SSM 55111 Reduced Driving Range due to Possible Battery Cell Issue

[Mike G]

If your truck exhibits this symptom, this explanation and resolution may be of interest to you.

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[Zprime29]

Bookmarked, hopefully won't ever need it. The closer to the 100k mark I get, the more often I'm going to charge to 100% to keep an eye out for it.

 

[bmwhitetx]

This is almost verbatim to SSM 53208 that applied to 22-23 trucks and many of us experienced. Looks like they expanded to all Lightnings including the 2026 model year . Does anyone proof these things?

A reminder the fix is almost always to replace one of the nine battery modules (aka array) due to a bad cell.

And you will never know you have the issue if you only charge to 85-90%. Only when trying to go above 85-90% will you notice it.

 

[RickLightning]

And the issues keep on coming....

 

[potato]

And the issues keep on coming....

Isn't it kind of inevitable that a few more batteries will fail or other issues crop up as time goes on?

As long as they keep up with fixes for the issues, it seems like business as usual. They haven't hung us out to dry yet (knock on wood)...

 

[GoodSam]

Isn't it kind of inevitable that a few more batteries will fail or other issues crop up as time goes on?

Just too high of a failure rate to feel comfortable past 8 years or 100K miles. What is the cost of having an extended warranty that covers the batteries beyond that?

 

[RickLightning]

Just too high of a failure rate to feel comfortable past 8 years or 100K miles. What is the cost of having an extended warranty that covers the batteries beyond that?

None exist.

 

[jefrank]

I'm just over 50% (<200 miles) of the mileage component and barely under the time (3 days) component of my battery's warranty... feels like I have ~3 years to decide whether to sell the truck, for Ford to decide to buy it back or give us new batteries, or for batteries to get cheap enough that it's not a major cost to replace them. If none of that happens, my risk in keeping the vehicle starts to grow at a serious clip.

 

[JMD359]

Just too high of a failure rate to feel comfortable past 8 years or 100K miles. What is the cost of having an extended warranty that covers the batteries beyond that?

And the issues keep on coming....

Agree , it’s not very confidence inspiring . The issue is Ford didn’t make enough of these for there to ever be a reason for the aftermarket to embrace them . It’s not like a Prius or Camry hybrid battery pack where they sold a ton of them and making a replacement pack aftermarket would pay off

 

[Henry Ford]

Just too high of a failure rate to feel comfortable past 8 years or 100K miles. What is the cost of having an extended warranty that covers the batteries beyond that?

What is the failure rate?

 

[Gimme_my_MME]

An SSM does not always mean there is a new issue. It can be that enough techs were submitting questions on a topic that clarification was needed and sent to everyone instead of answering individual questions.

 

[Henry Ford]

I'm just over 50% (<200 miles) of the mileage component and barely under the time (3 days) component of my battery's warranty... feels like I have ~3 years to decide whether to sell the truck, for Ford to decide to buy it back or give us new batteries, or for batteries to get cheap enough that it's not a major cost to replace them. If none of that happens, my risk in keeping the vehicle starts to grow at a serious clip.

What does a battery cell replacement cost? How much depreciation will you realize by selling your truck? How much does the replacement vehicle cost?

I don't know the answers to the above questions but I know it's rarely a good financial move to sell an old vehicle and buy a new one.

The shock of a large repair bill can definitely strain personal finances. This can be mitigated by regularly setting aside money for such occurrences. Modern banking makes this easy and you can consider it part of your car payment. If your vehicle never breaks down you have cash on hand to do whatever you want with.

Sorry for the tangent.

 

[jefrank]

What does a battery cell replacement cost? How much depreciation will you realize by selling your truck? How much does the replacement vehicle cost?

I don't know the answers to the above questions but I know it's rarely a good financial move to sell an old vehicle and buy a new one.

The shock of a large repair bill can definitely strain personal finances. This can be mitigated by regularly setting aside money for such occurrences. Modern banking makes this easy and you can consider it part of your car payment. If your vehicle never breaks down you have cash on hand to do whatever you want with.

Sorry for the tangent.

All understood and would have to factor into my ultimate decision. I'll be almost 64 in 3 years and maybe keeping a full-sized truck won't be viable by then anyway. Lots of variables to consider.

 

[GoodSam]

What is the failure rate?

Originally for the 2022-23s Ford issued a 4% of EVs for one or more HV modules to be replaced. I had the Ford recall 25S18 before any failures, where 3 of the 9 SR modules were replaced (taking 7 weeks for dealer). But it seems to me, without any real stats, that at least 10% of trucks have been in for battery module replacements that probably cost $4000 for the parts and another $2000 for labor? $6K to keep the Lightning going? Or will the hassle of other possible failures of coolant valves, motors, converters, a/c, add to the $ pain of trying (with poor dealers and part delays) to keep this amazing vehicle going? See my spreadsheet in my signature for tracking of reported battery module replacements.

 

[GoodSam]

None exist.

see this site for Battery only coverage with $500 deductible...looks like about $4000 for coverage until 2036
https://www.xcelerateauto.com/xcare
"Its high-voltage battery and drive-unit coverage generally requires the vehicle to be less than 7 years old and under 100,000 miles when purchased. Older EVs may still qualify for coverage on other components, but not the battery."
but not sure what happens to costs if already at 7+ years, 90K miles.
So, I put in for a 2021 Mach-E with 90K miles and it gives COVERAGE UNTIL SEP. 2036 or 240,000 miles $4,452
Term length: 10 years / 150,000 miles
So maybe there is some hope?

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