Ford has issued a global stop-sale on its electric Mustang Mach-E as it grapples with a potentially serious safety issue that may prevent the doors from unlocking, putting occupants at risk of being trapped.
The recall affects nearly 317,000 vehicles spanning model years 2021 to 2025, raising fresh concerns among customers and dealers about delivery delays.
According to a dealer notice obtained by Automotive News, the fault stems from the Mach‑E’s 12‑volt battery. It can unexpectedly discharge, freezing the vehicle’s electronic door latches in their last locked or unlocked position. In such a scenario, passengers may find themselves unable to open the doors from either inside or outside the car.
Software update coming
Ford has instructed dealers to suspend all test drives and new deliveries of affected vehicles until a resolution is found. A software remedy is currently being developed and is expected to be made available in the third quarter. Until then, the halt remains in effect.
A Ford spokesperson stated: “A software update is coming soon to address this recall.” The company also emphasized that, to date, there have been no reports of injuries or collisions associated with the flaw.
However, owner forums reveal more unsettling incidents—one notably recounts a nine-month-old baby trapped inside the vehicle for 40 minutes before rescuers had to break its window to gain access.
This recall follows closely on the heels of another Mach‑E safety recall issued earlier this month, concerning a small batch of 2025 models affected by faulty park rod assemblies that could hinder the vehicle’s parking mode function. These units are also subject to a delivery freeze pending further instructions.
Ford will notify affected owners by mail when the software correction is ready, and the update, along with any related repairs, will be carried out at no additional cost. While some expect the fix to be delivered via over-the-air update, others may need to visit a dealership for installation.
Recall leader
The timing comes at a challenging moment for Ford, which has led the automotive industry in the number of recalls for three of the past four years and remains at the top in 2025, having already issued 76 recalls, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Yet, despite the quality setbacks, US sales of the Mustang Mach‑E have continued to gain traction. Deliveries increased 11% in May compared to the same month last year, and overall sales are up 2.8% year-to-date.
Ford also recently increased prices by $2,000 (€1,740) on models produced in Mexico due to new tariffs, although the company insists it will absorb part of the cost to help maintain competitiveness.
This stable performance can also be attributed to customers rushing to take advantage of EV incentives, as Congress is in the process of phasing out the program by the end of the year.
