Ford’s flagship electric SUV is trapping passengers in a dangerous design flaw affecting almost 200,000 vehicles across the country, causing both frustration for owners and embarrassment for the struggling automaker.
Key Takeaways
- Ford is recalling 197,432 Mustang Mach-E SUVs from 2021-2025 model years due to a dangerous door lock malfunction that could trap rear-seat passengers
- The electronic door latch system fails during low power conditions, potentially locking drivers out and trapping passengers inside
- All Mustang Mach-E vehicles produced between February 2020 and June 2025 contain this defect, requiring replacement of the powertrain control module
- Ford will begin notifying affected owners by mail starting June 23, 2025, to arrange for necessary repairs
- No accidents or injuries have been reported, but some owners have already experienced being locked out of their vehicles
Dangerous Design Flaw in Electric Vehicles
Ford Motor Company has announced a major recall affecting nearly 200,000 of its electric Mustang Mach-E SUVs due to a serious software defect in the electronic door latch system. The problem occurs specifically when the vehicle’s battery power runs low, potentially trapping passengers inside the vehicle – a particularly concerning scenario for children. This latest quality control issue affects all Mustang Mach-E SUVs manufactured between February 2020 and June 2025, spanning model years 2021 through 2025.
“The recall highlights ongoing concerns about electric vehicle reliability and the potential for technology failures to create dangerous situations,” according to documentation filed with regulators, this malfunction can cause the vehicle to lock the driver and front passenger out after they exit, while simultaneously trapping rear passengers inside with no way to escape. The company has confirmed that 100% of the affected vehicles contain this defect, making this one of the most comprehensive recalls in recent Ford history.
How Owners Can Identify The Problem
Ford has provided information to help owners identify when their vehicle might be experiencing this dangerous malfunction. Warning signs include a “system to save power” message appearing on the dashboard, a completely blank Sync infotainment display, or unusual resistance when attempting to use the inside door release handle. These symptoms indicate the vehicle’s power management system is failing to properly maintain the electronic door locks, potentially creating a dangerous situation for passengers.
While no accidents or injuries have been reported specifically related to this defect, numerous Mach-E owners have already experienced being locked out of their vehicles. “This has created significant inconvenience and raised legitimate safety concerns about the reliability of the company’s flagship electric vehicle,” declared by Ford. The issue represents another setback for Ford’s electric vehicle program, which has struggled with profitability and quality control issues since its inception.
Ford’s Response and Repair Plan
Ford will begin notifying owners of affected vehicles by mail starting June 23, 2025. The company’s repair plan involves replacing the powertrain control module in all affected vehicles to permanently correct the door lock issue. This comprehensive approach demonstrates Ford’s acknowledgment of the seriousness of the defect, though it comes after countless owners have already experienced problems with their vehicles. The full recall information is available on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recalls website.
This recall is particularly concerning as it affects Ford’s primary electric vehicle offering in the United States market. With President Trump’s administration pushing for American manufacturing excellence and reliability, this massive recall raises questions about the readiness of domestic automakers to compete in the electric vehicle segment. While Ford has taken responsibility for the defect, the comprehensive nature of the recall – affecting every single Mach-E produced – suggests significant oversight in the vehicle’s design and testing phases.
