2017 Fusion Energi Dead Battery Issues - FFH

[stlouisgeorge]

There is definitely something going on with the 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrids & Energi models with failing 12V battery.

I am tracking this and would love to start a "sticky" thread (this is it I suppose).
The idea is that a sticky post will hopefully stop new threads from 2017 owners from popping up continuously (of no interest to non 2017 FFH/FFE drivers).
I count seven duplicate discussions (so far on 2017 models with dead factory batteries) across the two forums.

Here are 13 instances of 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid & Energi owners with 12V battery issues.

 MEMBER         | MODEL  | TRIM     | BUILT      | THREAD ID
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 jj2me          | Energi | Titanium | 06/08/2016 | N/A
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Bigsam411      | Energi | Platinum |            | 4507
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Ckmicallef     | Energi | Trim?    |            | 4744
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 cremefrasier   | Energi | SE       |            | 2621
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 dano99487      | Hybrid | Trim?    |            |
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 heplguy        | Hybrid | Trim?    |            | 11451
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 JATR4 (year?)  | Energi | Trim?    |            | 4507
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Paul Creed III | Energi | Trim?    |            | 4507
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 prott69        | Energi | Platinum | 09/??/2016 | 2719, 4751
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 rjrfusion      | Hybrid | Platinum |            | 11451
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 rmsaunders6    | Hybrid | Trim?    |            | 11451
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 stlouisgeorge  | Hybrid | Platinum | 11/22/2016 | 11451
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 scherp69       | Hybrid | Trim?    |            | 15529
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 thewava        | Hybrid | Trim?    |            | 11451
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 vinci          | Energi | Platinum |            | 4751

Older newer models? (pre 2017)
head4trauma hybrid forum thread 15529 FFH 2016?

Please message me if you want to tell me to take your name (from a public post) down.
Also looking for info on build date. Where is that build date? (see this for now).

Please, please tell me your trim in a private message if your 2017 has 12V battery issues.
I have a theory these issue are specific to certain option/trim levels on 2017 models.. I will update this post as new data comes in. I will cross post to the Energi side.

Please do not report issues with HVB or models prior to 2017 here.
We are looking exclusively at defective 12V Ford Fusion batteries installed in Hermasillo here.

I had my battery replaced by a Ford EV Certified technician on 04/08/2017.
(!) Make sure your EV tech performs the BMS module procedure after installing a new battery.

This is a cross post with the Ford Fusion Energi forum I will sync up as needed.
(not seeing this issue on non Hybrid, non Energi Fusions -- yet).

Edited March 1, 2018 by stlouisgeorge

[lolder]

All the Ford Fusion hybrids are made in Hermasillo. All have had OEM 12 vdc battery problems from the 2010s delivered in early 2009 onward. The cars sit after manufacture and the batteries go dead and are then permanently damaged. There may also have been some quality control issues on the OEM batteries also. Replacing the battery usually solves the problem.

 

There is some conjecture ( me ) that their mode of use contributes to the problem. Non hybrid batteries are subject to loads of several hundred amps briefly when starting the ICE. The alternator than charges it briefly at close to the maximum alternator rating. These time periods are a second or two but they have the effect of briefly stirring up the liquid electrolyte. A weak battery in this instance is noted by the slower cranking speed and is an early warning symptom. In a hybrid, the 12 vdc battery does not crank the ICE. That is done by the HVB and one of the very large AC motors in the transmission. The initial load on a hybrid 12 v is usually only a few dozen amps at most instead of hundeds and the DC to DC converter starts charging the 12 v from the HVB as soon as the car is turned on whether the ICE starts or not. I feel this lets the electrolyte get stratified which can further degrade a battery already damaged by a complete discharge before delivery. There is no early warning of a marginal battery. All this coupled with relatively high "off" loads has created the problems. New replacement batteries from Ford dealers seem to have far fewer problems.

Edited April 13, 2017 by lolder

[billford]

There are several battery drain service messages:

 

SSM 46128 - 2017 MKZ/Fusion - Battery Drain - Built On Or Before 6/3/2016

Some 2017 MKZ and Fusion vehicles equipped with memory seats and built on or before 6/3/2016 may exhibit a discharged battery or a battery drain condition. Before performing normal diagnostics, reprogram the driver door module (DDM) to thelatest calibration using the Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) version 102.02 or higher. Make sure you are connected to the internet when entering module programming to obtain the latest updates. Calibration files may also be obtained at www.motorcraftservice.com. Use causal part 14B291 and applicable labor operations from Section 10 of the service labor time standards (SLTS)manual.

APPLICABLE VEHICLES

2017 CAR: C7 FUSION

2017 CAR: C9 MKZ (CD533)

SSM 46368 - 2016 C-MAX Energi/Focus Electric/2016-2017 Fusion Energi - Battery Low State OfCharge And/Or Intermittent Battery Draw - Built On Or Before 10-Jul-2016

Some 2016 C-MAX Energi/Focus Electric and 2016-2017 Fusion Energi vehicles built on or before 10-Jul-2016, may exhibit a 12-volt and/or high voltage battery with a low state of charge and/or an intermittent battery draw. Reprogram the telematics control unit (TCU) to the latest level using IDS release 104.01 or higher. Make sure you are connected to the internet when entering module programming to obtain the latest updates. Calibration files may also be obtained at www.motorcraftservice.com. For claiming, use causal part 14G229 and applicable labor operations in section 10 of the service labor time standards (SLTS) manual.

APPLICABLE VEHICLES

2016 CAR: DH C346 FOCUS FNA

2016 - 2017 CAR: C7 FUSION

2016 CAR: CG C344N HEV

SSM 46433 - 2017 Fusion/MKZ - Battery Discharge - With Or Without Repetitive Cycling Compact Disc (CD) Ejecting Noise - Built On Or Before 23-Dec-2016

Some 2017 Fusion and MKZ vehicles built on or before 23-Dec-2016 may exhibit a discharged battery. A repetitive cycling noise similar to a CD ejecting noise may also be present. If excessive battery drain is present and eliminated with theradio battery power fuse removed, reprogram the audio control module (ACM) to the latest calibration using the Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) release 104.03 or higher. Make sure you are connected to the internet when entering module programming to obtain the latest updates. Calibration files may also be obtained at www.motorcraftservice.com. For claiming, use causal part 18C869 and applicablelabor operations in section 10 of the SLTS manual.

APPLICABLE VEHICLES

2017 CAR: C7 FUSION

2017 CAR: C9 MKZ (CD533)

Tell your dealer you have battery drain issues, give them this list and get your dealer to reflash all the modules first. Make sure their IDS programmer is higher than version 105 before programming. Once you get it home, disconnect the 12 volt battery for 10 minutes, then reconnect it. This will allow a fresh boot of all the modules. Try this first before doing anything else.

Also, here is some battery information maybe worth reading: G0000133.pdf

Edited April 14, 2017 by billford

[Waldo]

Yea, I don't understand the point of having "theories" or gathering up data when Ford has already clearly published what the issues are the timelines of the vehicles involved.

[lolder]

The 2010-12s had lots of 12 vdc problems and are completely different cars. The way that all the hybrids use the 12 vdc is similar and they are all lead-acid wet cells.

[murphy]

The 2010-12s had lots of 12 vdc problems and are completely different cars. The way that all the hybrids use the 12 vdc is similar and they are all lead-acid wet cells.

I replaced the lead acid wet cell battery in my 2013 Energi with an AGM battery in 2013 and have not had a dead 12 volt battery since then. It still gets low on charge but an AGM battery is not damaged by having a low charge and maintains the voltage to a much lower charge level than a wet cell battery can. I still have to charge the battery if the car sits unused for a week but so far it has not died on me.

[stlouisgeorge]

.

Edited April 15, 2017 by stlouisgeorge

[JDS]

2017 Fusion Hybrid. Dead12 V battery and occasional "System Off" warnings prior to the dead battery problem. Platinum trim. SHEEHY FORD just told me they charged my battery and it checks out fine now. Hmmm. Well no $#%|. They can't, or won't explain to me how or why the battery discharged in the first place. Regular commuter car in fast traffic (20 miles - rare stops).

 

They didn't fix anything - any recommendation on a reputable dealer in northern Va? My son is a mechanic and so I know the shop and the mechanic matter a lot. I can't see how I won't be taking it in again.

[lolder]

Is it working OK now? Replacing the battery is reasonable. OEM batteries in Ford hybrids have been notoriously bad. That and sometimes a software update usually fixes it. Give it some time.

[rjrfusion]

Go to the "deep sleep mode" issues heading. This is where I have been posting my dead battery issues on my 2017, platinum hybrid. This latest dead battery issue from 2 weeks ago hopefully has been resolved today by Ford Engineers. They found that the radio does not shut off when car does killing the battery or putting the car in sleep mode. The first time I had an issue (3 times total) the "systems off" came up on my screen. Since then car has gone into sleep mode (go onto the Ford app - messages to see this) 8 times and the battery has died twice.

 

Ron

[dano99487]

ADD ME TO YOUR LIST OF BATTERY REPLACEMENTS..THX'S GEORGE

[timmiek]

Go to the "deep sleep mode" issues heading. This is where I have been posting my dead battery issues on my 2017, platinum hybrid. This latest dead battery issue from 2 weeks ago hopefully has been resolved today by Ford Engineers. They found that the radio does not shut off when car does killing the battery or putting the car in sleep mode. The first time I had an issue (3 times total) the "systems off" came up on my screen. Since then car has gone into sleep mode (go onto the Ford app - messages to see this) 8 times and the battery has died twice.

 

Ron

Ron I own a FFH Platnium 2017. So do we have to turn radio off prior to shutting car off. I usually turn the AC or Heat off buy never turned off radio

Edited July 25, 2017 by timmiek

[rjrfusion]

I was told that the radio did not shut off and it should have. Brought the car in 3 times until then found the radio was not powering down. Sounds did not come out of the radio and the radio shut off on the screen so you would never tell that the power was not off. Since they found this so called issue my car has been fine. it could be your radio or something else that is not powering off. Other than this fixed issue I love the car. Now averaging 42mpg:)

[Chipmunk78910]

2017 FFH Titanium, 21k miles, 12v battery dead, but was able to put trickle charge on it for 15 mins, enough to get lights on in car and get it started to take me to dealer. 12v battery replaced, but then no radio or BT. They still have car and I have loaner. Hoping to hear from them today.

Edited December 28, 2017 by Chipmunk78910

[Chipmunk78910]

UPDATE - 12v battery replaced and they replaced the circuit board assembly. They had handwritten notes on my work order and i tried to read a couple of them, but they took the paper away too quickly. This at least got my radio and BT working again. We'll see what happens.

[sjgbam]

I have a 2014 Energi hybrid and have experienced a dead battery after leaving the car unplugged for a two week period. Is there any danger leaving the car plugged in while i'm away for two weeks?

[murphy]

I have a 2014 Energi hybrid and have experienced a dead battery after leaving the car unplugged for a two week period. Is there any danger leaving the car plugged in while i'm away for two weeks?

Leaving the EVSE connected for 2 weeks will not hurt anything but it will not keep the 12 volt battery charged. You need a 12 volt battery charger connected to the terminals under the hood to keep the 12 volt battery charged.

[sjgbam]

Thx Murphy. Dumb question I guess as it doesn't relate to the 12V battery. Guess I'll have to follow most of the advice here and get a new battery or a changer.

 

One more thing. I had Ford roadside service come to my house but I wasn't here. My wife worked with the service guy and I think all he did was pop off the key cover on the driver side door handle to get in. I don't know if he gave some kind of a charge to the 12V or just started the car. Will that recharge the 12V system as normally? Can the car be started and driven for at least the miles on the HV battery to get it to a dealer?

[murphy]

Once the car is started the DC to DC converter will charge the 12 volt battery using energy from the HVB. The car can be driven wherever you want as long as you don't turn it off. The engine will work in addition to the electric drive. I keep a 12 volt 7 AH gel cell in my glove compartment along with a cable to connect it to the jumper points under the hood. I take it out periodically and top off the charge. It's been there for 4 years and I have not had to use it so far.

 

If roadside service just jumped the battery to start the car it will be dead again very quickly if the car hasn't been driven far enough to recharge the 12 volt battery. Since you have an Energi, plug the EVSE in to charge the HVB. When that finishes it will then charge the 12 volt battery. Don't disconnect when you get the charge complete message. That is when the 12 volt battery charging begins.

[Madmax234]

Hi there my 2019 ford fusion titanium hybrid has been in service over two weeks for the same issue deep sleep mode something is the drawing the battery an draining it, not cause of driving either

[billford]

16 hours ago, Madmax234 said:

Hi there my 2019 ford fusion titanium hybrid has been in service over two weeks for the same issue deep sleep mode something is the drawing the battery an draining it, not cause of driving either

 

DId you have the wifi enabled in your car for automatic updates?

 

If yes, then I have heard of these doing a automatic sync update after the car turns off and sits for a while. Its supposed to time out after 30 minutes, but if something goes wrong, it will cause a battery drain. 

 

I would suggest to turn the automatic updates off and disable the wifi first, then see what happens.