SSM 53801: 2022-2025 Maverick Hybrid 12V Battery Drain Issue Update Fix Released!

[rknrbt]

I had my '24 Lariat hybrid in this week for the SSM 53801 update (again) I have had the low battery warnings regularly since I got the truck in Feb. '24. They replaced the battery in Oct but it did not change anything. I Talked to the service manager when they took it in and told him,per this site, that the update should be done with the engine running. They kept the truck for 3 days and said battery draw test found .027 MA. I asked if the engine was on when the update was made and he stated they do their updates with key on, engine off. We'll see what happens but I noticed even when I make sure the A/C is off when I turn off the truck it is on when I get back in it.

Sponsored

 

[ATLKC]

First, thanks for all the great info in this thread. I've been trying to keep up!

I have a, new to me, 23 lariat (hybrid, BAP, Alto Blue), with 14,000miles. She's my first truck!

Shortly after purchase, I left the hazards on for 4+ hours by mistake and came back to a completely dead truck. I unfortunately didn't get the deep sleep warning until I left the building with poor service. Jumped it and took it to the dealer the next day because many of the electronics were acting funny (one touch windows, for example). Dealer replaced the battery under warranty. Sidebar - previous owner held the truck for 2+ years and put only 12k miles. I assume it sat in a garage a lot.

I recently returned from vacation where the truck sat in my garage, locked, for over 8-days. I kind of expected to get a deep sleep notice, from what I've learned in this thread, but didn't. However, I did unlock the truck and opened the door and the dome lights/ambient lights didn't come on. The radio controls and LED lights around the USB ports did illuminate. I drove it a few miles and all the lights are working as I would expect. My daily commute is 40miles, so I suspect I've been avoiding deep sleep because of my commute.

My questions:
Is it likely I didn't get deep sleep after vacation because I have a new battery (it's the OEM and not an AGM)?
Would my experience with some light/ambient light not working be enough evidence to support the SSM update?
Could my ac controls turning off on their own be related to this SSM (eg sometimes after I start the truck, the air recurc button is off, even though I didn't turn it off)?
Will this SSM reduce the ridiculous amount of relay clicks I hear, even after the truck has been off for several mins?

Thanks in advance,
New truck lover

 

[Darryl]

Darryl, do you know if Ford has published the latest details of the compressor replacement/reprogram to all other dealerships? Who did you contact at Ford to get tech assistance? I am not sure if my dealer is getting the current info to repair my Maverick after the update failed. Thanks for all of your knowledge that you pass along

We all have access to the same general information. And we as technicians contact hotline though the Ford "Oasis" site. We then write concerning our issues. They either write back or call directly to give instructions or get clarification. In my case, a few times it took them an entire day to get back with me. Then I would immediately attempt their suggestion. Then I would detail the results. We went back and forth for several days before they finally told me to install a new compressor. I have the luxury of getting paid by the clock due to my position. So I was able to drop everything and get back on the vehicle as soon as they wrote back. But most Techs get paid by flat rate. He's losing his shirt at this point. So it's likely that he finishes another job, so he can make a paycheck. Then he returns to your vehicle. If so, that's unfair to you. But the way he likely gets paid, if he doesn't get any other jobs done this pay period, he may not have a check. Not certain that's what's going on. But it's possible. My job gave me this position specifically to tackle tough jobs, so the other techs wouldn't get overly bogged down on jobs like this. I remember when I was on flat rate, I was stuck on a difficult warranty job that involved a lot of trial and error. I spent about 3 days on that job. All I could finagle out of Ford was about 5 or six hours. Between that and other jobs, I ended up with a 15 hour paycheck for 5 days of work. Another thing is how effectively the tech and hotline engineer communicate with each other. I've had times where we talked past each other. But at any rate, if he follows hotline recommendations with no success, they should authorize a compressor replacement.

 

[HeyBales]

My questions:
Is it likely I didn't get deep sleep after vacation because I have a new battery (it's the OEM and not an AGM)?
Would my experience with some light/ambient light not working be enough evidence to support the SSM update?
Could my ac controls turning off on their own be related to this SSM (eg sometimes after I start the truck, the air recurc button is off, even though I didn't turn it off)?
Will this SSM reduce the ridiculous amount of relay clicks I hear, even after the truck has been off for several mins?

Thanks in advance,
New truck lover

New battery higher charge didn't hit 14 days unstarted - exactly why no need to go into deep sleep to conserve the battery.

No/reduced light time is battery saver effects to also conserve battery life so voltage was lower as to be expected - but a parasitic ACCM would have drained it in a day or two.

Relay clicks are other things happening (unless you hear a fan running - that should be pretty evident!), they are going to happen as fuel tank pressure relieved, ect, should all be under 75 min max.

 

[TheSEARCH]

Well time for NY safety inspection . I gave service bulletin number they looked it up , Said no such bulletin applied to my vin 2023 xlt hybrid . This was just the appointment girl . She said I can talk to service advisor when I drop off Mav August 1st. . Has me worried they are this clueless.

 

[HeyBales]

Well time for NY safety inspection . I gave service bulletin number they looked it up , Said no such bulletin applied to my vin 2023 xlt hybrid . This was just the appointment girl . She said I can talk to service advisor when I drop off Mav August 1st. . Has me worried they are this clueless.

It doesn't apply to a VIN.

It applies to a condition.

Intermittent battery drain - dead battery some morning.

You had a dead battery unable to start truck?
Dealer may be willing to do software update even if you haven't - just depends on them.
Probably should review thread for posts from Darryl about correct way it now needs to be done - if dealer willing to.

 

[Darryl]

It doesn't apply to a VIN.

It applies to a condition.

Intermittent battery drain - dead battery some morning.

You had a dead battery unable to start truck?
Dealer may be willing to do software update even if you haven't - just depends on them.
Probably should review thread for posts from Darryl about correct way it now needs to be done - if dealer willing to.

If it's a Hybrid, if she looks it up by ssm number, the bulletin will list 2022-early production 2025 Hybrid Maverick.. If she looks the vin up and looks under the symptom of battery or starting in the symptom list, the ssm will show up. How she managed to look it up in a manner in which your vehicle didn't appear is a mystery to me.

 

[TheSEARCH]

If it's a Hybrid, if she looks it up by ssm number, the bulletin will list 2022-early production 2025 Hybrid Maverick.. If she looks the vin up and looks under the symptom of battery or starting in the symptom list, the ssm will show up. How she managed to look it up in a manner in which your vehicle didn't appear is a mystery to me.

Agree. I looked it up on fords own page using my vin and it showed. I will call tomorrow and try and talk to service advisor.. I was the service bulletin which I gave her the number applies to ALL maverick hybrid which I do have the problem. I just have been charging the 12 volt battery once the dome lights stopped or ford pass app said battery low.


I looked up my vin her https://www.ford.com/support/service-information/ and sure enough it showed under service bulletins I told her on phone. She says she had service manger look it up for her. BS.

Ford own page shows this Yet she says no it doesn't I hope it goes better at dealer and with service advisor

 

[rknrbt]

I had my '24 Lariat hybrid in this week for the SSM 53801 update (again) I have had the low battery warnings regularly since I got the truck in Feb. '24. They replaced the battery in Oct but it did not change anything. I Talked to the service manager when they took it in and told him,per this site, that the update should be done with the engine running. They kept the truck for 3 days and said battery draw test found .027 MA. I asked if the engine was on when the update was made and he stated they do their updates with key on, engine off. We'll see what happens but I noticed even when I make sure the A/C is off when I turn off the truck it is on when I get back in it.

After the second time they did the update the A/C is staying off. Hoping this helps lessen the battery drain.

 

[Fordwheels]

Can someone break it down into simple words for us morons out there?

Are you happy with the response you received? It's all greek to me and I'm in a bit of a quandary.
Yesterday, July 19, 2025 I was driving joyfully along and got a "Safely Stop" message on the dash and the vehicle just stopped, in the middle of a well traveled back road in my area.
No start, no nothing.
Called AAA and guided traffic around my truck for about two hours.
In that time the flashers had stopped working and lacking anything better to do I turned on my phone and had a conversation with ChatGPT.
I explained my predicament and we discussed the vehicle, a 2022 Maverick Hybrid XLT with 33,000 miles on the odometer.
After going through all of the information ChatGPT suggested that it is probably the 12 Volt battery causing the issue.
I had recently getting notices that the truck had switched to the battery saver mode with recommendations to drive the vehicle to bring up its charge.
The battery was drained, the vehicle could not be shifted and ChatGPT recommended I tell the tow operator of the issue specifically the 12V battery.
When he arrived he booster charged the battery to get the gearshift to work and took us to the Ford dealer, who contrary to their advertisement had their service department closed.
I now wait for Monday.
However, in retrospect, I carry a portable lithium battery booster in the truck and I suspect that if I had attached it to the 12V I would have been able to drive the vehicle away and saved a lot of frustration.
When I talked to the Parts department (the only one that answered the phone) they couldn't provide me with any answers and passed me off to someone else who was just as helpful.
I now think that in the future I begin to receive the notices of "Battery Saver Mode" I'll be getting a new battery.
Fortunately this didn't happen while I was on a long trip and in a more remote area. (I do believe that ChatGPT was helpful and correct.)

 

[inline_five]

Are you happy with the response you received? It's all greek to me and I'm in a bit of a quandary.
Yesterday, July 19, 2025 I was driving joyfully along and got a "Safely Stop" message on the dash and the vehicle just stopped, in the middle of a well traveled back road in my area.
No start, no nothing.
Called AAA and guided traffic around my truck for about two hours.
In that time the flashers had stopped working and lacking anything better to do I turned on my phone and had a conversation with ChatGPT.
I explained my predicament and we discussed the vehicle, a 2022 Maverick Hybrid XLT with 33,000 miles on the odometer.
After going through all of the information ChatGPT suggested that it is probably the 12 Volt battery causing the issue.
I had recently getting notices that the truck had switched to the battery saver mode with recommendations to drive the vehicle to bring up its charge.
The battery was drained, the vehicle could not be shifted and ChatGPT recommended I tell the tow operator of the issue specifically the 12V battery.
When he arrived he booster charged the battery to get the gearshift to work and took us to the Ford dealer, who contrary to their advertisement had their service department closed.
I now wait for Monday.
However, in retrospect, I carry a portable lithium battery booster in the truck and I suspect that if I had attached it to the 12V I would have been able to drive the vehicle away and saved a lot of frustration.
When I talked to the Parts department (the only one that answered the phone) they couldn't provide me with any answers and passed me off to someone else who was just as helpful.
I now think that in the future I begin to receive the notices of "Battery Saver Mode" I'll be getting a new battery.
Fortunately this didn't happen while I was on a long trip and in a more remote area. (I do believe that ChatGPT was helpful and correct.)

There is an issue with the wiring harness on 2022 hybrids. Battery saver mode wasn't what killed your truck.

Keep in mind the high voltage battery charges the 12v when turned on. When people don't drive a lot, and just do short hops now and then, the charger is coded badly and doesn't give enough charge to sustain 12v health, it then falls into battery saver mode due to resting voltage dropping below around 12v.

But with the truck on, the system voltage should be around 14v +/-.

 

[Darryl]

After the second time they did the update the A/C is staying off. Hoping this helps lessen the battery drain.

When they did the first update, they probably didn't pay close enough attention to the instructions. For every other update, we perform it with the engine off. But this is one of VERY FEW updates we perform with the engine running. And it's the ONLY update we do with the engine running at a high rpm. The other few engine running updates are done with the engine at idle. So they probably paid close attention and did it correctly the second time.

 

[JPerata]

When they did the first update, they probably didn't pay close enough attention to the instructions. For every other update, we perform it with the engine off. But this is one of VERY FEW updates we perform with the engine running. And it's the ONLY update we do with the engine running at a high rpm. The other few engine running updates are done with the engine at idle. So they probably paid close attention and did it correctly the second time.

Darryl, have you performed this update on any out of warranty (3/36) vehicles? If it bricks the compressor, should Ford step up and help the custome?

 

[Darryl]

Darryl, have you performed this update on any out of warranty (3/36) vehicles? If it bricks the compressor, should Ford step up and help the custome?

Thus far all have been within warranty. My suggestion if out of warranty is try to convince them to cover the actual update under warranty by documenting it as an ongoing problem that was never resolved. Ford also has an after warranty assistance program for out of warranty vehicles. But the dealership has to request it . It shouldn't be a problem for them. Once the update is covered, any problem related to the update should be covered as related damage. I'm not 100% certain on the details. So consult the dealer for the conditions. Sometimes Ford pays all. Sometimes they pay a portion. I don't know what determines it. But I know it's often related to your history with Ford and the dealership. I've seen my dealer mention to Ford that the customer has all their services done at the dealership, bought x number of Fords, etc when making the case for post warranty assistance. From the technician's point of view, we don't like it because we get paid less than when it's customer pay. (Example : if a job pays us 14 hours customer pay, the pay drops to around 10 hours if covered by warranty) . That's a significant hit. Imagine a difference of around 40% for the same job side by side. But from the customer's point of view, it's the right thing to do.

 

[rknrbt]

When they did the first update, they probably didn't pay close enough attention to the instructions. For every other update, we perform it with the engine off. But this is one of VERY FEW updates we perform with the engine running. And it's the ONLY update we do with the engine running at a high rpm. The other few engine running updates are done with the engine at idle. So they probably paid close attention and did it correctly the second time.

My service advisor at the dealership said they did the update with engine off. I told them when they took it in it was supposed to be done with the engine running but he said he read the service message and it never said anything about having it in the running mode. We'll see how long it takes to get the low battery warning. I hope NEVER but have my doubts. Of course they always tell me I don't drive my truck enough but I got the warning the day after a highway trip of over 100 miles. IF the latest update did nothing I will be call Ford's national service number because I have a national case number on this.

Sponsored