Ford Halts Sales of Mustang Mach-Es Due to Risk of Passengers Getting Trapped Inside
Ford
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Almost every Ford Mustang Mach-E is facing a recall, and all models currently on dealer lots are now under a stop-sale directive. The reason is that passengers might become trapped, as stated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
On Wednesday, the NHTSA announced a recall issued by Ford for 197,432 Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles. Ford has also initiated a stop-sale due to the problem, though it is not a stop-drive order. This indicates that while dealers are prohibited from selling a Mustang Mach-E, owners are not being instructed to stop driving their cars.
However, the issue impacts significantly more vehicles than just those noted in the NHTSA's recall report. Approximately 120,000 Mustang Mach-Es sold globally are also included in the recall and stop-sale order. Overall, this means over 300,000 Mustang Mach-Es dating from the 2021 to 2025 model years have a related problem. The specific component in question began production on February 24, 2020, and ended production on June 3, 2025.
The concern originates from the EV’s 12-volt battery. If this battery discharges below 8.4 volts, the electronic door release system will remain in its locked or unlocked position at the moment of discharge when the vehicle is turned off.
Like other modern cars featuring electronic door releases, the Mustang Mach-E has mechanical door releases located inside the vehicle. However, once outside, re-entering the vehicle may present a challenge. In cases where a child or animal is left in the rear seat, it could become problematic to access the vehicle and retrieve them.
Ford spokesperson Mike Levine told The Drive, “This could result in a serious injury, especially in hot weather.”
The NHTSA's recall report indicates that drivers can recognize the issue if the car’s touchscreen shows a “system off to save power” warning when switching off, displays a blank screen, or if additional effort is needed to pull the door release handle to unfasten it.
Ford became aware of the situation when the NHTSA reached out to the company on January 10, 2025, following reports from six Mustang Mach-E owners who encountered difficulties opening their vehicles with children inside. The report explains that to access the vehicle from the outside during a 12-volt battery discharge with locked doors, customers must jump the 12-volt battery by first getting into the frunk using a 12-volt power supply connected to the leads concealed beneath the right headlamp of the vehicle.
According to the NHTSA report, Ford is aware of four warranty claims, three customer service reports, and three incidents of being locked out of the vehicle with children in the rear seat after a 12-volt battery discharge, all occurring between November 22, 2023, and April 28, 2025. The company has no knowledge of any accidents or injuries linked to this issue.
Ford is working on a solution to this problem through a software update. Levine indicated that the update is “coming soon,” although no specific timeline has been provided. The NHTSA documentation shows that Ford intends to start sending remedy notification letters to Mustang Mach-E owners on September 29, 2025.
The NHTSA report reveals that the software update will enhance the vehicle’s Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and Secondary On-Board Diagnostic Control Module C (SOBDMC) at no cost. It remains uncertain why the Mustang Mach-E, a connected vehicle that Ford claims is amenable to Over-The-Air software updates, cannot have this issue resolved in a similar manner to problems addressed in Teslas and Rivians.
The updated module software will allow the 12-volt power post to remain functional for 12 minutes after the key is turned off, maintaining the DC/DC converter operation to avert a lockout situation. Currently, the PCM/SOBDMC software ceases to provide support for the DC/DC converter 12-volt system when the key is turned off, according to the report.
Ford will begin mailing recall notices to Mustang Mach-E owners starting June 23, 2025.
Owners with questions or concerns can reach the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 and reference campaign number 25V404.
Got tips? Send them our way at [email protected].
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Ford Halts Sales of Mustang Mach-Es Due to Risk of Passengers Getting Trapped Inside
Ford is recalling more than 300,000 Mustang Mach-Es, along with a stop-sale order.