In June of 2022, the Ford Mustang Mach-E was recalled for an issue regarding its high voltage battery main contactors. As a result, the automaker issued a stop-sale on the vehicle and subsequently recalled nearly 50,000 examples of the EV over the problem. Additionally, owners filed several lawsuits over the issue, claiming that Ford knew about the issue and had no knowledge on how to fix it. Now, NHTSA has opened up an investigation into how the company has handled the issue as it relates to the recall and a subsequent service bulletin.
At the heart of the investigation is how the automaker handled certain Ford Mustang Mach-E EVs that fell under recall 22V-412. The recall came about to address high voltage battery main contactors that could overheat from DC fast-charging and repeated wide-open throttle events. If overheating occurred, a contactor could open while a vehicle was being driven, leading to an immediate loss of power without re-engagement, increasing the risk of a crash. At issue are 12 consumer complaints that allege high voltage battery main contactor failure in 2021-2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles that were part of the initial recall and remedied prior to their respective incidents.
At issue is the specific remedy outlined in the recall, which involved a Secondary On-Board Diagnostic Control Module software update designed to monitor contactor temperature and reduce battery power to prevent contactor damage, plus a Battery Energy Control Module software update to monitor contactor resistance to identify overheated contactors and reduce power to prevent damage.
NHTSA has opened the investigation due to the existence of technical service bulletin TSB 23-2020, which Ford issued to replace the High Voltage Battery Junction Box on Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles. Owners who experience a loss of power after receiving the recall remedy told the agency that they also had the High Voltage Battery Junction Box replaced in order to properly remedy the failed contactor issue. The investigation is designed to evaluate if the remedy as part of the recall was effective. NHTSA estimates that 64,727 2021-2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles may be impacted by issue.
We’ll have more on the investigation as it progresses, so subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford Mustang Mach-E news, and for continuous Ford news coverage.
Comments
What else do you expect from Ford? This comes as no surprise to anyone about Ford and their recalls. Buy junk you get junk!!!
The Lighting and MachE have turned out to be lemons. Consumer Reports even dropped the MachE due to poor quality.
Did you know that there isn’t a single Ford logo on the exterior of the Mach e? Not one. What does that tell you?
It tells me know that there isn’t a single Ford logo on the exterior of the Mach e? Not one.
There are no Ford logos on ANY Mustang. This is not unique to the MachE.
While many use the site to chastise FMC when they deserve it, today I will actually give them kudos for a job well done. Just had the battery monitor sensor recall completed on my Lincoln MKC. My dealer had the required part, scheduled it promptly and even did the repair, at my house with the mobile service truck, in 45 minutes. Nice to be pleasantly surprised occasionally.
Furd is just putting a bandaid on this and not fixing the real problem because they don’t know the cause.
I recently viewed a online video about 2023 Mach E Mustang owners claiming this contactor issue continues with the High Voltage Battery Junction Box. It is my hope that the 2023 Mach E Mustang is also investigated by the NHTSA if this is accurate information.