured it would get lots of updates that the Mach E owners have had the privilege to get.

 

[rd618]

Anyone with a newer 2023 or has had a 2022 Expedition for awhile... can you tell me what software version you're running? Has Ford been pushing software updates for these things? I know they advertise the 4A system in Expeditions as being OTA capable (just like Lightning and Mach-E), but I'm not sure if they have actually shipped anything.

I have access to FDRS as well as the necessary Mongoose adapter & power supplies to run updates myself if they're available there.

Thanks!

I had a similar post on the sync 4a updates.
From what I’ve seen updates are rolled out for Expy monthly. You’ll see them come around the 4-10th of the month. Since I’ve had mine in august of last year I’ve had 4 updates. I’m on sync 3.5.4, the most recent update is setting the expy up to jump ahead to more recent versions of sync.
From what I’ve heard Expy is last in the queue for updates. The Mach E and Lightening are miles ahead due to marketing value of getting those “right” and bugs worked out. Ford will eventually get them aligned, maybe by EOY, but it’s not a pressing priority.

 

[Hellwig]

Might be somewhat nostalgic for you when the screen boots into Mach-E mode and the touchscreen buttons don’t work.
View attachment 77233

what an ugly screen. and frequently malfunctions.

 

[hharrels]

Might be somewhat nostalgic for you when the screen boots into Mach-E mode and the touchscreen buttons don’t work.
View attachment 77233

This is a software issue. The dealership did not put the correct configuration on your vehicle. If it’s not configured right the modules won’t know how to communicate correctly with each other, which will cause the strange behaviors / glitches. They can run a bus query and see where the software is and cross reference it with where it should be and then wire flash the module to the correct config. Hopefully that would fix all your issues. Are you using the same dealership and mechanic?

 

[ElectrifyCLT]

@ElectrifyCLT , thankfully not everyone on here is suffering monthly APIM failures. Regarding your original question - I believe mine is on Sync version 3.5.4 - I know I hit 3.5.3 while others already had 3.5.4. I came across a chart somewhere - swore it was Wikipedia but search is currently finding nothing - that did show Expedition updates were WAY behind Mach E. I'm encouraged by the functionality you're describing and do sure hope it makes it to us as well.

Update, my Expy got updated to 3.5.3 yesterday. Way behind others.

 

[rmillis]

My two cars are a 2022 Mustang Mach E and a 2023 Ford Expedition with the 4a screen. Expedition is well behind the Mach E for updates, and I'm really looking forward to having some of these updates crossover to the Expedition. I really want the Parking Button to be added to the top left of the screen like my Mach E has, especially because the Expedition is a beast and harder to park in a tight spot.

 

[ElectrifyCLT]

Update: My Expedition got updated to 3.5.4 on Saturday.

"Minor updates here and there. Just small stuff to keep everything running smoothly. Ongoing updates like this help you enjoy the best possible version of your Ford Expedition. Enjoy."

On the Mach-E, this was a TCU (Telematics Control Unit) update that helped make future OTA updates easier. I haven't been able to spend time to see what exactly this updated, but I think it's a good sign that updates are still flowing!

 

[bova80]

really want the quick button for cameras, so annoying you have to go into menus just to see them.

 

[rd618]

really want the quick button for cameras, so annoying you have to go into menus just to see them.

Version 4 has it, even shows as an option in forscan with the latest update, but doesn’t work.