Customer Satisfaction Program 20B27 – Powertrain Control Module Reprogram – 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC & 2016-2019 Ford Explorer

NHTSA ID Number: 10219034

Manufacturer Communication Number: 20B27 S1

Summary

Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with the 2.3L engine and 6F35 transmission; Powertrain Control Module reprogram. Supplement: Program terms will be in effect through August 31, 2023 This program is now eligible for mobile repairs

 


August 31, 2022

NEW VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD
Customer Satisfaction Program 20B27 – Supplement #1
Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer Vehicles Equipped With the 2.3L Engine and 6F35 Transmission
Powertrain Control Module Reprogram

 

REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT

  • Program Terms/Expiration Date: The program has been extended to August 31, 2023.
  • Service Action: This program is now eligible for mobile repairs.
  • Owner Notification Mailing Schedule: An updated owner letter will be mailed to owners who have not completed 20B27 during the week of September 19, 2022.
  • Attachments: Attachment IV has been added to support mobile repairs.
  • Refunds: Refunds have been approved for this program that covers PCM reprogramming to prevent torque convertor overheating between the prior expiration date and the program relaunch.
  • Special Allowances: Special allowances have been added to assist in claiming mobile repairs.
  • Labor Operation: A new labor operation has been added to support mobile repairs.

 

PROGRAM TERMS  

This program will be in effect through August 31, 2023. There is no mileage limit for this program.

 

EXPIRATION DATE

This Customer Satisfaction Program has an expiration date of August 31, 2023 to encourage dealers and customers to have this service performed as soon as possible.

We recommend dealers utilize their FSA VIN List name and address that were available on November 10, 2020 to contact customers with affected vehicles. This will help minimize the number of vehicles that may overheat the torque converter, which could require an additional repair.

 

AFFECTED VEHICLES 

VehicleModel YearAssembly PlantBuild Dates
LincolneBay logo MKC2015 – 2019LouisvilleAugust 20, 2013 through July 31, 2019
FordeBay logo Explorer2016 – 2019ChicagoSeptember 29, 2014 through March 3, 2019

Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS and FSA VIN Lists.

 

REASON FOR THIS PROGRAM

In affected vehicles, the transmission torque converter may overheat in certain driving conditions. If the torque converter overheats it can lead to adverse NVH, rough idle, and low performance concerns. Ultimately this will require internal transmission repairs to resolve the concern. FordeBay logo Motor Company has developed and update to the Powertrain Control Module software that helps protect the transmission torque converter from overheating when exposed to certain driving styles.

 

SERVICE ACTION

Before demonstrating or delivering any new in-stock vehicles involved in this program, dealers are to check for available powertrain control module (PCM) software update and reprogram the PCM using IDS Release 117.01 or higher, while connected to the internet. Some vehicles may already have the latest software. This service must be performed on all affected vehicles at no charge to the vehicle owner.

To assist vehicle owners to have this software update completed, dealers should:

  • Arrange for a mobile repair at the owner’s location,
  • Mobile service should be made available for all customers. Refer to the Claiming sections for further details.

 

OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING SCHEDULE

Owner letters were mailed the week of October 26, 2020. Dealers should repair any affected vehicles that arrive at their dealerships, whether or not the customer has received a letter.

An updated owner letter will be mailed the week of September 19, 2022. Owners will be notified that the program terms for 20B27 have been extended.

 

MOBILE REPAIR RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Confirm with customer a mobile repair is feasible.
  • Check OASIS prior to going to the customer’s home or business to confirm if any other outstanding FSA needs to be completed.
  • Transportation – due to the simplicity of this repair, a specialty vehicle is not required.

 

MOBILE REPAIR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please ensure the technician brings the following to the mobile repair destination:

  • Printed Technical Instructions.
  • Printed Repair/Work Order or any other necessary documentation as customer copy(s) o Documents could also be emailed to the customer.
  • Shirt/uniform and vehicle graphic with dealership or FordeBay logo logos are recommended.
  • Recommended tools and cleaning supplies: Battery Charger, IDS Computer that has been updated to the latest level with all of the required cables and either a VCM2, VCM3, or VCMM.

 

MOBILE REPAIR QUESTIONS AND ASSISTANCE

  • For questions and assistance, contact the Special Service Support Center (SSSC) via the SSSC Web Contact Site. Work with Dealership warranty administrator to create a SSSC contact ID#.
  • Once an SSSC agent responds to the new contact ID#, you may opt to call the SSSC hotline: (800) 325-5621.

 

SOLD VEHICLES

  • Owners of affected vehicles will be directed to dealers for repairs.
  • Immediately contact any of your affected customers whose vehicles are not on your VIN list but are identified in OASIS. Give the customer a copy of the Owner Notification Letter (when available) and schedule a service date.
  • Correct other affected vehicles identified in OASIS which are brought to your dealership.
  • Dealers are to prioritize repairs of customer vehicles over repairs of new and used vehicle inventory.

 

STOCK VEHICLES

  • Correct all affected units in your new vehicle inventory before delivery.
  • Use OASIS to identify any affected vehicles in your used vehicle inventory.

 

TITLE BRANDED / SALVAGED VEHICLES

Affected title branded and salvaged vehicles are eligible for this service action.

 

OWNER REFUNDS

  • FordeBay logo Motor Company is offering a refund for owner-paid repairs covered by this program if the repair was performed before the date of the Owner Notification Letter. This refund offer expires January 31, 2023.
  • Dealers are also pre-approved to refund owner-paid emergency repairs that were performed away from an authorized servicing dealer after the date of the Owner Notification Letter. Noncovered repairs, or those judged by FordeBay logo to be excessive, will not be reimbursed.
  • Refunds will only be provided for the cost associated with reprogramming the PCM to prevent torque convertor overheating.
  • The reprogramming repair needs to have occurred between November 30, 2021 and October 4, 2022.

 

RENTAL VEHICLES

Rental vehicles are not approved for this program.

 

LINCOLNeBay logo PICKUP AND DELIVERY

Owners of 2017 MY and newer LincolneBay logo vehicles have the option of requesting pickup and delivery service with a LincolneBay logo loaner (up to 2 days), from their dealership. For details, reference EFC07715, 2020 LincolneBay logo Pickup & Delivery Updates.

 


CERTAIN 2015-2019 MODEL YEAR MKC AND 2016-2019 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.3L ENGINE AND A 6F35 TRANSMISSIONPOWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) REPROGRAM

 

SERVICE PROCEDURE

Module Reprogramming

NOTE: Reprogram appropriate vehicle modules before performing diagnostics and clear all DTC’s after programming. For DTC’s generated after reprogramming, follow normal diagnostic service procedures.

1. Connect a battery charger to the 12V battery.

NOTE: Verify that the negative cable of the charger is installed on a chassis or engine ground, and not the 12 volt battery negative terminal to prevent the battery saver mode from activating on the vehicle.

NOTE: Make sure the IDS computer does not enter sleep mode during programming.

2. Reprogram the PCM using Integrated Diagnostic Software (IDS) release 117.01 or higher. Make sure you are connected to the Internet prior to reprogramming.

NOTE: Calibration files may also be obtained at www.motorcraftservice.com.

NOTE: Follow the IDS on-screen instructions to complete the reprogramming procedure.

3. Disconnect the battery charger from the 12V battery once the reprogramming has completed.

NOTE: Advise the customer that this vehicle is equipped with an adaptive transmission shift strategy which allows the vehicle’s computer to learn the transmission’s unique parameters and improve shift quality. When the adaptive strategy is reset, the computer will begin a re-learning process. This re-learning process may result in firmer than normal upshifts and downshifts for several days.

 

Important Information for Module Programming

NOTE: When programming or reprogramming a module, use the following basic checks to ensure programming completes without errors.

  • Make sure the 12V battery is fully charged before carrying out the programming steps and connect IDS/scan tool to a power source.
  • Inspect Vehicle Communication Module (VCM) and cables for any damage. Make sure scan tool connections are not interrupted during programming.
  • A hardwired connection is strongly recommended.
  • Turn off all unnecessary accessories (radio, heated/cooled seats, headlamps, interior lamps, HVAC system, etc.) and close doors.
  • Disconnect/depower any aftermarket accessories (remote start, alarm, power inverter, CB radio, etc.).
  • Follow all scan tool on-screen instructions carefully.
  • Disable IDS/scan tool sleep mode, screensaver, hibernation modes.
  • Create all sessions key on engine off (KOEO). Starting the vehicle before creating a session will cause errors within the programming inhale process.

 

Recovering a module when programming has resulted in a blank module:
NEVER DELETE THE ORIGINAL SESSION!

a. Obtain the original IDS that was used when the programming error occurred during module reprogramming (MR) or programmable module installation (PMI).

b. Disconnect the VCM from the data link connector (DLC) and the IDS.

c. Reconnect the VCM to IDS and then connect to the DLC. Once reconnected, the VCM icon should appear in the corner of the IDS screen. If it does not, troubleshoot the IDS to VCM connection.

d. Locate the original vehicle session when programming failed. This should be the last session used in most cases. If not, use the session created on the date that the programming failed.

NOTE: If the original session is not listed in the previous session list, click the Recycle Bin icon at the lower right of the previous session screen. This loads any deleted sessions and allows you to look through them. Double-click the session to restore it.

e. Once the session is loaded, the failed process should resume automatically.

f. If programming does not resume automatically, proceed to the Module Programming menu and select the previously attempted process, PMI or MR.

g. Follow all on-screen prompts/instructions.

h. The last screen on the IDS may list additional steps required to complete the programming process.
Make sure all applicable steps listed on the screen are followed in order.

 


9 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKEMODELYEAR
FORDeBay logoEXPLORER2016-2019
LINCOLNeBay logoMKC2015-2019

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10181985

Manufacturer Communication Number: 20B27

Summary

In affected vehicles, the transmission torque converter may overheat in certain driving conditions. If the torque converter overheats it can lead to adverse NVH, rough idle, and low performance concerns. Ultimately this will require internal transmission repairs to resolve the concern. FordeBay logo Motor Company has developed and update to the Powertrain Control Module software that helps protect the transmission torque converter from overheating when exposed to certain driving styles.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

Customer Satisfaction Program 20B27
October 9, 2020

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10181985

MC-10181985-0001.pdf 1933.32KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10222455

Manufacturer Communication Number: 20N07 S2

Summary

Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer Vehicles Equipped With the 2.3L Engine and 6F35 TransmissionTransmission Extended Warranty Coverage

Updated Owner Letters: 20N07/20B27 S1

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

September 2022
Customer Satisfaction Program 20B27 and 20N07
Owner Letter

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10222455

MC-10222455-0001.pdf 396.579KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10222454

Manufacturer Communication Number: 20B27 S1

Summary

Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer Vehicles Equipped With the 2.3L Engine and 6F35 Transmission Powertrain Control Module Reprogram

Submitting Owner Letters

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

September 2022
Customer Satisfaction Program 20B27 and 20N07
Owner Letter

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10222454

MC-10222454-0001.pdf 396.579KB

 


 

Reprogramming

Service Information & Reprogramming

 

Module Reprogramming

Diagnostic Software Interface Device Complete Vehicle Diagnostics Module Programming
1996-2017
Model Year
2018-Present
Model Year
1996-2017
Model Year
2018-Present
Model Year
IDS/FDRS VCM, VCM IIeBay logo, VCMM X X X X
FJDS/FDRS Compatible J2534 Devices
(Including VCM IIeBay logo and VCMM)
  X X X

Detailed system requirements, installation, and support information for each product is located under the diagnostics tool support tab for each product.

 

Integrated Diagnostic Software (IDS) / FordeBay logo Diagnosis & Repair System (FDRS)

For use with VCM I, VCM IIeBay logo, VMM and VCMM hardware devices only. The complete factory FordeBay logo Motor Company vehicle diagnostic tool that provides complete dealership level vehicle diagnostic coverage for all 1996 to present FordeBay logo, LincolneBay logo and MercuryeBay logo vehicles. The IDS software includes time based access to the IDS software, software updates and calibration files.

 

FordeBay logo J2534 Diagnostic Software (FJDS) / FordeBay logo Diagnosis & Repair System (FDRS)

For use with compatible J2534 hardware devices. FJDS software provides Ford Module Programming functionality that covers 1996 to present FordeBay logo, LincolneBay logo and MercuryeBay logo module reprogramming functions, plus complete dealership level vehicle diagnostic software for all 2018 to present FordeBay logo and LincolneBay logo vehicles. The FJDS software license includes time based access to the FJDS software, software updates and calibration files.


Latest Calibration Information

Module Build Data (As-Built)

Use VIN to obtain As-Built data

www.motorcraftservice.com

 


 

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