# Ford Explorer battery warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 15 - **Most complaints:** 2020 (6) - **Related recalls:** 1 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 15 owner complaints about the battery warning light on the Ford Explorer (2015-2026 models), most for the **2020** model year (6). There is **1 recall** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: You can usually drive a short distance, often 30 minutes or less, before the battery runs down and the car stalls. ## Ford Explorer battery warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the battery light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 1 | 1814 | 0% | | 2016 | 1 | 2464 | 0% | | 2017 | 3 | 1713 | 0% | | 2019 | 2 | 302 | 1% | | 2020 | 6 | 1248 | 0% | | 2021 | 1 | 452 | 0% | | 2025 | 1 | 107 | 1% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Ford Explorer recalls related to the battery warning light **[23V626000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V626000)** (2020-2022 models, reported 2023-09-09): Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire. **Remedy:** Dealers will perform a Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) diagnostic test and replace the high voltage battery pack, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 8, 2024. Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Ford Explorer owners report - "Hybrid Fault - Service charging system fault displayed. Verified concern. Hooked up IDS and checked for codes. Multiple codes in multiple modules present for engine restart, battery, and low voltage conditions. Hooked up Ford battery tester and performed battery test on both the 12-volt main and auxiliary batteries..." -- owner of a 2025 Ford Explorer, complaint filed 2026 - "Also I am on battery number for due to the vehicle going in battery saver mode every time the battery starts to go bad and Ford has yet to figure out what is going on with my vehicle that is causing me to have bad batteries and causing it to go in the battery saver mode to preserve power within hours of the vehicle..." -- owner of a 2021 Ford Explorer, complaint filed 2024 - "CUSTOMER STATES THE CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON AND THERE IS A STARTING SYSTEM FAULT, PLEASE ADVISE VERIFIED CONCERN. RETRIEVED OTCS ANO P0A1E, U0120 PRESENT IN PCM. CLEARED ores AND LIGHT STAYED ON ANO BOTH RETURNED. CUSTOMER LEFT VEHICLE FOR DIAGNOSIS. PULLED VEHICLE INTO BAY AND WARNING LIGHTS OFF. RETRIEVED..." -- owner of a 2020 Ford Explorer, complaint filed 2026 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the battery warning light means The battery light means the charging system is not keeping the battery charged, and most often the alternator or the belt that drives it has failed. The car is running on stored battery power and may only go another 30 minutes or less before it stalls. If the temperature gauge also rises or steering gets heavy, the drive belt has likely broken and you should stop right away. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Failing alternator** (most common) 2. **Broken or slipping serpentine belt** (common) 3. **Loose or corroded battery cables** (common) 4. **Failing battery** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Battery (charging system) warning light](/warning-lights/battery). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Ford Explorer battery light? Yes. NHTSA lists 1 related recall (23V626000) covering 2020-2022 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Ford Explorer years have the most battery light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2017, 2019 and 2020 Explorer model years have the most complaints mentioning the battery warning light, with 6 for 2020. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Ford Explorer with the battery light on? Drive to a shop this week. You can usually drive a short distance, often 30 minutes or less, before the battery runs down and the car stalls. Stop driving right away if the temperature gauge rises, the steering gets heavy, or you smell burning rubber. ### How do I check if my Ford Explorer has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Ford dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Ford Explorer warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/ford-explorer): 33 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/ford-explorer): 205 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/ford-explorer): 62 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/ford-explorer): 314 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/ford-explorer): 222 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/ford-explorer): 11 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ford-explorer): 498 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/ford-explorer): 23 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/ford-explorer): 81 complaints ## Battery (charging system) warning light on other models - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/jeep-cherokee): 144 complaints - [Honda Odyssey](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/honda-odyssey): 45 complaints - [Kia Soul](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/kia-soul): 34 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/jeep-wrangler): 33 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/chrysler-pacifica): 32 complaints - [Honda Pilot](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/honda-pilot): 32 complaints - [Hyundai Sonata](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/hyundai-sonata): 31 complaints - [Kia Sorento](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/kia-sorento): 29 complaints - [Ford Escape](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/ford-escape): 27 complaints - [Hyundai Elantra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/hyundai-elantra): 26 complaints ## Ford Explorer - [Ford Explorer specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/ford-explorer) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/ford-explorer Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.