Battery Module Replacement Cost Out of Warranty (SSM55111) 103k miles

[El Duderino]

If all your original modules are fairly degraded and one goes out and needs to be replaced, does that mean it can't be replaced with a new one since it would outside the tolerance?

Yes. You need a whole new pack in this instance.

Tesla Model S community knows this well. It's why all the wrecked Model S from Copart/IAAI get purchased just for low mileage packs to be swapped into older high mileage Model S. The modules are too far gone to replace with another module in some instances.

Tes X is a business that does lots of this exact swap.

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[Pitbull2o08]

Why isn’t @Ford Motor Company even commenting that they’re away of the issue?

 

[Zprime29]

Why isn’t @Ford Motor Company even commenting that they’re away of the issue?

We know Ford is aware, but there's either nothing they're going to do about it or there's nothing Brian is allowed to say on the matter. Both options stink of Ford Corp, can't blame Brian here. If Ford doesn't want the Lightning crowd to bad mouth and dissuade potential buyers of the Fathom, it would be in Corp's best interest to step up to the plate and not stay silent.

 

[Henry Ford]

I wanted a price for them to replace the module. I know what the issue is (or will be since it’s still not an actual problem). Truck still drives fine, however it’s the uncertainty. Especially driving with kids and for work daily not being able to be out of a vehicle.

If they had said it was $6000 to replace it and they’d order it that day, I was ready to get the truck repaired. Instead, they said they need it for a week just to diagnose.

The truck could be fine for another 50k even with one had module, or I can get it fixed and then one of the other 8 goes in a week. Like I said, uncertainty and no guarantee of after repair.

Your expectation is unrealistic. The truck has nine modules, but they aren't the same part numbers. It will take some amount of time to diagnose which module needs replaced, what parts need to be ordered, and how long the book says it should take. That amount of time surely isn't measured in days but it's not measured in minutes either.

There's no reason for a dealership to keep your truck for more than a day. They should be able to schedule an appointment to diagnose the problem and another appointment to fix it.

I've had the exact same issue you are experiencing. I was without my truck for about three days in total and I was able to use it between appointments. If your dealership isn't willing to work with you I suggest finding a different dealership.

If you think this level of service is unsatisfactory - a completely rational perspective - sell it and move on to a manufacturer with better service.

 

[asdad123]

Your expectation is unrealistic. The truck has nine modules, but they aren't the same part numbers. It will take some amount of time to diagnose which module needs replaced, what parts need to be ordered, and how long the book says it should take. That amount of time surely isn't measured in days but it's not measured in minutes either.

There's no reason for a dealership to keep your truck for more than a day. They should be able to schedule an appointment to diagnose the problem and another appointment to fix it.

I've had the exact same issue you are experiencing. I was without my truck for about three days in total and I was able to use it between appointments. If your dealership isn't willing to work with you I suggest finding a different dealership.

If you think this level of service is unsatisfactory - a completely rational perspective - sell it and move on to a manufacturer with better service.

I was fully ready to wait there the day while they diagnosed it. I had everything I needed for work that day and was going to sit in their lounge. Then they drop the thing that it will take them a week to diagnose made my decision easy.

The truck has been great to me, but the Ford service has been lack luster. I was without the truck for 3 weeks for the frunk not opening (even though I told them it was the actuator, it took them 3 weeks and swapping 3 parts before finally swapping the actuator and fixing the issue). Not to mention dropping it off the jack and not even doing a tire rotation correctly. It's time to try something new and I have a Sierra EV sitting in my driveway.

 

[Firn]

There aren't a ton of independent EV mechanics but WattWorks in NC demonstrated the process well. Don't want to say anyone could do it, but it's mostly about safely lifting the truck to have enough clearance to be able to (again safely) lower the pack.

Could see this being theoretically possible with 12-ton jack stands and a custom built platform with bottle jacks to lower the pack.

The pack is serviced from its top once removed and just bolts back together.

The difficult part isnt dropping the pack, that could be done with some dollies and a 2 post (or even jack stands). Set pack on something, lift truck off.

The hard part is the module itself. That is pretty heavy in itself, is relatively fragile pouch cells, and is semi-glued to the housing. Not sure if would Jerry rig the lifting situation when basically handling an incendiary bomb.

It looks pretty straight-forward, but certainly not simple. The other issue is determining which module to use from the second pack, not sure there is any way to easily test them outside the truck

 

[Mike G]

Having a tech who’s free with one of their FDRS laptops, a VCM, and about 15 minutes to run the battery health test is all they would need. I’ve run the test myself a couple of times. It’s not hard.

 

[B177y]

I was fully ready to wait there the day while they diagnosed it. I had everything I needed for work that day and was going to sit in their lounge. Then they drop the thing that it will take them a week to diagnose made my decision easy.

The truck has been great to me, but the Ford service has been lack luster. I was without the truck for 3 weeks for the frunk not opening (even though I told them it was the actuator, it took them 3 weeks and swapping 3 parts before finally swapping the actuator and fixing the issue). Not to mention dropping it off the jack and not even doing a tire rotation correctly. It's time to try something new and I have a Sierra EV sitting in my driveway.

Your unfortunate experience sounds more like a problem with that specific dealer/service center, and not necessarily a Ford problem.

As has been suggested a couple of times in this thread already, I would try another dealer/service center.

 

[Free Charging]

Your unfortunate experience sounds more like a problem with that specific dealer/service center, and not necessarily a Ford problem.

As has been suggested a couple of times in this thread already, I would try another dealer/service center.

When I needed.a module replacement, every Atlanta-area dealership required I drop the truck off for the duration of the diagnosis and repair, with no guarantee when it would occur. Just my (negative) experience.

 

[Mike G]

When I needed.a module replacement, every Atlanta-area dealership required I drop the truck off for the duration of the diagnosis and repair, with no guarantee when it would occur. Just my (negative) experience.

What would happen if you told them you wanted to know what day to bring it in and wait for the test to be done?

I do that all the time. My dealership has one EV tech who is also the transmission tech. So he has a steady workload schedule. I bring my truck in on the day we agree on, and the EV tech works on my truck and I wait in the lounge.

It kinda sounds like they really don't want you to bring your truck in at all.

 

[Free Charging]

What would happen if you told them you wanted to know what day to bring it in and wait for the test to be done?

I do that all the time. My dealership has one EV tech who is also the transmission tech. So he has a steady workload schedule. I bring my truck in on the day we agree on, and the EV tech works on my truck and I wait in the lounge.

It kinda sounds like they really don't want you to bring your truck in at all.

Asked that, but all three were consistent that for EVs (because limited EV techs?) that their policy was you must drop the vehicle and wait for them to get to it.

 

[Mike G]

Asked that, but all three were consistent that for EVs (because limited EV techs?) that their policy was you must drop the vehicle and wait for them to get to it.

I get that...but still they do know when the EV tech will be at work right? My dealership gets plenty of work but they still can schedule somebody...This whole drop it off and we'll get around to it BS assumes you have more than one vehicle to drive, and all the time in the world to wait around on them. I'm glad my dealership isn't like that.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Some of these shops need to develop a better outlook on customer service, @Ford Motor Company penalize them for turn aways and discouraging customer engagement at the service level, do not renew the franchise agreement below a certain QR rating, the ball is in their court and the aggressive customer centric shops will thrive while others die on the vine.

 

[Grumpy2]

, do not renew the franchise agreement below a certain QR rating, the ball is in their court

This is a continuation of the same issues of Dealer Anti-EV behavior that impacted the Lightning sales in 2022-23. My dealer has embraced the EV future, but most of the others within 80 miles not so much.

If FORD fails to correct this behavior, the Fathom will surely undersell for the first 1-3 years, just as the Lightning did. The Dealers must want to sell and service the EV

 

[El Duderino]

@asdad123 Post a picture of that new Sierra EV !

Did you trade your Lightning?

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