Special Service Message 53966 - 2021-2025 Various Vehicles - SYNC4 - General System Performance And Stability - Programming No Longer Available

[Haz]

On June 20, 2025, Ford provided the following information to dealership Service personnel via an Alert issued on the Professional Technician System (PTS) website...

 

Some 2021-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 4 may not be able to perform an update to the accessory protocol interface module (APIM). 

This may be due to the software in the APIM. Ford Engineering has de-activated the ability to update these SYNC 4 APIM modules and as applicable, the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS)  will not present an update for the APIM module.  Some existing directed repairs may be impacted, check OASIS before attempting any specific TSB repairs and landing pages before attempting any specific FSA repairs.  For any vehicles repairs requiring a software update that includes an APIM update in the programming sequence, if the 5-digit product code for the APIM software is equal to or lower than 23187, do not attempt to update affected modules at this time.  To determine the 5-digit product code for the APIM software on the vehicle,  while the vehicle center display screen is powered up with ignition in run or accessory, go to General Settings > Select About SYNC. Find the 5-digit code, example “ SYNC 4, Software Version: 23187_PRODUCT”.

 

This post will be updated when Ford offers fuller clarity, or, when a remedy is provided by Ford Engineering.

 

Edited 8 hours ago by Haz

[Wubster100]

Is this the same issue as TSB-22-2404 that has been discontinued?

[Haz]

While providing no additional information, Ford has elevated its earlier PTS Alert notification to a Special Service Message, a level of communication which is submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), which eventually posts such messages to its website.

 

The broadly-described population of potentially affected vehicles, and the indication that this will-not-update condition is the direct result of Ford Engineering de-activating the vehicles' APIMs from performing normal updates, are especially noteworthy -- as is Ford urgency in preceding the SSM with its PTS Alert. 

 

This post will be updated when additional information and/or actions are announced by Ford.

 

SSM 53966 - 2021-2025 Various Vehicles - SYNC4 - General System Performance And Stability - Programming No Longer Available

Some 2021-2025 Ford/ Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC4 may not be able to perform an update to the accessory protocol interface module (APIM). This may be due to the software in the APIM. Ford Engineering has de-activated the ability to update these SYNC4 APIM modules as applicable, and the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) will not present an update for the APIM module. Some existing directed repairs may be impacted, check Professional Technician System (PTS) before attempting any specific technical service bulletin (TSB)/special service message (SSM) and check field service action (FSA) landing pages before attempting any FSA repairs. For any vehicle repairs requiring a software update that includes an APIM update in the programming sequence, if the 5-digit product code for the APIM software is equal to or lower than 23187, do not attempt to update affected modules at this time. To determine the 5-digit product code for the APIM software on the vehicle, while the vehicle center display screen is powered up with ignition in run or accessory, go to Settings > General > About SYNC. Find the 5-digit code (example: “SYNC 4, Software Version: 23187_PRODUCT”). If further support is required, follow normal internal dealer escalation process.

 

Edited 8 hours ago by Haz

[Bunky]

Does this mean that the APIM has to be replaced?  I know the APIM cannot be replaced under warranty without approval from Ford as a way of managing warranty cost?

[Haz]

@Bunky: It is presently unclear what Ford Engineering's remedy will be.

 

The most recent listing of Components Requiring a Repair Validation Code (RVC), and the various authorities involved, is available here...

 

 

Good luck!