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?
- 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.
- 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.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
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?
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.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.