--- title: "2012-2019 Ford Explorer Battery: Group 65, 650 CCA" description: "The 2012-2019 Ford Explorer uses a BCI group 65 battery rated at 650 cold cranking amps. Fitment, replacement notes, and what to check before you buy." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/battery" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2012-2019 Ford Explorer Battery Size (BCI Group and CCA) The 2012-2019 Ford Explorer uses a BCI group 65 battery rated at 650 cold cranking amps. Fitment, replacement notes, and what to check before you buy. **Quick answer**: The 2012-2019 Ford Explorer uses a Group 65 battery, 650 CCA. ## 2012-2019 Ford Explorer battery specifications (High confidence) | Spec | Value | | --- | --- | | BCI group size | 65 | | Cold cranking amps | 650 CCA | | Battery type | FLOODED | | AGM required | No | | Location | Engine bay | Note: Factory battery is a flooded BCI Group 65, Motorcraft BXT-65-650 (650 CCA) standard; heavier-optioned/Police vehicles got 750-850 CCA versions (BXT-65-750, BXT-65-850). Any quality Group 65 with 650+ CCA fits. No start-stop system on this generation, so AGM is optional. ## Which Ford Explorer model years does this cover? These battery specifications apply to every Ford Explorer built from 2012 through 2019, the U502 (5th generation), mid-size 3-row crossover suv (unibody, fwd/awd). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2012 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012) - [2013 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2013) - [2014 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2014) - [2015 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2015) - [2016 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2016) - [2017 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2017) - [2018 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2018) - [2019 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2019) ## What changed during the 2012-2019 Ford Explorer | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | 2.0L EcoBoost joins as an FWD-only economy option (no tow package) | | 2013 | Explorer Sport added: 365-hp 3.5L EcoBoost, AWD, 352mm brakes, 20-in wheels | | 2014 | Essentially unchanged: a few new exterior colors added; Limited trim gains standard heated second-row seats | | 2015 | Essentially unchanged: Limited trim adds an available adaptive cruise control option, with second-row heated seats offered as an option lineup-wide | | 2016 | Major facelift: new front/rear styling, 280-hp 2.3L EcoBoost replaces the 2.0L, Platinum trim (3.5L EcoBoost) added, SYNC 3 arrives mid-cycle; low-beam bulb changes to H11 | | 2018-2019 | Minor updates; carryover mechanicals in the final years before the RWD-platform redesign | ## 2012-2019 Ford Explorer battery: common questions ### What size battery does a 2012-2019 Ford Explorer take? BCI group 65, rated at 650 cold cranking amps from the factory. Group size is a physical dimension and terminal-position standard, so a battery from a different group may not clamp down or may put the terminals on the wrong side. ### How many CCA does a 2012-2019 Ford Explorer need? At least 650 CCA. Going higher is harmless and helps in cold climates; going lower is how a vehicle that started fine in October stops starting in January. ### Does the 2012-2019 Ford Explorer need an AGM battery? The factory battery is a conventional flooded type. AGM is a valid upgrade, but never downgrade from AGM to flooded. ### Where is the battery on a 2012-2019 Ford Explorer? Engine bay. ### Does a 2012-2019 Ford Explorer need the battery registered after replacement? Factory battery is a flooded BCI Group 65, Motorcraft BXT-65-650 (650 CCA) standard; heavier-optioned/Police vehicles got 750-850 CCA versions (BXT-65-750, BXT-65-850). Any quality Group 65 with 650+ CCA fits. No start-stop system on this generation, so AGM is optional. ## Sources - [Ford. What is the recommended engine oil for my vehicle? (oil/filter lookup)](https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/oil-change/oil-change-information/what-is-the-recommended-engine-oil-for-my-vehicle/) - [NHTSA EA17-002 ODI resume, Explorer exhaust odor engineering analysis](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2017/INOA-EA17002-5925.PDF) - [NHTSA recall 21V-537 (Ford 21S32), rear suspension toe link](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2021/RCLRPT-21V537-1447.PDF) - [NHTSA recall 24V-031 (Ford 24S02), A-pillar trim detachment](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V031-8781.PDF) - [Ford Authority / CarComplaints, 3.5L water pump class action dismissed after settlement](https://fordauthority.com/2024/01/ford-water-pump-lawsuit-settlement-ends-class-action/) - [Ford.com parts, Motorcraft BXT-65-850 Group 65 battery fitment](https://www.ford.com/product/vehicle-battery-p4000109971) - [Ford.com parts, Motorcraft SP-546 spark plug (gap 0.045)](https://www.ford.com/product/spark-plug-p4000139430) - [Ford.com parts, Motorcraft FP-70 cabin air filter (CV6Z-19N619-A)](https://www.ford.com/product/cabin-air-filter-p4000138624) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2013 and 2017 Ford Explorer EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2017_Ford_Explorer.shtml) - [WiperBladesUSA, 2016 Explorer wiper sizes 26/22/11](https://www.wiperbladesusa.com/wiper-size/ford/explorer/2016) ## Other Ford Explorer generations - [2020-2025 Ford Explorer battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/battery) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/battery). ## More for the 2012-2019 Ford Explorer - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/oil) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.