Agreed. When I had a newer Prius there were numerous recalls/campaigns, at least six in the two years I had it. Some of those required some sort of memory or battery re-set. Whenever that happened, they'd make sure I knew there was a special device for that, and that only one car at a time could be hooked to it. So they had to spread the appointments out.

I once sat at a Toyota dealer for seven hours. The "re-set" took about 2 hrs, so I figured I'd have lunch them come back. They kept having to recharge both batteries because they'd go dead in the time it took to do it and then the whole process would fail. After three tries they gave me a rental and told me they'd call. Five days later they finally got it to work.

 

I got the letter, and I had also logged into the above website before I had the service done. I can confirm what is said above--mine did NOT show up on the website.

 

Great news!! Just got home from the dealer after picking up my FEH post-recall work.

Actually 2 recalls...the battery wiring harness and the headliner recall (non side airbag models) from last yr.

Anyway...I specifically asked when I dropped it off that the tech "re-flash" the PCM with the latest hybrid software. The tech at the counter was not the hybrid guy...so he had no idea what I was talking about....but entered it on the work order.

Driving home post service...I definently noticed a MUCH smoother transition from EV to ICE. Also, it is much easier to stay in EV...I can moderately accelerate, even up a slight hill in EV! I'm thrilled!!

I have an early 2005 model. Def. a change in software. When I picked it up, the hybrid tech was gone for the day, so I'm not sure if it is required to reflash the PCM or if they did it at my request.

In any case, there is a BIG difference in my PCM. I will keep monitering FE and report.

Yes, it really is that much better(smoother)....



Nate

 

For what its worth, I went to www.mercuryvehicles.com/owners and logged in to look for recalls on my 2007 Mercury Mariner Hybrid and found none. Of course this isn't really a recall so I wonder if and when I will get my letter?

I just had it at the dealer the other day complaining that the Audiophile Navigation system wouldn't play MP3's as advertised in my brochure and they looked for any recalls in their system for my vehicle and they found none. I would hope that their system would reflect this service alert but then again this is Ford.

 

I had my 06 FEH in all day Tues and Wed for 10k service (a tad overdue, 11.5k on the odo) and to fix the rear squeak (amen!) Tried to bundle in the non-recall recall we're discussing here but the dealership doesn't have the parts and couldn't promise anything earlier than the end of the month (and I bought my FEH there; they're not high volume for hybrids by any means, though.)

I like a previous poster's though of waiting til the techs have gotten this down pat having worked on some other people's vehicles first. I haven't always had the best experience with Ford service... though my present dealership is great, albeit slow -- always takes at least 2 full days for any service except for a tire puncture repair and rotation once, and that's regardless of if I come in at the crack of dawn and sit waiting or drop it off shortly after they open and call periodically (lunch and 3-4 hours before closing) for a status.

 

Hey folks,

Just got back from 160 mi trip. 75% interstate, 25% city....but little gridlock.

FE for the trip (msg ctr...I don't have the nav system) indicated 31.4mpg. I have no reason to doubt it.

Post "recall" work...EV-->ICE transition is much smoother. Also seems the EV is doing more of the work. I can pull away from a stop with more pressure without turning on the ICE.

End result, IMHO the re-flash is good for about 1mpg better than before. Still to early to be 100% certain. Maybe not so much difference with the 06s-07s...but I have an early 2005 (build date 11/04) so I always felt the PCM programming was a bit cautious. Will continue to monitor and report.

Nate

BTW...my best FE EVER was 31.9, and that was flat road at 60mph...virtually no stops at all, only driver and a tailwind. Here, I'm at 31.4 with driver+passenger, mixed driving, rolling hills, and use of cruise control.

 

Picked mine up today, they ended up having it all afternoon and didn't finish until the next morning; not bad, but longer then I had hoped. I talked to the service guy, who was very up to speed on the FEH, and on what was going on. He said they're removing the HV battery, replacing the harness underneath, changing the wiring and a few things on the side; they are not opening up the battery, and then reflashing the BCM (Battery Control Module)

I also had the oil changed.

Bottom line, it seems like it does indeed run "smoother"; as if the transition mode has been improved. In addition, on my way home today, I was able to get to cruising speed without the ICE coming on; a definate first for me. Usually at 17-20 miles per hour ICE kicks on as I accelerate, but today I was at 30 and still in EV with no problems. In addition, both times I tried it, the ICE dropped off after the first tap, and was almost already off before the second tap to douple tap the ICE off. All the usual tricks still work just fine, and I still had to do something to get the ICE no, no auto-off as I've heard in the newer models.

I managed 41 MPG on my way home today, which is above par for usual, and especially for having a head wind; though how much is the BCM change and how much is the Oil change, I don't know.

And for the lazy, this is a 2006.

 

I received my letter about 2 weeks ago. Originally I had scheduled the first appointment when I had my FEH in the body shop for repairs. When I picked it up, I was told the service department had ordered the parts for the recall.

This week I had to drop my FEH off at the body shop to have the repairs redone. I had also informed the service department it was again at the body shop. I had been told by the body shop that service has performed the recall on my vehicle. However; until I get it back from the body shop, I can't confirm what was done. I do hop my CC still works since I haven't received that recall notice.

The reason for the trips to the body shop was due to an accident. They had to replace my front bumper and fender flare. The insurance company insisted on replacing the bumper with an aftermarket bumper.
This bumper turned out to be too big. Once fastened to the vehicle, the right side matched perfectly. However;; the left side wasn't so good. The bumper itself was pulled inward while the fenderflare jutted outward and a noticeable buckle was seen under my headlight assembly. Now I am awaiting the correct bumper to arrive from Ford. Hopefully I'll have my FEH back by the beginning of next week.

 

Rich,

You have more patientce than I do. I would be mad as h*ll and insisting on a "real" ford bumper.

Anyway, just FYI the CC recall DOES NOT include the CC used in the Escapes (at least since 2005). The parts are not the same, it is an entirely different system than the "pyro" one.

Just wanted to make that clear so no newbies here get scared about the CC causing fires.

Once again, does not apply to the FEH!!

Nate

 

No problem, I understand. However; as for the bumper, I am getting a real Ford bumper. Though I was told the first bumper from Ford arrived damaged and had to be re-ordered.

The most important thing from this whole ordeal (not talking about the recall) was that no one was hurt. Plastic and metal can be replaced. That being said, I did insist everything get repaired/replaced correctly. Which is why I did not accept the repairs the first time. I will see what the repairs look like later this morning when I pick it up. Thanks..