Maverick Dead Battery Issue Still not Solved After 5 Visits to Dealer

[GhostMav]

I posted here a while back about my Maverick Hybrid experiencing the dead battery issue. That was back in November 2023. I just wanted to update everyone and let them know that my truck has now been to the dealership a total of 5 times for this issue and it has yet to be solved.

The first time I took it in they said the battery tested bad and replaced it. This solved the issue for 2 days before it was dead again. I took it back and they said it was fine. Since then it has died another 4 times and requires a jump every time. But every time I bring it back in, they can't find anything wrong.

They've checked fuses, harnesses, the battery itself, bcm, everything. This last time they sent something off to Ford to ask what to do. The response? "Yeah this truck is one of thousands with the same issue. Have you checked the battery harness?"

Took it back in yesterday to check the harness again and guess what? It's fine.

At this point I'm about to file Lemon law. I should not have to come out to a dead truck every other week when I'm trying to get to work. I don't have another vehicle to drive and this issue has made me late multiple times.

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[jeffrol48197]

There was a new recall posted today, which may relate -- updates to PCM and BCM coming out in about 2 weeks - maybe this will help or resolve? Sorry, I have had two batteries replaced, each one at about a year old, so I understand your reluctance and frustration...

 

[Archivist Engineer]

I posted here a while back about my Maverick Hybrid experiencing the dead battery issue. That was back in November 2023. I just wanted to update everyone and let them know that my truck has now been to the dealership a total of 5 times for this issue and it has yet to be solved.

The first time I took it in they said the battery tested bad and replaced it. This solved the issue for 2 days before it was dead again. I took it back and they said it was fine. Since then it has died another 4 times and requires a jump every time. But every time I bring it back in, they can't find anything wrong.

They've checked fuses, harnesses, the battery itself, bcm, everything. This last time they sent something off to Ford to ask what to do. The response? "Yeah this truck is one of thousands with the same issue. Have you checked the battery harness?"

Took it back in yesterday to check the harness again and guess what? It's fine.

At this point I'm about to file Lemon law. I should not have to come out to a dead truck every other week when I'm trying to get to work. I don't have another vehicle to drive and this issue has made me late multiple times.

Best explanation of why these issues are occurring and info on option three can be found here.

From everything I've seen on the forums, you basically have three options to solve the issue.

1. Take your car back to the dealership every time the battery dies until they eventually get tired of it and replace it under warranty. Expect it to take three to ten visits and you may have to do it multiple times if the replacement battery has the same issues. It sounds like you've already been down this path, with less than satisfactory results.

2. Hook it up to a battery tender every time it's going to be parked more than a day or two. Minimum of once a week.

3. Bite the bullet and replace the battery with the one the truck and battery management system was designed for.

Ford's official recommendation has always been, if you get the deep sleep message, drive the truck more. Apparently an hour and a half a day still isn't enough to recharge the battery, as some people have experienced.

As to why they have refused to acknowledge this issue, someone posted that in order to change the battery size or type, they would have to resubmit the vehicle to have the fuel economy recertified. Which if true, there's no way that's going to happen, hence the refusal to acknowledge the battery issue.

 

[23grayXLT84]

There was a new recall posted today, which may relate -- updates to PCM and BCM coming out in about 2 weeks - maybe this will help or resolve? Sorry, I have had two batteries replaced, each one at about a year old, so I understand your reluctance and frustration...

New recall ? Link ?

 

[jeffrol48197]

New recall ? Link ?

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...4s27-possibly-related-to-loss-of-power.48854/

 

[Oscarcat]

I posted here a while back about my Maverick Hybrid experiencing the dead battery issue. That was back in November 2023. I just wanted to update everyone and let them know that my truck has now been to the dealership a total of 5 times for this issue and it has yet to be solved.

The first time I took it in they said the battery tested bad and replaced it. This solved the issue for 2 days before it was dead again. I took it back and they said it was fine. Since then it has died another 4 times and requires a jump every time. But every time I bring it back in, they can't find anything wrong.

They've checked fuses, harnesses, the battery itself, bcm, everything. This last time they sent something off to Ford to ask what to do. The response? "Yeah this truck is one of thousands with the same issue. Have you checked the battery harness?"

Took it back in yesterday to check the harness again and guess what? It's fine.

At this point I'm about to file Lemon law. I should not have to come out to a dead truck every other week when I'm trying to get to work. I don't have another vehicle to drive and this issue has made me late multiple times.

You should do both - start to document for a Lemon Law claim and pursue a fix.

Be sure when you take it into the dealer, that they write it up for the record as the battery problem and not some generic "won't start". That way they can't deny the Lemon Law claim by saying there were different problems.
Don't tell them you plan to file a Lemon Law claim. They know all the games to play. There are attorneys who specialize in this type of claim.

Read up on the law in your state and do some searches online so you know the "gotcha" issues.

 

[CurtisB]

I feel your frustration. If you feel you need to go the lemon route, then do it and I wish you the best. Let me offer you a possible solution that yes, you have to pay out of pocket, but, should resolve your dead battery issues.

1. Purchase an AGM battery- The Maverick is programmed to support an AGM battery, not the standard flooded battery you have and even the ones they have replaced for you.

2. Make sure the AGM battery is fully charged, by charging it for a few minutes before you install it. After you install it, read your manual and reset the BMS (Battery Maintenance System) Pages 318-321. Then let the truck sit for 8 hours (overnight).

3. Find someone in your area who has access to the Forscan software and can plug into your computer system in your truck. This person will be able to change the charge maintenance level from 80% to 95%.

This will end the problem. Yes, it will cost you time and money, but if you want to keep your truck, this will help.

I might add, that it appears that the most recent recall of a recall for the PCM module from Ford seems to be changing the charging parameters to keep our trucks from dying while on the road. This recall was released mid to late April.

Many of us "Maverick Bretheren" have become Mavericks in our endeavor to find the solution to this after repeated visits to our local dealerships. Many in our community are versed in Forscan, flooded vs. AGM batteries and charging knowledge and through nearly 3 years of trial and error, formalized the solution I have mentioned.

Again, I really wish you the best. You do what you need to do.

 

[MetalsGeek]

Sounds like one of the computerized modules is not shutting down correctly and is pulling a lot more current than it should. This can happen to any vehicle built in the last 25 years, and the standard diagnostic approach is to estimate the current thru each fuse by measuring the voltage drop across it (more than a couple millivolts is a problem). For some reason, the engineers at Ford made this simple test impossible by mounting the underhood fuse block upside down so fuses are inaccessible with the block connected to the harness. e.g. There are ways to isolate this problem but it can take some time/effort and knowledge of how the system works. Very frustrating...

 

[GhostMav]

I feel your frustration. If you feel you need to go the lemon route, then do it and I wish you the best. Let me offer you a possible solution that yes, you have to pay out of pocket, but, should resolve your dead battery issues.

1. Purchase an AGM battery- The Maverick is programmed to support an AGM battery, not the standard flooded battery you have and even the ones they have replaced for you.

2. Make sure the AGM battery is fully charged, by charging it for a few minutes before you install it. After you install it, read your manual and reset the BMS (Battery Maintenance System) Pages 318-321. Then let the truck sit for 8 hours (overnight).

3. Find someone in your area who has access to the Forscan software and can plug into your computer system in your truck. This person will be able to change the charge maintenance level from 80% to 95%.

This will end the problem. Yes, it will cost you time and money, but if you want to keep your truck, this will help.

I might add, that it appears that the most recent recall of a recall for the PCM module from Ford seems to be changing the charging parameters to keep our trucks from dying while on the road. This recall was released mid to late April.

Many of us "Maverick Bretheren" have become Mavericks in our endeavor to find the solution to this after repeated visits to our local dealerships. Many in our community are versed in Forscan, flooded vs. AGM batteries and charging knowledge and through nearly 3 years of trial and error, formalized the solution I have mentioned.

Again, I really wish you the best. You do what you need to do.

Thank you for this thorough response. I greatly appreciate it. I've been on the fence about spending the money on an AGM but might just bite the bullet and give it a go. My father-in-law is a Ford mechanic and has access to Forscan so that won't be an issue.

Do you have a specific suggestion for an AGM battery? I've seen multiple different ones suggested across this forum and Reddit and I'm not sure which one would be the best to buy.

 

[rtucker5612]

Have they replaced the battery overlay cable (positive cable from the battery under the back seat to under the hood)? That’s what fixed mine (‘22 XL). It was a CSP (Maverick no-start condition).

 

[Space]

Dealership should replace harness, not check it out. Each visit to dealership should accomplish an attempt to repair. Divide and concur. Avoid that dealership if possible. Sorry you or anyone is suffering from a widespread known problem.

 

[BrothrFree]

Not sure if this might be helpful or not, but... I had one issue in August 2023 where the vehicle went into Deep Sleep Mode. After a little trial and error I called Roadside Assistance who came out and jumped it. Truck was in the shop for a week with no issues found. After a lot of reading, I became convinced the issue results from the truck expecting to be started. In other words, if the truck is unlocked and there is a key fob within close enough proximity the truck, it is preparing to be started. Some people have described hearing an occasional clicking noise. This is part of the pre-start routine. Now I make sure when I'm not in the truck it's locked. I haven't had the issue since. Might just be a coincidence, but at this point I believe there' is something to this.

 

[ARDU]

I drive my 2023 XLT Hybrid 5 days a week, 17 minutes to and 17 minutes from work. Park it in my garage each night and have locked my truck every time since day 1 of ownership. I have never had dead battery problem and none of the recalls have been performed on my truck. Basically in same state as I took delivery in April 2023, just with 7900 miles on it and 1 oil change. Just my $.02

 

[CurtisB]

Thank you for this thorough response. I greatly appreciate it. I've been on the fence about spending the money on an AGM but might just bite the bullet and give it a go. My father-in-law is a Ford mechanic and has access to Forscan so that won't be an issue.

Do you have a specific suggestion for an AGM battery? I've seen multiple different ones suggested across this forum and Reddit and I'm not sure which one would be the best to buy.

I installed a Duralast Platinum BCI Group Size 47 680 CCA H5-AGM battery. I wanted the biggest AGM battery that would fit in the compartment! If you type in a search for your truck, this battery will say it doesn't fit. Well it does fit!!! You will have to remove the plastic housing around it. It's easy to do. Go for it!! And, I might add, in general AGM batteries run a little less than flooded, depending on the type. This battery was $260 with core exchange. And I got it at a store that I can walk in and get it. Now others will pipe in how they got one at Costco for $99, but again, you do you.

 

[Caffeinated]

2022 hybrid XLT, here. Same issue.

I've taken it into my local dealership at least 5x total for the dead battery issue. They replaced it once. Then I took it back in and they did the whole gaslighting thing... "nothing's wrong with it."

I asked them to install a new, non-OEM battery for me, which I purchased elsewhere.

They said they could, but if they did, it would void the warranty and did not recommend doing that. Dealership instead replaced the dead battery with a Ford battery. Now, after driving the car over 200 miles in one week, then letting it sit for 4 days (out of town), the battery is once again, dead. This is a supposedly brand new battery.

I think maybe they didn't actually replace the battery?

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