Thanks for the great video.
Where is the auxiliary battery located (I cant find anything in the owners manual)

 

It is under the floor in the rear cargo area. In the Titanium hybrid, the spare tire covers it, so remove the spare tire to see it. In the SE, there is no spare tire, so you'll see it once you lift up the floor of the rear cargo area. I'll add that to the 1st post. Thanks!

 

Good job ! I don't have a hybrid, but when it comes time to replace my under the hood battery, I'd like to squeeze in a bigger one than the little one it now has.

 

Great video, Colorado Al. During our test drive yesterday my wife asked the salesman about the small battery (since we had battery life issues with a 2015 MKZ). When I mentioned your video and pointed to the mounting point for a larger battery, he offered me a job.

 

Well, here's the Ford part for it if you want to get them to throw it in as part of the deal:
Part #: BAGM48H6760 (48H6)

https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/electrical/battery-and-related-components/battery-7862483-1

 

Edit 2 - Thanks to a tip, I checked with the Ford service department and they said they do need to update the programming for an AGM battery. - Edit 2

I wonder what this programming change actually does.. I always thought AGM and FLA had the same charge characteristics.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

Do not know specific answer but will say my battery maintainer has separate settings for normal and AGM 12 volt batteries. Suggests to me that they are different.

 

The procedure doesn’t belong in this thread anyway. Since it is not related to the 4G Escapes

 

I can verify the procedure worked for me on my 2020 Titanium Hybrid. Did it in steady, per second intervals, it took another 10 seconds for the battery light to blink. I'm glad it was posted here.

 

This had already been posted over 8 months ago!

I have a 2020 Escape Hybrid and have had a series of strange behaviors and seemingly random error messages. For example, error messages about the automatic parking not available while driving down the street. Sat Nav showing locations 400 miles off from where the car was, automatic liftgate would not open, backup camera working sometimes and not others, proximity detectors giving phantom warnings (ghosts?), as well as constant low voltage shutdown alarms reported through the Ford app. These became so frequent I began taking pictures of the screen when they occured so I could show them to the Ford dealer. The dealer replaced the backup camera twice and eventually the battery but the low voltage errors keep occuring. I think, I hope, I have isolated the problem to the undersized OEM battery. When the voltage gets low (9 volts was the lowest but 10 volts was common) the electronic modules start to get really wonky. The Ford tech claimed the OEM battery was a deep cycle AGM and it tested fine. The OEM battery is not an AGM, it is a really cheap flooded lead acid that cannot keep up with this car's large electrical loads. I replaced the battery with an high quality (according to Consumer Reports) AGM battery (size Group 48, or H6). It's been a week and no errors and everything is working fine, for now at least. You may want to check the battery voltage on your car. If it is below 11 volts your cheap OEM battery is toast. The Ford dealer will say its fine, but its not. If they do replace it they will put the same POS the car came with. My recommendation is to get a larger AGM battery that can service the electrical demands of the car.

 

I know with the F150's it didn't matter if you reset it. Yes you could, but the system would figure it out over time regardless. Also when you reset it with Forscan, you have to leave the vehicle with the doors locked, undisturbed for 8 consecutive hours after doing the procedure.

 

Curious, Can you estimate the weight difference?

 

About 28 lbs for original H4 flooded battery, and about 48 lbs for an H6 AGM battery.

 

So almost double weight? I can't say I've had any issues as of yet, so I guess I'll stay stock for now.

 

Only about 20 lbs more, or about 71% heavier.

 

Maybe If I had some spare money to burn: i48CX - Intensity Carbon Group 48 (standard height) lithium battery

 

Another question if I may, will having the bigger battery allow it to run in EV only mode for longer?

 

The 12v chassis battery has no impact on hybrid operation.

 

I know that, but I mean in the sense that the lights, radio and such run off of the 12v right? Could those things drain it to the point when the gas engine would have to come on to keep it charged or is there is voltage convertor to charge the 12 battery from the HV battery?

 

12v chassis systems are common across hybrid and turbo drivetrains. Hybrids charge the 12v battery using a DC-to-DC converter to step down HVB voltage. The ICE only charges the HVB. If the car is on, the gas engine will cycle on and off as need require.

The problem folks try to address by battery change is a voltage drain when the car is off. Their cars are broken. Ford needs to fix them so they work properly, like mine.

 

The lowest price I found on the Motorcraft AGM battery was carid.com, $156 + $10 shipping...

Motorcraft® BAGM-48H6-760 - Tested Tough™ Max AGM Battery

Tested Tough™ Max AGM Battery - Part Number BAGM-48H6-760 (BAGM48H6760) by Motorcraft. Cold Cranking Amperage: 760. Reserve Capacity: 120. Available in Parts Department.

www.carid.com

For the record, both Ford and Carid.com show this battery as a correct part for the 2020 Escape, and the fit is perfect/secure. I haven't had low battery or deep sleep issues since upgrading + I just like the idea of not having a flooded battery sloshing around in the back.

 

I decided to test the AGM battery after four full days of the Escape sitting undriven (a few weeks after install). It was 100%, according to my Schumacher. With the OEM battery I'd get daily decline and diminishing returns on driving recharge. Sitting four days would've likely resulted in sub-50% and/or "deep sleep".

Unlike the flooded battery, AGM charges faster, lasts longer, and can be deep cycled + this battery has twice the RC.

Just like the subwoofer rattle, I was not happy about having to do this (and having to pay for it), but not having to waste my time, and battle with utterly inept Ford service was worth the price. The dealership had essentially waved the white flag saying they could find nothing wrong. Well, Ford using a tiny flooded "starting" battery as a modern hybrid aux battery was the problem on mine.

I may even be willing to use the 12v power point in the back when we go camping this weekend, instead of worrying if it's sleeping again.

 

why are people buying replacement batteries on their 2020 vehicles? is that not covered under warranty?

 

They'll replace the small factory battery under warranty (and they did), but they wouldn't upgrade it to AGM. After several visits and weeks of trying, it was clear Ford and my dealership could not fix our reoccurring low battery/deep sleep issue. Unfortunately, the ABS module update did not fix it in our case. So, like others, I tried this as a last resort until they hopefully get it solved someday...

 

interesting.

 

MOTOMASTER ELIMINATOR AGM Group Size 48 (H6/L3) Battery, 760 CCA Canadian Tire

OPTIMA YELLOWTOP® 48/H6 Battery, 800 CCA Canadian Tire

JCI-AGMLN5/48 AGM START STOP BATTERY FREE SHIPPING SASKBATTERY.COM

ODP-AGM48 H6 L3 – ODYSSEY® Battery (odysseybattery.ca)

OPTIMA YELLOWTOP H6 Battery | Costco

 

Here's a quick how to video that I made showing replacing the stock 12v 45AH lead acid battery with a 12v 70AH AGM battery.
Some folks have had issues with the stock 12v battery running down and not being able to unlock the vehicle, or start it by remote, or some to even start it at all, as it is needed to engage the relays for the high voltage battery. Some also get the "Deep Sleep" message in the FordPass app that indicates a low battery voltage for the 12v battery.
Adding a larger AGM battery helps to prevent these issues.
Besides topping up the AGM battery prior to install, it took about 20 minutes.

Edit - The 12 volt battery is under the floor in the rear cargo area. In the Titanium hybrid, the spare tire covers it, so remove the spare tire to see it. In the SE hybrid, there is no spare tire, so you'll see it once you lift up the floor of the rear cargo area. - Edit

Here is the battery that I used because I found one for $125! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008FWCLHU
But any Group 48 AGM 12 volt battery will work.

Edit 2 - Thanks to a tip, I checked with the Ford service department and they said they do need to update the programming for an AGM battery. - Edit 2

Edit 3 - If you want to keep it all Ford, or have the dealer do it, here is the Ford battery:
Part #: BAGM48H6760 (48H6)
https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/electrical/battery-and-related-components/battery-7862483-1 - Edit 3

How many am hours is the ford battery? The link page doesnt say that I can find.

 

The stock lead acid battery is 45ah, however it self discharges to below 10v quite rapidly. The AGM battery is 70ah and also retains charge for much longer when inactive due to its superior construction.

 

Here's a quick how to video that I made showing replacing the stock 12v 45AH lead acid battery with a 12v 70AH AGM battery.
Some folks have had issues with the stock 12v battery running down and not being able to unlock the vehicle, or start it by remote, or some to even start it at all, as it is needed to engage the relays for the high voltage battery. Some also get the "Deep Sleep" message in the FordPass app that indicates a low battery voltage for the 12v battery.
Adding a larger AGM battery helps to prevent these issues.
Besides topping up the AGM battery prior to install, it took about 20 minutes.

Edit - The 12 volt battery is under the floor in the rear cargo area. In the Titanium hybrid, the spare tire covers it, so remove the spare tire to see it. In the SE hybrid, there is no spare tire, so you'll see it once you lift up the floor of the rear cargo area. - Edit

Here is the battery that I used because I found one for $125! Amazon.com: ACDelco Gold 48AGM 36 Month Warranty AGM BCI Group 48 Battery: Automotive
But any Group 48 AGM 12 volt battery will work.

Edit 2 - Thanks to a tip, I checked with the Ford service department and they said they do need to update the programming for an AGM battery. - Edit 2

Edit 3 - If you want to keep it all Ford, or have the dealer do it, here is the Ford battery:
Part #: BAGM48H6760 (48H6)
https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/electrical/battery-and-related-components/battery-7862483-1 - Edit 3

I see in the 2021 Escape the owners manual on page 395 it shows they now call for the larger AGM battery part # BAGM48H6760 (48H6). I have not looked at one at the dealer but if this is true and the book shows that it is, then I would think if folks are still having trouble with Deep Sleep Mode, maybe you can get Ford to upgrade your battery. For some reason they made a change it would appear from 2020 to 2021 to the larger AGM battery. A wise idea Ford, they must have been getting service calls or they have been reading this forum.

 

2021 Hybrid? The ICE only engines all come with the group 48 AGM

 

Just posted this on another thread but figured I'd include it here. Thanks again Colorado_Al for the deep research and fix.


-------------------------------------------
First time I've ever joined an Escape forum in order to login and post a comment. I have been going down this rabbit hole for my wife's 2020 Escape Hybrid SE SPORT for about a year and a half now. Deep sleep is such a pain when the only way you can remote start is by using the app(SE Sport keyfob doesn't have the start button).

March 2021 the battery it came with(10/2019 build date purchased in 01/2020) had been in deep sleep on and off for awhile and finally got tired of it. The dealer replaced the battery because it was deemed a bad battery(drained too much over time). My wife works very close to home and with the pandemic we weren't doing long trips of driving.

Oct 2021 took it back in because it started deep sleep again and they charged the battery and returned it to us. Not even a day later deep sleep returned. Their so called fix to me was bs..."just drive it more". Not a real fix! So after doing a bunch of research I came across numerous threads, and the one that gave me my final decision was from Colorado_Al. I called the dealership up and after being bounced around between service, parts, and service talking with a technician, and many choice words later, they scheduled me to have the 48AGM installed(despite their numerous objections and statements that it could potentially cause damage).Ford does not want to admit blame with this because if they did, they would have to issue a recall and install expensive AGM batteries in thousands of vehicles at their expense. Rather than fighting with Ford any further, we foot the bill for the larger battery that is present in late 2020 production models and current 2021 models.

11/5/2021: Today is the day that they finally installed the battery for us. With how much of a pain it's been, I decided to get a new OBDLink cable since I couldn't find my old one. I'm glad I did. Yes, they did use Forscan to update the BMS battery type to AGM. But no, they didn't update the actual battery options away from factory name. Also I noticed SOC(state of charge) was showing 120(%). Most likely that was due to them having the AGM battery listed but still claiming it was the 45ah battery. I manually decided to change it to 80% when I switched the actual battery name over to the 70ah AGM.

Based on what I have seen in multiple threads, there hasn't been anyone that this didn't fix their issues with deep sleep. But just to be safe, when we go out of town tomorrow, i'm bringing the laptop and obd cable with. I want to thank everyone who's brought up these issues and giving it attention because we were close to just giving up and trading the car in for a gas version.

Moral of the story: Just pay out of pocket for the AGM battery...it'll be less hassle.
--------------------------------------------------

 

Just posted this on another thread but figured I'd include it here. Thanks again Colorado_Al for the deep research and fix.


-------------------------------------------
First time I've ever joined an Escape forum in order to login and post a comment. I have been going down this rabbit hole for my wife's 2020 Escape Hybrid SE SPORT for about a year and a half now. Deep sleep is such a pain when the only way you can remote start is by using the app(SE Sport keyfob doesn't have the start button).

March 2021 the battery it came with(10/2019 build date purchased in 01/2020) had been in deep sleep on and off for awhile and finally got tired of it. The dealer replaced the battery because it was deemed a bad battery(drained too much over time). My wife works very close to home and with the pandemic we weren't doing long trips of driving.

Oct 2021 took it back in because it started deep sleep again and they charged the battery and returned it to us. Not even a day later deep sleep returned. Their so called fix to me was bs..."just drive it more". Not a real fix! So after doing a bunch of research I came across numerous threads, and the one that gave me my final decision was from Colorado_Al. I called the dealership up and after being bounced around between service, parts, and service talking with a technician, and many choice words later, they scheduled me to have the 48AGM installed(despite their numerous objections and statements that it could potentially cause damage).Ford does not want to admit blame with this because if they did, they would have to issue a recall and install expensive AGM batteries in thousands of vehicles at their expense. Rather than fighting with Ford any further, we foot the bill for the larger battery that is present in late 2020 production models and current 2021 models.

11/5/2021: Today is the day that they finally installed the battery for us. With how much of a pain it's been, I decided to get a new OBDLink cable since I couldn't find my old one. I'm glad I did. Yes, they did use Forscan to update the BMS battery type to AGM. But no, they didn't update the actual battery options away from factory name. Also I noticed SOC(state of charge) was showing 120(%). Most likely that was due to them having the AGM battery listed but still claiming it was the 45ah battery. I manually decided to change it to 80% when I switched the actual battery name over to the 70ah AGM.

Based on what I have seen in multiple threads, there hasn't been anyone that this didn't fix their issues with deep sleep. But just to be safe, when we go out of town tomorrow, i'm bringing the laptop and obd cable with. I want to thank everyone who's brought up these issues and giving it attention because we were close to just giving up and trading the car in for a gas version.

Moral of the story: Just pay out of pocket for the AGM battery...it'll be less hassle.
--------------------------------------------------

Actually the dealers use Ford FDRS, not ForScan so they don't set battery types manually all they would have done is a follow the service function to do a battery reset. The higher charge state showing in ForScan is more than likely due to the BMS system in the Hybrid expecting a nominal voltage of ~11.75 vDC and the AGM voltage out of the box being higher.

 

I've been plagued with the "Deep Sleep" issue (with the concomitant electrical items not working) ever since I picked up my 2020 Titanium hybrid in May, 2020, with the issue being worse during the winter (which is not exactly extreme here in the Pacific Northwest!). Back in 2020 I took the car in complaining about the passenger side intelligent entry door not working and was blown off with the all-too-typical "that's the way it is supposed to work" message.

I took the vehicle in again earlier this week and asked them to install the 48AGM battery (I was prepared to pay for it). The dealer told me that it wouldn't fit and that it isn't appropriate anyway because it is a "truck battery." They DID, however, test my original battery and said that it wouldn't pass their "rigorous" test and replaced it under warranty. The tech also wrote that I needed to drive my car more if I expected the battery to work right.

I'm fully expecting that the new battery will fix things for a while, until it doesn't, which seems to be what others on this forum have experienced.

My question is this: How do I get a Ford dealer to actually replace the battery when they say it "won't fit" and decline to do it?

 

I've been plagued with the "Deep Sleep" issue (with the concomitant electrical items not working) ever since I picked up my 2020 Titanium hybrid in May, 2020, with the issue being worse during the winter (which is not exactly extreme here in the Pacific Northwest!). Back in 2020 I took the car in complaining about the passenger side intelligent entry door not working and was blown off with the all-too-typical "that's the way it is supposed to work" message.

I took the vehicle in again earlier this week and asked them to install the 48AGM battery (I was prepared to pay for it). The dealer told me that it wouldn't fit and that it isn't appropriate anyway because it is a "truck battery."
My question is this: How do I get a Ford dealer to actually replace the battery when they say it "won't fit" and decline to do it?

LOL. I know your post is a few months old, but it could have been the post I was going to make almost word for word. I also have a 2020 Titanium hybrid purchased new in May of 2020 and currently have 11,500 miles on it(still with the original factory battery-the puny one). My sleep issues started about a year ago and were minor at first but now more electrical items are being affected. Had an appointment today(at the dealer where I bought the car) for some routine service work-oil/filter change, state inspection, tire rotation, etc. I had booked the appointment online and along with the routine stuff, I had listed that I wanted to have the original battery replaced with the specific larger Motorcraft AGM that everyone here has been going with. Told the service advisor the battery/electrical story and then they pulled my car into the service bays area. Couple hours later the service advisor said my car was done but there was one issue. Said the mechanic wouldn't put the larger battery in my car because that's not what the specs call for the 2020 Titanium hybrids. Got ahold of the service manager and explained that I didn't want the larger battery as a warranty claim(even though they all should be) and that I would pay for it. Was told it didn't matter who was paying, the larger AGM battery is wrong for my car and they weren't installing it. Wasn't worth the aggrevation to stand there and argue, so I'll just go back in a day or two and buy the battery myself over the parts counter and install it myself-unless the battery police have the area staked out!

Thanks to everyone here for the tips and information on this issue.

 

There is one thing I don't quite understand, though, about how a larger capacity battery helps with the "Deep Sleep" issue. I have about 5K miles over 18months, and do mostly short suburban trips. If I don't get enough ICE time to charge the smaller, stock 2020 battery sufficiently, how does a larger capacity battery solve that problem?

 

The larger capacity of the AGM battery would certainly help especially with the type of mileage and distance you are currently doing. To my knowledge everyone here that has switched to the AGM battery has advised that this solved the Deep Sleep and other issues with this model Escape.
The dealer has only done a bandaid fix in my view but in the meantime perhaps you can attach a trickle charger to your new replacement 'small' battery to avoid the cost of a new AGM for the moment which apparently will fit in your car regardless of what the dealer says as others here have done this.
Perhaps you could take your car to a battery specialist down the track to fit the proper AGM unit as I am sure they can find a way to make it fit as others obviously have. 😉

 

I have to thank the folks in this thread for giving me the basis for showing my dealer that an AGM battery would fix the constant deep sleep mode warning and the related problem of the passenger side intelligent access key not working. I give my dealer credit for persisting in their effort to fix the problems after 5 visits. Initially they said they had to replace the passenger door handle per Ford's request. They also did a parasitic draw test which showed no draw. They replaced a supposedly non functioning passenger signal turn signal module, and replaced some other computer module over the course of 5 visits to the dealer. The technician at first was concerned that the AGM battery would not fit but when he installed it, he noted that it did have some sort of adjustment that was for the larger battery. It's been 2 weeks since the AGM battery was installed and so far no problem. Ford probably had to pay much more for all the other labor costs and parts than to simply replace the battery. I suggest complaining to Ford customer relations (800-392-3673) in addition to your dealer about this. My technician said he was going to write up the information and send it to Ford who he thought should issue a technical service bulletin, but don't hold your breath. Other than this experience, I am very happy with the Escape.

 

I suggest complaining to Ford customer relations (800-392-3673) in addition to your dealer about this.

I too have this issue with my 2020 Escape Hybrid Titanium. The car went into a deep sleep 7 months back, couldn't open it, couldn't start it. Towed it to the dealer, and they've found nothing. A few days ago, this happened again. I'm still waiting for a verdict from the dealer 😑.

I called the number you've left, listed all issues with the vehicle. I think, it's good to let Ford know about this. More people call, faster they'll do something about this problem. Thank you!

 

I too want to thank everyone for this thread. I have a 2020 Escape Hybrid Titanium, purchased in Oct 2020. We have had the car not start 3 times due to a Flat Batt. Dealer claimed we must be leaving a door ajar, battery checks out fine. We now monitor the Ford app for the deep sleep mode, turned off the auto synch mode but am taking it back to the dealer tomorrow. Unfortunately, its a new dealer with a new crew and not quite sure what to expect. Thanks again.

 

My 2021 Escape plug-in (built Oct 2021) came with the small 12volt battery. My car was completely dead without power yesterday in my garage due to this 12volt battery discharging. It was driven for 1 1/2 hours just two days before and has been plugged-in to the hybrid battery charger for the entire last two days. I have nothing plugged-in to USBs or power outlets to drain power.

Ford’s roadside came out and jumped it. I took it in today and the dealer said the battery was fine after testing it. They said that it doesn’t matter that the owners manual says that my plug-in hybrid Escape should have the larger AGM battery in the specifications section. The dealer said my specific vehicle VIN bill-of-material calls for the small battery.

The dealer checked further and said that the 2021 regular hybrid came with the larger AGM but the 2021 plug-in hybrid comes with the small battery.

I paid $200 for them to replace it with the AGM as it’s not worth the aggravation to drive an unreliable car while fighting the stonewalling from Ford.

 

You better hope they reset the BMS and changed out the information to the AGM settings. Check your invoice from the dealer. Also when I had a similar problem my dealer replaced the battery after calling FORD for authorization. It did test ok at the dealer, but my car kept going into deep sleep. New battery lasted about 5 months and the problem has returned. Car is at the dealers now, not sure when I will get it back. I told them to put in the AGM battery as listed on the specification table before I will take it back. They have had it for two weeks now. I have a no cost loaner car that has cost them more than the cost of a battery but still they have not called to say my car is ready for pick up. Guess FORD is hardheaded about this battery issue.