“Exploring Challenges in the Adoption of the Mustang Mach-E Electric Vehicle
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an investigation into Ford’s 2022 recall of 49,000 Mustang Mach-E EVs. The focus of this inquiry is to assess the effectiveness of Ford’s initial solution and to determine if it should encompass a wider range of vehicles beyond the initial 49,000.
Last year in June, Ford (F) issued a recall due to concerns that fast charging, along with frequent instances of heavy acceleration, could potentially cause the battery main contactors to overheat. This overheating could lead to power loss or difficulties starting the vehicle.
To address the issue, Ford introduced software updates aimed at monitoring contactor temperature and reducing battery power to prevent damage. Another software update aimed to identify overheated contactors and decrease vehicle power to prevent further damage.
However, it seems that these solutions may not have fully resolved the problem. The NHTSA received twelve consumer complaints from individuals who had already received the fix. As a result, the agency has expanded the investigation to include up to 64,000 Mach-E vehicles.
One driver reported that shortly after the update, their Mustang faced another issue involving its High Voltage Battery Junction Box. This caused the vehicle’s power to be limited to 30% until a visit to a dealership was made. Another Mach-E owner experienced a shutdown while entering a highway on-ramp shortly after charging at a DC fast charge station.
Ford has confirmed its collaboration with the NHTSA to provide assistance in their investigation.”