Report: Ford to Stop Delivering Mach-E Models, Recall Looks Imminent

• Ford has issued a stop delivery on Mach-E models.
• The action comes because of a safety defect that might make cars immobile.
• 48,924 Mach-Es might be affected by the likely recall.

A recall is likely imminent, and Ford told CNBC that it already sent a recall petition to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the government organization that handles them. Ford has also already reached out to some owners regarding the problem.

We asked Ford for a statement, and this is what the automaker said:

"On affected vehicles, Direct Current ('DC') fast charging and repeated wide open pedal events can cause the high voltage battery main contactors to overheat. Overheating may lead to arcing and deformation of the electrical contact surfaces, which can result in a contactor that remains open or a contactor that welds closed. An overheated contactor that opens while driving can result in a loss of motive power, which can increase the risk of an accident.

"The remedy for this program is a Secondary On-Board Diagnostic Control Module (SOBDMC) and Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) software update. Ford is anticipated to begin Over-The-Air (OTA) deployment to update the SOBDMC and BECM software for affected vehicles next month. Alternatively, owners will have the option to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to complete the software update."

The Ford spokesperson we heard from also noted that there is not an open investigation with the NHTSA regarding this matter.

The Mach-E was Ford's first dedicated battery electric vehicle and has been on sale since the end of 2020. It's an EV SUV with striking looks and a sporty personality on the road, but, like most vehicles, it isn't without its issues. It's worth mentioning that we at Edmunds purchased a Mach-E, and you can read about our long-term experience with it here.

Edmunds says

We're glad Ford is doing what it can to remedy the situation with the Mach-E quickly.