Ford Mustang Mach E won't start problems

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 Oct 8, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · KS

I am reporting a recurring safety defect involving my 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium. The defect appears to involve the high-voltage battery system, powertrain system, and High Voltage Battery Junction Box (HVBJB). The vehicle and related components are available for inspection upon request. My vehicle experienced failures on May 28, 2026, June 25, 2026, and October 1, 2026. Prior to each failure, the vehicle displayed "High Voltage Battery Warning" and "Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power" messages. Following these warnings, the vehicle became completely inoperable and would not start. This has now occurred three times, indicating a recurring defect rather than an isolated incident. This defect created safety risks for both myself and others. During the first incident on May 28, 2026, the vehicle became inoperable while in the drive-through lane of a busy coffee shop. Because the vehicle could not be started or moved, it blocked access to the drive-through during peak morning and lunch periods, forcing the business to temporarily close the drive-through lane. This created a traffic obstruction and left me stranded. On all three occasions, the vehicle became unusable without warning, creating the risk of being stranded and unable to safely rely on the vehicle for transportation. The vehicle was taken to a Ford dealership after each incident for inspection and diagnosis. Despite multiple service visits, the issue has not been permanently resolved, and the same warnings and failure conditions continue to occur. The vehicle and components have been inspected following each incident; however, no repair has successfully corrected the problem or prevented it from recurring. The repeated occurrence of High Voltage Battery Warning, Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power, and HVBJB shutdown conditions that render the vehicle unable to start raises serious concerns about the reliability and safety of the vehicle. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this defect.

Filed May 26, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · IL

The exact failed component is unknown to me at this time, but the issue appears related to the vehicle’s electrical system. Prior to the incident, I received a charging error notification while the vehicle was plugged in. I unplugged the charger from the wall outlet, waited briefly, and plugged it back in. Later that same day, the vehicle entered a no-start condition and would not start despite repeated attempts over approximately two hours. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle left me stranded at night for approximately two hours without warning. Because the vehicle would not start, I was unable to reliably move or operate the vehicle. Depending on location, weather conditions, surrounding traffic, and other circumstances or emergency situations, this type of failure could place occupants and other drivers at risk. Additionally, I previously reported a separate safety-related incident involving this same vehicle in February 2026 in which the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly accelerated in my daughter’s daycare parking lot. This has not been reproduced. The vehicle unexpectedly started and operated again at approximately the same time the tow truck arrived, after remaining inoperable for roughly two hours. Because the issue resolved itself without repair, it’s not clear what the root cause is. The vehicle has not yet been inspected. The vehicle has remained garaged following the incident pending further evaluation and communication with Ford. There were some warnings. Prior to operating the vehicle that evening, I received a charging error notification while the vehicle was plugged in. After unplugging and reconnecting the charger, the vehicle later experienced the no-start condition. During the incident, the vehicle provided no clear indication through the vehicle interface or mobile app explaining why it would not start, only “Stop safely now.”

Filed Feb 3, 2026 · Electrical · OH

Car gave an error in the middle of the trip and displayed 'Stop Safely Now'. Will not start and run after this warning. The extended battery was fully charged before the trip and after 100 miles of driving it showed this message with 54% battery left.

Filed Jan 22, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · FL

I was driving along the road at 35 mph when the vehicle lost power and refused to accelerate or keep speed. The cluster flashed a warning indicating "Stop Safely Now", so I pulled over and came to a stop, and I shifted to P. Thereafter, the vehicle shut off and would not start, continuing to indicate to "Service Vehicle Now", as well as additional new errors, including "Service Powertrain", "Full Accessory Power", "Collision Assist Unavailable", and at least 8 other errors that would not go away. Two red lights were indicated on the cluster - one of them looks like a car with a "!" through it, and the other is a wrench. The vehicle is charged every night to 95% using a Level 2 CCS charger directly to the vehicle's charging port, no adapters. The vehicle had 91% battery remaining when this occurred. About 20 minutes after the incident, while waiting for a tow truck, the vehicle went completely dead and all components were unresponsive. The ignition would not activate, the doors would not open, and the open doors would not properly shut (the electronic catch mechanisms were not catching the door to keep it shut). I could not activate the screen to put it into Emergency Tow mode. The vehicle has 17,999 miles and was purchased brand new in September 2023 with 0 miles.

Filed Dec 26, 2024 · Electrical, Fuel system · NY

It has several error messages including "Stop safely now". This seems to be the same issue as recall 23S56 (TSB 22-2178). The vehicle is not drivable as it will not start or go into gear. Seems to be known issue with the HVBJB.

Filed Jan 8, 2024 · Electrical · FL

"stop safely now vehicle" frozen would not start or stop unable to place into any gear. Eventually the vehicle returned to normal Ford is denying problem with high voltage junction box but this is the same problem with other Mache

Filed Oct 21, 2023 · Electrical · IL

Display gave warning - Service Vehicle soon and car did not start after being parked for about an hour. Outside temp was 65F. Car was driven about 400 miles that day including DCFC once. Had to be towed to dealership where it has sat for over 3 weeks with no repair and no information about what is wrong. I had someone familiar with the Ford system look up the codes who found that there was likely a problem with HVBJB that now is recalled. Not sure what to do anymore since dealership has car for 3 weeks now.

Filed Sep 5, 2023 · Electrical · CA

HVBJB failed on 2/1/23. We received the stop safely now alert and the vehicle would not start. Luckily not while driving, but leaving myself and daughter stranded at night. This is a known issue and there is a recall software patch available through Ford for the issue. It had been completed prior to this event. The software update Ford offers isn’t sufficient to solve the problem.

Filed Mar 11, 2023 · Electrical, Transmission · OH

I went to start the vehicle and it gave me a red warning "stop safely now". It was already stopped and would not start at all. It had plenty of charge on the battery pack. It's been at the dealer for nearly two weeks and they have had to order the HVJBC, I believe. I am fortunate that it didn't fail while driving or parked in a place which was inaccessible to a tow truck. The forum I read recommended making a report. This seems to be an all to common problem with this car and can lead to sudden acceleration or deceleration while in motion. Had had received an earlier yellow warning for "service vehicle soon" and took it to the dealership and they assured me they had updated all the software (in the hopes of preventing the "stop safely now" problem). Obviously, that didn't work.