Battery - 12v. No start for the first time

[rknrbt]

Dealer sent the truck back with same old song and dance "we can't find anything wrong, customer needs to drive it more." They stated it DOES have an AGM battery in it." BXT-99RT4-A

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[Montykeel]

2022 XL Hybrid, Deep Sleep issues from the start. SSM53801 not issued until truck was out of warranty. Dealer charged $210 to apply SSM53801 update that DID NOT stop deep sleep issues. The only bright side is that a call to Ford customer service got me a refund of about $130.

 

[rknrbt]

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.

I bought a power pack to jump start my truck, just in case. Fits nicely right next to the battery1

 

[rknrbt]

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.

Good luck but be prepared to hear "you need to drive it more."

 

[Matso]

They are messing with you Bob. The BXT-99RT4-A is the stock flooded battery that is stock for the hybrid. It is NOT an AGM. Time to find another dealer and report that indiscretion to Ford customer service.

 

[rknrbt]

They are messing with you Bob. The BXT-99RT4-A is the stock flooded battery that is stock for the hybrid. It is NOT an AGM. Time to find another dealer and report that indiscretion to Ford customer service.

I already have a national service center case on this. I told him the AGM battery stock # is BAGM-H4 and my battery is the battery you mentioned which is the enhanced flooded battery. The national advisor is only suggesting perhaps having another dealer look at it. I asked if ford was going to pay for that and he was unsure. I am about ready to search on how to file a consumer complaint. I think perhaps if enough of us do that the government may force Ford to do a recall to replace all the batteries that have been a problem. Any legal experts on here on how to proceed?

 

[Matso]

I am not a lawyer but you might consider filing under the provision of Missouri's lemon law. If you have sought repairs for the same issue at least four or more times and the vehicle was out of service for at least 30 days, you may qualify. In Ohio, my case actually met those two requirements anyway. It's a pain but I kept taking it back and getting a loaner until those conditions were met or until it was fixed. I had that card in my pocket but I haven't had to use it. My dealer finally met my demand for an AGM battery. That along with the update seems to have corrected the issue....for now.

 

[KevCuRaoi]

I already have a national service center case on this. I told him the AGM battery stock # is BAGM-H4 and my battery is the battery you mentioned which is the enhanced flooded battery. The national advisor is only suggesting perhaps having another dealer look at it. I asked if ford was going to pay for that and he was unsure. I am about ready to search on how to file a consumer complaint. I think perhaps if enough of us do that the government may force Ford to do a recall to replace all the batteries that have been a problem. Any legal experts on here on how to proceed?

Ford will only pay to replace batteries that fail (according to certain battery testers) w/ the battery that the workshop manual calls for.
Ford won't pay a dealership to put a different battery in it.

Some dealers (as mentioned above) may be willing to "cheat" and claim the correct battery, but put the AGM in and have you play the difference. But not all will.

 

[Matso]

Right, there is an upcharge. But it's the best deal out there to possibly remedy the situation. And the battery is covered for three years from installation. I paid the $100 through my Fordpass points so I didn't even feel it. It's a win, but you will likely have to fight for it.

 

[rknrbt]

Right, there is an upcharge. But it's the best deal out there to possibly remedy the situation. And the battery is covered for three years from installation. I paid the $100 through my Fordpass points so I didn't even feel it. It's a win, but you will likely have to fight for it.

Looking at Ford parts I see most regular batteries like the EFB in the hybrid are $199.99 and the BAGM-H4 is $229.99. I would gladly pay $30 difference even though Ford, if they are interested in retaining customers, should replace all of the defective batteries free of charge. Hence, forcing them into a national recall to rectify a situation that has gone on way too long.

 

[rknrbt]

I am not a lawyer but you might consider filing under the provision of Missouri's lemon law. If you have sought repairs for the same issue at least four or more times and the vehicle was out of service for at least 30 days, you may qualify. In Ohio, my case actually met those two requirements anyway. It's a pain but I kept taking it back and getting a loaner until those conditions were met or until it was fixed. I had that card in my pocket but I haven't had to use it. My dealer finally met my demand for an AGM battery. That along with the update seems to have corrected the issue....for now.

I have already talked to both the salesman at my dealer and the national rep about this. However, if they find there is no issue with the battery as they are saying it would be hard to win. This is an annoyance more than a safety issue as they say. "Put a battery maintainer on it unless you drive it daily. Keep a power pack in the vehicle in case it doesn't start." Ford's solution to my "annoyance!" Also, other than this issue I love the truck. Just a damn shame Ford cannot seemingly solve this 4 year old problem!

 

[HeyBales]

I am not a lawyer but you might consider filing under the provision of Missouri's lemon law. If you have sought repairs for the same issue at least four or more times and the vehicle was out of service for at least 30 days, you may qualify. In Ohio, my case actually met those two requirements anyway. It's a pain but I kept taking it back and getting a loaner until those conditions were met or until it was fixed. I had that card in my pocket but I haven't had to use it. My dealer finally met my demand for an AGM battery. That along with the update seems to have corrected the issue....for now.

That's the kicker - getting your Deep Sleep notification and early off lights called an issue on a service order, with nothing being done to remedy it.

Since the vast majority of drivers with undercharged batteries getting this effect - are actually driving into the dealer - might be a tad hard saying you had an issue.

And when they do test and eventually find a bad battery - that's not inherent to the truck - claim is bad battery, reason is not driven enough, battery replaced.
That's probably as brief a line that Ford receives.

I really don't think the tech's are getting paid for enough time to both sending up to Ford any analysis that gives a clue why there's an issue. Undercharging - they may even know and designed it that way for MPG benefit.

Shoot - the SSM fix for ACCM that finally was done, was probably due to some large warranty charges for tracking down the intermittent drain issue - they wanted to stop that.
Why the SSM was out half a year before the fix - with instructions to stop spending time looking - battery recharge, check, replace if needed, on their way, please wait for a fix.
With perhaps the biggest drain reason fixed now - Get the truck past it's 3 yrs - now customer can pay for any parasitic drain extended troubleshooting as other reasons crop up.

 

[rknrbt]

Yeah, I think Ford is looking at it in the dollars and cents approach instead of let's take care of our customers approach. American big business doin' its thing. I filed a complaint with NHTSA and admonish EVERYONE onhere to do the same. Maybe if enough of complain the government will push Ford to do something.

 

[rknrbt]

I filed a complaint with the NHTSA and admonish everyone else to do the same.

 

[HeyBales]

I filed a complaint with the NHTSA and admonish everyone else to do the same.

Sadly they will trash them.

Unless a battery issue causes your vehicle to die in the middle of the road (like the EB's had) causing a safety issue, most battery problems cause your vehicle not to start.
The ultimate vehicle safety - not being driven.

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