Battery issue on Powerboost and frustrating warranty experience

[coconutgroves]

2022 F150 Powerboost with now 31k miles, purchased May 2022.

Last fall I started getting the "Low Battery / System off to save energy" warning. I had recalls and service, so I took it to my dealer and asked to check the battery. I researched on here that batteries made around that time (21/22) were failing and being replaced. The vehicle was 2.5 years old with 26k miles at that time.

I asked the dealer the outcome and they said they didn't see the message. I asked if they tested the battery like I requested, since it is a known issue with this year...

Their response was since they didn't see the message, they didn't test it since it would have required removing it from the truck.

Since that time, I have received the warning no matter how much I drive. And now I am getting the message "12V battery state of charge low." Now it is only a matter of time before this fails and leaves me or my wife stranded.

It is frustrating to have a battery fail with less than 36k miles and especially after specifically asking the dealer to check it. Now my truck is outside of the 3 year window, although I do have the extended plan, but I believe the battery is not covered.

Does anyone have experience getting their battery covered just outside of warranty? I would think based on my history that I requested this to be addressed and it was not, it would be fixed as a courtesy. I will not be taking the truck back to that specific dealer - they lost my business after how they handled this and several other issues. If Ford is reading, I can share my dealer and info directly.

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[RyanStroeder]

this sounds to me like your aux battery (the second one). disconnect it yourself and measure the voltage, lots of posts on here (including one from me) about potential issues.

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/powerboost-12v-battery-drain-things-to-think-about.33304/

 

[Highway 11]

You'll sleep better just replacing it with a quality battery out of pocket. I was in warranty and it was the best purchase I made. My factory battery is now an effective doorstop.

 

[KBKEITH]

Bite the bullet and buy a good replacement battery. I had to do this on my ‘21, ‘22 ( both non-PB) and my new ‘25 PB. The dealer will most likely tell you the battery is fine and send you on your way.

 

[Gros Ventre]

I replaced my OEM battery at 4 months out of pocket (was on the road for Thanksgiving). Have not had a peep out of the system since. Three Wyoming winters so far...

 

[coconutgroves]

this sounds to me like your aux battery (the second one). disconnect it yourself and measure the voltage, lots of posts on here (including one from me) about potential issues.

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/powerboost-12v-battery-drain-things-to-think-about.33304/

Thanks for the info - I am aware of some of the tips in there, but I will try the fan speed this week.

I do have a battery charger that gives me a reading on capacity. The truck will sit for 3 days without driving and be at 20% charge on the main battery. I'll charge to full but it doesn't hold. I am connecting the charger correctly as you posted in your link.

I'll check the voltage on the accessory battery. I have not done that yet. But I have checked the primary battery voltage and it gets low.

Thanks for all of the replies. For an AGM on a big truck, Ford really whiffed this one.

 

[coconutgroves]

Bite the bullet and buy a good replacement battery. I had to do this on my ‘21, ‘22 ( both non-PB) and my new ‘25 PB. The dealer will most likely tell you the battery is fine and send you on your way.

What was frustrating is that I intentionally told them I wanted it tested. I referenced batteries from these years being replaced under warranty.

And they did nothing since they didn't see the message on the screen. They also didn't take care of a recall because they told me it wasn't really an issue. They will never get my vehicle again.

 

[Kodiak]

IMHO you are probably lucky you got as long as you did out of that 2022 version. As others have stated just get a new one on your own dime and be done with it.

Sadly the days of getting 5+ years out of a battery are probably long gone. Unless you are a regular driver with at least 1/2 hour trips on a highway there are too many new features and parasitic draw.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

Where several threads about this. This is nothing new, often times it is a product of short trips do a search there are quite a few workarounds for this issue.

 

[KBKEITH]

What was frustrating is that I intentionally told them I wanted it tested. I referenced batteries from these years being replaced under warranty.

And they did nothing since they didn't see the message on the screen. They also didn't take care of a recall because they told me it wasn't really an issue. They will never get my vehicle again.

I completely understand your frustration. I was there too when I had battery issues on my ‘21. My dealer said move along, nothing to see here. I bought a replacement and never had battery issues again.

 

[RyanStroeder]

Thanks for the info - I am aware of some of the tips in there, but I will try the fan speed this week.

I do have a battery charger that gives me a reading on capacity. The truck will sit for 3 days without driving and be at 20% charge on the main battery. I'll charge to full but it doesn't hold. I am connecting the charger correctly as you posted in your link.

I'll check the voltage on the accessory battery. I have not done that yet. But I have checked the primary battery voltage and it gets low.

Thanks for all of the replies. For an AGM on a big truck, Ford really whiffed this one.

Right on - I'll let you take it from here.

I am guessing your AUX battery needs replacement, and due to this, it's been sucking the main AGM dry. I would guess you're going to need to replace both (main AGM replace with an H7) and then just do the fan speed 5 trick, disconnect the truck when on long extended periods of non-use (or put on tender) and you'll be golden.

If you want to go next level, the LFP solution that's been done by the pros on this forum, then you've really solved it.

Good luck

 

[Powerboost_Law]

I had the same problem with my 23 Lariat, just my problem was the opposite to yours, the dealer told me both my batteries were on their way out and the replaced them. Being your dealer did not follow your instructions I would do 1 of 2 things. First, I would call and ask if they closed that work order, if not, demand they look into this battery issue. Second, if my first suggestion fails I would call Ford CRC ( Customer Relationship Centre) and explain the situation, from my experience they likely will help out especially being so few miles have been put on the truck since you picked it up and you discovered the battery issue has not been address.

 

[coconutgroves]

I appreciate all the responses. I've saved the relevant links to go down the path on trying to completely resolve.

I've tried some work arounds and nothing has solved it. I've charged each battery, tried the fan trick, etc. I'll charge the batteries and the same day it goes into low power mode. The batteries check out fine. And now my Pro Power isn't working.

But a $90k vehicle should not have this problem. Period. It is not acceptable to need hacks to keep a battery charged.

This is a major safety issue. When "Low Power Mode" is activated to "save" battery the vehicle disables auto unlock when the key is sensed, the cabin lights are disabled, the headlights do not turn on when the truck is turned off. Parking late a night in the dark is a complete safety hazard and Ford should be ashamed they would do something as stupid as this. My wife doesn't feel safe driving it knowing the truck could black out when she goes to leave the vehicle or when she returns to it.

It's another reason why I would not buy this vehicle again. I have a list of other gripes I won't post, but a product this expensive should give the owner more control and be more intelligent. And my dealer should have changed the batteries under warranty when I pressed them to test them and they did not. I regret selling my Tundra to buy one of these.

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