2021 Ford Mustang Mach E: doors won't lock, open or latch

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · PA

On August 8, 2026, my 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium experienced a serious electronic lockout. The vehicle was running, with the air conditioning and music on, when the doors locked and I was unable to regain entry. My keys, phone, purse, medication, and other essential belongings were inside the vehicle. I attempted multiple methods to regain access, including the driver’s door keypad, but I was unsuccessful. I remained locked out for approximately 7.5 hours and ultimately had to break the windshield to reach inside and unlock the vehicle. My understanding is that Ford had previously performed a recall remedy addressing a potential electronic door-lockout issue on this vehicle. I am concerned that the vehicle experienced a similar safety-related malfunction after that remedy. I do not yet know the precise technical cause and am requesting investigation. Following this incident, my vehicle experienced repeated 12-volt battery and no-start problems. When the vehicle was left at Kenny Ross Ford for diagnosis, I was later unable to get it to respond to the key or show lights or audible signals, and it did not appear to respond when connected to a charger. The dealership’s inspection subsequently recommended replacing the 12-volt battery and conducting a parasitic-drain test, but the report provided to me did not establish the cause of the original lockout. I am concerned that an electronic failure involving the door-latch system, 12-volt power supply, vehicle control modules, or recall-related software may have prevented safe access to the vehicle. I am requesting that the federal safety agency review this incident in light of Ford recall 25V404, manufacturer campaign 25S65, which addresses a potential lockout condition associated with low 12-volt battery voltage and electronic door latches retaining their locked state. I am not asserting that the recall has been proven to be the cause. I am requesting investigation into whether this incident reflects the same or a related safety defect

Filed Jan 22, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · FL

I am requesting immediate escalation regarding my 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E (VIN: [XXX] ), which is currently undrivable due to being stuck in “Power Accessory Active” mode. The vehicle will not enter Drive. The dealer has diagnosed DCEM / high-voltage system-related faults and stated that recall repairs cannot be completed unless I first pay approximately $3,000 to repair the “main battery.” My concern is that the symptoms and failure mode exactly match the known High-Voltage Battery Junction Box / DCEM defect described in Ford Safety Recall 23S56, including: •Vehicle unable to drive •High-voltage system refusing to close contactors •Vehicle remaining in accessory power mode •Safety-related loss of motive power While my VIN may not be currently listed as eligible for these recalls, my vehicle is exhibiting identical symptoms and failure modes associated with the following Ford safety recalls: •HV Battery Junction Box / DCEM defect (Recall 23S56) •Powertrain / Software Update (Recall 22S29) •12-Volt Battery / Door Latch Entrapment Risk (Recall 25S65) It is important to note that other Mustang Mach-E owners have reported the same recall-related failures even when their VINs were not listed for these recalls. These failures involve contactor issues, loss of motive power, and vehicles being stuck in accessory mode — identical to the symptoms my vehicle is experiencing. Given that my vehicle is experiencing a safety-related loss of motive power, Given the safety implications and known defect history, I request that this matter be reviewed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 28, 2025 · Body · PA · crash · 1 injury

I bought this car in August of 2024. It started having issues with the door lock in September and in December I decided to sell it back to the dealer but was in a car accident on the way to the dealership. Unfortunately the door jamming issue caused repair problems and the auto repair shop could not fix the door issues. I lost the car to the repair shop in a lien sale due to the cost of repair which was over $20,000. In August of 2025 Ford issued a recall which allowed the auto repair shop was able to fix the car and sell it to a dealership. I have contacted Ford several times in relation to the issues with the car and how they caused me to loose the car, but they have not responded despite the promise to do so in 7-15 business days. Loosing this car has caused deep stresses in my life. I have lost several business clients because I'm no longer able to get around. I have had my life impacted to the point of having to relocate. I bought the car outright paying $45,000. Ford has refused to do anything to compensate for my loss.

Filed Aug 18, 2025 · Electrical, Locks · 50,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang Mach E. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V404000 (Electrical System, Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that his wife parked and turned off the vehicle; however, while attempting to exit the vehicle, his wife was locked inside the vehicle. The contact quickly searched for how to unlock the vehicle. The contact pushed the exterior door lock twice, and his wife was able to unlock and exit the vehicle. The contact called Ford Assistance Service, and the vehicle was jump-started and the vehicle was driven to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with battery failure. The contact was informed that the battery needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced. The dealer confirmed that the software update for the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Apr 27, 2025 · Electrical · TX

My 12-volt battery died and due to my car being an Electric Vehicle there was no way for me to get inside my car without jumper cables. The safety concern was that it happened without noticed when i stepped out the car to get my [XXX] out of the back seat. Completely locking me out the car and no way to get inside. The car doesn’t have a conventional door handle and cannot open without electricity. I had to have emergency services come and break into the car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 4, 2025 · Electrical · CA

The car had an issue with the 12V battery which caused it to be completely disabled and unresponsive to the key fob and phone as a key. My wife had gotten out of the car without knowing this had happened and went to the rear door to let out our infant son, but the door would not open. We called emergency services and roadside assistance. AAA arrived first and tried to open the lock but were unsuccessful. I had to smash the window to open the door and rescue my son. Emergency services arrived after I had already done this. The only reason I know it was an issue with the 12V battery is because the Ford dealership told me after I had the car towed there for inspection. The only way to open the car in this situation is to use a portable jumper to jump two wires hidden in the bumper which open the Frunk. Then you need to jump the actual battery that is located in the frunk. It does not have a mechanical release for the doors. This supposed fix is highly dangerous as it requires one to have a readily available jumper and the 12V battery needs to be completely drained in this scenario. In my case, this didn’t work even when the Ford technician arrived. The only possible way to get in was to break through a laminated glass window which was incredibly difficult to break even with the correct tool to do it.

Filed Aug 17, 2022 · Visibility · 6,326 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang Mach E. The contact stated the warning message illuminated on the instrument panel indicating "The door Fault". The dealer was contacted but was not available to schedule an appointment. The contact stated while attempting to lock the passenger side door, the door would not lock, and he attempted to lock the door several times before he was able to lock the vehicle. The contact opened the passenger’s side window when smoke started coming from the window. The contact turned off the vehicle and the smoke stopped. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, contact was waiting on the diagnosis. The manufacturer was contacted, and they stated they will contact him back. The failure mileage was 6,326.

Filed Aug 25, 2021 · Electrical · ME

This vehicle is sold with a single key FOB and an option to use Phone As A Key software. This feature has been a continual source of problems, as reported by almost every purchaser. It has been updated numerous times, including a dealer installed software update. This is a serious safety issue. To unlock the key, you can use the traditional keypad on the door handle. This works consistently. However, once inside the vehicle, it can be impossible to have the car recognize the phone in my hand. Many owners report having to have the phone in a certain position, out of pocket or at a certain location in the car. Rebooting the phone, starting and stopping Bluetooth, getting out of the car, locking it and starting over again have all been mentioned. These work in a very hit or miss approach. I truly believe this software feature is still very much in its beta stages and should not be relied upon in lieu of a second key fob which is standard on every other Ford vehicle. To purchase the second FOB requires a purchase of the key and a programming service from the dealer, a $300 investment. While I understand there will always be software issues, and the Sync 4 center console certainly has them, the ability to start my car should not be part of this roadblock. Carrying the single FOB with me simply makes it more likely to be lost, and no way to have any assistance available to start my car and get me home safely. My fear is that anyone could easily be stranded in an isolated / dangerous location as a result of the failure of PAAK. The feature also requires a cell signal at the location to make it successfully validate the phone. This implies that driving the car in any desert or mountain area requires use of the actual FOB. I am requesting that Ford supply a second key FOB at no cost after I made a $60,000 investment. Consumer stated after several updates software still functions erratically.