Battery - 12v. No start for the first time

[Oscarcat]

My 2024 hybrid now with 13,500 miles has been a good match for my needs. Sure, I have the sleep issues; the interior lights etc. But it always started. Until yesterday.

I had to leave the flashers on due to lack of parking and when I came back to start it, I got all sorts of dash screen messages. Too many to digest. It would not start. The trans dial was in "P" and an amber light was blinking slowly on the dial in P positon.

I called Ford roadside service. I had deleted the FordPass app in the belief it contributed to 12v battery drain.

Roadside service arrived in 25 min, hooked up a charging device the size of a brick under the hood. After a few minutes, it started. The check engine light is now lit.

I made an appt with my dealer. My question is, should I have the SSM 53801 for hybrids built before 17 Feb 2025 updated? Also, have people with this issue automatically been given upgraded AGM batteries or do I need to request and insist on an AGM under warranty?

FYI, the 2024 comes with a print owner's manual which was useless as far as guiding me to any solution.

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[Tbone289]

I had deleted the FordPass app in the belief it contributed to 12v battery drain.

Deleting the FordPass app doesn't prevent your Maverick from powering up the modem (cellular radio) and syncing data with Ford servers, it just removes your access to that data and remote features from the servers.

The only way to completely remove the possibility of it powering up the modem is to pull fuse 11.

 

[Builder]

Pull fuse 11. Plus SSM 53801 won’t solve the 12v issue. Continued parasitic draws and and a crappy charging algorithm will plague your Mav with no real resolution in sight. Get an AGM in there to at least minimize the risk of a non-start. You’ll still lose dome/courtesy lights occasionally but, the non-start risk will be greatly reduced. We all grin and bear the Ford incompetence.

 

[Pappamoto]

After seeing all of the non-start issues with the Mavericks I started carrying around a portable jump starter. I refresh it's charge monthly but have never needed to use it so far (knock on wood).

 

[HeyBales]

You aren't going to get an AGM under warranty - since it never came with one.
Perhaps they'll let you pay extra for upgrade - but I went for at least 1 more free FLA battery (it's still bigger) - next one that should still be under warranty I may do that.

I did not get the SSM done, as I merely had the problem of pushing a battery with dead cells over the edge, no AC or fan running problem.

You appear to have done the same thing with extended 12V usage. It was about to die already.
I'd say good job - you have probably improved your timing to get another one before 3 yrs is up.

Now - @Darryl recommended that I should go ahead and get the SSM done, and I can now bring back some figures that show higher sleep drain than the service manual says should occur. Barely, but eh, still.
Probably won't change anything, but at least it's out of the way - if they did the software right shouldn't be a problem.
I need to schedule that.

Your manual does state in the battery section what You will need to do after new battery.
They'll do the Battery Sensor reset of course, but you have to do the BMS relearn - locked overnight, that's it.

 

[commod0re]

I keep a noco jump starter in each of my vehicles just in case. I keep a GBX45 in my maverick

 

[okgaz]

Around the same mileage (11K) I had the same issue. Worse in fact. Dead battery twice before but it jumped back up (I always carry a jump pack in all cars). This time it didn’t even jump.

Ford will not put an AGM in. So I did it myself. I bought one from Rock Auto and had a local mechanic put it in for me. Could have done it myself but for $50, it was much easier than messing with that backseat configuration. Total output around $300.

I also deleted the application but additionally turned off all connectivity via the infotainment. Not sure if that matters at all honestly but made me feel better.

Huge knock on wood here but I’m up to 22K and not a single issue since. I think the underlying issue remains (they need to send out the software update promised the first quarter that never came) but the larger capacity AGM gives me that extra bit of juice to get it going and keep it charged.

I then got home and did the BMS steps (reset & let sit overnight) so the truck learned the new “top”.

I now also trickle charge if I know the truck will be sitting for more than two or three days. While probably overkill, it takes all of ten minutes to plug in and give me peace of mind.

What is this SSM people are talking about?

 

[Matso]

My dealer installed a FoMoCo BAGM-H4 (540 CCA and a reserve of 80) in my hybrid this past week under warranty. There was an upcharge of $100 but that's still a pretty good deal compared to buying my own and installing it. I get a 3 year warranty and they provided me with a loaner.The SSM53801 update was also done and for the first time in almost a year I don't have a battery saver mode. Now I have accessory power and dome lights too. I also have FordPass connectivity without fail. I'm satisfied, at least for now although I think this will do it. You have to lobby with some conviction to get this done but I know it's possible.

 

[Oscarcat]

SSM is Fordspeak for "special service message" SSM 53801 which I referenced in my original post refers to an SSM that was intended to fix the 12 v. battery drain in hybrids.

Apparently Ford thought they had identified the battery drain. Ford thought it was related to software installed in the air conditioning control module.

It turns out this SSM didn't resolve the battery drain problem.

My 2024 hybrid goes to my dealer tomorrow 8/7/25 so they can trouble shoot the issue. At best I am expecting they will install a new FLA, flooded lead acid, 12v. battery and hopefully reset the BCM, battery control module. Surpringly, the engine trouble light, the amber icon of an engine, went off by itself. Since the battery charge/jump start, my Mav has started as designed although the battery saver feature that shuts off lights etc. is engaged.

 

[okgaz]

My dealer installed a FoMoCo BAGM-H4 (540 CCA and a reserve of 80) in my hybrid this past week under warranty. There was an upcharge of $100 but that's still a pretty good deal compared to buying my own and installing it. I get a 3 year warranty and they provided me with a loaner.The SSM53801 update was also done and for the first time in almost a year I don't have a battery saver mode. Now I have accessory power and dome lights too. I also have FordPass connectivity without fail. I'm satisfied, at least for now although I think this will do it. You have to lobby with some conviction to get this done but I know it's possible.

I hear you but trust me that I lobbied and I lobbied for an improved battery to no avail. Note that I came in showing two dead batteries! Maybe another dealer would have been more responsive but I was sick of it and just ate the $300.

 

[Matso]

Insist on an AGM replacement, it's worth it. They also update the profile in Forscan.

 

[Oscarcat]

My dealer installed a FoMoCo BAGM-H4 (540 CCA and a reserve of 80) in my hybrid this past week under warranty. There was an upcharge of $100 but that's still a pretty good deal compared to buying my own and installing it. I get a 3 year warranty and they provided me with a loaner.The SSM53801 update was also done and for the first time in almost a year I don't have a battery saver mode. Now I have accessory power and dome lights too. I also have FordPass connectivity without fail. I'm satisfied, at least for now although I think this will do it. You have to lobby with some conviction to get this done but I know it's possible.

THANK YOU! This is EXACTLY the type of info I am looking for. Good to know that the SSM53801 update at least didn't have unintended consequences. My Mav goes in tomorrow 8/7/25 for the issue. Dealer says they need it overnight to diagnose. Color me skeptical it takes 24 hr.

 

[Matso]

Ha, they had my truck for an entire week. Cost them over $300 for that rental I drove. Anyway, best of luck and stay with it. It took me four attempts.

 

[Darryl]

You aren't going to get an AGM under warranty - since it never came with one.
Perhaps they'll let you pay extra for upgrade - but I went for at least 1 more free FLA battery (it's still bigger) - next one that should still be under warranty I may do that.

I did not get the SSM done, as I merely had the problem of pushing a battery with dead cells over the edge, no AC or fan running problem.

You appear to have done the same thing with extended 12V usage. It was about to die already.
I'd say good job - you have probably improved your timing to get another one before 3 yrs is up.

Now - @Darryl recommended that I should go ahead and get the SSM done, and I can now bring back some figures that show higher sleep drain than the service manual says should occur. Barely, but eh, still.
Probably won't change anything, but at least it's out of the way - if they did the software right shouldn't be a problem.
I need to schedule that.

Your manual does state in the battery section what You will need to do after new battery.
They'll do the Battery Sensor reset of course, but you have to do the BMS relearn - locked overnight, that's it.

I recommend getting the update done simply for the fact that it is under warranty and there is no downside. And you’ll have one other potential cause of drain out-of-the-way. I bumped into a customer at lunch today. And he gave me a thumbs up that his vehicle has not given any other problems since the update..

 

[Darryl]

Around the same mileage (11K) I had the same issue. Worse in fact. Dead battery twice before but it jumped back up (I always carry a jump pack in all cars). This time it didn’t even jump.

Ford will not put an AGM in. So I did it myself. I bought one from Rock Auto and had a local mechanic put it in for me. Could have done it myself but for $50, it was much easier than messing with that backseat configuration. Total output around $300.

I also deleted the application but additionally turned off all connectivity via the infotainment. Not sure if that matters at all honestly but made me feel better.

Huge knock on wood here but I’m up to 22K and not a single issue since. I think the underlying issue remains (they need to send out the software update promised the first quarter that never came) but the larger capacity AGM gives me that extra bit of juice to get it going and keep it charged.

I then got home and did the BMS steps (reset & let sit overnight) so the truck learned the new “top”.

I now also trickle charge if I know the truck will be sitting for more than two or three days. While probably overkill, it takes all of ten minutes to plug in and give me peace of mind.

What is this SSM people are talking about?

SSM 53801 It updates the software in the Air Compressor control module . We perfomed a few updates at our dealership. And it solved the battery drain issue.

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