Ford’s massive recall of 200,000 Mustang Mach-E vehicles reveals a potentially life-threatening door latch failure that could trap children inside during extreme heat conditions.
Key Takeaways
- Ford is recalling 197,432 Mustang Mach-E SUVs (2021-2025 models) due to electronic door latch failures that could trap passengers inside the vehicle
- The defect is triggered when vehicle battery power runs low, preventing doors from opening from the exterior
- Ford confirms 100% of the affected vehicles have this potentially dangerous defect
- The recall includes vehicles in the U.S. and 120,000 additional vehicles in markets outside America
- Owners will be notified by mail starting June 23, with software updates expected by late September
Another EV Safety Concern Emerges
In a significant blow to electric vehicle manufacturer credibility, Ford Motor Co. has announced a recall affecting nearly 200,000 Mustang Mach-E electric SUVs manufactured between 2021 and 2025. The recall stems from a dangerous electronic door latch failure that could potentially trap passengers, particularly children, inside the vehicle. The issue is especially concerning during extreme heat conditions, when being trapped inside a vehicle could quickly become life-threatening. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is overseeing this large-scale recall as Ford scrambles to address yet another safety issue with its EV fleet.
The problem occurs specifically when the vehicle’s battery power runs low, triggering a malfunction that prevents the door locks from opening from outside the vehicle. This creates a particularly dangerous scenario where adults could find themselves locked out while children remain trapped inside. Ford has acknowledged the seriousness of this defect, with documentation confirming the widespread nature of the problem. Warning signs that vehicle owners should watch for include a “system to save power” message appearing on the Sync infotainment system, a blank screen, or difficulty using the inside door release handle.
Widespread Manufacturing Defect
“Ford states, in documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), that 100 percent of the vehicles have this defect,” according to Ford.
The scope of this recall is staggering, affecting all Mustang Mach-E vehicles manufactured between February 2020 and June 2025. While Ford maintains that no accidents or injuries have been reported yet, multiple owners have already experienced being locked out of their vehicles. The company’s admission that 100% of these vehicles contain the defect raises serious questions about quality control in Ford’s EV manufacturing process. This safety issue follows a previous recall of over 1 million Ford and Lincoln vehicles due to a rearview camera software glitch, further damaging consumer confidence in the reliability of Ford’s vehicle electronics.
Remedy and Consumer Action
“Ford Motor Co. is recalling nearly 200,000 electric Mustangs because the door latches could falter, potentially trapping passengers in the back seat,” stated Ford in its official recall notice.
Ford plans to address the issue through a software update rather than a hardware replacement. Affected owners will be notified by mail starting June 23, but the fix isn’t expected to be ready until late September, leaving owners with potentially dangerous vehicles for several months. Owners can contact Ford customer service directly at 1-866-436-7332, referencing recall number 25S65. For additional information, the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline is available at 1-888-327-4236, or consumers can visit www.nhtsa.gov to check if their vehicle is affected and learn more about the recall process.
“The Ford spokesperson told CBS News they are not aware of any injuries or accidents associated with the faulty door latches and said the company is issuing a software update to address the recall,” according to the Ford spokesperson.
