2021 Ford Mustang mach e problems

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is a battery electric compact crossover SUV produced by Ford. The vehicle was introduced on November 17, 2019, and went on sale in December 2020 as a 2021 model. The vehicle is in the Mustang series, with model name Mach-E inspired by the Mach 1 variant of the first-generation Mustang. The car won the 2021 North American SUV of the Year Award.
Overview
During development, the Mustang Mach-E was originally teased as the Ford Mach 1, but was retracted after strong public opposition, with Ford CEO Jim Farley describing the name tease as an evaluation.
The Mach-E has buttons that open the doors, and a small door handle protruding from the front doors, instead of door handles. Smartphones, or a keypad built into the B-pillar, can be used as a key.
The interior has a wide dashboard and built-in soundbar; the dash is equipped with a vertically mounted 15.5 in (39 cm) touchscreen infotainment system fitted with a rotary dial. The majority of the car's systems are controlled through the screen, which uses Ford's recent SYNC 4 operating system, updatable wirelessly. There is a 10.2 in (26 cm) digital cluster for the driver, and the steering wheel has several physical buttons.
The Mustang Mach-E uses the Global Electrified 1 (GE1) platform, which is a heavily reworked version of the C2 platform shared with the fourth generation Focus and third generation Kuga/fourth generation Escape. It offers a traditional cargo area at the rear offering a volume of 29 cu ft (821 L), and a 4.8 cu ft (136 L) waterproof trunk under the hood and can be charged by a home AC charger or by DC fast chargers at up to 150 kW.
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Common 2021 Ford Mustang mach e problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the Ford Mustang Mach-E 2021, several common problems have been highlighted:
- Weak Electrical System:
- Owners have reported issues with the SUV's weak electrical system, leading to various concerns and complaints.
- Complaints include flashing warning lights related to traction control, stability, and collision warnings upon starting the vehicle.
- Some owners experienced the tailgate opening unexpectedly, causing potential safety hazards and damage.
- The use of a mobile phone as a key for vehicle access has been problematic, with constant issues and updates causing inconvenience.
- Forward Collision Avoidance Failures:
- Users have raised complaints about failures in the forward collision avoidance system.
- Issues include a lack of clear sound or indication when BlueCruise disengages, potentially leading to unexpected outcomes.
- Some owners noted that the vehicle fails to provide collision or pedestrian warning alerts if occupants are not wearing seat belts.
- Cold temperatures have been reported to affect the functionality of sensors and features, impacting safety during winter driving.
- Visibility Concerns:
- Visibility problems have been a recurring issue, with complaints about delays in receiving necessary parts for recall repairs.
- Owners from different parts of the United States have expressed frustration over the lack of readily available repair components.
- Ford has been criticized for delays in completing essential maintenance, with complaints spanning several months from the starting date of the complaints.
- Recalls and Technical Issues:
- The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E has been subject to multiple recalls, affecting a significant number of vehicles.
- Common complaints include problems with the electrical system, forward collision avoidance, and visibility features.
- Issues related to the powertrain, engine, seat belts, service brakes, and vehicle speed control have also been reported by owners.
- Various technical glitches and challenges have been highlighted, indicating a range of concerns affecting the overall performance and safety of the vehicle.
These common problems reported by owners of the Ford Mustang Mach-E 2021 underscore the importance of addressing these issues to ensure the safety, reliability, and overall satisfaction of drivers and passengers.
What is the problem with the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E?
Vehicles recalled: Ford Mustang Mach-E extended-range or GT EVs manufactured between May 27, 2020, and May 24, 2022. The problem: DC charging and repeated hard acceleration can overheat the high-voltage battery main contactors, which can prevent the contactors from closing or weld them permanently closed.
Is the 2021 Ford Mach-E being recalled?
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Mustang Mach-E vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive. The powertrain control module (PCM) functional safety software may fail to detect a software error, resulting in unintended acceleration, unintended deceleration, or a loss of drive power.
Is the Mustang Mach-E reliable?
We expect the 2024 Mustang Mach-E will have about average reliability when compared to the average new car. This prediction is based on data from 2021, 2022, and 2023 models, plus the Ford brand scores.
Why did Ford stop making Mach-E?
In a shocking turn of events, Ford has announced the discontinuation of its much-hyped Mustang Mach-E electric vehicle, citing an unprecedented nationwide shortage of electricity.
Is the Mustang Mach-E reliable?
We expect the 2024 Mustang Mach-E will have about average reliability when compared to the average new car. This prediction is based on data from 2021, 2022, and 2023 models, plus the Ford brand scores.
Is the 2021 Ford Mach-E being recalled?
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Mustang Mach-E vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive. The powertrain control module (PCM) functional safety software may fail to detect a software error, resulting in unintended acceleration, unintended deceleration, or a loss of drive power.
Is Mustang 2021 reliable?
Reliability 8/10 – There are no widespread complaints on the 2021 Mustang. Models from 2015–2016 have known engine problems, while 2017–2022 are more reliable.
Why did Ford stop making Mach-E?
In a shocking turn of events, Ford has announced the discontinuation of its much-hyped Mustang Mach-E electric vehicle, citing an unprecedented nationwide shortage of electricity.
2021 Ford Mustang mach e complaints
The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2021 Ford Mustang mach e.
You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.
2021 Ford Mustang mach e recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 8 recalls for different components of the 2021 Ford Mustang mach e.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Mach-E vehicles. An Over-The-Air (OTA) update to the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) may result in a loss of power brake assist, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, and driver assistance features.
- Consequence: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, a disabled antilock brake system and/or stability control system can result in a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will update the ABS calibration, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 4, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S65.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM)
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Mustang Mach-E vehicles equipped with an extended range battery. The high voltage battery main contactors may overheat.
- Consequence: An overheated high voltage battery contactor can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the high voltage battery junction box, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S56. Vehicles included in this recall that were previously repaired under recall 22V-412 will need to have the new remedy completed.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM):SOFTWARE
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Mustang Mach-E vehicles. The high voltage battery main contactors may overheat.
- Consequence: An overheated high voltage battery contactor may cause the vehicle to lose drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will update the on-board software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 8, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S41.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Mustang Mach-E vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive. The powertrain control module (PCM) functional safety software may fail to detect a software error, resulting in unintended acceleration, unintended deceleration, or a loss of drive power.
- Consequence: Unintended acceleration, unintended deceleration, or a loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: The PCM software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S29.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:ANCHORAGE
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Mustang Mach-E and 2022 Maverick vehicles. The rear seat belt buckles may not be properly attached to the rear floor assembly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
- Consequence: Improperly attached seat belts may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will repair the rear seat belt buckle attachments, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 28, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C36.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Mustang Mach-E vehicles. The windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, which could allow it to detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
- Consequence: A windshield that separates from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will remove and reinstall the windshield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 29, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C22.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: VISIBILITY:FIXED PANARAMIC ROOF/SKY LIGHT ASSEMBLY
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Mustang Mach-E vehicles. The vehicle's panoramic roof glass panel may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, which could allow it to detach.
- Consequence: A roof panel that separates from a vehicle can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will apply additional urethane adhesive, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 29, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S42.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: SUSPENSION:SUBFRAME/MOUNTING BRACKET
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Mustang Mach-E vehicles. The front subframe bolts may not have been tightened properly during assembly, which could result in loose bolts.
- Consequence: Loose subframe bolts may reduce the vehicle's performance in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front subframe bolts and tighten them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S09.
Negative 2021 Ford Mustang mach e car reviews
Positive 2021 Ford Mustang mach e car reviews
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An old Ford guy who never thought he would drive anything other than a 302! What a ride! It's so quiet, responsive, comfortable, and fun. The range and user-friendly controls make it easy to use and the safety features give me peace of mind. It's everything an old guy like me could want to get around in comfort, style, and safety.
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I absolutely love this car! It's been a month since I got it and I'm thoroughly impressed. However, I must admit that it's not suitable for road trips longer than one charge. It's great for driving around town, but when it comes to long-distance travel, the charging process at third-party kiosks can be a nightmare. The slow charging and poor billing apps on your phone can be frustrating, especially if you have spotty service while trying to charge. Sometimes, you even have to pay with a digital wallet, which can be inconvenient. Although some kiosks allow you to pay with a credit card, the slow charging is still a waste of time as it takes more than 8 hours to get a full charge. The 350 chargers are good, and you can get a full charge in 45 minutes, but the available chargers are limited. I had to drive around Manteca for more than an hour trying to find a high-speed charging station while my battery was almost dead. Overall, this car is awesome, but if Ford is going to roll out more electric cars, they absolutely have to improve the charging infrastructure. Tesla appears to have a more thought-out charging system, but unfortunately, it doesn't work on Ford. I noticed that some of the Tesla charging spots had all 39 spots taken, and people had to wait for 2 hours for an available charger while their battery was close to dying. Therefore, Ford needs to have fast charging capability by way of chademo, or they need to increase the battery power. I would definitely recommend buying a bigger battery if you can; otherwise, road trips are prohibited. The third-party kiosks are the weakest link, and I was only able to get about 180 miles on a full charge.
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Hey there! I have a recommendation for you. If you get a 240 outlet, you can charge your Mach-E at a rate of approximately 20+ miles an hour. I have a similar commute of 60 miles (roundtrip) and it takes me about 3 hours to replenish my commute when charging at home. The charger that Ford includes with the purchase is super convenient and I can control charging times from my Ford Pass phone app. That allows me to charge at off-peak hours and reduce my charging costs. I was amazed to find out that my estimated costs for 300 miles of charging is only $12! Comparing that to the $4 a gallon gas prices, it's like getting 75 miles per gallon in a sports car. Aside from the efficiency, the design is absolutely stunning! I get excited every single time I look at this car, especially after cleaning it. And boy oh boy, does it turn heads! Not only does it turn heads for looks, it turns heads when it outperforms most every commuter car on the road. Merging is never a problem with the pick-up this car has. There is so much space between the back hatch area and the frunk. It's super cool that the frunk can be used as a cooler too! Pop some ice and refreshments into the frunk and you will be the talk of the tailgate. If you are worried about road trips, don't be! I added 100 miles of range in just 20 minutes at an Electrify America charge station. Personally, I aim to never charge over 80% to extend the long-term life of the battery. I would feel comfortable driving across the country in this car, chargers are available anywhere I want to travel. If you want to see for yourself, you can use Ford's navigation on the Ford website to map out a ride and see where chargers are. And even though the chargers are pretty fast, I welcome a longer break to stretch or grab a bite to eat when driving 250+ miles. The interior is beautiful, actually, it's downright sexy. Out of all of the cars I have ever owned or driven in the last 20 years, this is my favorite daily driver EVER! Hope this helps!I used to have a detail business where I had over 850 customers with really high-end cars... I worked with Bentley's, Ferrari's, Porche's, and more. The Mach-E impresses me a lot. Oh, and let's not forget the tax credits and other rebates/incentives. Ford really knocked it out of the park with this car. Cheers!
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I really enjoy this car more than I expected! Although I didn't place an advanced order and had to track one down, I'm so glad I did. My priority was a long range model, and between the CA Route 1 and extended range Premium trim, the CR1 was the better choice for me. Even though I live in sunny CA and don't use the heated seats and steering wheel much, the ambient lights and B&O system would be nice... but just not worth the price difference. The only thing I wish the CR1 trim had would be the power liftgate. After driving it 2k miles, I've noticed that it's slightly bouncy on city streets under 40MPH, but I understand that this is something most all EVs deal with due to the low center of gravity and battery pack weight. As a first-time EV driver, I'm impressed! The glass roof made me a little nervous since where I live has been consistently over 100° for 40 of the last 50 days, but it's not a problem and I don't even notice it since it has a nice dark, UV tint. The seats are all comfortable, but this drives (seating wise) like a tall wagon. Where I really noticed it was when taking my dog on a road trip. In my Escape that I had, I would lay the back seats down and have the window down for him to stick his head out. With the escape, he would be in a normal standing position to look out the window. In the Mach-E, with seats down, he is ducking his head down and out the window. Not an issue, but noteworthy. This is due to the thick floorboard since the batter pack is tucked in there. You will really notice it when you open the door and see step in. Charging has been great with the Charge and Pay option turned on, and the included mobile charger works fine. Be sure to download all the different charging apps and have them set up so you're not fumbling through paying at the station. I've seen some people mention that their FordPass app doesn't trigger their doors to unlock quick enough with Phone as a Key, but this is only a slight issue.However, I would recommend (depending on your operating system) to always pin the app. Also, make sure it doesn't get turned off automatically with your battery saver mode. This has helped me out a lot. I also suggest setting up the door code and car password immediately. It is very handy in case your device dies. The current cruise control and lane keeping assistant are features from previous Fords and work well, but I'm hoping the BlueCruise is considerably better. The Android Auto works great, whether wired or wireless. However, wireless Android Auto is a battery drainer and I prefer plugging it in instead. Google really needs to integrate EV charging better into Google Maps. It's nice that the Mach-E reads the Android Auto Google Maps directions on the driver's display. Google also needs to offer Netflix, Hulu or YouTube on Android Auto. Alternatively, Ford needs to add screen mirroring or Chromecast to their hardware to watch videos. This is only to pass the time when charging at an EV station. Overall, the Mustang Mach-E California Route 1 hits the right spot for me and I highly recommend this car. Unless this will be used in city streets as a short commuter car, I would skip the Select model and go for the Premium trim or better.
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After waiting seven months and owning my extended range Mach-E for three weeks, I can confidently say that it has exceeded my expectations in every aspect. The car feels like it was built specifically for me, with all the specifications and details that I wanted. The Star White exterior and Space Grey interior accentuate the Mach-E's design magic, making it a truly beautiful car. As someone who previously owned a Fusion Hybrid for six years, this is my first EV and I couldn't be happier. The instant, linear acceleration is absolutely intoxicating. Unlike Tesla, Ford gives you the option to customize your driving experience to match your preferences. I personally chose Whisper mode with no artificial engine sound, 1-Pedal driving, and Auto-Hold turned off. This way, I spend a significant amount of time coasting in silence while still getting the same performance and efficiency as the other two drive modes. I also keep the lane-centering turned off so that the digital speedometer reading is in the center of the screen in front of me. The absence of this screen in the Tesla, along with some funky styling and lack of the federal rebate, were the major reasons I didn't choose the Model Y. With the Mach-E set up in this fashion, anyone can transition from ICE to EV without any problems. I wholeheartedly agree with all the positive comments in earlier reviews. Purchasing the Mustang Mach-E is easily one of the top three decisions I've made in my life. It feels great to be driving a vehicle that stands out (in a good way) from the rest of the pack. I usually give less credence to reviews that give a vehicle 5 stars in every category, but this is the first time that I've given a review that has done this. The Mustang Mach-E truly deserves all the praise it gets.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2021 Ford Mustang mach e problems:
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Darien Dickens 2025-09-26
Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I just wanted to share my experience with my Mach-E since late February. It's actually my first EV and I have to say, it's been more fun to drive than my 2019 Mustang that I traded in! Unfortunately, it's been sitting at the dealership for a few weeks now due to some bad cells in the battery. While this might be a small problem that one would expect with a new model, it's been taking longer than expected to fix because apparently no dealer in New England or the Ford factory rep has the tool needed to make the repair. Overall, I think the car is fantastic as long as nothing breaks. However, if service is needed, it could be a bit of a wait. Thanks for listening!
Irwin Fritsch 2025-05-14
We recently purchased the Mach E AWD with extended battery and wanted to share our experience so far. Although we ordered the car in January 2021, we received it in July 2021 as expected. The ordering process was very easy and required only a $500 down payment. However, our experience at the Ford dealer was not great. The sales reps seemed poorly trained and one of them treated my wife in an unacceptable manner. Despite this, we are really enjoying driving the car. The acceleration is crisp, the seating is comfortable for both front and back passengers, and there is ample storage space for phones and cups. The only downside is that the ride is a little stiff and the battery life is affected by cold weather. We recommend keeping the car plugged in during cold weather to avoid losing up to 30% of battery life. The software of the vehicle is a work in progress and we have encountered some issues. Since we only received one key fob, drivers need to connect their phone app to complete most functions of the vehicle. However, the car does not always recognize the phone app, so it's important to keep the fob close by. Additionally, having different profiles for different drivers (and separate phones) has been a challenge for this car. It does not automatically recognize the different driver to initiate their profile. The software is not very intuitive and we have yet to locate a method of opening the trunk from inside the car. Despite these issues, we have had 2 recalls for re-sealing the front windshield and the window in the top of the vehicle. We attempted to schedule a recall completion, but it was not a straightforward process. We hope this information is helpful to others considering purchasing the Mach E AWD.My experience with local dealers was not great. Initially, the dealership where I purchased the car had no idea how to fix the recalled items. When I called additional Mach E dealers in our area, I received no return calls or responses like 'we cannot do that recall here' or 'I will put you on our waitlist and call you to set up an appointment' (I have yet to receive a call from this dealership). Finally, I connected with the dealer's service department that took some responsibility to investigate the recall, develop a plan to complete the fix, and support the car with any software updates. I even called Ford Customer Service, but they could not locate the recall codes for these recalls. These calls were a total waste of time. The recall was documented by Ford in September 2021, but the work was completed in April of 2022. It seemed to take this long for communications between Ford and the dealer to get a plan. Eventually, it got done, and there were 28 software updates completed. I was not aware that there were any updates needed. However, we do like driving this vehicle. We get many compliments about its looks and questions about the performance. We want to reduce our carbon footprint and still think it is the correct thing to do. But with anything totally new, there will be issues. I have listed a few. I am placing these experiences (to-date) only to have Ford make improvements in the whole experience, not just being proud of getting this vehicle to market. I do understand that this is a new platform for Ford, and I expected there to be issues, hence this information to consider. I have not received any follow-up from Ford requesting experience with the Mach E. I might assume that good manufacturers would want real-life experience to make improvements. Now the hard part is keeping it on the market and improving the customer experience. Safe driving to all!
Hank Schinner 2025-05-09
I have a 2 month old AWD extended range. Although it's a great car to drive and comes with lots of kit, I have noticed that the range is not as high as claimed. Unfortunately, I have experienced 2 faults after 2500 miles. However, the staff at Ford have been pleasant throughout my interactions with them. The company's systems have been a bit of a challenge, as it took 7 phone calls and an email to arrange a repair and get a courtesy car for the latest fault. In contrast, I have had much smoother experiences with Toyota and Lexus. While I may not purchase a Ford again, I appreciate the efforts of the staff and hope that the company can improve their systems in the future.
Ralph Wolf 2024-11-24
Decent acceleration, but keep in mind that this is not a true SUV and is not suitable for off-roading.
Immanuel Adams 2024-07-06
Great riding and more than sufficiently quick. It handles well too. The motor sounds just right, giving you a little sense of acceleration, but still nice and quiet. It feels like a normal car, except for the center screen which may take some getting used to. The sunroof is unnecessary as it lets in heat, but very little light. I would suggest adding some normal buttons for easier control access. However, be careful with the center screen as it may get caught on someone's clothing someday and require a costly repair.