2025 Hybrid - Potential Battery Drain?

[HeyBales]

Nah - by that point it's a bad battery - just can't hold a charge.

The number of complaints of true parasitic draw - dead battery in a day or two - is rare.

With these cold days and low charging rates due to cold battery (some nicer battery charges have temp sensor - they won't charge if it's too cold either) - I've been driving at 48% Ford SOC scale, getting up to 55% rarely on longer sets of errands a day a week.
4 hr trip coming up Fri - be interesting if it goes to float charge at 55% as it was doing last week - which means even with 4 hrs - it can't fully charge. At this point likely a bad cell, so it won't attempt because battery can't accept a full charge anyway. And if it could - can't hold a charge either.

Reports of 4.5 hr trip Fri.
Left with morning Voltage 11.8 - Ford SOC scale 40%.

Normal drop to 2A of charging rate abouts 15 min, but it actually kept up the 2A rate until maybe .... a whole 30 min!
Feeling lucky now!
So rest of the 4hrs was the normal bouncing between 0 & 1 A rounded - so really around 0.5 A float charge being applied.

Ended at 59% Ford SOC scale. No voltage measured as not accurate after charging anyway.

Mon trip back home 4.5 hrs. Sat 3 days off.
My Forscan Lite needed license check, and nothing but wifi on old phone and short on time - so just had to start driving, so no accurate readings from BMS. Charge port adapter said 12.1V.
This morning though - 12.2 V and 66% Ford scale SOC!!!
I'm on my way to another warranty battery!!!

Sponsored

 

[HeyBales]

I thought Ford's BMS only charges the battery to 80%. Did you change the battery level using ForScan?

Ford's SOC scale, or the industry standard charts?

I can confirm in logs that the normal below 1A charging does start at 80% Ford SOC scale. Actually once shown in pic below I saw it staying at 5A, which quickly dropped - that was 6 day old new battery.
And on a new battery in the initial 30 days (or a just recharged battery) - it'll reach 85% max it started at - when On long enough.
What's cute in that pic - 1 rounded Ah of Charging logged against a number that doesn't round to 1 yet of combined discharging. And yet with more charge than discharge, how did it ever drop to 80% Ford SOC in 6 days? (hmmm, inquiring minds want to know)

The voltages associated with those levels on standard chart - that's where I've seen confusion in reports. Starting to notice some of the battery monitoring systems that are installed permanently either need a setup for battery type, or they are using another scale.

 

[HeyBales]

Ford's SOC scale, or the industry standard charts?

I can confirm in logs that the normal below 1A charging does start at 80% Ford SOC scale. Actually once shown in pic below I saw it staying at 5A, which quickly dropped - that was 6 day old new battery.
And on a new battery in the initial 30 days (or a just recharged battery) - it'll reach 85% max it started at - when On long enough.
What's cute in that pic - 1 rounded Ah of Charging logged against a number that doesn't round to 1 yet of combined discharging. And yet with more charge than discharge, how did it ever drop to 80% Ford SOC in 6 days? (hmmm, inquiring minds want to know)

The voltages associated with those levels on standard chart - that's where I've seen confusion in reports. Starting to notice some of the battery monitoring systems that are installed permanently either need a setup for battery type, or they are using another scale.

Self-correction to my question - how does higher charging Ah vs discharging Ah lead to a battery losing SOC in 6 days?

In theory the 2 discharge PID's - system off and during sleeping time - could have added up to more than the charging Ah.

Maybe that's why the BMS was willing to be at 5A charge rate when already at 80% - it sensed an imbalance in the force it was trying to quickly correct.
Sadly the young padawan did not finish it's training - and by 30 day old battery it was still barely off but WAY less V and SOC%.

 

[Bdesign]

this is BS for a new vehicle to have this issue. do other brands have this issue? If my truck had this issue I would dump it the next day. What you drive must be reliable- if it isn't why would you continue to own it.

 

[HeyBales]

this is BS for a new vehicle to have this issue. do other brands have this issue? If my truck had this issue I would dump it the next day. What you drive must be reliable- if it isn't why would you continue to own it.

I know it'll reliably start thru the winter with stupid low voltage readings.
The lights being on longer - eh, normally never in an area that matters.

But I also know down the road out of warranty - I don't want to pay for new battery more often than needed, and don't really feel like getting the extension cord out to charge up frequently.
Outside truck - so actually my charger stops about 32 F, so even that doesn't help much thru winter.

Other brands do also have the issue.

 

[SafetyGuy]

So, I completed my test on this battery saver, what this thread is about.

Approximately 109 hours of peace and quiet for the truck had passed.

This am after I had my coffee, I strolled to the garage with truck key in pocket.

-Driver door unlocked when I touched the handle (good),
- ext lights flashed but did not stay on like normal (also fine, I have lights and windows in our garage) but it is a difference,

-No dash electronics lighting up so that is also part of the battery saving feature, and also fine for me as I don't mind it waiting for me to hit start,

-I then reached up to the rocker switch to manually check and see if the interior lights would come on and when fully depressed to the left the interior lights did come on. So, if anyone needs light to find the hole for their key or to find the start button, just try turning the lights the old-fashioned way (your finger) if needed,

So I then popped the hood and checked the battery voltage (yes, power is on in the background in the truck) and voltage was reading 12.45....so, completely acceptable and definitely not low! So, factor in what the true battery charge level is, the battery is still very well charged.

My conclusion is that the OP is correct, the manual is not accurate.

Is it life altering? No, but that isnt the point.

Thoughts

-The truck may be shutting down as described as there always will be some slow drain of battery power. Not likely IMHO.

-The truck software is written so that after a set time it starts trying to save battery power. Most likely answer.

Either the manual should be updated to reflect reality or the truck software needs work. Thinking option 1 more likely if enough people dislike inaccurate statements.

Have a good one,

Andy

 

[gzebrick]

My conclusion is that the OP is correct, the manual is not accurate.

Is it life altering? No, but that isnt the point.

Thoughts

-The truck may be shutting down as described as there always will be some slow drain of battery power. Not likely IMHO.

-The truck software is written so that after a set time it starts trying to save battery power. Most likely answer.

Either the manual should be updated to reflect reality or the truck software needs work. Thinking option 1 more likely if enough people dislike inaccurate statements.

Have a good one,

Andy

Thanks Andy. It's also not a show-stopper for me, as I think the Hybrid AWD Maverick is an excellent vehicle in most aspects, but damn this is a miss by Ford. A self-inflicted programming flaw that, I bet has been the cause a of lot of service calls where owners believe the manual and assume their battery is low. It's also a bloody nuisance and yes, a pain in a dark garage.

I've contacted Ford customer care (have a reference number) as well as emailed.

I'm now describing this as "My new $40,000 vehicle goes into a coma every 5 days if I don't touch it" which I think is accurate. I want to see Ford fix this and have the battery saver actually look only at the battery as described and as makes common sense. I do wish more owners would contact Ford and complain as well. Maybe they'll get around to patching the firmware on a future update.

 

[Robot-Wrangler]

Wait another year and your battery will start to drain dead within a day or two. These hybrids have problems with parasitic drains that Ford can't fix this far. Their updates and AGMs don't work. I have done all that and problem remains


. If they can't fix in next six months it's goodbye to the mav and hello to the less efficient Honda Ridgeline. I need my car to start.

I had so much fun standing out in freezing weather cleaning out my back seat to remove, charge and test my dead battery in my bricked '25 Maverick Hybrid! Not once but twice this winter. You want to give up that privilege so soon? Come on man, being stranded with your family shivering and waiting for a jump start is a true bonding moment that you will never forget!

After owning a 2014 FORD FUSION HYBRID, I expected issues with this charging system as well. That is why I ordered a battery jump box using Ford Pass Points after receiving my Maverick. It is a PITA taking the battery out and in to have it charged and tested I must say! On cold nights, I program the truck to start twice before the morning light. This ensures I won't have to use the jump pack during inclement weather.

 

[HeyBales]

Ah - the family bonding, or individual memories made dealing with a problem car in the winter!

 

[Cuban Al]

Thanks Andy. It's also not a show-stopper for me, as I think the Hybrid AWD Maverick is an excellent vehicle in most aspects, but damn this is a miss by Ford. A self-inflicted programming flaw that, I bet has been the cause a of lot of service calls where owners believe the manual and assume their battery is low. It's also a bloody nuisance and yes, a pain in a dark garage.

I've contacted Ford customer care (have a reference number) as well as emailed.

I'm now describing this as "My new $40,000 vehicle goes into a coma every 5 days if I don't touch it" which I think is accurate. I want to see Ford fix this and have the battery saver actually look only at the battery as described and as makes common sense. I do wish more owners would contact Ford and complain as well. Maybe they'll get around to patching the firmware on a future update.

Ford repurchased my 24 Hybrid XLT and it worked out well but took months. Used it 21 months and it had over 20 days out due to deep sleep.I bought a Maverick XLT with the gas ecoboost engine. Never a Ford hybrid again. I hope they find a solution and implement it, or is going to cost them as much as the F150 Lightning fiasco.

 

[schneidrd]

I think as Maverick Hybrid owners we should pool together and do a class action lawsuit. I, myself am tired of this rhetoric. As all here have received message to drive vehicle with no AC, no other peripherals. HEY FORD!
I live in South Texas! It's 100+ degrees! Have your engineers do same in Dearborn when it's 0 degrees with no heater

 

[Darryl]

I think as Maverick Hybrid owners we should pool together and do a class action lawsuit. I, myself am tired of this rhetoric. As all here have received message to drive vehicle with no AC, no other peripherals. HEY FORD!
I live in South Texas! It's 100+ degrees! Have your engineers do same in Dearborn when it's 0 degrees with no heater

Question: have you had the update performed on the Air compressor control module (ACCM) ? If not,have it done. I'm amazed at the number of people that have not tried that solution that has worked for MOST Mavericks. If that has been tried to no avail, then it's fine to pursue other steps.

 

[schneidrd]

Question: have you had the update performed on the Air compressor control module (ACCM) ? If not,have it done. I'm amazed at the number of people that have not tried that solution that has worked for MOST Mavericks. If that has been tried to no avail, then it's fine to pursue other steps.

No I haven't to my knowledge. I would think a dealer service would know about it. However, I got a CRC setup on Saturday, and taking into dealer Tuesday/Wednesday 1/20-1/21. I will pass it on info to them. Thanks.

 

[Darryl]

No I haven't to my knowledge. I would think a dealer service would know about it. However, I got a CRC setup on Saturday, and taking into dealer Tuesday/Wednesday 1/20-1/21. I will pass it on info to them. Thanks.

The DEALER doesn't know anything. It's the individual tech who knows. And some techs will simply test the battery and replace it. And send you on your way , especially if they haven't encountered the hybrid issue before. And despite how come this issue seems to be, it's possible that a particular tech hasn't encountered it. So he simply assumes a bad battery. He may perform a draw test. But since the issue is intermittent, it's possible that the draw won't show up while in the shop. If a particular tech doesn't know it's a recurring issue, he won't check our "Oasis" for the latest bulletins and service messages. At my shop. The service writer is familiar because of the problem child we have in the shop. And I typically get the Hybrid Mavericks as well as the other hybrids that are giving problems. Anyway, mention the SSM in particular, and suggest resetting the battery monitor after the update is done. They shouldn't be offended.

 

[KenE]

The DEALER doesn't know anything. It's the individual tech who knows. And some techs will simply test the battery and replace it. And send you on your way , especially if they haven't encountered the hybrid issue before. And despite how come this issue seems to be, it's possible that a particular tech hasn't encountered it. So he simply assumes a bad battery. He may perform a draw test. But since the issue is intermittent, it's possible that the draw won't show up while in the shop. If a particular tech doesn't know it's a recurring issue, he won't check our "Oasis" for the latest bulletins and service messages. At my shop. The service writer is familiar because of the problem child we have in the shop. And I typically get the Hybrid Mavericks as well as the other hybrids that are giving problems. Anyway, mention the SSM in particular, and suggest resetting the battery monitor after the update is done. They shouldn't be offended.

Great advice Darryl as always. The previous poster Doug (schd

The DEALER doesn't know anything. It's the individual tech who knows. And some techs will simply test the battery and replace it. And send you on your way , especially if they haven't encountered the hybrid issue before. And despite how come this issue seems to be, it's possible that a particular tech hasn't encountered it. So he simply assumes a bad battery. He may perform a draw test. But since the issue is intermittent, it's possible that the draw won't show up while in the shop. If a particular tech doesn't know it's a recurring issue, he won't check our "Oasis" for the latest bulletins and service messages. At my shop. The service writer is familiar because of the problem child we have in the shop. And I typically get the Hybrid Mavericks as well as the other hybrids that are giving problems. Anyway, mention the SSM in particular, and suggest resetting the battery monitor after the update is done. They shouldn't be offended.

Great advice Darryl as always. The previous poster Doug (schneidrd) who lives in Rio Grande Valley is justifiably frustrated, A/c not working down here is Bad! My wife & I are here 6 months & it indeed gets hot. The puzzle to me is our 2025 Lariet purchased April 2025 doesn't have the problem. It goes into normal sleep mode if left sitting for a couple weeks, but everything comes to life when you start the Mav. I'm sure Ford engineered are puzzled as to why some are plagued with the deep sleep, battery drain problems, others not?? My only change was change 12v SOC from 80% to 85% with Forscan.

Sponsored