Randomly switches into Baja mode

[bluemarlin25]

2025 RR with 16K miles

Randomly switches into Baja mode and into 4WD

stock RR

I always run in Raptor mode where the saved drive mode is Normal

several times, randomly, and typically when I slow down to turn or start off and turn….the truck suddenly, on it’s own, switches into Baja mode and from 2WD into 4WD

it did it yesterday when I took off at a light and took a left turn and I accelerated hard on a 4 lane highway to get around a gravel truck

suddenly I hear the truck rev up and look at the dashboard and it’s in 4WD Baja mode

I have to pull over, it won’t go into 2H.

Ultimately, I have to turn the truck off and back on for it switch to 2H

later, after eating dinner and all city driving, I turn the truck on and immediately see this on the dashboard

it asks me if I want to stay in Baja mode

we were in drive mode Normal when we stopped for dinner

anyone have a similar experience ?

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[24RangerLariat]

This happened several times on my Ranger Lariat FX4. They traced it back to the ATCM module. They had to replace it. Haven't had any issues since.

 

[Morphine10]

We've mentioned this in another post, but it's a problem. Mines a RR '24 with 7k miles. Randomly switches into four-wheel drive when I start it, sometimes going down the road, sometimes randomly. Has happened about seven times now.

Other people mention that it could be the goat selector switch, it might be a sensor in the drivetrain that automatically switches, and then some people are saying they took it to the dealership and there was nothing they would do.

The overall census is that we need to complain to the NHTSA to force Ford into doing something about this. There are enough reports that it is not random.

This is one of my favorite vehicles of all times, but I've had so many problems I might sell it.

 

[Dre' Dawg]

My wife's RR did that yesterday but was able to use the know to switch it back to normal. She think it happens when you put a drink in the holders... not sure about that one!

 

[Wildo]

2025 RR with 16K miles

Randomly switches into Baja mode and into 4WD

stock RR

I always run in Raptor mode where the saved drive mode is Normal

several times, randomly, and typically when I slow down to turn or start off and turn….the truck suddenly, on it’s own, switches into Baja mode and from 2WD into 4WD

it did it yesterday when I took off at a light and took a left turn and I accelerated hard on a 4 lane highway to get around a gravel truck

suddenly I hear the truck rev up and look at the dashboard and it’s in 4WD Baja mode

I have to pull over, it won’t go into 2H.

Ultimately, I have to turn the truck off and back on for it switch to 2H

later, after eating dinner and all city driving, I turn the truck on and immediately see this on the dashboard

it asks me if I want to stay in Baja mode

we were in drive mode Normal when we stopped for dinner

anyone have a similar experience ?

All the time, not the same circumstances. Mine will go into Baja and other modes all by itself. I may going 40 mph and it does it, it won’t actually go to 4 low, but it will tell me to slow down. I just reach over and turn the switch back to normal. I’m good until the episode. My wife won’t even drive it for fear of tearing something up!

 

[Morphine10]

I pressed the R button on the steering wheel to return to normal mode. Maybe it is a faulty goat switch... I can tell you that after a while trying to switch it back on the selector switch will not work. I sometimes literally have to pull over. Put it in park. Turn it off. Turn it on, use the iPad, and then it works.

It's completely random. I work so much. I don't have time to get to the shop, and my local shop in Clermont Florida has a history of being the worst in all of the Ford dealerships.

 

[NevadaJim]

My 24 Lariat FX4 did it all the time. First time to dealer they couldn’t find a problem and said they had never heard of a problem. The second time just before I ran out of warranty I took it in again (recall) and told them I thought it was the mode selector. They checked it again and said that was the problem. They replaced it and it was worse. Took it back again and they got with Ford and they hadn’t installed the updated switch. They installed the updated selector and everything worked perfectly. Drove it about a 1000 miles and traded it in for a RR.

 

[bluemarlin25]

Yeah, my wife won’t drive mine either

took it the dealership twice and got the “we can’t recreate it” diagnosis

 

[Switzguy]

Has anyone experiencing this ever spilled something on the knob that switches modes?
I wonder if it's possible there's a short or something.
Still seems way too common.
I haven't had it happen to me (yet).

 

[bluemarlin25]

I never spilled anything

 

[Morphine10]

Never spilled anything either. Never off road.

 

[bgn]

My 2025 Lariat FX4 randomly changed modes after I flicked the drive selector just once. Unfortunately for me, I've also now spilled stuff on it.

Ford is playing games with people's lives. Report it to NHTSA. They don't understand anything that doesn't hit their bottom line.

 

[Tinfish]

Mine does this randomly. Sometimes it's twice in a week, other times it doesn't do it for 3+ months. I've taken it to the dealer twice for it, but they just say that they can't replicate the issue. I'm hoping Ford can take this seriously and come out with an actual fix, because this is unsafe.

 

[Morphine10]

I guess the good news is that we have reported it. I'm not sure what the long-term effects on the transmission are, but I am grateful for the extended warranty.

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