Skip advert
Advertisement

Watchdog: Ford Focus RS sat-nav waits 'a year' for update

Ford says Focus RS navigation can’t be fixed until software update arrives later in the year

One of the advantages of buying a brand new car is being able to specify it with the newest available technology. So when Andrew Lanes, from Lincoln, ordered his Ford Focus RS, he paid an extra £465 for the latest SYNC3 infotainment system, complete with satellite navigation.

But when he took delivery in April last year, the SYNC3 sat-nav malfunctioned. Andrew told us: “On the day we collected our RS the sat-nav lost signal, and the location of the car wandered across the countryside.”

Advertisement - Article continues below

An early trip back to the dealership was duly booked, with Andrew hopeful the problem could be easily remedied. But that wasn’t the case, with Ford’s technicians at Evans Halshaw in Lincoln unable to fix the navigation system. A second and then a third trip back to the garage produced similar results, with mechanics ultimately saying there was little they could do until a software update was available.

Andrew contacted Ford UK, hoping staff might be able to shed some light on the problem, but received a similar answer. Andrew told us: “I have been in contact with Ford UK customer services on a number of occasions and got nowhere, becoming more and more frustrated in the process.” During this time, several other Ford owners told us about similar problems with their SYNC3 units, and we got in touch with Ford.

A company spokesman told us Ford
 was aware of the fault, and said “map updates are next on the list of SYNC3 enhancements”. Once these are released, customers will be able to download them to a USB drive before plugging this into the SYNC3 system, although Ford dealers will be able to perform the update, too.

Ford warned us, however, that the updates wouldn't be available until early this year, leaving Andrew stranded with an inaccurate sat-nav set-up.

Andrew commented: “A big thank you for supporting me with this issue.” But he added: “How can it take Ford close to a year to develop a satellite navigation system software update?”

Other readers, interestingly, have told us their faulty SYNC3 sat-navs have been fixed with a new satellite navigation antenna.

You can find more Watchdog cases on our dedicated page.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: details and first drive of the sleek executive four-door
BMW M235 Gran Coupe front quarter
News
26 Nov 2024

New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: details and first drive of the sleek executive four-door

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s Black Friday offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
29 Nov 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s Black Friday offers

New Audi Q5 Sportback lands with SUV stance and a swoopy roof
Audi SQ5 Sportback front quarter
News
26 Nov 2024

New Audi Q5 Sportback lands with SUV stance and a swoopy roof

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024