HV Battery replacements - how common is this?

[inline_five]

I was watching some JMCGarage on Youtube at his 90k mile update and he mentioned Ford had to replace his HV battery. I searched here to see if there was anything out there about this, but seems my search kungfu is weak or there isn't a lot out there on it. Anyone know how common this issue is with the HV battery or a root cause?

He did mention the cost of the battery which was covered by warranty really wasn't outrageously expensive, but we really shouldn't be seeing HV failures. If this is a known issue can someone point me in the right direction. He of course mentions the CV axles issues, and he brings up the heat exchanger problem.

JMCGrage 90k final video

His battery failed early on.

This is the point of the warranty - if they fail it's generally early on in their lifespan. Generally, lithium batteries fail due to time vs usage. If treated well they last a long time - example, my computer is kept at 60% charge and plugged in almost 24/7. It still has 98% of the original battery capacity after three years.

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[HenryFord]

His battery failed early on.

This is the point of the warranty - if they fail it's generally early on in their lifespan.

I think he said 55k miles is when his hit. Hopefully it is a one off and a "one and done" sort of thing. Anyone who drives high miles or keeps vehicles for a long time are the ones to be concerned if there is a pattern of failure. So far there doesn't appear to be a pattern. Like I mentioned earlier my family bought a 2005 Escape Hybrid back in like 2007 and it is still in the family today and only now needs to have a battery replaced. It has been limping for a couple of years, but it finally is saying it needs some TLC. That battery is no where near as pampered or advanced as what they are building today in the Maverick so I would expect as good or better performance given the time, lessons learned, and evolution of the tech. That is my thinking and hope anyway.

 

[inline_five]

I think he said 55k miles is when his hit. Hopefully it is a one off and a "one and done" sort of thing. Anyone who drives high miles or keeps vehicles for a long time are the ones to be concerned if there is a pattern of failure. So far there doesn't appear to be a pattern. Like I mentioned earlier my family bought a 2005 Escape Hybrid back in like 2007 and it is still in the family today and only now needs to have a battery replaced. It has been limping for a couple of years, but it finally is saying it needs some TLC. That battery is no where near as pampered or advanced as what they are building today in the Maverick so I would expect as good or better performance given the time, lessons learned, and evolution of the tech. That is my thinking and hope anyway.

Yeah, we have a 15 year old Prius on its original battery. It's certain degraded - city mpg is down to about 40 mpg's, but DIY replacement is about $2k. It's pretty simple. And like you said they aren't as pampered as the current crop of batteries are.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

FYI =
https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/hvb-cooling-pump-failure.53219/

 

[Mikeetch]

Update: My Maverick is still at the dealership. 2 weeks now. The replacement battery finally came in this past Tuesday 4/22. They began working on it Wednesday 4/23. That evening I get a text from my service advisor stating the battery is fine however the module needs programmed and is locked. Only a Ford tech can unlock it and could take days. It is now Friday 4/25 and I have not heard from Ford. It seems to me they should be aware of the module needing programmed and should have this arranged with the knowledge of battery replacement. @Ford Motor Company

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Update: My Maverick is still at the dealership. 2 weeks now. The replacement battery finally came in this past Tuesday 4/22. They began working on it Wednesday 4/23. That evening I get a text from my service advisor stating the battery is fine however the module needs programmed and is locked. Only a Ford tech can unlock it and could take days. It is now Friday 4/25 and I have not heard from Ford. It seems to me they should be aware of the module needing programmed and should have this arranged with the knowledge of battery replacement. @Ford Motor Company

I take this as inexperience in knowing what to do when the HVB dies. = A plus for those who fear HVB failure!!!!

 

[HenryFord]

I take this as inexperience in knowing what to do when the HVB dies. = A plus for those who fear HVB failure!!!!

They apparently don't do very many of them. But it would seem they need to iron this out. Over time I am sure we will be replacing or even possibly upgrading batteries. This platform appears to have the bones to make that possible.

 

[The Real Maverick]

They apparently don't do very many of them. But it would seem they need to iron this out. Over time I am sure we will be replacing or even possibly upgrading batteries. This platform appears to have the bones to make that possible.

Did they say WHAT was wrong with the battery?

Do they even know?

What I mean specifically is...

Was it chemistry related (a cell or group of cells wouldn't hold a charge)?

Was it mechanical related (loose or intermittent wire or connector)?

Was it environmental? (Battery got too hot or too cold at some point.)

Was it shock? Impact? Or G-force related? (Were you hit or did you hit a big bump? Or was that battery struck at some point in the factory?)

Was it electronics? (Bad chip, bad programming, bad controller, etc.)

My experience is they usually do not "wear down" this soon, but of course something could "break".

I'm sure Ford will be asking the same questions. But it may take a forensics team in a lab to figure it out.

But I'm curious what the local dealer team knows.

Thanks

 

[HeyBales]

Update: My Maverick is still at the dealership. 2 weeks now. The replacement battery finally came in this past Tuesday 4/22. They began working on it Wednesday 4/23. That evening I get a text from my service advisor stating the battery is fine however the module needs programmed and is locked. Only a Ford tech can unlock it and could take days. It is now Friday 4/25 and I have not heard from Ford. It seems to me they should be aware of the module needing programmed and should have this arranged with the knowledge of battery replacement. @Ford Motor Company

Some posts have shared a dealership referenced not having hybrid techs to do something specific to hybrid - they had to wait for some traveling tech (works for Ford directly?).

I'm wondering if that's what they are referencing.
Or they only have 1 tech trained on doing certain module programming and he's on vacation.

Hard to find good employees sometimes within the constraints the dealership may have.
And paying for training and losing a couple is tough call too.

You think they were wrong about the HVB then, and perhaps don't want to try their hand at getting this wrong also?

 

[icegradner]

Update: My Maverick is still at the dealership. 2 weeks now. The replacement battery finally came in this past Tuesday 4/22. They began working on it Wednesday 4/23. That evening I get a text from my service advisor stating the battery is fine however the module needs programmed and is locked. Only a Ford tech can unlock it and could take days. It is now Friday 4/25 and I have not heard from Ford. It seems to me they should be aware of the module needing programmed and should have this arranged with the knowledge of battery replacement. @Ford Motor Company

No point in linking that Ford account, it has been inactive since the beginning of January, as the rep said it would be at the end of 2024.

 

[HenryFord]

JMCGarage on Youtube documented how his battery failed and its symptoms. If that will help others who are interested in the battery behavior when it goes south.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Did they say WHAT was wrong with the battery?

Do they even know?

What I mean specifically is...

Was it chemistry related (a cell or group of cells wouldn't hold a charge)?

Was it mechanical related (loose or intermittent wire or connector)?

Was it environmental? (Battery got too hot or too cold at some point.)

Was it shock? Impact? Or G-force related? (Were you hit or did you hit a big bump? Or was that battery struck at some point in the factory?)

Was it electronics? (Bad chip, bad programming, bad controller, etc.)

My experience is they usually do not "wear down" this soon, but of course something could "break".

I'm sure Ford will be asking the same questions. But it may take a forensics team in a lab to figure it out.

But I'm curious what the local dealer team knows.

Thanks

Older 1970's computer saying "if it lasts 90 days it will last 9000 days".

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