“Stop Safely Now” is a warning message that can appear on the dashboard of Ford vehicles. This warning is a safety feature designed to alert the driver of potential issues with the car’s electrical system or hybrid powertrain. While this warning can be alarming, it’s important to address it promptly to prevent any further damage or safety concerns.
In this article, we’ll explore the possible causes of the “Stop Safely Now” warning in Ford vehicles and discuss some potential solutions to fix the issue.
Loose fuse, check the fuse box
A loose or blown fuse can also be a potential cause for the “Stop Safely Now” warning in Ford vehicles. The car’s electrical system relies on fuses to protect electrical components from damage due to a power surge or overload. If a fuse is loose, damaged, or blown, it can cause electrical issues that trigger the warning message. Many Ford owners have reported loose fuse to be the cause of this warning, especially in new vehicles. Sometimes the fuses are not properly seated from the factory.
To check if a loose or blown fuse is causing the “Stop Safely Now” warning, you should inspect all the fuses in the fuse box. The fuse boxes are typically located under the dashboard on the passenger’s side of the vehicle and in the engine compartment.
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Low voltage
Low voltage is one of the most common reasons why the “Stop Safely Now” warning message appears in Ford vehicles. The vehicle’s electrical system relies on a 12-volt battery to power the lights, radio, and other electrical components. If the 12-volt battery is failing or not charging properly, it can cause a drop in voltage, triggering the warning message.
Here are some potential causes of low voltage and how to fix them:
Failing 12-volt battery
If the 12-volt battery is failing, it may not be able to hold a charge, causing a drop in voltage. In this case, the battery will need to be replaced.
Malfunctioning charging system
If the charging system is not working properly, it can cause the battery to drain and the voltage to drop. This can be caused by a faulty alternator, a loose or corroded connection, or a broken accessory belt. Keep in mind that some hybrid vehicles do not have an alternator, instead the battery is charged by a DC-DC converter.
Hybrid system failure
A hybrid system failure is another possible cause for the “Stop Safely Now” warning message in Ford vehicles. The hybrid system is responsible for providing power to the electric motor and charging the hybrid battery. A failure in the hybrid system can cause a drop in voltage, triggering the warning message.
Malfunctioning component
A failure in one of the components of the hybrid system, such as the inverter, motor generator, or DC-DC converter, can cause the warning message to appear.
Software issue
A software issue in the hybrid system can cause a malfunction and trigger the warning message. In this case, the car’s software will need to be updated or reprogrammed by a qualified Ford technician.
Faulty hybrid battery
In hybrid Ford vehicles, the high-voltage hybrid battery is responsible for providing power to the electric motor. If the hybrid battery is failing, it can cause the voltage to drop, triggering the warning message.
Disconnect the battery for 15 minutes
Disconnecting the battery for 15 minutes is one method that may be recommended to reset the car’s computer system and clear any error codes related to the “Stop Safely Now” warning message. This is because disconnecting the battery can cause the car’s onboard computer system to reset and clear any stored error codes.
To disconnect the battery, first, ensure that the car’s ignition is turned off. Then, locate the battery, which is typically located under the hood or in the trunk. Using a wrench or socket set, loosen the negative (-) battery cable clamp and remove it from the battery post. Leave the cable disconnected for about 15 minutes, and then reconnect the cable by tightening the clamp onto the battery post.
It’s important to note that disconnecting the battery may also reset other settings in the car, such as the radio presets and clock. Additionally, while disconnecting the battery can clear stored error codes, it will not necessarily fix the underlying issue causing the “Stop Safely Now” warning message to appear. Therefore, it’s still recommended to have the car inspected by a qualified Ford technician to diagnose and address any underlying issues.
Stop speculating, use an OBD scanner
An OBD scanner can be a very useful tool to diagnose the cause of the “Stop Safely Now” warning message in Ford vehicles. An OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) scanner is a device that connects to the car’s onboard computer system and can retrieve diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) related to any malfunctions or issues with the car’s systems.
Using an OBD scanner, a qualified Ford technician can read the DTCs related to the warning message and identify the specific cause of the issue. This allows for a more accurate diagnosis and targeted repair.
Additionally, an OBD scanner can also be used to clear any DTCs after repairs have been made to ensure the issue has been resolved.
It’s important to note that while an OBD scanner can be a valuable tool, it should not be the only method used to diagnose and repair issues with a car. A qualified Ford technician will also perform a visual inspection of the car and may use additional diagnostic equipment to identify any potential issues.
Overall, using an OBD scanner in combination with a qualified Ford technician’s expertise and experience can lead to a more effective diagnosis and repair of the “Stop Safely Now” warning message in Ford vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you keep driving with the “Stop Safely Now” warning?
If the “Stop Safely Now” warning message appears in your Ford vehicle, it’s important to take it seriously and address it promptly. While it’s possible to continue driving for a short period of time after the warning message appears, it’s not recommended.
The warning message is an indication that there is a potential issue with the car’s systems that could lead to a safety concern or further damage to the car. Continuing to drive with the warning message present could increase the risk of an accident or cause more costly repairs down the line.
It’s best to pull over and turn off the engine as soon as possible when the warning message appears. After turning off the engine, you can refer to your car’s owner’s manual to determine the best course of action. In some cases, the issue may be minor and can be resolved by checking and resetting certain components. However, in other cases, it may be necessary to have your car towed to a qualified Ford technician for a diagnosis and repair.
So what do you do when Ford says there is no problem after you take it in a brand new truck less than 5000 miles? Real question not being a troll. We’ve had this happen twice first time the truck started immediately after and Ford said it was probably a loose connection or software error, the second time truck did not restart till after I opened the hood and checked all the connections, and immediately took it to for they checked the battery and said there is no problem. we use the vehicle to tow and losing power suddenly on the highway could be very dangerous. Ford has not been very helpful and we would really like to know what the issue is
We got a Ford F-150 Powerboost in April and first had the “Stop Safely Now” error code at 2475 KM, where the vehicle would unlock, but would not start. Ford Roadside assistance was a joke, it was about 8:30 in the evening they said to call back at 8:00 the next morning, they would send out a tow truck to try to jump start the vehicle and if that did not work they would tow the truck to a Ford Dealer for repair.
We tried jump starting the vehicle with a friends car and it did nothing. We hitched a ride home and then went back in the morning, the truck started right away. We contacted the dealer who looked up the VIN and said the vehicle had thrown error codes and asked us to bring the truck in, they then did a software update, which at first seemed to fix the issue.
About a month later we had gone to a wedding and at the reception, I overheard one of the other guests, a service manager at a Dodge dealership telling another guest not to buy a hybrid or EV vehicle as they were having problems with them as they had come onto the market to quickly and had not been fully tested yet. He also said that not only were the Dodge vehicles having problems but many of the other brands like Ford were having them as well. After the reception and at approx. 4400 Km the truck did exactly the same error code. We tried a few of the possible fixes we had found online, switched the vehicle to sport mode, which disconnects the EV, with no response. I did try to start the vehicle using the Ford Remote Pass App and it started. Since we were miles away from home, we drove straight home with no stops even though there were awesome rainbows in the sky which i really wanted to stop and photograph.
The next day, we had the trailer hooked to the vehicle, drove with no problems, dropped off the trailer at our step brothers farm and continued on to help our sister in law move, only to have the vehicle do the same error at 4548 Km. It again started with the Ford Remote app and even though it was stop and start many times that day, did not happen again.
Again it had thrown error codes.
The truck has been at the Ford dealership ever since being “Poked and Prodded” by the EV specialist. July 14th the dealership got an email from Ford tech support saying that there is a fix planned that will be available between the middle to the end of August.
Hoping this fixes the issue, but am definitely loosing faith in the hybrid vehicles and Consumer Reports review of the F-150 Power Boost does not help.
Ford has a new Service Bulletin out on this problem. There is no fix at this time. Fix is expected in the 4Quarter of this year. Ford advised all service dept’s to tell customers to “Turn vehicle completely off, leave standing for a while and vehicle should start shortly after.
SSM 51822 2023 F150 FHEV- Intermittent No Start And Stop Safely Now Message Displayed With Possible DTCs U0293 And P1A43 In The Battery Energy Control Module (BECM)
Some 2023 F150 hybrid vehicles may exhibit an intermittent no start and Stop Safely Now message displayed in the instrument panel cluster and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) U0293 and/or P1A43 in the BECM or in connected vehicle data. A Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software concern may be triggering the no start condition. Replacement or reprogramming of the BECM or PCM is not recommended for this condition at this time. This does not affect vehicle durability and no additional diagnosis or service is required for this condition at this time. Inform customers that the vehicle will start after leaving it off temporarily. Engineering is currently working on a solution for this condition that is expected in Q4 2023. Monitor OASIS for additional information.