Seems to be a lot of battery issues on BS models

[fog53]

2021 Bronco Sport, Big Bend. Today I joined the bad battery club. Slow start on leaving for breakfast and even slower start when leaving the restaurant. After second slow start I got two dash board warnings "Service Vehicle Soon" and "4WD Fault, Service Required". I do not use the Start Stop function and drive it daily. The replacement battery per Ford dealer is around 440.00 (parts, labor and disposal) Mine replacement was covered 100% under 3 year warranty, I have a little over 29000 miles. Only thing I have issues with is the replacement battery is only warranted to the end of my initial 3 year, 36000 mile factory warranty. I would have thought the new battery would carry at least its own 3 year warranty.

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[rocks]

2021 Bronco Sport, Big Bend. Today I joined the bad battery club. Slow start on leaving for breakfast and even slower start when leaving the restaurant. After second slow start I got two dash board warnings "Service Vehicle Soon" and "4WD Fault, Service Required". I do not use the Start Stop function and drive it daily. The replacement battery per Ford dealer is around 440.00 (parts, labor and disposal) Mine replacement was covered 100% under 3 year warranty, I have a little over 29000 miles. Only thing I have issues with is the replacement battery is only warranted to the end of my initial 3 year, 36000 mile factory warranty. I would have thought the new battery would carry at least its own 3 year warranty.

Did you get a AGM battery? Part# “BEF-4848-A” I'm going with that one eventually.

 

[fog53]

Did you get a AGM battery? Part# “BEF-4848-A” I'm going with that one eventually.

Part number on my replacement AGM, is BEF-48H6A per the work order.

 

[rocks]

Part number on my replacement AGM, is BEF-48H6A per the work order.

The standard lead acid battery. I read here the initial BS batter was the AGM model.

 

[sajohnson]

That's definitely the way to do it, I'm in an apartment complex with no outlets in the deck so I really just need to bite the bullet on the AGM.

At the risk of stating what may be common knowledge -- with an equal load, AGM batteries are no better at maintaining a charge (SOC) than lead-acid batteries. They both should be kept at 100% SOC for the longest service life.

An AGM is essentially an ordinary lead-acid battery with absorbent material between the plates. They do have some advantages over lead-acid -- they can charge & discharge faster; they can be installed in any position; and they are generally more durable.

Bottom line, if a BS owner is having trouble with a known good lead-acid battery, replacing it with an AGM will not solve the problem.

 

[sajohnson]

2021 Bronco Sport, Big Bend. Today I joined the bad battery club. Slow start on leaving for breakfast and even slower start when leaving the restaurant. After second slow start I got two dash board warnings "Service Vehicle Soon" and "4WD Fault, Service Required". I do not use the Start Stop function and drive it daily. The replacement battery per Ford dealer is around 440.00 (parts, labor and disposal) Mine replacement was covered 100% under 3 year warranty, I have a little over 29000 miles. Only thing I have issues with is the replacement battery is only warranted to the end of my initial 3 year, 36000 mile factory warranty. I would have thought the new battery would carry at least its own 3 year warranty.

$440 for a battery?! Even for a 'steal your face' dealership that's crazy expensive. I'm glad your replacement was covered.

I'm not surprised to learn that Ford limits the warranty on the new battery to the original 3/36. That's lame, but in character.

 

[sajohnson]

Several times now I've checked the battery voltage and found it low -- about 12.4V -- after just 2 days of sitting.

What I've been doing is popping the hood (and leaving it unlatched) when my wife parks it, after driving several miles on the highway. The voltage is usually fairly high -- around 12.9V. Tuesday (2 days ago) it was closer to 12.7V because she had the rear hatch open and the lights on. So, ~100% SOC.

When I checked it earlier today (the hood was already open) it was 12.42V! Our older vehicles can sit for a couple WEEKS with batteries that are several years old, and still be close to 12.7V.

Lead-acid batteries like to be held at 100% SOC. Anything less, especially over time, is harmful and reduces the life of the battery.

I've been putting a Battery Tender on it, but that really should not be necessary.

 

[jkeaton]

There should be a RECALL!!!!

 

[CactusBS]

At the risk of stating what may be common knowledge -- with an equal load, AGM batteries are no better at maintaining a charge (SOC) than lead-acid batteries. They both should be kept at 100% SOC for the longest service life.

An AGM is essentially an ordinary lead-acid battery with absorbent material between the plates. They do have some advantages over lead-acid -- they can charge & discharge faster; they can be installed in any position; and they are generally more durable.

Bottom line, if a BS owner is having trouble with a known good lead-acid battery, replacing it with an AGM will not solve the problem.

That may be true, but it did solve all my problems. Might have just been a bad battery from Ford, but it's been going strong ever since I switched over. All electronics working as they should, start/stop working every time(whether I want it or not), no more blackouts from electronics shutting down, etc.

 

[Sensei]

When the battery decides to go.....it goes dramatically.
All 3 of my cars lost their battery this summer. The bronco battery was 2.5 years old. Lead acid. Replaced with AGM.

 

[KidWiff]

Such a wealth of information in the owners manual...

Who'd of thought?

One can almost see the snark dripping from this post

 

[Mark S.]

Bottom line, if a BS owner is having trouble with a known good lead-acid battery, replacing it with an AGM will not solve the problem.

While true, the problem with standard SLA (sealed lead-acid) batteries is a failure might not be apparent until it's placed under load. A simple voltage test will not reveal these kinds of issues; you must perform a load test.

 

[jkeaton]

I seen this newfangled battery tester on amazon. No reviews yet.....

 

[KidWiff]

I seen this newfangled battery tester on amazon. No reviews yet.....

It actually has a dual purpose... the suction cup at the bottom helps to keep you from sliding around in your seat during "spirited driving" What'll they think up next??

 

[jsus]

Did you get a AGM battery? Part# “BEF-4848-A” I'm going with that one eventually.

AGM is BAGM-48H6-760. BEF is "enhanced flooded lead acid".

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