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Ford Fusion battery drain problems

60 of the 22,468 owner complaints about the Ford Fusion describe battery drain or dead battery, most of them for the 2017 model year.

owner complaints
60
worst model year
2017
typical mileage
50,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Jan 22, 2025 · Electrical, Seats · NC

I obtained my vehicle on Lease in 2017 with 40K miles from Ford of Branford CT. When off lease I purchased it outright. I still own the vehicle and am still having Two main problems, One since almost the beginning. The First is the automatic seat control(driver's). This system would periodically push the driver into the Steering Wheel. I brought it into that dealership several times for that reason, while still in CT. They did claim to get it to stop doing this with some resets, but over time it continued. Around 2020, the vehicle began going totally dead. Initially it was determined to be the Starting Battery. My concern was it to ba a Compiter or Power drain problem. Several batteries and Dealership visits didn't solve it. I moved to SC in May 2022. These problems continued there, where Cox Ford of Southern Pines took over. After more Service visits the only answer was a BAD BATTERY. Recently, after returning from Vacation and having to jump start the vehicle two times, I had several conversations with the service department. Finally a new Service writer found some information. A Technical Service Bulletin described how in this vehicle, how under seat wiring for the automatic seats, were becoming frayed and shorting on metal rails.(182025A). Also another for Battery Drain (SSM 50250). My Automotive background (which I no longer do) Tells me that electric seat wiring, grounding against seat rails could cause the Battery to be Draining. I believe they could be connected.

Filed Nov 20, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · MI

While waiting at a red traffic light in drive and on a slight incline, engine shut off by itself and car started rolling backward with my foot on the brake pedal. The pedal felt harder than normal to push but didn't stop the car. A car stopped behind me was put at risk of impact with the rear of my vehicle. I could see I was getting closer and closer to hitting the other car. As this was happening, i pushed the start button and managed to restart the engine and put it in drive to pull away just before impact. Problem hasn't been reproduced by anyone. Vehicle or components haven't been inspected by anyone. No warning light lamps or other symptoms of the problem prior or during remaining drive home. I don't know if this is related but the car does have a random no start symptom due to a battery discharge condition while parked overnight. This happens very rarely and is not reproducible when the battery is charged. Ford has a TSB ref.17-2192 on this failure that is applicable to my VIN but they will not cover it since my car is out of warranty (Time and 73K miles). The dealer further stated that there is no guarantee that this re-programming of the PCM will fix the problem. The Ford dealer gave me an estimate of $214 for the re-programming of the PCM and it does not include a new battery if it needs it. I have an appointment to get it done on 11/22/24 but I'm reluctant to pay for something that may not fix the parasitic PCM draw on the battery. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

Filed Aug 6, 2024 · Electrical · TX

As stated in a previous complaint vehicle has what one professional mechanic diagnosed as an "electrical fathom draw" which drains the battery. The issue with the vehicle started on July 1st which the timing seems ironic since it was the first day of the month. I have taken the vehicle to several qualified mechanics who could not diagnose what was draining the battery. Purchased a new battery and still having the same issue. Each time I had roadside assistance jumpstart the battery they stated it was not the altenator or the starter. No codes to perform a diagnostic like "check engine" light or other warning signs.

Filed Feb 13, 2024 · Fuel system · TX

Battery went dead, replaced battery, check engine light came on, got a diagnostic check on it, come to find out my purge valve needs to be replace. Every time we get gas, the car doesnt want to start up. Trying to find the part to replace purge valve assembly line is almost near zero. The car has only 65,000 miles on it and its a 2019 forf fusion titanium ecoboost.

Filed Nov 30, 2022 · Engine · TX

*Upon check engine light, oriellys advised of misfire on p0301- installed following day due to part shipping to store. Day after coil ignition and spark plug replacement, engine light came back on which mechanic said not to worry as long as car isnt shaking. The following day after taking kids to school, the battery died at the school. With only the check engine light on I waited 10 minutes and the car started. On my way home on the highway, the car just stalled in the middle of the highway. There was a brief alarm stating coolant temperature high turn off car. Several dealerships advised soonest availability was December. I needed my car asap. I had it towed to pepboys who did a full diagnostic and provided documentation saying I'd need a new engine. 78250 miles, premium gas, annual premium treatment at oil changes with royal purple, schedule a tuneup with diagnostic, new tires, wash tub monthly cleans. I treat my car better than I do my kids. I called ford and asked about warranty info which they advised the only way to see if warranty covers it is to have a certified dealership diagnostic. After searching for days, I finally got one to do the diagnostic and said there is an issue with the coolant destroying the engine. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? *Extremely dangerous with car stalled in middle of highway. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? *yes Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? *Ford Dealership servicer and third party service shop Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Engine light was addressed promptly and coolant error message showed up once ever when the car abruptly stalled in the middle of highspeed traffic Ford refused to help after escalation attempt to have them pay for faulty product or lemon buyback

Filed Nov 16, 2022 · CA

I got this 2011 Ford fusion in 2020. The car runs good, but after a couple stops or when I'm slowing down the car turns off and my battery drains. I've replaced the battery, alternator, new shifter, I've taken it to mechanics and they can't figure out the problem, the car still turns off. Please help

Filed Aug 15, 2022 · Transmission · WA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated upon reversing out of the garage, he shifted from reverse (D) to drive (D), but the vehicle failed to respond. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to push the back vehicle into the driveway with assistance. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was associated with the transmission shifter cable bushing. The contact purchased a transmission shifter bushing rubber from an unknown dealer and replaced the part himself. Additionally, the contact replaced the battery of the vehicle as the failure had drained the battery. The contact was able to drive the vehicle. However, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the key fob battery, the vehicle battery, and the transmission cable bushing had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jun 9, 2022 · Electrical · NH

Vehicle constantly has 12v battery dying. Replaced with new battery and same thing 12v battery keeps dying. Hooked up my current meter to the car and it is constantly drawing 11amps from the battery. Pulled fuses until the current draw stopped and issues is coming from the APIM. I also did some research into the issue and it appears a lot of people are having the same issue where the APIM is not shutting off. How has there not been a recall on this yet? This can be dangerous if you can't start your car and your stuck in a snow storm for example.

Filed Apr 4, 2022 · Brakes · FL

Brake lights stay on all the time. Brakes function, but continuous illumination drains the battery.

Filed Feb 24, 2022 · Electrical · IN

Dead battery again; this is a major concern on this particular fleet car that we have. Dealer had car towed in. I told them to check the connections. This seems to be a concern of other 2020 Ford Fusion owners as well, after researching. We need this vehicle in our fleet and we cannot have this keep happening. No dealer paperwork yet as the problem has not yet been resolved; car still at the dealer.

Related recalls

Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery: management system/energy control module (bms/becm)Reported June 23, 2023 · 14,452 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Fusion PHEV vehicles. The battery energy control module (BECM) may become damaged due to excessive voltage and current flow.
Risk
A damaged BECM can result in a loss of drive power or fire, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will replace the battery and update the BECM software for free, or Ford will repurchase the vehicle. If your vehicle is currently operating normally, Ford has authorized dealers to replace the fuse block and a software update as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). As an alternative remedy, Ford is offering a vehicle refund. Please see Ford's owner notification letter or contact Ford for full details. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S33.

Recall number 23V440000 · Recall details

Questions about the Ford Fusion battery drain

Which Ford Fusion years have battery drain or dead battery problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2017 (11 complaints), 2010 (7 complaints) and 2014 (7 complaints).

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