Ford SYNC 7.5.18 Radio Not Working: Fixes for AM and SiriusXM Issues
Ford SYNC 7.5.18 Radio Issues: What Happened and How to Fix It
When Ford rolled out version 7.5.18 of the SYNC 4 and 4A infotainment systems, users across multiple model years reported that their radio stopped working. The problem wasn’t one single issue—it manifested in different ways depending on what kind of radio the vehicle used.
The Problems: What Went Wrong
After updating to 7.5.18, owners experienced two main radio failures:
- Missing AM Radio. The AM tuning option simply vanished from the radio menu, leaving no way to tune AM stations even though the hardware was intact.
- SiriusXM “Hardware problem” Error. Satellite radio users saw a persistent “Hardware problem” message blocking access to their subscription service.
- No Audio with SiriusXM. In some cases, the system appeared to recognize the SiriusXM connection but produced no sound.
The root cause was a firmware bug introduced in the SYNC 4/4A system that improperly managed radio source availability and SiriusXM hardware verification after the update.
The Fix: A Priority Audio Update
Ford addressed the problem quickly by releasing version 7.5.18 itself as a priority audio system update. This update specifically fixes:
- Restoration of the AM radio option in the radio menu
- Resolution of the “Hardware problem” error on SiriusXM
- The no-audio condition that could occur with SiriusXM
How to Get the Fix
To apply the priority audio update, access the power-up software update menu in your vehicle’s SYNC system settings. The update may be available immediately, or your area might be in the gradual rollout window—Ford has staggered 7.5.18 deployments by region and model year.
If the update isn’t showing as available yet, you have two options: wait for it to reach your area, or visit a Ford dealer who can manually apply the update. Note that power-up updates may not apply to all model years, and Ford’s release notes can change during the rollout as they gather real-world feedback.
What This Means for You
If you’ve been hit by this issue, you’re not alone. The good news is this was identified as a critical defect and Ford’s response was to push out a priority fix rather than delay for a later version. The bad news was the timing—radio silence (literally) during the transition window was frustrating for owners with active SiriusXM subscriptions or those who rely on AM bands for local news and weather.
Once the audio update installs, both AM and SiriusXM should return to normal function without any manual reconfiguration needed on your part.
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