---
title: "2020-2025 Ford Explorer Battery Size and CCA"
description: "The 2020-2025 Ford Explorer uses a BCI group H6 (Group 48) battery rated at 760 cold cranking amps. AGM is required, not optional. Fitment, replacement notes, and what to check before you buy."
url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/battery"
updated: "2026-08-20"
---

# 2020-2025 Ford Explorer Battery Size (BCI Group and CCA)

The 2020-2025 Ford Explorer uses a BCI group H6 (Group 48) battery rated at 760 cold cranking amps. AGM is required, not optional. Fitment, replacement notes, and what to check before you buy.

**Quick answer**: The 2020-2025 Ford Explorer uses a Group H6 (Group 48) battery, 760 CCA, AGM required.

## 2020-2025 Ford Explorer battery specifications (High confidence)

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| BCI group size | H6 (Group 48) |
| Cold cranking amps | 760 CCA |
| Battery type | AGM |
| AGM required | Yes |
| Location | Under hood, rear center beneath the cowl/wiper panel. Cowl trim must come off, a 20-30 minute job |

Note: Auto start-stop requires an AGM replacement (Motorcraft BXT-48H6 style). An H7 (Group 94R) physically fits snugly and is a popular higher-CCA upgrade on STs. After replacement, do a BMS reset (or let the car sit to relearn) so start-stop works properly.

## 3.3L V6 Hybrid (2020-2024) battery (Check your manual)

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| BCI group size | H6 (Group 48) AGM, 12V auxiliary |
| Battery type | AGM |
| Location | Under hood, rear center below the cowl panel |

Note: The hybrid's 12V battery is separate from the liquid-cooled 1.5 kWh lithium-ion traction pack (under the vehicle). Confirm the installed group size before buying. Some hybrid builds differ from the gas models.

## Which Ford Explorer model years does this cover?

These battery specifications apply to every Ford Explorer built from 2020 through 2025, the U625 (6th generation), mid-size 3-row suv (rwd-based cd6 platform, rwd/awd; 2025 refresh). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years.

- [2020 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020)
- [2021 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2021)
- [2022 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2022)
- [2023 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2023)
- [2024 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2024)
- [2025 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2025)

## What changed during the 2020-2025 Ford Explorer

| Years | What changed |
| --- | --- |
| 2020 | Generation launch on RWD-based CD6 platform; 10-speed automatic across the board; hybrid and 400-hp ST debut; rocky launch quality (see common problems) |
| 2021 | King Ranch and off-road-flavored Timberline (265/65R18 ATs, full-size spare) added; Platinum keeps 365-hp 3.0L |
| 2022 | ST-Line (ST looks, 2.3L) added; ST available RWD; 3.0L Platinum/King Ranch rated 400 hp |
| 2024 | Carryover; final year for the 3.3L hybrid and King Ranch/Timberline/Limited trims |
| 2025 | Major refresh: new fascias, new interior with 13.2-in SYNC 4A touchscreen, trims consolidated to Active/ST-Line/Platinum/ST; hybrid dropped; 2.3L switches to FL-2127 oil filter (~5.0 qt) |

## 2020-2025 Ford Explorer battery: common questions

### What size battery does a 2020-2025 Ford Explorer take?

BCI group H6 (Group 48), rated at 760 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 2020-2025 Ford Explorer need?

At least 760 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 2020-2025 Ford Explorer need an AGM battery?

Yes. This vehicle requires AGM, not flooded. A flooded battery in a start-stop system is cycled far harder than it is designed for and fails early.

### Where is the battery on a 2020-2025 Ford Explorer?

Under hood, rear center beneath the cowl/wiper panel. Cowl trim must come off, a 20-30 minute job.

### Does a 2020-2025 Ford Explorer need the battery registered after replacement?

Auto start-stop requires an AGM replacement (Motorcraft BXT-48H6 style). An H7 (Group 94R) physically fits snugly and is a popular higher-CCA upgrade on STs. After replacement, do a BMS reset (or let the car sit to relearn) so start-stop works properly.

## Sources

- [2020 Explorer Owner's Manual, Capacities and Specifications (fordservicecontent.com)](https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Content?variantid=6725&languageCode=en&countryCode=USA&moidRef=G1635371&Uid=G1977553&ProcUid=G1988500&userMarket=CAN&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False&buildtype=web)
- [CarCareTruth, 2020-2026 Explorer oil type & capacity (from OEM manuals)](https://www.carcaretruth.com/engine-oil/ford-explorer-6th-gen)
- [NHTSA recall 23V-675 / Ford 23S55, rear axle bolt replacement](https://www.nhtsa.gov/?nhtsaId=23V675)
- [Ford recall 22S27 (NHTSA 22V-712), rear axle bolt software remedy](https://www.ford.com/support/campaign-details/22s27/)
- [NHTSA recall 23V-342 (Ford 23S23), 360-camera blue image](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2023/RCLRPT-23V342-5662.PDF)
- [Levittown Ford parts, FA-1947 / L1MZ-9601-A engine air filter (3.0L/3.3L)](https://www.levittownfordparts.com/sku/l1mz-9601-a.html)
- [Ford Parts Giant, JX6Z-19N619-B cabin air filter, 2020 Explorer](https://www.fordpartsgiant.com/oem-2020-ford-explorer-cabin_air_filter.html)
- [ExplorerST.org, factory H6 battery, fluid capacities (Mercon ULV, 75W-85 rear axle)](https://www.explorerst.org/threads/car-battery-recommendations.9879/)
- [fueleconomy.gov, 2021 Ford Explorer EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2021_Ford_Explorer.shtml)
- [Goodyear / Mavis, 2021-2024 Explorer OE tire sizes by trim](https://www.goodyear.com/en-us/vehicles/Ford/Explorer/2024)
- [Car and Driver, 2020 Explorer specs (fuel tank, curb weight, towing)](https://www.caranddriver.com/ford/explorer/specs/2020/ford_explorer_ford-explorer_2020)

## Other Ford Explorer generations

- [2012-2019 Ford Explorer battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/battery)

Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/battery).

## More for the 2020-2025 Ford Explorer

- [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/oil)
- [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/tires)
- [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/wipers)
- [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/filters)
- [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/bulbs)
- [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/brakes)
- [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/fluids)
- [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/service-schedule)
- [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/common-problems)
- [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/oil-reset)
- [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/key-fob-battery)
- [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/specs)

Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.