Ford Explorer battery drain problems

Filed Sep 8, 2026 · Locks · MT

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the message "Right Rear Door Ajar" was displayed. The contact moved the rear passenger’s side door latch several times and was able to fix the failure. However, the failure recurred. The contact was concerned that the failure would drain the battery.

Filed Apr 29, 2026 · Body, Electrical · OK

While driving at highway speeds on the interstate, the B-pillar exterior trim suddenly detached from the vehicle. The trim remained tethered only by the keypad wiring, causing it to flail in the wind and create an immediate road hazard. Simultaneously, the vehicle’s instrument cluster triggered a "Liftgate Open" warning, despite the liftgate being secure. I was forced to make an emergency pull-over onto the shoulder of the interstate—a dangerous situation—to prevent the trim from completely detaching and striking other vehicles. Upon reaching my destination, the vehicle suffered a significant electrical short. The interior lights remained on indefinitely due to the false "liftgate open" sensor reading, and the door keypad became completely inoperable. To prevent a total battery drain and potential fire risk from the short, I had to manually disconnect the battery. The dealership confirmed the failure but stated that current B-pillar recalls (such as Recall 25S53) currently only apply to 2016–2017 models, despite my 2019 model using the same defective clips and adhesive. This failure is identical in nature to Recall 24S02 (A-pillar detachment). The detachment of this trim is a documented projectile hazard. Furthermore, the resulting electrical short in the door harness has compromised the integrity of the vehicle’s sensor system. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate the expansion of the B-pillar recall to include the 2019 model year to prevent further highway incidents.

Filed Apr 28, 2026 · Body, Electrical · CA

While driving on the freeway the exterior b-pillar became partially detached from the drivers side of vehicle, causing the pillar to hang off the side. Very unsafe as it can strike another vehicle, or pedestrian. Part is now being held on by duct tape so it stays in place. The b-pillar part is attached to the electronic key number pad. Since this part was detached, the dome lights inside of the vehicle, stay illuminated for 10 mins after exiting. When entering the vehicle and turning it on to drive, the dome lights will not turn off until a speed of 5-10 MPH is reached. I have noticed abnormal car battery drainage because of these events. Additionally, the rear lift-gate no longer functions since the b-pillar detachment. Unable to open rear lift-gate at all. Unable to use the electronic keypad. Spoke to the dealership at least 10 times now and the same reason is given: “we have not received the parts.” They have stated that the parts were ordered for my vehicle in November of 2025. It is now the end of April 2026. Notice of this recall was 5-23-2025

Filed Mar 9, 2026 · Body · 85,000 miles · MS

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V347000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while his son was driving approximately 60-70 MPH, the driver's side door exterior B-Pillar trim, where the keyless entry pad was installed, fractured and partly flew off the vehicle, causing the keyless entry pad to remain illuminated or to blink constantly. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced an abnormal battery drainage since the failure. The dealer was contacted, and a service appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the part for the recall repair would be available by August 2026. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

Filed Jan 23, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · NC

**Upon request, all failed components can be inspected anytime for any reason. From this date (01/23/26) forward. If any repairs or replacementa had been rectified by Ford, receipts of the repair(s) will be provided regardless. I cannot recall exactly when these issues started so my ball park is 5/11/22. That is literally 2 years of driving the car from the show room. I was getting some lights on my dash that I have lost all functions with the vehicle ...ie: drivers assistance, airbags, up hill decent, pre- collision, no driving modes and the car felt normal. I was still under warranty so the repair that was done was an update to the BCM (is what I am told.) So the mechanic did a reprogram to the module. About a year I noticed I was then getting check headlamp notification pin my dash. I check the lamps and all seemed to be just fine. Also I was dealing with a dead battery all the time. at least once a month. But I was told I needed to drive the car more often. No matter still getting a dead monthly battery and here and there "check headlamp". Approx last year 2025, I realized. it was really dark driving the SUV. I get out and long behold the low beam headlamp was out. Played with switches..nothing. Checked into just getting a new one. its is a STAGGERING 1.5K!!!!PER HEADLamp! Well, the cops pull me over 4 times. For a headlight with LEDs why am I even having to price this? This Platinum trim just h I 5 years old and I cant believe all the problems. Along with that I found that this is considered something for the owner has to replace due to owners maintenance. No. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECALLED. THE DEAD BATTERY. WELL...I know am out of all warranties to the vehicle AND FORD IS SHUTTING THE DOOR IN MY FACE for any "goodwill repairs" (So far) As of this very moment, I have a dead 2020 Ford Platinum Explorer. Heads Lamp is still out. Yet there is a recall on a backup camera. Complete joke and this is literally disappointing.

Filed Dec 5, 2025 · Engine · CA

12 V Battery continues to die and I've had the car less than a year. On [XXX] the battery was dead. Our neighbor put it on his supercharger. On [XXX] the 12V battery low light came on while I was driving 30 miles away. It went off the next day and reappeared on Thursday [XXX] disappeared on Friday and back on Saturday. I called the Future Ford on Monday and technician [XXX] said it only showed 15% charge. I took it in to the dealership and it was kept over night and the next day he said it was charged to 90%. I was not happy with the "you can come and get it". I told him I'm a [XXX] and bought this car so I wouldn't breakdown and now I don't feel safe with it. He checked the charge again while we were on the phone and he said it dropped to 80%. He said thats not good it will probably need a new battery. That evening he text and said it is fully charged and I can come get it without a new battery. I was not happy as I've received no reason for why it was losing charge. So I did some research on my on and text him back that evening. I told him about my research and found this was an ongoing problem and that they need to find out what is causing the draining issue. I'm sure the dealership had to know as there was a recall for this issue. I suggested a Parasitic test, or software glitch issues to check. He said they would run the parasitic test.. He said it would take several days. I checked back on 12/4/25 and he said No Progress today. I told him I want a copy of all the test run. Wouldn't you know it he gets right back to me saying a handful of modules need updated software. That they will attend them this morning. I think they were trying to get out of the fix as my warranty runs out this month. Why are only certain vehicles being recalled (mine not one of them), when they all should be recalled. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 6, 2025 · Electrical · CO

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the clicking sound was the doors locking and unlocking continuously. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the keyless entry keypad on the driver's side door, resulting in battery drainage. The contact was informed that the keypad needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jan 8, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · IN

This will be another submission as I am getting frustrated. My Explorer has had constant issues like clock work every 6/7 months. I have gone through 6 batteries in a two year time span. I have had the battery control module replaced because I thought that would be the fix. However it is not. While operating my vehicle yesterday on [XXX] after barely even starting the battery died and my car said multiple systems were failing almost causing someone to rear ended me. This is a safety issue like no other. When will I receive feedback for these matters I keep submitting? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 6, 2024 · 148,464 miles · AL

Computer intermittently fails to acknowledge that the transmission is in Park. The vehicle is physically in Park (will not move as if it were in gear), but the computer warns that the "Transmission is Not in Park" even though it is. This is leading to battery drain due to computer incorrect error notifications. I have to wait, sometimes several minutes, for the computer to acknowledge that the transmission is indeed in Park before I shut my vehicle off to avoid this error notification. This issue has been going on for several years with no recall to fix. Since the transmission, itself, has not been the root issue, I have not sought repairs as of yet. This is a computer/software error.

Filed Jan 16, 2024 · Electrical · CT

Vehicle sat for a little more than a week, and battery dies has happened multiple times. I consider this a safety issue, because I cannot leave my car for longer than a week. If I go on a trip, and coming back to a dead battery in the middle of the night is clearly unsafe. Battery is 1 1/2 months old, replaced it because it kept dying after a week to one and a half weeks of sitting. Dealer confirmed, parasitic draw, but says it’s within spec and nothing they can do about it. Suggestion from dealer, was leave the car on a trickle charger. If you look on Ford Explorer groups, this is a rampant problem with the Ford Explorer dating back years.