Dead 12V battery and software updates.

[Ford Motor Company]

So the 12v going dead can basically brick your car and you need a dealer to clear the codes? I replaced the 12v battery following all the instructions on this site and others and it wouldn't start.

I have flagged this with our engineering team. I'll send you a message and get some details. Sounds like there's a disconnect what the issue is that you're experiencing.

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[Ford Motor Company]

I had my 25GT for two weeks only to wake up to a charge error and car wouldn’t start. Had the Safely Stop etc etc etc messages. Also had the battery red indicator but didn’t seem like a 12V issue as doors would open, drunk would open etc. I had it towed back to the dealer and they are also telling me it needs software updates.
Let me tell you as a new owner this doesn’t leave a warm and fuzzy feeling. At least all my stuff is covered. Hope you end up not having to pay. This should be on Ford.

Sounds like a high-voltage battery issue, but let me have the engineering team dig into it and work with your dealer to ensure that we get you back on the road ASAP. I'll message you now.

 

[sglewiswl]

I have flagged this with our engineering team. I'll send you a message and get some details. Sounds like there's a disconnect what the issue is that you're experiencing.

Thanks. I am just trying to get to the bottom of this. Reach out in DM if you need any detail.

 

[BrokerRichard]

I just took my 2021 in for service and the recalls. They claimed all recalls were handled except the 12V as it wasn't necessary for my car,, then I got a letter in the mail 2 weeks later that Ford saw I took my car in, but didn't get the 12V recall handled. Getting a bit frustrated with Ford.

 

[sglewiswl]

My update on this issue is my car is still bricked. It's the holidays and I get its takes time to get to the root of an issue, but having a car that won't start because of a dying 12v battery and then still not start after replacing it with new battery seems unacceptable.
If this is a hardware error it should seem there we be an alert and if it is a software error I should be able to reboot and wait to see if it happens again.

In my 40 year of owning cars this is the most unsatisfied I have ever been. Its 4 years old with 22k miles on it, nothing on this car should be broke that isn't a manufacturer issue.

 

[Gimme_my_MME]

My update on this issue is my car is still bricked. It's the holidays and I get its takes time to get to the root of an issue, but having a car that won't start because of a dying 12v battery and then still not start after replacing it with new battery seems unacceptable.
If this is a hardware error it should seem there we be an alert and if it is a software error I should be able to reboot and wait to see if it happens again.

In my 40 year of owning cars this is the most unsatisfied I have ever been. Its 4 years old with 22k miles on it, nothing on this car should be broke that isn't a manufacturer issue.

Your issue is still your dealer. They are sitting on their butt doing nothing. Escalate

 

[jamieorth]

They are replacing the HVBP in mine. Has to order one. With the holidays I don’t expect anything anytime soon. They already replaced the 12V and it’s not throwing any codes to indicate what’s wrong.
Its frustrating especially for a 2025 model that has less than 1500 miles and I have now not had the far longer than having it.

 

[sglewiswl]

Your issue is still your dealer. They are sitting on their butt doing nothing. Escalate

Escalate how? I can threaten to take it to another dealership, but that just means more expense. I already called Ford CC but all I got was tough shit, your car is outside of the 36k/36month bumper to bumper. Third party extended warranties don't cover labor for software updates.
Car prices and part prices rising since the pandemic and tariffs are a lot of the issue. Dealerships are twice as busy now then they were 5 years ago.
If cars are going to increase in complexity and price the warranties needs to be extended.
Until my car is fixed, i won't know the true extent. So we'll save final judgement until then.

 

[sglewiswl]

They are replacing the HVBP in mine. Has to order one. With the holidays I don’t expect anything anytime soon. They already replaced the 12V and it’s not throwing any codes to indicate what’s wrong.
Its frustrating especially for a 2025 model that has less than 1500 miles and I have now not had the far longer than having it.

I've read on this forum that the HVBJB needs to be replaced on all 2021s and I don't know if mine has been replaced.

 

[Teslaeata]

Really sorry to hear of the US Stangsters’ dissatisfaction with their dealers.

Not sure if I just keep getting lucky each time I use mine which is unlikely, and I have used two dealers Sandicliffe & Perrys around Nottingham/Mansfield, but car’s never been off road for anything longer than it takes to just do the job beit software updates or replacement of parts - HVBJB under recall, park brake harnesses, rear door catch mechanism, PTC heater, reverse light, wheel arch trim - all which came overnight each time.

Just gotta love this car and the UK dealership network

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Just gotta love this car and the UK dealership network

Dealerships in the United States are the single most legally protected business in the country. Manufacturers are stymied in their efforts to clean up the dealers acts. Warranties are also a double edged sword, they protect the dealer from having to fix the manufacturer’s errors, if there’s issue arises even 1/10 of a mile too late.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

I've read on this forum that the HVBJB needs to be replaced on all 2021s and I don't know if mine has been replaced.

Go to the NHTSA website and click on the recalls button. Input your VIN and see if there are any outstanding recalls. Also, if you haven’t done so, talk to the Ford BEV team, ask for them when you call the customer service line.

 

[Mike G]

I've read on this forum that the HVBJB needs to be replaced on all 2021s and I don't know if mine has been replaced.

So on the HVJB replacement....if you're using the Ford app there should be a list of open recalls or maintenance actions that would apply to your VIN and you'd be able to see if that action is still open (not completed).

Also, on the Ford owner's site the same thing should be available to you. Right now I have just two open actions regarding the door hems paint issue, and the driver's seat belt buckle,....but if you have any other actions (like the HVJB replacement campaign) they would be shown in the list, similar to below:

In addition the service advisor at the dealership can simply look up the repair history (both warranty and retail) and tell you what repairs and Field Service Actions (FSAs, recalls, CSPs, etc.) have been done and when they were done.......it's not a frickin' secret. There are a lot of dealerships that wish they never had to deal with BEVs at all and seemingly go out of their way to make it painful. But the reality is they likely have just one tech that's certified (only because they have to), and working on a BEV is not as profitable as working on ICE vehicles.

 

[sglewiswl]

Go to the NHTSA website and click on the recalls button. Input your VIN and see if there are any outstanding recalls. Also, if you haven’t done so, talk to the Ford BEV team, ask for them when you call the customer service line.

Did both of these things. The only open recall is the 12v door lock one. The Ford BEV team was the one that told me tough luck, software updates are your problem.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Did both of these things. The only open recall is the 12v door lock one. The Ford BEV team was the one that told me tough luck, software updates are your problem.

If it’s not on the NHTSA website then the HVBJB recall has been done.

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