A vehicle traction battery assembly is provided which may include a housing, a battery system supported within the housing, and a connector electrically connected with the system and extending through and away from the recessed face into a region normal to the recessed face and adjacent to the ledge such that the ledge limits travel of objects into the region impacting the lateral end. The lateral end may have a step configuration defined by the ledge and the recessed face. The housing may also include a middle face extending between the ledge face and recessed face, opposing side faces, and a lower face. The connector may be a battery control interface connector, an accessory connector, or a high-voltage connector.