Ford batteries not holding charge.....being replaced.

nitehawk

nitehawk

Joined
Nov 22, 2020
Messages
72
Location
Ontario
I guess Ford has got some bad batteries and it's effecting a lot of their vehicles. My 2024 Edge had been glitching every few days and shutting down my phone app to communicate with it due to low voltage. Took it to the dealer to test it and it wasn't holding the voltage so it was replaced. Also have a friend that was having the same issue with his Ford Tremor pickup and it was replaced as well.
Anyone else had battery issues with a recent Ford product ? Looks like Ford is getting the batteries from Johnson controls since last June of 2024 so those should be better.
 
My honest assessment is this may have more to do with the Battery Management System than anything. Every year, our 21 Explorer does the same thing when we get an extended period of cold (as in Below Zero F) weather. When it warms up, the issue goes away.

Our work fleet of trucks (mostly F150s and 250's) are now being fitted with battery kill switches when we upfit them due to tons of problems when they sit for any time in the cold weather.

Just some observations...
 
My 24 Mustang got a BCM update a few weeks ago to deal with poor battery charging. I think some things were staying awake way too long. I do notice that walk up unlock doesn't work if the car sits for 5+ days.

And, a few months ago I noticed the auto start/stop wasn't working. I threw it on a charger, overnight. The start/stop started working and then and a bunch of OTA updates streamed in. The low battery stops OTA and other features.
 
rijndael said:
My 24 Mustang got a BCM update a few weeks ago to deal with poor battery charging. I think some things were staying awake way too long. I do notice that walk up unlock doesn't work if the car sits for 5+ days.

And, a few months ago I noticed the auto start/stop wasn't working. I threw it on a charger, overnight. The start/stop started working and then and a bunch of OTA updates streamed in. The low battery stops OTA and other features.
Click to expand...
How do you know when you get OTA updates?
 
Just checked my sales by month for the BAGM-48H6-760 and the uptick is noticeable.

1740770859443.webp
 
Have a 2018 Ford Edge. Replaced the original battery about three years ago. It might have been branded FOMOCO or Motocraft, don't remember. Got a replacement AZ, Duralast Platinum $$. Ford might have engineered that battery replacement to drive owners back to the dealer. Half way under the cowling. My son has a 2020 Explorer, told him to get his replaced at the dealer pronto. He did. Yes, Ford OE batteries are unreliable. Be proactive.
 
bdcardinal said:
Does working in a Ford parts department for 18 years and seeing it first hand count?
Click to expand...
Every single one of them are H6 AGM's with "Made in China" stickers on them?

Modern tech, ignorance, poor maintenance, electrical issues, etc are all involved in "battery failure." It's very rare that a starter battery just up and dies for zero reason.

Yes, if you're replacing twice as many under warranty all of a sudden, for sure something is going on.
 
I just walked to the shelf that they are on and every single one has "Made in China" on them. One of the BAGM-94RH7-800 batteries shows Made in Germany. I know I have seen other labels on them. Most, if not all, of the non-AGM ones are Made in Mexico.
 
rijndael said:
My 24 Mustang got a BCM update a few weeks ago to deal with poor battery charging. I think some things were staying awake way too long. I do notice that walk up unlock doesn't work if the car sits for 5+ days.

And, a few months ago I noticed the auto start/stop wasn't working. I threw it on a charger, overnight. The start/stop started working and then and a bunch of OTA updates streamed in. The low battery stops OTA and other features.
Click to expand...
The auto stop start was the first thing I noticed (not that I use it I shut it off right away) not working except after a long trip then it would work again.
 
Well according to bdcardinal it is definately an issue, I had only hoped it might be a more reliable battery, it does look a bit different. I was not aware JC had been bought out, those were always my go-to battery if I needed a replacement. Having been a mechanic years back I would have to say it's likely one of the cells has gone bad and not letting it charge properly.
 
Last edited:
After the replacement I did notice the fuel gauge is more generous , on a fill up it would be around 550km of range , now it shows over 800km. I also notice things seem a bit faster, the link to the phone....etc.
 
My transit connect work van is hard cranking and start/stop doesn’t work so I’m wondering if the battery isn’t getting charged enough. Start/stop worked fine for a few months when we 1st got the van back in October of 23
 
I always give my batteries a little help over the winter period, regular or AGM. Do yourself a favor and place it on charger overnight a couple of times throughout the winter. You will find your vehicle thanks you for the extra juice, and more than likely your battery life will be extended.

Older car is a 2016 and still on the original Varta AGM - touch wood!
 
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