Ford Battery Recall - #25S02

[Dude]

And the later posts and articles discuss the Chinese battery manufacturer does not concur it’s the fault of their battery

if that’s not resolved there could be a long wait for Recall 25S02

we are already at Post #196 on this January thread and it’s now March for a problem that occurred as far back as 2021… any guesses when the issue will finally be resolved? ?

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[BLUEOVALRACER]

I am sorry I misread your response, yes, we had the battery replaced, but we had to pay for it & will be reimbursed if battery replacement is the remedy from Ford. We are out of the 3/36-mile warranty.

Replaced at the Ford Dealership with an AGM Battery?

 

[Robins21]

Yes.

 

[Fuzzbear]

My ‘22 Badlands got the recall notice but today a “charging system service soon” notification popped up. I’m out of warranty and would normally go to my local shop that I use, but should I instead go to the dealer in hopes that if this is related to the recall, I’ll get reimbursed eventually? The dealer is obviously more expensive and less trustworthy than my local shop I always go to.

 

[Dude]

My ‘22 Badlands got the recall notice but today a “charging system service soon” notification popped up. I’m out of warranty and would normally go to my local shop that I use, but should I instead go to the dealer in hopes that if this is related to the recall, I’ll get reimbursed eventually? The dealer is obviously more expensive and less trustworthy than my local shop I always go to.

First check that your OE battery is the EFB and was manufactured by the Chinese company listed earlier in this thread and that your battery part # matches what was posted earlier

We don’t know exactly yet what Ford will provide for Recall 25S02 but almost certainly if the recall provides an AGM Battery battery replacement, the recall more than likely will reimburse owners that bought a replacement battery out of pocket including possibly paying for related expenses (installation, towing if was needed) but again no one knows yet exactly what will be provided under Recall 25S02. This all assumes your OE battery is the type and part # to be covered by Recall 25S02.

Because Ford offers free battery testing as was posted earlier (https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/ford-battery-recall-25s02.13204/post-222391), you should consider asking if your Ford dealership will provide a free battery “load test” - you want to get the battery tested and a load test is the better method. Unless you are positive your battery has failed but your post didn’t indicate that the battery has failed.

If you decide to replace the OE battery, make sure you buy a good quality AGM Battery. Keep the receipt. And probably can get the replacement battery from anywhere you like.

 

[BS FE 21]

Just tossing in my experience. My wife's 2021 First Edition battery was giving warnings and stopped cranking one day last week. Jump started easily with cheap jumper battery. Put the battery on charger and quickly showed fully charged. Would start but slow turning starter. Battery was 4 years old with thirty some thousand miles. Oh yeah, I've disabled the start/stop. Guess it didn't help the battery too much, maybe saved wear on the starter.

I called my local Ford dealer and had the usual response. We know about the recall but we can do nothing. We didn't know the cars had a battery. What is a battery? What is a Bronco Sport? Have a good day. I thought NHTSA recall meant manufacturer could suffer consequences if they didn't fix a defect that required a recall. Guess that doesn't apply anymore.

I replaced my battery with a Walmart EverStart AGM. Simple battery replacement is a lot more of a hassle than the old days.

 

[Fuzzbear]

First check that your OE battery is the EFB and was manufactured by the Chinese company listed earlier in this thread and that your battery part # matches what was posted earlier

We don’t know exactly yet what Ford will provide for Recall 25S02 but almost certainly if the recall provides an AGM Battery battery replacement, the recall more than likely will reimburse owners that bought a replacement battery out of pocket including possibly paying for related expenses (installation, towing if was needed) but again no one knows yet exactly what will be provided under Recall 25S02. This all assumes your OE battery is the type and part # to be covered by Recall 25S02.

Because Ford offers free battery testing as was posted earlier (https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/ford-battery-recall-25s02.13204/post-222391), you should consider asking if your Ford dealership will provide a free battery “load test” - you want to get the battery tested and a load test is the better method. Unless you are positive your battery has failed but your post didn’t indicate that the battery has failed.

If you decide to replace the OE battery, make sure you buy a good quality AGM Battery. Keep the receipt. And probably can get the replacement battery from anywhere you like.

Well, the last three starts since this morning haven’t shown any notifications, knock on wood. But it IS that part number mentioned. So I’ll have to just keep an eye on it and see if it’ll be fine until the remedy is ready.

 

[SWUKU]

I just got the notice today. It doesn't specify what the exact remedy will be (says parts are unavailable), but I would have to think a replacement battery is in the works. I'll gladly take that after 4 years!! Mine came with a LA battery from the factory. I have not had a glaring issue, but I habitually used a battery tender to keep the battery in top shape. If I do not use the tender, the charge level goes down and the first symptom is the ASS system quits engaging. I bet the replacement will be the AGM version.

Do you need to disconnect your battery tender before taking your BS to the dealer for the warranty replacement?
Will the dealer reconnect your battery tender after replacement?

 

[Mark S.]

I thought NHTSA recall meant manufacturer could suffer consequences if they didn't fix a defect that required a recall. Guess that doesn't apply anymore.

Any required action on the part of the manufacturer must be reasonable. You can't issue a mandatory recall affecting hundreds of thousands of cars on one day and expect all of them to be fixed the next day. The NHTSA isn't shy about forcing the hand of a manufacturer. If Ford isn't responding as fast as we'd like then it must have convinced the NHTSA there's a good reason.

 

[Dude]

The counter point is Ford has known about charging system issues as early as 2021 which included Bronco Sport vehicles coming to a stop and dying with no electrical power.

Eventually fast forward all the way to May 2024 when Recall 24S24 was issued

fast forward again to 4Q 2024 and Recall 25S02 was announced

Shortly after that we see reports that the Chinese battery manufacturer states the issues are not due to their EFB (battery)

Anyone can see there’s been more than enough time to solve the root cause. If replacing with an AGM is the answer, is it simply Ford favoring profit over customer satisfaction?

It is very hard to believe Ford has allowed this much time to elapse with no real solution made available to owners and paid for by Ford except to those owners that were able to get a replacement AGM Battery free under the 3yr/36 month warranty.

 

[BS FE 21]

Technical difficulties, at the dentist.

 

[Mark S.]

The counter point is Ford has known about charging system issues as early as 2021 which included Bronco Sport vehicles coming to a stop and dying with no electrical power.

Knowing about a problem and knowing how to fix it are often two very different things.

It is very hard to believe Ford has allowed this much time to elapse with no real solution made available to owners and paid for by Ford...

You mean like squalling rear brakes?

I don't know what Ford's (or any other manufacturer for that matter) process is for handling recalls, so I hesitate to make any assumptions about intentions. It's been my experience in life that most situations like this are more accurately attributed to incompetence rather than malice. Given Ford's history with production SNAFU's over the past few years I think that applies in this case. But I don't know; I know as much as anyone else here on the board.

What we DO know is it has issued a recall it believes will fix the problem, and it has set a timeline for customers to expect replacement battery availability. We also know this is a pretty generous offer from Ford; automotive battery warranties generally do not extend beyond three years, yet Ford is offering to replace batteries for vehicles as far back at 2021, even if you have not experienced any issues. I feel for those whose batteries failed prior to recall fulfilment, but I'm willing to cut Ford some slack on this one given the circumstances.

Of course, I could be completely wrong.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

I’m having similar issues with my full-size and a recall. The rear shock reservoirs fall off due to corrosion. They know what needs to be done but no expected resolution until 3rd quarter this year. Fortunately for me mine sits in the garage during salt seasoning season. The Sport, well that’s a different story. In the winter, it gets driven often but not always for long distances. I see the auto start stop started working again now that the temperatures have started to get above freezing. I just keep the jump box in the car now. Since they have already said the fix is the AGM battery, I’m assuming they are trying to get the supplier to cover it but at some point they’ll have to pony up as ultimately Ford is on the hook.

 

[BS FE 21]

Replacing a dead battery is not that hard to figure out. In a month's time and the heads up before official issue Ford could arrange to get batteries or at least have a timeline. They act like it's a total mystery and you figure out your dead battery. Bet if it wasn't warannty they would be happy to do a replacement for $600 or whatever.

Any required action on the part of the manufacturer must be reasonable. You can't issue a mandatory recall affecting hundreds of thousands of cars on one day and expect all of them to be fixed the next day. The NHTSA isn't shy about forcing the hand of a manufacturer. If Ford isn't responding as fast as we'd like then it must have convinced the NHTSA there's a good reason.

 

[Dude]

You make valid points. I am not convinced given Recall 24S24 that an AGM Battery is the final solution. I believe there is more tweaks coming similar as with 24S24 and I believe the parasitic drain in some Bronco Sports is excessive. Just guesses on my part and as I’ve said with Recall 24S24 it’s going to take several years to see how well that along with a good quality AGM Battery work out.

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