NHTSA Opens Investigation Into Ford Recall Remedy

Aug. 22, 2023
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into if a prior recall remedy issued by Ford was adequate.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into if a prior recall remedy issued by Ford was adequate, Autoblog reports.

The recall being investigated was first issued in 2022 on nearly 49,000 Ford Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles manufactured between May 27, 2020, and May 24, 2022.

The vehicles were recalled due to an issue with high voltage battery main contactors overheating from DC fast-charging and repeated wide-open pedal events and resulting in an immediate loss of power.

As a remedy, Ford had a Secondary On-Board Diagnostic Control Module (SOBDMC) software update implemented to monitor contactor temperature and reduce battery power, as well as a Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) software update to monitor contactor resistance and reduce vehicle power if needed, according to NHTSA documents.

Following this, a technical service bulletin was sent out by Ford stating to replace High Voltage Battery Junction Boxes in recalled vehicles.

Since then, the NHTSA has received 12 consumer complaints detailing a high voltage battery main contactor failure in vehicles covered by the 2022 recall, resulting in a loss of motive power. 

The vehicles in the complaints received the initial recall remedy as well as the technical service bulletin’s recommended replacement, prompting a recall query from NHTSA.

About the Author

FenderBender Staff Reporters

The FenderBender staff reporters have nearly three decades of combined journalism and collision repair experience.

Sponsored Recommendations

Learn how ADAS utilizes sensors such as radar, sonar, lidar and cameras to perceive the world around the vehicle, and either provide critical information to the driver or take...
Enhance your collision repair workflow with Autel’s IA900, a process-driven solution integrating precision alignment, bi-directional diagnostics, and ADAS calibration. Designed...
The Autel IA700 is a state-of-the-art and versatile wheel alignment pre-check and ADAS calibration system engineered for both in-shop and mobile applications...
Discover how the investment in an extended-height paint booth is a game-changer for most collision shops with this Free Guide.