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Support Matrix Doc as of 26 March 2026 #122

@SquidBytes

Description

@SquidBytes

Hello,

I’ve been researching compatibility for Comma devices (comma 3X and comma 4) with the goal of understanding whether my vehicle is realistically supported before making a ~$1k–$2k purchase. As most people (hopefully) do.

When trying to not be another "does it work for me" person I started going through official documentation. It is obvious that BluePilot is THE software to use for Ford (amazing job!), but after that I ran into the consistent issue:

There isn't a clear answer to "Is MY vehicle supported?"

I am sure there have been countless issues and conversations over that exact phrase.

Most of the information is fragmented across various places:

  • Comma's official support matrix (which may say “not supported” or not have specific year make and model)
  • GitHub documentation
  • Discord discussions
  • Forum posts where users report success with specific configurations

This (obviously) makes it difficult to confidently determine if something will work before spending a good amount of money.

Additionally, there are the questions of:

  • Whether a vehicle is supported at all
  • What exact hardware is required (e.g., coupler, harness, comma 3X vs comma 4)
  • What level of support to expect (experimental vs stable)

Because of this, I started researching and reading many places documenting what people said so I can see if someone had "my" vehicle to know if it will work.
From that, I was able to then have Claude refine and double check my chaotic notes. I was also able to do the same thing for the Mach-E and have it structured as an “Is my vehicle supported?” table matrix thing.

I believe this could help bring new users in, prevent "support" issues/discussions and fit very well somewhere on the BluePilot.dev site

  • I didn't see that sites docs in the repo otherwise I probably would have made a PR

Anyway (sorry I ramble), here is that information if I'm not character limited.

Let me know if you would like further docs or things I have related to this, but this should cover everything I think.


Support Matrix

F-150 Lightning

Model Year, Trim, and Battery configuration

All F-150 Lightning model years (2022–2025) are confirmed free of TRON encryption and are compatible with Comma hardware. This is a critical distinction from the ICE F-150, which gained TRON starting with the 2024 model year. The Lightning uses Ford's CAN-FD bus (Q4 harness) and requires Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 or equivalent ACC capability.

2022 F-150 Lightning

Trim Battery Supported Software Harness Hardware Confirmed By Notes
Pro SR (98 kWh) YES* BluePilot Ford Q4 + Lightning Coupler C3X, C4 *Only if ACC equipped (not standard on Pro; DIY retrofit ~$800)
Pro ER (131 kWh) YES* BluePilot Ford Q4 + Lightning Coupler C3X, C4 *ACC required
XLT SR (98 kWh) YES* BluePilot Ford Q4 + Lightning Coupler C3X, C4 *ACC depends on options pkg
XLT ER (131 kWh) YES* BluePilot Ford Q4 + Lightning Coupler C3X, C4 *ACC depends on options pkg
Lariat SR (98 kWh) YES BluePilot / SunnyPilot Ford Q4 + Lightning Coupler C3X, C4 ACC standard on Lariat
Lariat ER (131 kWh) YES BluePilot / SunnyPilot Ford Q4 + Lightning Coupler C3X, C4 Drayday55 (f150lightningforum, 7,000+ mi, C3X); BrandenFlasch (C3X, BP 5.0, 800+ mi); anonymous user (Atlas Blue, Max Tow, C3X) First Lightning user to get Comma working; pioneered harness modification
Platinum ER (131 kWh) YES BluePilot / SunnyPilot Ford Q4 + Lightning Coupler C3X, C4 ACC standard

2023 F-150 Lightning

Trim Battery Supported Software Harness Hardware Confirmed By Notes
Pro SR (98 kWh) YES* BluePilot Ford Q4 + Lightning Coupler C3X, C4 *ACC required, not standard on Pro
Pro ER (131 kWh) YES* BluePilot Ford Q4 + Lightning Coupler C3X, C4 *ACC required
XLT 311A SR (98 kWh) YES BluePilot Ford Q4 + Lightning Coupler C3X, C4 Naveen (f150gen14, C3X, DIY ACC add) 311A package; required DIY ACC addition
XLT ER (131 kWh) YES BluePilot / SunnyPilot Ford Q4 + Lightning Coupler C3X, C4 BennyTheBeaver (f150lightningforum, C3X, 23k+ mi); WaterWiz (C3X, stock OP then BluePilot) BennyTheBeaver: "It's my favorite accessory on my truck"
Lariat SR (98 kWh) YES BluePilot / SunnyPilot Ford Q4 + Lightning Coupler C3X, C4 ThomasNC (f150lightningforum, C3X) "I've had the Comma 3x the whole time I've had my Lightning"
Lariat ER (131 kWh) YES BluePilot / SunnyPilot Ford Q4 + Lightning Coupler C3X, C4 LSUT1GER (30k+ mi truck); astrand1 (C3X, BP 3.0, loaded Lariat); PJnc284 (C3X); thunderbayterry (C3X, 20k mi with Comma); UncleTony (C3X, coupler developer) Multiple long-term confirmations
Platinum ER (131 kWh) YES BluePilot / SunnyPilot Ford Q4 + Lightning Coupler C3X, C4 ACC standard

2024 F-150 Lightning

Early reports falsely suggested 2024 Lightnings had TRON. BluePilot developer Ajzride confirmed NO TRON after CAN message analysis: "The first two trucks that tried Comma wouldn't work and we assumed it was TRON, but the next 4 have worked."

Trim Battery Supported Software Harness Hardware Confirmed By Notes
Pro ER (131 kWh) YES* BluePilot Ford Q4 + Lightning Coupler C3X, C4 *ACC required
Pro SSV ER (131 kWh) YES BluePilot Ford Q4 + Lightning Coupler C3X, C4 B177y (C3X, BP 3.0, Max Tow, detailed install guide post #403) "This device is truly amazing! What a game changer."
XLT ER (131 kWh) YES* BluePilot Ford Q4 + Lightning Coupler C3X, C4 *ACC depends on options
Flash ER (131 kWh) YES BluePilot Ford Q4 + Lightning Coupler C3X, C4 EVO/Randy (C3X, BP 4.0→5.0); Shmoe/Alex (C3X, BP 4.0, resolved with coupler); anonymous user (ER Max Tow 9.6kW, C3X, "working just fine") EVO: BP 5.0 "corrected my ping-pong"
Lariat ER (131 kWh) YES BluePilot Ford Q4 + Lightning Coupler C3X, C4 ACC standard
Platinum ER (131 kWh) YES BluePilot Ford Q4 + Lightning Coupler C3X, C4 ACC standard

2025 F-150 Lightning

Confirmed TRON-free by developer Ajzride on July 10, 2025, via CAN message analysis of oafydude28's 2025 Flash: "8-byte messages. No TRON for 2025 Lightning."

Trim Battery Supported Software Harness Hardware Confirmed By Notes
Pro ER (131 kWh) YES* BluePilot Ford Q4 + Lightning Coupler C3X, C4 *ACC required
Flash ER (131 kWh) YES BluePilot Ford Q4 + Lightning Coupler C3X, C4 oafydude28/Robert (C3, BP 3.1, Feb 2025 build, resolved USB cable issue); chriserx/Chris (2025 Flash Job 2, working) oafydude28's issue was faulty USB-C cable, not TRON
Lariat ER (131 kWh) YES BluePilot Ford Q4 + Lightning Coupler C3X, C4 Community discussion confirms planning; no blocker
Platinum ER (131 kWh) YES BluePilot Ford Q4 + Lightning Coupler C3X, C4 ACC standard

Lightning prerequisite: All trims require Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering (Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0). The Pro trim does not include ACC as standard equipment. It can be added via DIY retrofit for approximately $800 (radar module, wiring, Forscan programming). XLT trims may or may not include ACC depending on the options package — verify before purchasing hardware.


Mustang Mach-E: 2021–2024 compatible, 2025+ blocked by TRON

The Mustang Mach-E uses the same CAN-FD platform as the F-150 Lightning. All trims across 2021–2024 are supported, as Ford lists "All" packages as compatible for Mach-E on comma.ai/vehicles. The 2025 Mach-E received the Phoenix Entertainment System and TRON encryption, making it permanently incompatible.

2021–2024 Mustang Mach-E (all compatible)

Year Trim Battery Supported Software Harness Hardware Confirmed By
2021 Select / Premium / CR1 / GT / GTPE SR (75.7 kWh) or ER (98.8 kWh) YES BluePilot / SunnyPilot / openpilot 0.9.8+ Ford Q4 C3X, C4 Ajzride (2021 Mach-E, BluePilot developer, daily driver); John/Bruce P. (2021 GTPE, C3X, BluePilot — "feels like it's on rails")
2022 Select / Premium / CR1 / GT / GTPE SR or ER YES BluePilot / SunnyPilot / openpilot 0.9.8+ Ford Q4 C3X, C4 Anonymous user (2022 GTPE, C3X, working after USB cable fix)
2023 Select / Premium / CR1 / GT / GTPE / Rally SR or ER YES BluePilot / SunnyPilot / openpilot 0.9.8+ Ford Q4 C3X, C4 Anonymous user (2023 Premium, C3X, SunnyPilot); oafydude28 also owns 2023 GT
2024 Select / Premium / CR1 / GT / GTPE / Rally SR or ER YES BluePilot / SunnyPilot / openpilot 0.9.8+ Ford Q4 C3X, C4 TRON status list confirms No TRON through 2024

2025+ Mustang Mach-E (NOT compatible)

Year Trim Supported Reason
2025+ All NO TRON encrypted CAN bus (Phoenix Entertainment System). User John/Bruce P. traded his working 2021 GTPE for a 2025 EAWD and confirmed Comma 3X does NOT work.

Mach-E installation note: The IPMA (Image Processing Module Assembly) on the Mach-E is located in the trunk area, not behind the rearview mirror. This requires routing the included 9.5-foot long OBD-C cable from the trunk to the windshield-mounted Comma device. Use USB 3.2 Gen 2 cables only. Unlike the Lightning, the Mach-E generally does not suffer from the CAN bus reflection/startup error issue (GitHub #30302), so the Lightning Coupler is typically not needed.


TRON encryption: the hard compatibility wall

TRON (Trusted Realtime Operating Network) is Ford's encrypted CAN bus system that began rolling out with the 2023 Super Duty. No workaround exists. Any vehicle with TRON is permanently incompatible with all Comma/openpilot/SunnyPilot/BluePilot software. The presence of Ford's Phoenix Entertainment System (Android Auto-based OS) is a reliable indicator of TRON.

Vehicle No TRON (✅ Compatible) TRON (❌ Blocked)
F-150 Lightning 2022–2025 Not yet observed
Mustang Mach-E 2021–2024 2025+
F-150 (ICE/Hybrid) 2021–2023 2024+
Escape / Escape PHEV 2023–2025
Expedition / Navigator 2022–2024 2025+
Ranger 2024–2025
Bronco Sport 2025+
Explorer / Aviator — (Q3 CAN: 2020–2024) 2025+
Maverick — (Q3 CAN: 2022–2024) 2025+
Super Duty Never compatible* 2023+
Mustang Coupe 2024+
Transit 2026+
Lincoln Nautilus 2024+

*Super Duty 2021–2022 lack TRON but their PSCM won't accept lane centering commands. 2023+ have the right PSCM but gained TRON. No Super Duty model year works.

The TRON status list was last updated August 19, 2025. Mid-year refreshes or new model years could introduce TRON to previously unencrypted vehicles. Always verify before purchasing hardware.


Hardware requirements and what to buy

Comma devices

Device Status CAN-FD Support BluePilot Support Notes
Comma 4 ($999) Currently sold Built-in BP 6.0 (full support as of March 21, 2026) Small screen; use SunnyLink dashboard for remote settings management
Comma 3X (~$1,100) No longer sold new Built-in (Red Panda) BP 5.0 and BP 6.0 Larger screen; most existing Ford installations use this
Comma 3 Discontinued Requires separate Red Panda ($199) Dropped in AGNOS 13.1 / BP 5.0+ Will not work with current BluePilot
Comma 2 Discontinued No CAN-FD support None Incompatible with all Ford vehicles

Required accessories for F-150 Lightning

  • Ford Q4 harness — from comma.ai shop (~$99). Connects to the IPMA grey connector behind the gauge cluster area
  • Lightning Coupler ("Uncle Tony's Coupler") — $65 from bluepilot.dev/lightning-coupler-order-page/. A custom USB-C PCB with built-in 360-ohm termination resistors that eliminates the Lightning-specific CAN bus reflection errors (dashboard "Christmas tree" of faults on startup). Without it, the truck throws Traction Control, Park Assist, and One Pedal Drive errors for ~30 seconds on every boot. The Mach-E and ICE F-150 do not need this
  • USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 cables — critical specification. Cheap cables missing pins cause CAN bus disconnection errors. Thunderbolt 4 cables are NOT equivalent and may fail
  • Comma Power v3 + OBD-C cable (2 ft) — for always-on power
  • Mount — 8-degree windshield mount recommended; high mounting increases sway and ping-pong

Wiring path for Lightning: Q4 Harness → Harness Box → USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 cable → Lightning Coupler → USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 cable → Comma 3X/4

Required accessories for Mustang Mach-E

  • Ford Q4 harness — same as Lightning
  • Long OBD-C cable (9.5 ft, included with Q4 kit) — IPMA is in the trunk; cable routes to windshield
  • USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 cables — same spec requirement
  • Lightning Coupler generally not needed for Mach-E
  • Comma Power v3 + mount + OBD-C cable

Estimated total cost: ~$1,065–$1,165 (Comma 4 at $999 + Q4 harness ~$99 + Lightning Coupler $65 if Lightning)


F-150 Lightning confirmed working

User Year Trim Battery Hardware Software Miles Key Notes
Drayday55 (Andre) 2022 Lariat C3X BluePilot 7,000+ First Lightning install; pioneered harness mod; San Diego (you are awesome)
BrandenFlasch (Branden) 2022 Lariat ER C3X BP 2.1→5.0 800+ (in 48 hrs) "Wife-approved" on BP 5.0
Anonymous 2022 Lariat ER (Max Tow) C3X BluePilot Atlas Blue, built 10/22
ThomasNC (Thomas) 2023 Lariat SR C3X BluePilot "Had Comma the whole time I've had my Lightning"
astrand1 (Alex) 2023 Lariat ER C3X BP 3.0 Michigan; initially needed PC Blend tuning
PJnc284 2023 Lariat ER C3X BluePilot Garner, NC; Jul 2025 install
thunderbayterry (Terry) 2023 Lariat ER C3X BluePilot 20,000+ Thunder Bay, ON; "I absolutely love it!"
UncleTony (Tony) 2023 Lariat C3X BluePilot Texas; developed the Lightning Coupler
BennyTheBeaver 2023 XLT ER C3X BluePilot 23,000+ "It's my favorite accessory on my truck"
WaterWiz (James) 2023 XLT ER C3X openpilot/BP Florida; no startup errors (possibly due to XLT simplicity + new Q4 batch)
B177y (Bill) 2024 Pro SSV ER (Max Tow) C3X BP 3.0 Olympic Peninsula, WA; detailed install guide (post #403); used USB breakout with resistors
EVO (Randy) 2024 Flash C3X BP 4.0→5.0 Electrician; BP 5.0 "corrected my ping-pong"
Shmoe (Alex) 2024 Flash C3X BP 4.0 Resolved with proper USB cables + coupler
Anonymous 2024 Flash ER (Max Tow 9.6kW) C3X BluePilot "Working just fine"
Anonymous 2024 Flash Comma AI "No issues using Comma AI"
oafydude28 (Robert) 2025 Flash C3 BP 3.1 Twin Cities, MN; Feb 2025 build; issue was faulty USB cable, not TRON
chriserx (Chris) 2025 Flash (Job 2) Comma BluePilot Louisiana; cable orientation fix

F-150 Lightning confirmed issues (resolved or returned)

User Year Trim Issue Resolution
ooSHAZAMoo 2022 Lariat ER Dashboard faults with standard Q4 harness Needed modified harness
Anonymous "Christmas tree" of errors, overheating Returned device
oafydude28 2025 Flash CAN errors, safety disabled Faulty USB-C cable; replaced with quality USB 3.1 Gen 2
Shmoe 2024 Flash Intermittent CAN disconnects Wrong cable spec; fixed with USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 + coupler

Mustang Mach-E confirmed working

User Year Trim Hardware Software Notes
Ajzride (AJ) 2021 C3X BluePilot Lead developer; daily driver
RyanSD 2021+ C3X openpilot San Diego; early adopter; documented IPMA trunk location
John/Bruce P. 2021 GTPE C3X BluePilot "Feels like it's on rails"; later tried 2025 EAWD → did NOT work (TRON)
Anonymous 2022 GTPE C3X BluePilot Working after fixing bad USB-C coupler
Anonymous 2023 Premium C3X SunnyPilot Confirmed SunnyPilot easiest out-of-box
oafydude28 2023 GT Also owns (alongside 2025 Lightning)

Mustang Mach-E confirmed NOT working

User Year Trim Reason
John/Bruce P. 2025 EAWD TRON encrypted CAN bus; device non-functional

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