Ford Explorer battery location
For the checked 2017, 2020 and 2024 Explorer examples, Ford places the primary 12V battery in the engine compartment. Earlier information on this page was inaccurate. A 2024 Explorer hybrid also has a separate secondary 12V battery behind luggage-compartment trim. Match the year, powertrain and battery before service.
Which battery are you looking for?
- Primary 12V battery: under the hood in Ford’s checked 2017, 2020 and 2024 Explorer references.
- Hybrid secondary 12V battery: Ford’s 2024 hybrid guide places it behind luggage-compartment trim. The hybrid service tree has a separate auxiliary-battery procedure.
- Hybrid high-voltage pack: a different system underneath the vehicle; do not treat the luggage-compartment 12V battery as the traction pack.
Ford warns that some vehicles have more than one 12V battery. Disconnecting one battery may leave electrical power connected. Use the exact vehicle procedure and keep clear of high-voltage components.
Read Ford’s 2024 hybrid battery sectionChecked Ford and service-manual examples
The Ford owner guides establish the location; the links beside each example open the matching hosted service reference. These examples do not prove a battery part fits every Explorer of that year.
2017 Ford Explorer Base, 2.3L Eng VIN H, FWD
2.3L EcoBoost
Ford’s under-hood overview labels the 12V battery in the engine compartment. The 2.3L parts table lists BXT-59 and lists BXT-65-650 for vehicles with Intelligent Access; equipment matters.
2020 Ford Explorer Base, 2.3L Eng VIN H, RWD
2.3L EcoBoost
Ford’s 2.3L under-hood overview labels the primary 12V battery. The parts table lists Motorcraft BAGM-48H6-760; the service archive has a separate main Battery removal leaf.
2020 Ford Explorer Limited Hybrid, RWD
3.3L hybrid
The checked hybrid service tree separates its primary Battery procedure from an Auxiliary Battery procedure. Identify which 12V battery needs service before disconnecting anything.
2024 Ford Explorer Base, 2.3L Eng VIN H, RWD
2.3L EcoBoost
Ford places the primary 12V battery under the hood. This exact 2.3L service specification lists H6 AGM, 70 Ah and 720 CCA; the owner-guide parts table lists BAGM-48H6-760.
2024 Ford Explorer ST, RWD
3.0L EcoBoost
The 3.0L under-hood overview also labels the primary 12V battery. Its exact ST archive has a main Battery removal leaf; verify the trim and VIN before applying it.
Before replacing a battery
Check the installed battery label, VIN, engine, hybrid equipment and Auto-Start-Stop specification. Ford’s 2017 2.3L parts table lists different batteries for Intelligent Access equipment. Its checked 2020 and 2024 parts tables list Motorcraft BAGM-48H6-760 for the primary battery, and the checked 2024 2.3L service table calls for H6 AGM. A charging or battery-management fault should be tested before buying a battery.
Compare the checked 2024 2.3L primary-battery specification
This is a search for H6 AGM batteries using the Ford-listed BAGM-48H6-760 reference. Search results are not verified fits. Confirm the VIN, installed battery, terminal orientation, venting and Ford specification before ordering. This search is for the primary battery, not a hybrid auxiliary or high-voltage battery.
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This vehicle's factory manual
Ford Explorer: choose your year, then confirm the engine, trim, or drivetrain to open the available repair and diagnosis sections.