What are Connected Vehicle System Updates?

Connected Vehicles contain in-vehicle systems. From time to time, these systems may require updating. System updates can range from small adjustments through to extensive software upgrades or changes, for example, to introduce a new feature.  These updates can be made in multiple ways - physically when you take your vehicle to be serviced or remotely through over-the-air transmission using your vehicle’s embedded modem (also referred to as software updates). If not updated, some vehicle features or services may not operate as intended or may cease to work.

Where a small adjustment is administered, it does not alter the vehicle software nor its function, rather it will fine tune the operation of an existing feature. Where the embedded modem in your Connected Vehicle is on, your vehicle will receive these small adjustments remotely, without any further action from you and without disruption to you, your vehicle usage or your driving experience.

Where a system update involves an upgrade or change to software, some of these changes can be delivered over-the-air to your Connected Vehicle. Software changes will be deployed differently depending on the SYNC system your vehicle is equipped with, as explained below:

SYNC3

For SYNC3 equipped Connected Vehicles, software updates can be made over-the-air to the modem.  Where the vehicle’s embedded modem is on, Ford, our affiliates and/or service providers may remotely check and deliver software updates, upgrades, supplements, or changes without any further notice to you. 

SYNC 4/4A

SYNC4 & 4A equipped Connected Vehicles contain an ‘Automatic Updates’ setting. Information on Automatic Updates can be viewed via the SYNC system in your vehicle by selecting Settings, then System Updates.  You will see Automatic Updates with a slide bar indicating whether it is set to ‘On’ or ‘Off’. 

• Where Automatic Updates is set to ‘On’ in your vehicle, you agree that Ford, our affiliates and/or service providers may remotely check and deliver software updates, upgrades, supplements, or changes without any further notice or additional consent from you.  For SYNC4/4A equipped Connected Vehicles, software updates can be delivered over-the-air to in-vehicle systems including certain vehicle modules, SYNC and modem modules. These updates may include vehicle enhancements and updates to improve vehicle quality, vehicle capability and to add vehicle features or software security updates. 
• Where Automatic Updates is set to ‘Off’ in your vehicle, it can still receive these updates however you will need to accept each update manually via the SYNC screen in your vehicle. 

To learn more about software updates for SYNC4/4A please click here.

Additional Information

How do I turn on automatic software updates using SYNC 4A? 
What are software updates?