Total stall, no neutral, discharging 2023 BS Big Bend

I'm sorry for your experience, @Kallikitty. Hoping others can help you make a decision.

Kallikitty

I took my BS for a short 50 mile drive two weeks ago. I was doing this on advice of a Ford mechanic because the battery is discharging at an alarming rate when not driven for two or three days. I parked at the local post office and ran in. Came back out and the BS wouldn’t start - all kinds of error messages flashing on the dash, liftgate and window wouldn’t open, can’t shift into neutral because it won’t start, headlights and Sync 3 are both on and there is a vehicle with a red exclamation sign showing on the display.

It was a Sunday so I had to wait 3 hours for a tow truck. Had to drag the BS onto the tow truck bed. Starting with the 2023 model, Ford discontinued installation of the cable to put the vehicle in neutral so now you have no choice but to “skate” the vehicle when you can’t shift. (New tires have less than 400 miles on them).

Dealership had the vehicle for almost two weeks. There is a similar problem with a 2021 they also have in shop. Today they call and they updated the sync 3 and charged the battery - can’t get the car to fail. I love this vehicle but I can’t own a car I can’t trust.

Has anyone here had this issue and kept their vehicle? What was the solution? Any feedback or stories you have regarding your BS and similar issues would be greatly appreciated.

I personally have not had this issue and I have not heard of anyone having the issue with the BS BL, only the 1.5 models. That being said, the most common fix I have heard was a start/stop disabler or just making sure to disable the start/stop every time you get in which should make sure that your vehicle is always charging and never sitting draining the power at stop lights and around town.

Secondly, I personally keep a jump pack in mine in case I do have battery issues while out camping or hunting. Even if I can't get it started it'd be enough power to get it into neutral. Spending $80 for the jump pack is far better than having to pay for tires and a tow.

This is the one I keep in mine -

Did you get the software update that was issued in April of this year? It was powertrain and light failure when it detects low voltage from battery. I haven't had any problem with my BS though, but will look out for that in the future.

Mine isnt a Sport but it, like my Mustangs and Explorer drain down if I don’t drive them for several days. I suggest purchasing a Battery Tender trickle charger on line or at Costco. I just had this issue come up on the Bronco a couple of days ago. I hadn’t been driving it for 3-4 days and I forgot to put the charger on it. By the time I got to California I got the low battery message. The wife went to start it and it was dead.

What "JAMES77" said ...............my daughter said there was a recall, the one you spoke of. She is a service manager at our Dealership here in town. I hadn't taken mine in, but I will soon for the update. They have just been busy so I told her no hurry, take care of the clientelle first and we'll get mine later.

I opted for the mobile service to get my software update done, if your dealer has that option. They did it while I was at work and it didn't take long. The mobile service also does oil changes and brake services.

As some have read in other posts that I have paricipated in, I chase parts for Ford and My Daughter is Service Manager, so I, being family can get preferential treament. Could, but never do I take advantage. Instead I wait in line and insist on full payment to the Dealer. They have been so good to me that is, that I feel obligated to play by the rules. Customers mean much to me also and setting in the office listening to the calls my daughter recieves in the course of a day, it is first hand knowledge of the sometime emergencies that customers feel they are under.. And it is I that facilitate their rescue by swiftly chasing down a needed part so they might be on their way and not delayed or stranded, all while trying not to run afoul with the Law Enforcement for speeding.

I recently have seemed to have a little 'wonkiness' in my system, mostly with audio. I never thought much of it at the time. I will persue a fix in the coming next couple weeks. As a senior, I drive very minimal, beyond my grocery shopping and my chasing for Ford. On OCT. 7th I believe it was, I purchased my Big Bend new with only 3 miles on it. Now 10-ish months later I have, if I were to step outside and look....... I believe 5,600-ish miles or so total, last I paid attention driving home from a gas fill-up. So it's aparent beyond groceries that I drive very minimal mileage amounts.
Still ...........an update will be required.

Just to update. The dealership recommended the battery tender, I have mixed feelings about the fact that my car can’t sit for two days without discharging.

I have decided to keep it for another 6 months, at least. I will probably give in and put a battery tender on it while protesting vehemently about potentially owning a $35,000 paper weight. I am afraid to drive it any distance so not sure if that will be the kicker in the Spring.

Meanwhile, it doesn’t seem to be running as “hot” as it used to (hood would be super hot after driving winter or summer) and seems to be running more smoothly. I guess the computer update must have helped a bit.

No solution to the nonsensical decision by Ford to remove the cable to put the vehicle in neutral when it malfunctions and you can’t shift. Guess you just have to eat the cost of the tires if damage occurs.

It doesn't sit well with me that they recommended a battery tender for that issue. They should've at least replaced the battery. I have no issue with my sport sitting over the weekend or more. I had wiring issues with my 2019 F150 truck before I got the sport. It took them 6 months to fix it at the dealership in total.