[TusharK]

If you have booked a Ford EcoSport Diesel recently, you might have to wait just a bit longer for the delivery.



The EcoSport Diesel is set to get an "important software update" soon and the cars will be delivered once the update has rolled out. This is likely to impact delivery timelines by a few weeks.



Dealerships have sent out emails to some customers notifying about the delay. However, the email doesn't reveal any details about the software in question.

The 2021 EcoSport was launched at the start of the year. The crossover comes with an updated 1.5-litre diesel engine that makes 99 BHP and 215 Nm and is offered with a 5-speed manual gearbox. More recently, Ford introduced the EcoSport SE, which also gets the same powertrain options including the 1.5-litre diesel engine.

Thanks to Preekshith A for sending this information in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing it with other enthusiasts via this Team-BHP page!

Link to Team-BHP News

[ashis89]

While we already have a discussion running on the official Ecosport review thread about this update, I am surprised and curious about this communication from Ford. A software update wouldn't take more than a couple of hours to load, assuming the software update code is ready for roll-out. A delay of few weeks doesn't sound reasonable.

Since the communication says 1.5L diesel engine, this must be an ECU update. As this engine is used on the Figo and it's siblings, shouldn't those models receive the same update as well?

On a lighter note, it seems the software update code ran into critical bugs in the QC stage and hence, the go-live date must have been postponed until the code has a QC sign off.

[racer_ash]

Originally Posted by ashis89

On a lighter note, it seems the software update code ran into critical bugs in the QC stage and hence, the go-live date must have been postponed until the code has a QC sign off.

Precisely that must be the reason for so much (a few weeks delay) for a simple s/w update.

Pretty much like our tax portal. Glitches and bugs galore.

[RedTerrano]

Originally Posted by racer_ash

Precisely that must be the reason for so much (a few weeks delay) for a simple s/w update.

Pretty much like our tax portal. Glitches and bugs galore.

What are the chances Agile (Agile management in the Indian auto industry?) is lurking somewhere in the background?

On a more serious note, I am glad they postponed. Better to have a delay than some horrific safety issue. I am sure Ford hasn't forgotten the Pinto debacle to this day.

[jithin23]

Originally Posted by ashis89

Since the communication says 1.5L diesel engine, this must be an ECU update. As this engine is used on the Figo and it's siblings, shouldn't those models receive the same update as well?

On a lighter note, it seems the software update code ran into critical bugs in the QC stage and hence, the go-live date must have been postponed until the code has a QC sign off.

This applies to 1.5 TDCi BS 6 engines. Even the 2020 versions are being recalled for the ECU update because at a particular speed there's no power delivery to the throttle and that's not a good situation while overtaking , especially on highways.

Ford has finally responded to customer complaints and feedback about the 1.5 BS 6 TDCi. Already the 1.5 8v TDCi is more than 2 decades old and Ford could have leveraged the opportunity to bring the 1.5 EcoBlue diesel and a diesel AT. This is what's really missing in EcoSport apart from the brilliant Sync 3.

[Jeroen]

Ford’s dealing with software and software upgrades has not left me with a feeling these guys know what they are doing. The words Mickey Mouse Operation springs to mind.

Updating the sync system and notable the navigation maps has been a hugely cumbersome affair for years. Had to wait for almost a year for an update of a map? How is that even possible? My TomTom updates its map and POIs almost daily! If you design doesn’t cater for these sort of basic functions, it does not instil confidence for more complex functions.

I still have to meet a Ford technician that is well versed in trouble shooting electronic glitches. This is in Europe. I find they are lacking in skills, competence and operational handling of these sort of issues compared to most other brands here in Europe.

Ford is positioning their ECUs as the proverbial black box between themselves and their customers. Truth is, my impression, they themselves have not got a clue and don’t know what to tell customers subsequently.

Jeroen

[ruzbehxyz]

Originally Posted by TusharK

The EcoSport Diesel is set to get an "important software update" soon and the cars will be delivered once the update has rolled out. This is likely to impact delivery timelines by a few weeks.

The Ford Sync 3 is slowly getting outdated and Ford abroad has introduced Sync 4, which is much superior and has a better interface.
Could it be that Ford India is introducing Sync 4 in the Ecosport ?

[fiat_tarun]

From comments on the Facebook owners forum this appears to be the update to fix the DPF clogging and regeneration issues that some BS6 owners are having. Even after driving the required distances at >2000 rpm the DPF warning remains.

From what I read, owners have been complaining for a while so good that Ford finally is taking some action to fix this issue.

It looks like the DPF only BS6 diesels are not meant for only slow speed city drives. They need the good old 'Italian Tune up' once in a while

[CEF_Beasts]

Originally Posted by ruzbehxyz

The Ford Sync 3 is slowly getting outdated and Ford abroad has introduced Sync 4, which is much superior and has a better interface.
Could it be that Ford India is introducing Sync 4 in the Ecosport ?

This software update is related to the DPF issues seen by the BS6 1.5L TDCi engines, nothing to do with Sync 4.

[gkveda]

They say, Old patient's experience is better than new doctor's advice. Old software which was released an year ago and has been stabilized is 100 times better than new software that they release now.

Whenever there's a major release of software, we have seen the number of tickets raises 30-40 times more than usual and again starts reducing. Hence, suggest to check if they can deliver the car with earlier version. Later once the new update settle down, you can get it updated in your car.

[Nikhil Beke]

this software update is related to the DPF issues seen by the BS6 1.5L TDCi engines, nothing to do with Sync 4.

IMHO, That's what's being assumed, only Ford(hopefully) knows what they're upto. Do we have a source for this info, apart from speculations on social media?

[Fastdriver]

Originally Posted by CEF_Beasts

This software update is related to the DPF issues seen by the BS6 1.5L TDCi engines, nothing to do with Sync 4.

What is the cost of the DPF if it needs replacement?

[roadrunner_nv]

After seeing how VAG handled the dieselgate, I would refrain from doing an update on an Ecosport. VAG literally killed their customers post the update. It left the much loved cars in a mess of clattery engines, lost refinement, low power and lesser reliability.

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by jithin23

This applies to 1.5 TDCi BS 6 engines. Even the 2020 versions are being recalled for the ECU update because at a particular speed there's no power delivery to the throttle and that's not a good situation while overtaking , especially on highways.

Originally Posted by fiat_tarun

From comments on the Facebook owners forum this appears to be the update to fix the DPF clogging and regeneration issues that some BS6 owners are having. Even after driving the required distances at >2000 rpm the DPF warning remains.

So, there are two issues at hand - power loss and DPF warning?

And is Ford trying to address both of them with this update? I say trying as I am quite sure their patch isn't ready for release yet, mentioned in my previous post as well.

We can only know if and when the cat is out of the bag in a few weeks' time.

[jithin23]

Originally Posted by Jeroen

Ford is positioning their ECUs as the proverbial black box between themselves and their customers. Truth is, my impression, they themselves have not got a clue and don’t know what to tell customers subsequently.

Jeroen

I'd agree to this even in their Indian business unit. Even if owners want to upgrade parts on their own, they are very conservative and spare part availability in the open market or counter sale of spares is an issue the days with Ford. Anything out of the book, the service center frowns. They have the tech but they don't give us the best ones in India.