The radio in my 2016 F-250 will turn on by itself. When this happens it always comes on full volume. There is no logic as to when it will occur. Sometimes it happens right after starting the truck. Other times it's while I've been driving for a while. Because it's an intermittent problem I haven't taken it in for service. This started a couple of weeks after I purchased the truck. It only has 5K miles on it so I've been waiting for the first service to report it.
I did call the dealer and asked the Service Manager if he's seen this problem with any other models. Of course, It was the first time he's heard of it.

Lately 2 other similar issues have surfaced. At times the A/C will change from Auto to Max Air with no interaction from me. Then, a few days ago when I put the key into the ignition and turned it on, before I turned the key to start the windshield wipers came on, rose about 3 inches and stopped. I checked the switch and it was in the off position. I turned them on/off and the wipers returned to the stored location.

There would be some comfort knowing I don't have the only truck with this problem. I'd like to be able to have something (this forum thread) to show the service dept that I'm not imagining this.

 

Is it happening when it raining or shortly after? Maybe a heavy dew in the morning? Have you looked or felt the carpet up next to the firewall to see if it was wet or damp? Previous years have shown that when these things happen it's usually caused by a leak where water is getting into the cab and running into the fuse box, or supposedly there is some type of control module under the dash that could also be the problem. A few others have reported that the ignition switch is causing it.

 

I've checked for leaks but haven't found one.
Raining, sunny, cool, hot. It occurs in any weather condition.
Ihaven't paid attention if it comes on tuned to the last station I was listening to or if it always starts at a default station.

 

That's pretty odd. Did you try disconnecting the battery?

 

Yah unhook it and let the truck sit awhile before hooking it back up is the first thing I'd be trying. What a pain on a new truck. I don't recall reading of these specific symptoms recently but there have been some electrical gremlins reported in these trucks from weak connectors or the splices/crimps at the connection points. Like the known issue of the connector that's on the emergency brake mechanism.

 

Thanks. I'll try the battery disconnect in the morning although it could be days before I know if it had an affect. I've driven several days without an incident.

 

So far, so good. It's been 9 days since I did as you suggested and there have been no signs of those Gremlins messing with my radio. I not quite ready to give it a cured status but things are looking good.

Thank you

BTW, I'm new to this forum. Is it necessary to ad a title to every reply?

 

No, adding a title to the replies is optional. It is only mandatory when you start a new thread.

Welcome to FTE!

 

You may also want to see if Ford has any software updates for the stereo.

 

Thank you!
21 days and not a single problem. That's all it needed.

 

I haven't had any trouble since I tried disconnecting the battery nearly a month ago as don123 suggested. Yesterday, a few minutes after starting the engine the radio came on at full volume with no interaction from me.

Yes, I have talked to my Ford dealer about this. They have no knowledge of an update that deals with this issue. And, its the first time he has heard a complaint like this.

I can't honestly say it happens a lot. The truck doesn't get used much unless I am towing the trailer. In a few weeks we are taking a fall trip. I'll be using the truck pretty much every day then. By the time we return in Nov. I should have a better idea just how often it occurs. The truck will be ready for service by then. Hopefully the dealer can fix it.

 

I have never had the radio issue, but my wiper will make one full sweep when I start the truck sometimes. Maybe a dozen times in the 31000 miles I have had it.

 

Well, it's been a while now but the radio has gotten crazy again. It occurs about 3 times for every 5 times I drive the truck. Since it is due for service. I'll mention it but I've never had much success with a service department fixing intermittent problems

 

Maybe you could use your cell phone to video the problem when you start the truck and show it to them. It might help give them an idea of what's going on.

 

Sounds like something in the steering column to me. Everything that is coming on is controlled there. I would check there to see if you have some kind of lose connection or wires that are pinched.