Need for battery maintainer for new 2025 XLT with AGM?

[CrammyHamilton]

Its not 1% or 2%, its virtually all Hybrids. Because of the incorrect BMS software decision to only charge the battery to 70% max, it always sulphates. The only change on the 25s is the switch to an AGM battery, which is somewhat more resistant to sulfation, thus hiding the issue for longer. Its not a fix at all.

This BMS mis-programming issue is affecting probably 50% of the Ford and Lincoln lineup at this point - any Maverick, F150, Mach-e, Mustang, Escape, Corsair and probably others that have a BMS in their build.

The BMS sensor on the battery is $35 at retail prices. The BMS software is the reprogramming cost - call it $100. Every battery that they replace is costing $212, and I'm almost at the point of getting my 4th one under warranty. It would seem to be far more cost-efficient to just fix the problem instead of hiding it.

Ford has already missed 2 announced dates to release the fix, and instead only fixed an incidental parasitic leak from the a/c software. It would be really useful if Ford published a real date for the fix to be available and then stuck to it.

When does this kind of repeated failure (recognized by the manufacturer) go from a service bulletin to full fledged recall? I have owned my '24 XLT for less than a week and I took it to the dealer today for this issue. Really upset. I need to look up Lemon Laws definition, but this feels like negligence on the behalf of Ford and teetering on a lawsuit.

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[Jonny44]

Mine parks outside year-round and has never needed it. Withstood temps from -45f to 115f over the last year without issue. My former '22 model wass the same. I do drive a minimum of 100 miles a day, though so it's usually well charged.

 

[HeyBales]

Mine parks outside year-round and has never needed it. Withstood temps from -45f to 115f over the last year without issue. My former '22 model wass the same. I do drive a minimum of 100 miles a day, though so it's usually well charged.

That perhaps 1.5 hr daily on a charger (that's what the BMS system is in the hybrid) is the kicker to success, if your system was going to have a problem.

Should any vehicle need daily 1.5 hrs on a charger?

Some drivers do indeed do less daily, and less frequently, and have no problems either despite temp extremes. Something is different with their trucks.

But how many of our daily long drivers would have an issue if they didn't do that?
I'm 30 min daily minimum - longer weekends - and losing on my 2nd battery on almost 2 yr old truck.
So my time has extended the issue out longer than some.

 

[HeyBales]

When does this kind of repeated failure (recognized by the manufacturer) go from a service bulletin to full fledged recall? I have owned my '24 XLT for less than a week and I took it to the dealer today for this issue. Really upset. I need to look up Lemon Laws definition, but this feels like negligence on the behalf of Ford and teetering on a lawsuit.

When it becomes a safety hazard - that's when it gets attention.

Not able to start and drive - figured to be very safe.

For example - the EB's had an issue with a production run getting a FLA battery, compared to before/after getting AGM's.

There was an issue with them dying on the road - and with auto-start/stop - possibly in the middle of the road.
That was a recall - and the initial fix was a BMS update to hopefully catch a problem battery so the AS/S would not be used.

But then a short was discovered in those batteries - well a short means it killed the electrical circuits and even if running your truck is likely dying in the middle of the road - now moving possibly.

So another recall to replace those batteries - back to AGM.

But can't start it - can't drive it - ultimate safety already.

 

[CrammyHamilton]

When it becomes a safety hazard - that's when it gets attention.

Not able to start and drive - figured to be very safe.

For example - the EB's had an issue with a production run getting a FLA battery, compared to before/after getting AGM's.

There was an issue with them dying on the road - and with auto-start/stop - possibly in the middle of the road.
That was a recall - and the initial fix was a BMS update to hopefully catch a problem battery so the AS/S would not be used.

But then a short was discovered in those batteries - well a short means it killed the electrical circuits and even if running your truck is likely dying in the middle of the road - now moving possibly.

So another recall to replace those batteries - back to AGM.

But can't start it - can't drive it - ultimate safety already.

Thank you for your response, I am very new to this community and the background information is greatly appreciated. I dropped my truck off this morning at the dealer and anticipate getting it back before close. Long story short, for those who have gone through this nonsense, does the dealer:

(A) charge my battery, say it’s fine, pat me on the butt, and send me on my way?

(B) replace the original battery w/ another crappy Lead Plate one?

(C) do they actually make it right and put an AGM battery in?

I’m trying to index my level of rage w/ others’ anecdotes before I go back to the dealer. Any/all help is greatly appreciated.

Lastly, my knowledge of batteries is quite limited, but I think I understand the basic tiers of automotive battery tiers are lead plate, AGM, and Gel. A lot of people are replacing the crappy flooded factory lead plate ones with AGMs and kicking the "Battery Saver" problem down the road, but I don't see anyone opting to put a Gel battery in the Maverick. Is a cost issue? Do they not make a gel battery for the Maverick? Am I simply speaking incorrectly?

 

[HeyBales]

Thank you for your response, I am very new to this community and the background information is greatly appreciated. I dropped my truck off this morning at the dealer and anticipate getting it back before close. Long story short, for those who have gone through this nonsense, does the dealer:

(A) charge my battery, say it’s fine, pat me on the butt, and send me on my way?

(B) replace the original battery w/ another crappy Lead Plate one?

(C) do they actually make it right and put an AGM battery in?

I’m trying to index my level of rage w/ others’ anecdotes before I go back to the dealer. Any/all help is greatly appreciated.

Lastly, my knowledge of batteries is quite limited, but I think I understand the basic tiers of automotive battery tiers are lead plate, AGM, and Gel. A lot of people are replacing the crappy flooded factory lead plate ones with AGMs and kicking the "Battery Saver" problem down the road, but I don't see anyone opting to put a Gel battery in the Maverick. Is a cost issue? Do they not make a gel battery for the Maverick? Am I simply speaking incorrectly?

A - if it's not below 40% SOC or passes a load test - yes, pat pat.
Gotta hit Ford's requirement for warranty replacement. Both my batteries when I've tested against stated Ah or CCA - have tested way higher, despite the voltage being at 11.8 or below. They likely do a test like that.
Hence the advice to carry a jump pack for the eventual day it is low enough. Who wants to keep running in for an overnight test just to be shuffled out the door after a recharge extending it that much longer.
Let it die sooner and get warranty replacement.

B/C - since summer they've been replacing with AGM, same as 25/26's get.

Never seen anyone comment on an H4 gel battery either. Perhaps not as popular a size yet.
H5 though larger, can be made to fit bending hold-down metal tabs - and that seems a more popular size. Again never seen gel commented on.

 

[CrammyHamilton]

A - if it's not below 40% SOC or passes a load test - yes, pat pat.
Gotta hit Ford's requirement for warranty replacement. Both my batteries when I've tested against stated Ah or CCA - have tested way higher, despite the voltage being at 11.8 or below. They likely do a test like that.
Hence the advice to carry a jump pack for the eventual day it is low enough. Who wants to keep running in for an overnight test just to be shuffled out the door after a recharge extending it that much longer.
Let it die sooner and get warranty replacement.

B/C - since summer they've been replacing with AGM, same as 25/26's get.

Never seen anyone comment on an H4 gel battery either. Perhaps not as popular a size yet.
H5 though larger, can be made to fit bending hold-down metal tabs - and that seems a more popular size. Again never seen gel commented on.

they asked for my VIN over the phone and pulled it up that my truck's battery was at 38%, so hopefully it gets an AGM replacement today. I'm gonna begin looking into PA Lemon Laws.

 

[HeyBales]

they asked for my VIN over the phone and pulled it up that my truck's battery was at 38%, so hopefully it gets an AGM replacement today. I'm gonna begin looking into PA Lemon Laws.

You should!

Now it'll extend out past your 3/36 warranty probably easily.
Which probably means it'll be too long between fixes for a lemon law to apply - many seem to have requirement of so many visits in a narrow period of time.

Have them do the ACCM software update while they have it.

 

[Master Blaster]

You should!

Now it'll extend out past your 3/36 warranty probably easily.
Which probably means it'll be too long between fixes for a lemon law to apply - many seem to have requirement of so many visits in a narrow period of time.

Have them do the ACCM software update while they have it.

The bumper-to-bumper warranty applies, not the normal battery warranty. If you get a brand new Motorcraft AGM battery under warranty 1 day before the bumper-to-bumper warranty expires, then you only have a 1 day warranty, not the normal 3 or 4 year prorated one.

 

[CrammyHamilton]

You should!

Now it'll extend out past your 3/36 warranty probably easily.
Which probably means it'll be too long between fixes for a lemon law to apply - many seem to have requirement of so many visits in a narrow period of time.

Have them do the ACCM software update while they have it.

Got it back. They replaced the battery under warranty as expected and they put a Motorcraft AGM in (BAGM-H4). Makes me feel slightly better. I specifically reached out and mentioned SSM (54519) and how I wanted to have my VIN be put on a Global Concern Report and they said they did that, but did not update the ACCM. Stating that it didn't call for it. Does that seem weird? To their credit they were very accommodating and stated multiple times that they too were frustrated with Ford's response to this issue. I am looking to picking up a NoCo5 for battery support. This whole thing has ruined my first week of ownership.

 

[HeyBales]

Got it back. They replaced the battery under warranty as expected and they put a Motorcraft AGM in (BAGM-H4). Makes me feel slightly better. I specifically reached out and mentioned SSM (54519) and how I wanted to have my VIN be put on a Global Concern Report and they said they did that, but did not update the ACCM. Stating that it didn't call for it. Does that seem weird? To their credit they were very accommodating and stated multiple times that they too were frustrated with Ford's response to this issue. I am looking to picking up a NoCo5 for battery support. This whole thing has ruined my first week of ownership.

So your issue wasn't that it was fine until day 6, then bam! day 7 it's dead?

Did you notice the lights off sorta quick on entry or exit - perhaps chalked it up to that's the way it is?

If the lights had been great up until day 7, like you locked and wondered how long the cabin light was going to stay on and watched it to make sure, then that would be the intermittent drain - they should have done the ACCM.

If this truck sat on the lot for who knows how long, and they realized they didn't charge it, and you thought lights were out quick, until the day of the dead - ehhhh, I guess didn't need it.
Or too early to tell.

Suggestion - turn the HVAC off when it comes time to park.
Unless you plan on doing remote start, in which case never mind.

 

[CrammyHamilton]

So your issue wasn't that it was fine until day 6, then bam! day 7 it's dead?

Did you notice the lights off sorta quick on entry or exit - perhaps chalked it up to that's the way it is?

If the lights had been great up until day 7, like you locked and wondered how long the cabin light was going to stay on and watched it to make sure, then that would be the intermittent drain - they should have done the ACCM.

If this truck sat on the lot for who knows how long, and they realized they didn't charge it, and you thought lights were out quick, until the day of the dead - ehhhh, I guess didn't need it.
Or too early to tell.

Suggestion - turn the HVAC off when it comes time to park.
Unless you plan on doing remote start, in which case never mind.

I never paid attention to the cabin lights until I got it home from the dealer and saw the first Battery Saver Mode alert. The truck has started every time I've needed it to and honestly, if I never opened the Ford app I wouldn't have known that the truck was having a problem. The truck was on the lot of the dealer since 12/2/25, so it sat for well over a month w/ occasional test drives.

I plan on getting a battery charger, making sure this new AGM is full, reset the BMS, and the rest of the procedure in the near future. Prolly safe to assume that the dealer put this AGM in, didn't' charge it to a true 100%, and reset the BMS to a less than truly full battery. I am still confused why they didn't do the ACCM update, especially when I specifically asked them to do so. I figured this was an automatic thing when I brought it in and that they would do it considering they are throwing spaghetti at the wall with this entire issue.

 

[HeyBales]

I never paid attention to the cabin lights until I got it home from the dealer and saw the first Battery Saver Mode alert. The truck has started every time I've needed it to and honestly, if I never opened the Ford app I wouldn't have known that the truck was having a problem. The truck was on the lot of the dealer since 12/2/25, so it sat for well over a month w/ occasional test drives.

I plan on getting a battery charger, making sure this new AGM is full, reset the BMS, and the rest of the procedure in the near future. Prolly safe to assume that the dealer put this AGM in, didn't' charge it to a true 100%, and reset the BMS to a less than truly full battery. I am still confused why they didn't do the ACCM update, especially when I specifically asked them to do so. I figured this was an automatic thing when I brought it in and that they would do it considering they are throwing spaghetti at the wall with this entire issue.

Mine won't either.
In my case pretty sure they are looking up VIN, and seeing I haven't gotten a battery saver alert (never have, thinking that's Lariat or pre-25MY), or no DSM alerts.
And perhaps unfamiliar with hybrid common issues.
Even TSB's are only used if problem is exhibited - they probably figure why deal with SSM when I don't seem to have the issue.

Pretty sure I could get to DSM and lower battery quickly if I really wanted to - but I'd be dancing in the truck it's so cold out.
I'll wait until my teenage son is with me at a public place - you know, so he can feel .... proud of dad.

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