gzebrick
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- First Name
- Guy
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- Aug 6, 2026
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- Memphis, TN
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- 25 Lariat AWD Hybrid 4K towing, '24 ioniq 6 limited AWD, '91 BRG Miata 5spd
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We have a 25 Escape PHEV in the family. It has an on-board smallish battery (spec'd at 14.4 kWh with about 11.5 kWh useable), FORD recently issued a recall for what has reportedly been a extremely rare issue. Some few batteries have vented on a very very small percentage of the PHEV vehicles. No fires, no crashes, but the battery failed. Ford's new recall notice states the owner should charge the battery to only 80% capacity AND use only the EV-AUTO setting (not EV-NOW nor EV-later) until the software fix is installed by the dealer. After the fix, you can then charge back up to 100% and use all modes.
It's BS.
The software fix is supposed to take about 1/2 day and it includes extra monitoring software PLUS this gem... the software update may result in a loss of capacity of about 12%.
Ain't no doubt. There's actually a reported 20% loss of capacity after the install. Not miles, not range.. CAPACITY. Easily verified per history recorded app and OBDII data, Before the update, say a 100% charge may add 10 kWh or so (varies) and if you reduced the max limit to 80% added only an expected 8 kWh.
After the update, charging to 100% now adds... you guessed it... 8kWh.
The fix is just to change the calibration so the OLD 80% is now the NEW 100%. They didn't fix crap!!!!
20% is bad enough, but if your daily commute was just about 40 miles, you probably barely ran your ICE... now when you apply the fix, the ICE will run EVERY DAY! For MILES! A 20% reduction in battery capacity may equal a 1000% INCREASE is ICE usage.
Waiting for the class-action lawsuit.
When Chevy had a known issue with the BOLT batteries, they stepped up and actually FIXED the problem, Replacement batteries!
This REALLY TURNS ME OFF. I don't think I trust FORD to do what's right with the FATHOM, and I sure as hell won't be in line to get one for the first 2 years or so.
I know a FORD rep monitors this forum. Care to comment?
It's BS.
The software fix is supposed to take about 1/2 day and it includes extra monitoring software PLUS this gem... the software update may result in a loss of capacity of about 12%.
Ain't no doubt. There's actually a reported 20% loss of capacity after the install. Not miles, not range.. CAPACITY. Easily verified per history recorded app and OBDII data, Before the update, say a 100% charge may add 10 kWh or so (varies) and if you reduced the max limit to 80% added only an expected 8 kWh.
After the update, charging to 100% now adds... you guessed it... 8kWh.
The fix is just to change the calibration so the OLD 80% is now the NEW 100%. They didn't fix crap!!!!
20% is bad enough, but if your daily commute was just about 40 miles, you probably barely ran your ICE... now when you apply the fix, the ICE will run EVERY DAY! For MILES! A 20% reduction in battery capacity may equal a 1000% INCREASE is ICE usage.
Waiting for the class-action lawsuit.
When Chevy had a known issue with the BOLT batteries, they stepped up and actually FIXED the problem, Replacement batteries!
This REALLY TURNS ME OFF. I don't think I trust FORD to do what's right with the FATHOM, and I sure as hell won't be in line to get one for the first 2 years or so.
I know a FORD rep monitors this forum. Care to comment?
