Both my 22' BigBend and 23' Badlands came stock with EFB batteries......What did you buy to replace?

[Summit]

After reading many posts about battery issues possibly related to the Stock EFB batteries -

I think I'm going to switch to the AGM Batteries.
We have not had an issue and take long trips frequently in both Bronco Sports - which may help
these batteries stay charged.

BUT

I certainly do not want to find out while on a long trip.
So what did you buy and how's it going so far?

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[RSH]

It seems there is no consistancy in what battery is installed in the Bronco Sport from the factory, pretty sure it has to do with the supply chain.
My 21 Badlands came with a FoMoCo standard lead acid battery that started giving out and was replaced under warranty with a Motorcraft AGM.

If you are not having any electrical issue's I wouldn't be concerned.
There are more people here that have not had any battery problems VS. people that have, it's just the people that have vehicle problems are "louder" so to speak.

 

[Summit]

I hear ya.... It seems many are having numerous issues but so far we
have been extremely happy with both ours.

 

[MAGPLM]

AGM battery from Batteries Plus. Full 4 year replacement.

 

[Summit]

With about 250,000 Bronco Sports sold so far if the problematic issues shared here are a reference to those - it is somewhat a very small percentage.
One can only hope.

 

[Dude]

AGM battery from Batteries Plus. Full 4 year replacement.

Which brand battery from Battery+ did u go with ?

 

[MAGPLM]

Duracell

 

[Bill G]

Knock on wood, my original EFB battery from 03/21 is still cranking along. BS has only gone into “sleep mode” once and auto S/S works just fine. Car has sat parked many times for as much as 7 days without a hiccough from the battery. I figure when it quits I’ll have gotten my money’s worth out of it.

 

[Summit]

I had bought an Odyssey battery for my Ford Ranger and hadn't put it in yet. I traded in the Ranger for my BS Badlands. As luck would have it - I just checked and it is the correct battery fitment for the Bronco Sport.

Shelf reading, unused, is 12.4 volts.
I could trickle charge but either way It will go into one of my Bronco Sports.

 

[Sojourner]

I had bought an Odyssey battery for my Ford Ranger and hadn't put it in yet. I traded in the Ranger for my BS Badlands. As luck would have it - I just checked and it is the correct battery fitment for the Bronco Sport.

Shelf reading, unused, is 12.4 volts.
I could trickle charge but either way It will go into one of my Bronco Sports.

I am a huge fan of Odyssey batteries. When it's time to replace a battery that's no longer under warranty, Odyssey is what I go with. Prior to that I went with Optima. Both good, but I'm liking Odyssey these days.

 

[JWPVB]

After reading many posts about battery issues possibly related to the Stock EFB batteries -

I think I'm going to switch to the AGM Batteries.
We have not had an issue and take long trips frequently in both Bronco Sports - which may help
these batteries stay charged.

BUT

I certainly do not want to find out while on a long trip.
So what did you buy and how's it going so far?

Did anyone check with FORD to whether switching from Lead/Acid to an AGM battery require a change in the car software? Typically, it is recommended to use a charger made for AGM battery when charging an AGM battery and not to use one made for Lead Acid battery.

I would check it first, because it may have an effect on the long term life off the battery.

 

[Summit]

Good question
But As I understand the BS's were delivered stock with AGM batteries too. Can't imagine redesign due to just the battery type...but who knows.

 

[NMhunter]

My Battery Tender uses the same setting for AGM and Flooded, so I don't imagine there is much difference. I do notice that my AGM batteries are at a higher voltage when fully charged. It does have a differeent setting for Lithium batteries.

 

[Summit]

My NoCo Gen5 has a different setting for 12V flooded versus 12V AGM
(and as you can see a different setting for the 12V Lithium too)

 

[coopny]

Still "rocking" an EFB here, that I'm not happy with and will have tested by the dealer in March (I'm load testing it myself periodically). In less than 24 hours after idling the car for 30 minutes engine on (so alternator running... I was replacing a rear dashcam and its wire to the front dashcam, front to back of BS, and needed heat to be comfortable), it was at 11.8 volts. Rather than getting the nice Bronco logo on my SYNC 3 screen, I got "system off to preserve battery". I'm sure it's going to fail in the bumper-to-bumper warranty as the car is less than a year old and I'm experiencing this.

When I do replace it, I plan to replace it with a Walmart EverStart Platinum AGM battery for a few reasons:

1. Great price. AGM of spec for the BS right now is $179.84. Costco is $169.99 but is a far worse value (I'll get to that in a moment).
2. Great warranty. 4 years free replacement. Most other AGMs you'd get from an auto parts store are 3 years free replacement. Costco changed their battery policy to three years prorated in 2023; now if you have an AGM battery die, say, 2 years after you bought it, Costco would only give you a third of the purchase price back, instead of a replacement battery.
3. In general, even if you're on the road, you're never that far from a Walmart in the US.
4. Unless the Walmart has an auto center (to do oil changes, brake jobs, etc.), they generally don't load test batteries for warranty replacement... not to be abused to "trade in" a perfectly fine battery at 3 years 11 months for a new one, but if a battery is acting off, at most WM stores it doesn't have to explicitly fail a load test to get a replacement.

If I don't get it from WM because i want someone else to install it for me and not have to deal with the core charge, NAPA is $205 after 20% coupon for an AGM of spec, three year free replacement.

I've heard based on research that Optima is riding solely on brand reputation at this point and severely cut quality more than a decade ago. And NAPA vs Advance Auto vs Autozone vs Walmart... most batteries at the end of the day are being made by Clarios or Eastern Penn and having different stickers slapped on them. Odyssey batteries are an exception, EnerSys makes their own.

(Checking Advance Auto actually, it looks like they won't touch battery replacement because it requires the removal of the air intake.item description explicitly tells the tech DO NOT attempt to install batteries in this vehicle. So I'd wager NAPA might tell you you're on your own with installation as well...)

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