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Start-Stop Continues to Generate Controversy in 2025: Owners of Jeep, Fiat, BMW, Ford, and Mercedes Report Failures After Battery Replacement and Extra Costs.
The Start-Stop was created to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Its operation is simple: at quick stops, such as at traffic lights, the engine is automatically turned off and restarted when the accelerator is pressed.
Despite the promise of efficiency, in Brazil the system accumulates frequent complaints. In 2025, reports in workshops, consumer platforms, and mechanics’ evaluations point to three main problems:
- Failures After Battery Replacement, as it requires specific and more expensive components.
- Unexpected Shutdowns, which compromise drivability.
- Extra Costs for battery and starter motor maintenance, which suffer greater wear.
Jeep — Failures After Battery Replacement Stand Out
Among the brands with the most records, Jeep stands out. Models like Compass and Renegade, equipped with Start-Stop, accumulate complaints after the replacement of the original battery.
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Hyundai sells an executive minivan that looks like a VIP room on wheels: Custin carries 7 people, uses a 1.5 turbo engine with 168 hp, 8-speed automatic transmission, and costs around R$ 157,000 in direct conversion in Vietnam.
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The 7-seater Toyota that seems too cheap to exist in Brazil: Rush has a 1.5 engine, manual or automatic option, and a converted price close to R$ 81,000, while here families need to aim for much more expensive SUVs.
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The 2012 Mitsubishi Pajero Dakar diesel shows 314,000 km and still draws attention for its reputation for durability; the seven-seater 4×4 SUV handles trails, but signs of severe use may conceal losses for used car buyers.
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Peugeot publicly acknowledged the errors of the PureTech engine, which caused serious failures in hundreds of thousands of cars, and introduced the new Turbo 100 as a definitive solution, a 1.2 turbo tested for over 3 million kilometers that replaces the faulty belt with a more durable chain.
According to reports in workshops and on platforms like ReclameAqui, the system often does not function correctly after replacement. This happens because Start-Stop requires AGM or EFB batteries, which are more expensive than conventional ones, and sensitive to load variations.
A common mistake among owners is trying to install ordinary batteries, which leads to immediate failures. On average, replacement costs between R$ 1,200 and R$ 2,500, amounts higher than those paid for cars without the technology.
Fiat — Unexpected Shutdowns and Premature Wear
In the case of Fiat, reports concentrate on models like Argo and Toro. Owners cite unexpected shutdowns in slow traffic or difficulty restarting the engine in heavy traffic situations.
Workshops warn of the premature wear of the starter motor, which is activated numerous times in urban trips. Repair costs can exceed R$ 3,000 when components need to be replaced.
Automotive electronics specialists also highlight that Fiat’s system is sensitive to failures in the battery load sensor, which requires calibration after each replacement.
BMW — Advanced Technology, But Expensive Maintenance
Among premium brands, BMW ranks as one that incurs the highest costs with Start-Stop. The technology is present in almost all recent models from the automaker, such as the Series 3 and X1.
The most common problems reported in 2025 include:
- Early Wear of AGM Battery,
- Failures in Electronic Sensors,
- and Need for Software Updates.
Costs align with the premium standard: replacing the battery of a BMW with Start-Stop can cost up to R$ 5,000, according to specialized workshops.
Ford — History of Complaints in Brazil
Models from Ford such as EcoSport, Focus, and Fusion, which still circulate in the used market, also accumulate complaints related to Start-Stop.
Mechanics report that, in some cases, the system turns off the engine in inappropriate conditions, such as on inclines or at intersections, causing insecurity. Additionally, the battery lifespan is reduced by up to 40% compared to cars without the technology.
The average cost to keep the Start-Stop functional in Ford models varies between R$ 1,800 and R$ 3,500, depending on the need to replace the battery and reprogram electronic modules.
Mercedes-Benz — Sophistication Comes at a High Price
At Mercedes-Benz, Start-Stop is standard in almost the entire recent lineup sold in Brazil. While the engineering is robust, the Brazilian reality presents challenges: excessive heat, heavy traffic, and irregular maintenance.
The most common reports are of accelerated battery wear and the need for frequent replacements. Additionally, steering wheel and brake pedal position sensors may exhibit failures, deactivating the system.
The average cost of battery replacement in Mercedes models with Start-Stop ranges between R$ 3,000 and R$ 6,000, depending on the version.
Workshops Confirm: Higher Maintenance Costs Are a Reality
Independent and authorized workshops report that Start-Stop, although efficient in theory, increases the vehicle’s maintenance costs. This is because the system relies on:
- Special Batteries (AGM/EFB), which are more expensive and less durable in severe conditions.
- Electronic Modules that require reprogramming.
- Reinforced Starter Motors, which suffer more wear.
According to mechanics’ surveys in São Paulo, the cost of preventive and corrective maintenance can be up to 40% higher in vehicles with Start-Stop compared to conventional models.
The Impact on the Used Market
In the used market in 2025, vehicles with Start-Stop generate doubts among buyers. The possibility of having to spend R$ 2,000 to R$ 5,000 on a battery or dealing with electronic failures deters some consumers.
Automotive market experts recommend that buyers assess:
- Whether the system is active and functioning during the test drive;
- Whether the installed battery is compatible (AGM or EFB);
- And whether there is a documented history of replacements.
The Start-Stop system continues to divide opinions in 2025. For manufacturers, it is an advancement in energy efficiency and emissions reduction. For Brazilian owners, however, the technology is still synonymous with frequent complaints, high costs and maintenance and premature wear.
Jeep, Fiat, BMW, Ford, and Mercedes appear among the brands with the most recorded problems – whether from failures after battery replacement, unexpected shutdowns, or high-cost repairs.
The alert is clear: those who own or intend to acquire a car with Start-Stop should prepare for extra maintenance costs and heightened attention in specialized workshops.
Tenho Tcross não tenho problemas mas com bateria comum so funciona o sistema no começo depois parou, coloquei uma EFB que custou 770 reais e não tenho problemas. Qto ao combustível não tenho vantagem nenhuma, controlo todos os pingos do álcool semanalmente, na verdade até baixou minha quilometragem semanal. Se esse perrengues acontece por ser muito perigoso, eliminar seria mais seguro no meu ponto de vista. Acho que as montadoras deve investir num motor mais econômico e no piloto automático…+66
Tenho um Virtus 2023 com 35.000 km, e super indico o star stop, que além da opção de desligar no multimídia, possui um sistema que só aciona se pisar mais forte no pedal do freio, ou seja não fica desligando em qualquer parada, só aciono em paradas de mais de 1 minuto. Só não gosto que o acc ao detectar uma moto que cruza na frente, ou o veículo a frente que anda dois metros e para, para ligar o carro antes da hora desejada, isso a Volkswagen tem que cancelar.
Vamos esclarecer:
Os carros com STAR STOP geralmente usam baterias EFB, que custam entre 450 e 900 Reais. Um simples Renault Sandero 2018 em diante também usa, mesmo sem o sistema.
Bateria AGM custam entre 1500 e 2500 reais, mas só carros muito caros usam.
Os carros já não são mais os mesmos de 10 anos atrás, só isso !!!
Tenho um Creta Action, carro barato, e a bateria é AGM, portanto não é só em carros caros a tem elas.