Too Darn Hot – Ford Mustang Mach-E Recall

Sudden power loss or no start. Where’s the “stop driving until fixed” recommendation?

Ford Motor Company is recalling all 48,924 2021-2022 Mustang Mach-E vehicles in the US. The high-voltage battery main contactors may overheat, melt and fail causing a sudden power loss in the worst case. The potentially unsafe vehicles were built in Mexico (Cuautitlan) May 27, 2020 through May 24, 2022. Ford has a software update in process so that dealers can update the on-board software, free of charge as required by law.

On recalled Mustangs, Direct Current (“DC”) fast charging and repeated-wide open accelerator pedal movements can cause the high-voltage battery main contactors to overheat. This overheating can lead to arcing and deformation of the electrical contact surfaces, which can result in an electric relay switch remaining open or one that welds itself closed from heat. Ford has not thus far issued instructions to stop driving the vehicles under this safety recall?

1. Should the contactors weld closed while driving, a powertrain malfunction warning light will be illuminated on the next drive cycle, and the Mustang won’t start.
2. If the contactors open while driving, the Mustang will experience an immediate loss of motive power as a powertrain malfunction warning light illuminates on the instrument panel. The vehicle will coast to a stop, and all 12-volt systems including power brakes and steering remains functional.

Dealers will update the on-board software. A software update via Over-The-Air is also expected. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 22S41. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov about NHTSA recall 22V-412.