Ford recalls 49k Mach-E EVs due to potential power loss

Ford Motor said Tuesday it is recalling 49,000 Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles in the United States due to a part that could overheat and lead to a loss of propulsion power.

The automaker said DC quick charging and repeated wide-open pedal events can lead the high-voltage battery main contactors to overheat.

The automaker will address the issue that covers Mach-E vehicles made from May 2020 through May 2022 with a software update it expects to start by the next month.

Dealers cannot deliver new vehicles to consumers until the vehicles’ software has been updated.

The automaker said overheating may lead to arcing and distortion of the electrical contact surfaces, which can lead to a contactor that remains open or a contactor that welds closed. If an overheated contactor is open while the driver is driving the car, then it could lead to a loss of propulsion power, boosting the risk of an accident.