Ford has paused deliveries Mustang Mach-E electric SUV due to problems with its high voltage system may result in power failure.
This issue affects 48,924 vehicles manufactured between May 2020 and the end of May 2022.
“On affected vehicles, rapid direct current (“DC”) charging and repeated extended pedal phenomena can cause the main contactor of a high-voltage battery to overheat, says Ford. hot,” may cause the contact surface to deform.
Ford Mustang Mach-E 2021
That can lead to an overheated contactor opening while driving, resulting in power loss. Ford also mentions the ability for a contactor to “close welds” from conditions — although, to speculate, the latter could be one where the various redundancy systems currently available would quickly quickly discovered.
There is no open safety investigation from NHTSA on this matter.
Ford emphasizes that the problem is not stopping sales. Dealers can still sell the Mach-E, but they can’t deliver it yet.
The fix is completely through an over-the-air update. That will yield modified firmware for two control modules: On-board Secondary Diagnostic Control and Battery Power Control Module. The update is due next month — in July — or Ford said, owners can bring their vehicle to a dealership to have them complete the software update.
Ford Mustang Mach-E, Downloading Updates!
While Ford has addressed other recalls for the Mach-E, this isn’t the first time it has resolved entirely online. The Mach-E was one of the first mass-produced vehicles for the U.S. market other than a Tesla with a full potential of over-the-air firmware updates activated from the very beginning. That doesn’t just give Ford an edge over recalls like these; it will also allow automakers capable of increasing range and perhaps performance with future updates.
