Go with a Motocraft battery

[speedknot]

My 2019 GT needed a new battery. I've had nothing but horrible results with the aftermarket batteries in my other cars.(Interstate, Exide, Diehard, Duralast) These batteries would last maybe 2-3 years. I loath going to the dealer for anything, but since I got 7 years out of the OEM battery, I figured I'd give it a try. Ford had them in stock for $176. A decent aftermarket one was $230+. The kicker was that, I then got robbed for $21 for a single proprietary frame bolt for my older stang.

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[pinksurfer]

you do realize that motorcraft are made side by side with duralast and die hard.
all come out of the same plants and I would doubt seriously they are using any different materials between brands.
I've had really good luck with walmart branded batteries and they are made with all of the above as well. solid return policy if anything happens and here in the desert, 3 years is about average with the heat.

 

[geep81]

you do realize that motorcraft are made side by side with duralast and die hard.
all come out of the same plants and I would doubt seriously they are using any different materials between brands.

It isn't the quality of materials but quality of QC and overseeing the process.

I would bet Ford QC is stronger and they have more testing done to their batteries run from the same factory as Duralast and Die Hard. Ford have more to lose with warranty claims and customer complaints than Die Hard does at retail counters.

 

[pinksurfer]

It isn't the quality of materials but quality of QC and overseeing the process.

I would bet Ford QC is stronger and they have more testing done to their batteries run from the same factory as Duralast and Die Hard. Ford have more to lose with warranty claims and customer complaints than Die Hard does at retail counters.

I would bet a lunch there are no more or less or different people manning the production lines when making duralast and motorcraft. and if you think ford cares about q/c check the current recalls lists it's all about acceptable losses vs profit.

car batteries are not designed to last 7 years but can in colder climates under the right conditions and the op got lucky with that one imo. likely won't see the same results on his new one. car batteries are only expected to be 3-4 years with use, heat and load playing a major factor in them so it's tough to compare lifespans when installed in different cars with different uses/loads.

 

[Johnny maverick]

I'm on my 3rd battery under warranty since 22 in my maverick. Ford is having some issues with batteries. I like interstate. My interstate in my jeep and tractor are 20 years old.

 

[Pistol_91]

I haven't bought motorcraft anything besides maybe an oil filter if it's the only choice in years. Generic.

 

[Strokerswild]

It isn't the quality of materials but quality of QC and overseeing the process.

I would bet Ford QC is stronger and they have more testing done to their batteries run from the same factory as Duralast and Die Hard. Ford have more to lose with warranty claims and customer complaints than Die Hard does at retail counters.

I truly believe that this is the case, I've had the best luck with Motorcraft batteries than anything else. Older Die Hards were a close second.

I had one Motorcraft last over 20 years. The one in my '15 went 10, and the one in my F150 is 7 and going strong.

 

[robvas]

AGM, stored inside the car is the way to go. Not sure why Ford doesn't do that with the Mustang. Those last forever.

 

[speedknot]

I get it that the big companies like Exide and Johnson Controls makes the batteries everyone rebrands, but there is something about my OEM batteries that have lasted longer than the aftermarket ones. I should clarify, my aftermarket batteries don't die. I have the issue with them always venting out from the posts. For some odd reason, our oem mustang battery is $50+ cheaper than an aftermarket as well. The oem battery in my Pathfinder lasted almost 8 years.

 

[DougS550]

I get it that the big companies like Exide and Johnson Controls makes the batteries everyone rebrands, but there is something about my OEM batteries that have lasted longer than the aftermarket ones. I should clarify, my aftermarket batteries don't die. I have the issue with them always venting out from the posts. For some odd reason, our oem mustang battery is $50+ cheaper than an aftermarket as well. The oem battery in my Pathfinder lasted almost 8 years.

When I bought my 19 new, my battery went bad in 2022. I bought a AGM and keep a battery maintainer on it 24x7 since then. Some people have good luck with batteries lasting and some do not. Driving habits, and weather I feel have a lot to do with battery longevity.

 

[Joe Gonsalves]

Long ago due to EPA regulations on lead, Exide became one of very few manufactures left standing in the US. They make batteries for everybody. What separates them is how they are spec'd out. Ford may call for thicker plates and plastic casing. Those are the prime indicators as to the longevity and warranty of the battery. Aside from those differentiators, all lead acid batteries are the same. I personally have used Diehard Gold and got good use out of them. I've also used Everstart (Walmart) and managed about 5 years out of them. What would I put in my Mustang when the time comes? OEM, only because I want to stick with brand loyalty on that car.

 

[John S]

I'm on my 3rd battery under warranty since 22 in my maverick. Ford is having some issues with batteries.

Both 2022 Mustangs in the family had batteries that lasted only two years. Bit the bullet replacing them with $125 Costco Interstate batteries rather than risking repairs from a careless dealer.

 

[DougS550]

Both 2022 Mustangs in the family had batteries that lasted only two years. Bit the bullet replacing them with $125 Costco Interstate batteries rather than risking repairs from a careless dealer.

I actually Like Interstate batteries the most even though I didn't know who sells them where I am at. I will definitely go to Costco when my next car battery fails. Thanks

 

[Ironpeddler]

Both 2022 Mustangs in the family had batteries that lasted only two years. Bit the bullet replacing them with $125 Costco Interstate batteries rather than risking repairs from a careless dealer.

This is exactly the direction I went in a month or so ago. I'm in NJ and when we had that bad ice storm in January, the Mustang was encased in 3" of ice so it sat for three weeks because then another 24" storm followed 2 weeks later. All that cold trashed the battery. I shopped like crazy for a battery, couldn't find an AGM and Ford didn't have one in stock (2.3L HO engine)...so I went with the Costco Interstate battery. It seems to have the cold cranking power the car needs and now my radio doesn't turn on by itself and my trunk doesn't pop open on it's own.

I think we have to look at batteries differently now a days....they are more cheaply made and flat out don't last as long. I also have an old 2008 Edge (our Beachmobile) and I lost count of how many batteries I've gone through in that car. They seem to last about 3-4 years and that's it. Those came from Autozone and Advanced Auto.

 

[wingnutt]

meh, c'est la vie…

got seven years on the first motorcraft, and I’m three years into another one.

and yes, I live in the south with plenty of heat

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