Why am I seeing this message? System off to save battery

[BroncoOB]

I've noticed this message for a few weeks and am curious what is causing it; it appears after I turn the ignition off. Is the battery going bad and needs to be replaced?

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[Smocaine]

If it's happening constantly, your battery is getting weak. The Bronco's battery management system and frequent draws for connectivity for FordPass and key detection tend to kill them pretty fast - I've seen about 3 years be a typical lifespan. If you have a '21 or '22 it's probably about that time.

 

[BroncoOB]

If it's happening constantly, your battery is getting weak. The Bronco's battery management system and frequent draws for connectivity for FordPass and key detection tend to kill them pretty fast - I've seen about 3 years be a typical lifespan. If you have a '21 or '22 it's probably about that time.

Thanks, it is a 21, guess it's time to make a trip to Costco.

 

[userdude]

Auto parts stores can test them and let you know if the battery is going dead. Costco might, I dunno.

 

[Lucky Nut]

Thanks, it is a 21, guess it's time to make a trip to Costco.

I also have a '21 and was getting this message every night. I bought the NOCO 10 and followed the instructions in the top post on page 2 of this thread:

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...er-and-battery-management-system.82448/page-2

Haven't had an issue since.

 

[SoDak1623]

Your battery is on its way out. My factory battery was a dud and made it about 1.5 years. Its replacement just flatlined last week after 1.5 years and Ford replaced it under warranty in my driveway. Between the horrible QC on batteries and the Bronco's stock battery software only charging them to 75-80% to increase MPG, odds are you will see frequent battery replacements. It's very frustrating IMO.

Edit: as of 12/2/25 I was notified that it turns out that the batteries only have 12 months of warranty when replaced under warranty for whatever reason, so I get to eat the second replacement. Screw Ford and their dogshit batteries and warranty policies, I'd recommend you buy a quality aftermarket AGM.

 

[Appalachia_Ewok]

I was half wondering if they did some dumb update that boogered things up because mine started doing this last week as well.

 

[Dral97]

Mine was doing this every few months when I first got my 21. I think it was because it sat for awhile on a lot without being started up. It hasn't done it for a good year or so at this point.

Anyway, yah, likely battery related, though seeing that warning and the 'shutdown' is disconcerting when you first see it. Mine's done it before while I was driving, then comes right back on again.

 

[BroncoOB]

Yup, the message is misleading because I get it after turning off the ignition, and the dome lights stop working when I come back to the Bronco the next time.

 

[Bikeric]

You need to take your Bronco on a highway drive at 70+mph for an hour or longer. Let that alternator charge up the battery. Mine showed that same message before but it hasn't come back since a quick road trip. I was watching the Volt meter during the drive and it hit 15.3V which seems high to me, but no issues since.

 

[Stangchasr]

I have been getting the same message for a while and thought my battery was bad, but the dealer tested it and said it passed and doesn't need to be replaced yet. It’s still under warranty, I wonder if they would have recommended replacing it if it wasn’t.

 

[EasternSierra]

Not a Bronco, but my Ford Transit Connect van has had this problem since we installed a Viofo dashcam. I just found out yesterday that this is a widespread glitch with this product that's best solved by unplugging it when you leave the vehicle for any length of time. Last night I found the unit turning on and off repeatedly on a cycle of a minute or so after I turned the vehicle off. After going through the settings, I had to unplug it to stop the cycling.

Whether you have a Viofo or some other brand of dashcam or other aftermarket device installed, consider checking its behavior if the message started popping up after it was installed.

 

[TX-Dennis]

First thing to try is charging your battery either by taking a long highway trip or hooking up a battery charger for a few hours.

If that works, you're good to go for awhile. If it doesn't, you need a new battery.

 

[michelle227]

I learned long ago to never expect more than two years out of a factory-installed Motorcraft battery.

After getting more than a decade out of the factory AGM in the Miata, I became a big fan of true AGM (not the lead-acid posers some places sell). Also, get a battery tender if you aren't driving it regularly...

 

[ColbyLang]

Off to get a new battery for our 21 OBX in the morning. 4 years out of it, not mad. Charged it twice over the course of the week. Still getting the power saving message every other day or two

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