I have not specifically been to the dealer to have the truck re flashed. 18,000 miles so far and it was into the dealer 3 times. Once for a fuel code at about 500 miles. Once for the first oil change (had a really cheap coupon) and once for a recall on a hose. I will need to bring it in soon for an oil leak on the front axle pinion input shaft but nothing to do with the controls.

So why would I have to go in to be flashed. I read on here that people seem to go to the dealer all the time to have some little issue corrected with the latest computer re flash.

Please tell me what the specific issues are that seem to get everyone into the shop.

 

I had them reflash mine because sometimes the truck would crank over and not start. It was an intermittent problem so I didn't worry too much about it, but when my A/C fan door broke I just had them reflash the ECM while I was there.

 

Flashes fix corrupted or problematic factory programming. They are only released when what they fix is an issue for the manufacturer, so they are kind of a must have in many cases.