Ford Halts Mustang Mach-E Sales Due to Door Latch Problems
Ford Motor Company has temporarily suspended sales of the Mustang Mach-E electric crossover due to a malfunction in the door latch software. A recall has also been announced for vehicles already sold, as a depleted 12-volt battery can cause the doors to lock, potentially trapping the driver or passengers inside.
The issue lies not with the latch mechanism itself, but with its software control. As reported by owners, when the battery is fully depleted, the latches remain in their last position—either open or closed. This can be dangerous, especially for children in car seats who cannot use the mechanical unlock function.
“This has already happened to some owners,” the statement says.
Software Update
Ford plans to fix the problem with a software update by the end of the third quarter. However, for now, dealers are prohibited from selling or demonstrating new Mach-Es. Unlike modern “over-the-air” updates, this fix will require a visit to a dealership to reflash the control modules.
The recall affects 196,911 vehicles in the USA. However, this does not resolve a lawsuit in California, which demands that Ford add a traditional key lock to the Mach-E for emergency access. Currently, if the battery dies, owners must either charge it through a special access port or… find alternative ways to get into the cabin.
This situation has sparked a debate on whether physical key locks should be brought back to modern vehicles. On one hand, they are archaic; on the other, they are a reliable backup in case of electronic failures. The question remains open, but Ford seems to have made its choice in favor of minimalism—even in such critical moments.