2015 Ford Mustang: sudden loss of power

Filed Sep 26, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · IL

While making a slow turn I heard a popping noise then the steering locked up completely. I shit the car off and started it again to regain steering and get the car home. I used FORSCAn to retrieve codes U0401 and U0415 for the PSCM, both codes have same time frame. This indicates the PSCM lost communication with multiple modules at the same time during a low-speed turn, resulting in loss of power steering assist / steering lock. This is a safety issue as described in Ford Recall 19S26, but my VIN does not show this recall as applicable. Vehicle has not been repaired. Codes have not been cleared and are available for inspection.

Filed Dec 18, 2025 · Engine · SC · fire

“Charge system service now” came on the dash, battery lost power after about 10 seconds, screen went black, dash went black, car locked up, opened the hood and the engine was on fire, called 911 who came quickly and put the fire out without the entire car burning, insurance later total losses the car. I don’t know if it was the battery or the engine responsible for the failure, because the flames were on the engine and not the battery, but the incident was triggered by a battery warning. I was on the interstate driving 60mph when the car shut off and everything including my headlights and even hazard lights went black. Not only could I have been struck by a car on the interstate, I could have died in a car fire. Because the car locked up, I couldn’t open the trunk or use any electronics. The door could have just as easily locked and trapped us inside a burning car. The car is on a salvage yard, no attempt to replicate has been made. Progressive insurance, and Columbia fire inspected it and found that it was undetermined. “Charge service system now” was the only warning before the infotainment screen shut down to reduce battery usage. Every light on the dash flashed right before everything on the dash went black and power was lost to the entire vehicle.

Filed Aug 26, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · NM

Brake lights don’t function brake switch bumper broke off and lights stay on but not bright when brake is depressed. Loss of power random misfire cut from loss of power. Brake switch fault in computer

Filed Jan 8, 2024 · Steering · 40,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and making a turn, the steering wheel was stiff, and the vehicle intermittently experienced a loss of power steering assist. No warning light was illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle to correct the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

Filed Jul 18, 2023 · Acceleration, Brakes · AZ

The plastic break switch pad broke when I was driving on the highway. I lost engine power and RPMs were erratic. Brake lights would not turn off even when brakes were not applied. I could not excellorate normally or maintain speed. Upon examination the pad was brittle and yellowing. There is already a safety recall for this part but only in certain states that does not include Arizona.

Filed Jun 29, 2022 · Engine · VA

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Connecting rod in the engine. The car is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I was traveling on a major highway at highway speeds when the engine failed. Luckily there was a wide shoulder on the section of highway I was traveling on. I could not make it to the nearest exit less than a mile away. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes a Ford Dealership Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning messages. I checked every gauge in my car when I began to lose power, and every gauge said it was within normal range. There were no earlier symptoms, and I have been told by the dealership that this is a mechanical defect.

Filed Nov 4, 2021 · Brakes · CA

As I was driving on the freeway, out of nowhere my car started losing gas power which almost caused me to get rear ended. Later on that night I almost lost full control of the car when it lost power since I started swerving. through out the night it continued to lose power and then the "hill side assistance" light came on notifying me that it was not available/functioning and my break lights would not turn off at all, even when the car was off and locked. I took it to the dealer and they could not find the problem. Then I took it the a mechanic which he was able to temporarily fix it but it was not a permanent fix. we had to create the part, as the ford company did not have it anywhere. If I would have been on the street I would have lost control and who knows if a pedestrian could have been walking, It could have ended tragic. this is something that needs to be review and fix by ford company. This is a severe safety issues, it seems not only my car is having the same issue but other ford mustangs as well. Since the dealer did not have that small piece, they attempted to sale me the entire part which was $500. not every one can afford the entire part, and for a small piece which should cost no more than $20 that can cause injuries should not be ignored.

Filed Aug 10, 2021 · Brakes · FL

Cheap plastic disk between the brake pedal assembly and the plumber rod that should only control lights dried up and broke off. This issue has been reported many times and you have not handled it properly. Not only do the brake lights come on but the uphill traction control goes crazy and the vehicle begins to lose power without notice. This could result in an accident and death as the car could be on a highway and suddenly lose power. Ford doesn't offer a replacement part for this. Other car manufactures have a similar plastic part. Fords solution is to spend nearly $1000 for a > $10 item. This needs to be taken more seriously than some of your other recall items you report.

Filed Jun 16, 2021 · Lights · VA

Plastic clip for brake light switch disintegrates over time, causing reduced power and inoperative brake lights.

Filed Apr 12, 2021 · Lights · 120,000 miles · GA

My battery died and required a jump the next morning. When I began driving, the car was throttling down as I was attempting to accelerate as if the engine was losing power. I didn't feel safe driving so I returned home and notice that my rear lights including the brake light stayed illuminated even when the car was off. I had to disconnect the battery in order to save my battery from draining again. After some investigating I found the brake switch pad was broken and this is what was causing the brake lights to be on all the time and causing the lack of engine power. This issue was not allowing the car to accelerate because the throttle is over-ridden by the brakes. The car was thinking the brake pedal was being pushed at the same time as the gas pedal. The brake switch pad breaking and causing this problem is very dangerous. I'm so lucky it happened on a local road and not the highway. I've read multiple accounts of this happening to other people. Ford needs to issue a recall and get this fixed to avoid major accidents.

Filed Nov 10, 2020 · Lights · 35,000 miles · FL

Suddenly started experiencing a loss of power at highway speeds only remedied by slamming the accelerator to the floor which then caused the car to surge forward. After getting the car home also noticed the rear brake lights would remain on at all times. The twin problems ended up being connected. Turns out there is a small plastic/ceramic piece in the brake assembly that fails and breaks apart without warning - also no dashboard warnings after it fails. Causes the vehicle to think the brakes are being applied and cuts the power in response. This happened while traveling at interstate highway speed and was an immediate safety issue. Was told by the dealer this small part is very susceptible to florida heat - unfortunately the whole brake assembly has to be replaced.

Filed Apr 21, 2020 · Lights · 94,947 miles · TX

The brake stop pad spontaneously shattered on my '15 ford mustang v6 while driving. The car lost power: would not exceed approx 1500 RPM, throttle unresponsive, no check engine light (mil). I was driving on a two way road and suddenly lost power as I was approaching the 75mph section from 55mph. The tractor trailer behind me could have rear ended me if they weren't paying attention. Fortunately, when the pad broke, the brake lights illuminated despite not depressing the brake pedal. Other drivers were aware there was a problem immediately before I turned on the hazard lights. With the pad broken, the tail lights will not turn off even after engine shutdown and the button-start ignition bypassed the need to depress the brakes to start the engine. It is dangerous to be able to start the engine without needing to engage the brakes. Many people have had this problem but it is difficult to troubleshoot since there's no mil or dtc codes. Third party replacement pad cost $2, but ford, apparently, only sells the whole brake assembly for $200 and costs up to $900 to have it done. People have opted to use zip-ties or disc magnets instead. Vehicles with this brittle brake pad need to have them replaced asap. It seems '15 vehicles are failing after 3-4 years. The sudden loss of power and bypassing the button-start ignition safety features makes this a serious issue. Owners with this issue seem to live in hotter regions like texas or florida.