System Operation: Overview

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2021 Ford F-150. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Over the Air (OTA) Programming

Over-the-Air updates allow for vehicle system software to be updated wirelessly over Wi-Fi (both private and or public Wi-Fi connection) and or the vehicle cellular network. Over-the-Air updates occur on a rolling basis. By default, the vehicle starts the update process as soon as new software becomes available, notifications of software update availability are displayed on the vehicle display screen.

The Over-the-Air Updates are available for vehicles that are factory equipped with GWM, TCU and APIM with Ethernet communication network connections.

Some OTA updates can complete in the background, more complex updates can take up to 45 minutes to complete and the vehicle will be disabled during the update process. These more complex updates must be scheduled by the customer, to complete at a time convenient for them. If an OTA update becomes available that is required to be scheduled, the customer is notified through the vehicle display screen, remotely through the FordPass app and via e-mail where available.

During scheduled updates the vehicle will not function. The vehicle is inhibited by design when the OTA software update is being installed to the receiving module(s). Scheduled updates may take up to 45 minutes to complete.

Certain conditions must be met for a scheduled update installation to complete. If these conditions are not met, the update is cancelled. Cancelled updates can be rescheduled for a time when the conditions can be met.

The vehicle display screen displays a 2 minute countdown prior to the scheduled update start time, to give the customer the opportunity to cancel the update if necessary. Once the update has started it can not be canceled.

Details of the over the air (OTA) update release status can be can be viewed on the PTS Connected Vehicle tab.