Proactive 12 volt battery replacement

[Ajax]

I replaced mine proactively at the 3 year mark at the dealership using FordPass points—cost a few hundred along with the 30k scheduled maintenance, but worth not having to worry about breaking windows to get kids out in 90º heat if it were to die suddenly on me. I was even more motivated to do it this past summer when there were all the OTA brick horror stories from 2023 (I think?) owners. In any case, I think it's a smart move after 3 years especially if you live in a hot/cold climate.

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[Shayne]

the 12v in the MME will fail rather suddenly, with very little warning, and can leave you stranded with doors locked. I'd highly advise replacing between 36-40 months even if it tests 'good'.

unlike ICE starter batteries where you get some indication when batteries struggle to crank.... the (tiny) AGM battery drops voltage below where the computers can handle it when it ages, and poof, everything goes crazy or stops completely when the voltage drops below a threshold under load. The 12v side typically draws about 250watts when running, and an old battery may look ok under no load, but sag badly under a 20-30amp load, and computers don't like that.

The 12V died on me numerous times over the first year of ownership with HVJB contact stuck open and not once did the door not open. It labored to open but did and after that I would leave it ajar. What would happen is it would not boot and through every error message except a 12V low message as it failed to boot up and then would not go in gear. Charge it and you are good to go.

If you need to change the 12V battery in this car every 3 years in this climate I would say the cars BMS is defective not the battery. As noted 12V's should last a decade up here.

 

[Tscates1]

I wonder if we'll all need batteries again in 3 more years or if the software updates make the car more gentle to the LVB. I also replaced mine proactively.

 

[Shayne]

I wonder if we'll all need batteries again in 3 more years or if the software updates make the car more gentle to the LVB. I also replaced mine proactively.

I guess you are no longer a member of the how long do they last test squad . Maybe it is gentler already. There was a 12 BMS OTA update (which I never got) so it is possible. The 12V dying is not a sky falling event so I think I will test and save the batteries. AGM's are better than plate so far for me and plates lasted in an ICE.

We will see but for sure they can be gentle on it with that big battery sitting beside. All about those contacts and being brave enough to close them more often .

 

[SolarAB]

My factory-supplied 12V battery stopped holding a full charge after three years, had to replace it on my 2021 Mach E this summer.

 

[sparkout]

My 2021 owners manual, page 393, states that the brake fluid should be changed every 3 years and the interval should not be extended. The dealer was unaware of this as well.

Nah, not doing that. It just gets you into the dealer 12 years prematurely if you are using one pedal drive.

 

[Fez]

I’ve been enjoying my 2021 Mache for 3 years and decided to proactively replace the LVB at 36 months based on my experience with ICE vehicles. A trip to Autonation Ford in Katy Texas cost me $140 for the battery and $35 for installation, which was surprisingly low. However, per the owner’s manual I had the brakes flushed which was a $340 hit. I guess it all evened out.

Tomball Ford quoted me $369.95 plus tax. Installation included

 

[jdofter]

Tomball Ford quoted me $369.95 plus tax. Installation included

$340 for the battery replacement seems a bit high.

 

[Shayne]

$340 for the battery replacement seems a bit high.

Appears it is easy to pop a new battery in yourself. when you pick up the new one it may be a good time to pick up some plastic cover clips also. Think I would charge it out of car first.

After install you need to reset your 12V battery learned values to make sure the battery is getting fully recharged while you're driving.

Here's how to do that:
Press the start button without stepping on the brake.
Flash the high beams with the stalk 5 times, and then step on the brake pedal 3 times, and after that check the red battery icon on the instrument panel to see that it flashes like three times. And then shut the ignition off. And then you can turn the car fully on and drive off. Your 12V battery should then fully recharge (if it wasn't doing that before).

Credit to Mr. G (@Mike G)

 

[AhardFSU]

I called one of the Ford dealers in my area on Monday and scheduled mobile service to come by and replace the battery with one day left on my warranty. They came on Tuesday and afternoon and replaced it without me having to pay anything out of pocket. The service tech said that if I had waited one more day I would have had to pay.

The price they quoted me was under $300.

 

[Space_Pony]

I called one of the Ford dealers in my area on Monday and scheduled mobile service to come by and replace the battery with one day left on my warranty. They came on Tuesday and afternoon and replaced it without me having to pay anything out of pocket. The service tech said that if I had waited one more day I would have had to pay.

The price they quoted me was under $300.

Did you tell them that you were having problems with it? Did they test it? How did they conclude that the battery was defective? Or did they say that they would replace it just because you wanted it replaced before your warranty was gone?

 

[AhardFSU]

Did you tell them that you were having problems with it? Did they test it? How did they conclude that the battery was defective? Or did they say that they would replace it just because you wanted it replaced before your warranty was gone?

I wasn’t having any problems with it. I was at the 3 year point with the battery and warranty. So based on something MachLee posted, I decided to reach out to the dealership to have them change the battery before my warranty was up.

I didn’t tell them that anything was wrong with the battery, nor did they ask. I simply told them that I need to have my 12 volt battery replaced.

 

[Space_Pony]

I wasn’t having any problems with it. I was at the 3 year point with the battery and warranty. So based on something MachLee posted, I decided to reach out to the dealership to have them change the battery before my warranty was up.

I didn’t tell them that anything was wrong with the battery, nor did they ask. I simply told them that I need to have my 12 volt battery replaced.

Which Dealer was that? I may contact them just before my warranty is up, if they're close enough. I don't believe that any Dealers close to me would do that.

 

[AhardFSU]

Which Dealer was that? I may contact them just before my warranty is up, if they're close enough. I don't believe that any Dealers close to me would do that.

It was Elder Ford of Tampa. I bought the car from Brandon Ford, but they don’t have mobile service…..so I texted Elder.

 

[Space_Pony]

It was Elder Ford of Tampa. I bought the car from Brandon Ford, but they don’t have mobile service…..so I texted Elder.

Darned, that's a little too far to go. Glad it worked out for you.

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