Ford announced a recall and stop/sale of 49,000 Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles that could lose power due to a part overheating when the vehicle is subjected to several “wide-open pedal events.”
The loss of power means no propulsion which could cause a crash. This is the fifth recall on the company’s top-selling electric vehicle, and accounts for nearly half of the Mach-E EVs built, reported CNBC. The action covers vehicles built between late May 2020 and late last month.
The company noted in a memo to dealers that DC fast charging and repeated wide-open pedal events could cause the main contactors on the high-voltage batteries to overheat, according to Automotive News. The problem can be solved with a software update. Ford dealers will begin the updates next month. In the meantime, dealers have been instructed to not deliver new vehicles to customers that haven’t had the update.
Ford said “overheating may lead to arcing and deformation of the electrical contact surfaces, which can result in a contactor that remains open or a contactor that welds closed.” If an overheated contactor opens while driving, it could result in a loss of propulsion power, increasing the risk of a crash.
More problems at launch
Ford recalled nearly 40,000 Mach-Es last fall due to improperly bonded windshields and panoramic glass roofs that could come loose while driving. Ford was first made aware of the problem when it received reports of a cracked windshield and problems with the urethane used to seal the glass in place.
It has faced additional problems including a softwareglitch that led to “bricking” by some early models. Some vehicles had their 12-volt batteries drain while charging the SUV’s high-voltage lithium-ion pack. As a result, they would enter a “deep sleep” mode.
The issues with the Mach-E are a disappointment for the company and shareholders, as it continues a trend of problematic product launches the company’s been mired in for several years. The latest-generation Explorer and the newly revived Bronco are the most recent examples. The off-road SUV’s production was temporarily put on hold early this year due to problems with the optional, removable roof.
