NHTSA investigating 2022 Mach-E HVBJB recall (high voltage battery main contactors)

[SWO]

The problem is that, even if the NHTSA forced them to replace them, the REPLACEMENTS are still failing from time to time. That's what this latest investigation is about.

Have there been any confirmed failures of post-May 22 builds?

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[Mirak]

This has been quite a slap fight to slog through. The NHTSC is already on the case, dudes. So chill and let them work the process.

 

[HuntingPudel]

Aside from whether it is right or wrong, I’m not sure everyone submitting a NHTSA complaint is productive. Yes, it might get NHTSA’s initial attention to see so many but if the below is what the investigator is seeing over and over when they follow-up, I’m not sure it helps the cause:
<SNIP>
Submitter #4: Filed complaint on HVBJB. When contacted said he experienced SVS not SSN one year after recall. Manufacturer responds stating recall software effective, this HVBJB sustained some damage pre-recall. As a result, software prevented total failure when issue surfaced, damaged part replaced by manufacturer at no cost to consumer. Based on manufacturer explanation, no further action required at this time.
<SNIP>
I think the people who definitely should be submitting complaints are people with failures post-recall, multiple failures, etc.

Number 4 is why I was hesitant to file a complaint. “Working as intended.” I submitted anyhow, but I think that submissions are best left to those who have experienced a failure requiring replacement of the part (SVS or SSN). ?‍?

EDIT: My submission will more than likely make it to the round file. ?‍?

 

[AKgrampy]

Have there been any confirmed failures of post-May 22 builds?

Yes there are several instances on the forums of post May 22 builds getting the error and also a few replacement HVBJB failing. No idea of the number. Also no idea if how many were SVS alarms versus SSN alarms.

 

[SWO]

Yes there are several instances on the forums of post May 22 builds getting the error and also a few replacement HVBJB failing. No idea of the number. Also no idea if how many were SVS alarms versus SSN alarms.

By error do you mean the HVB/SVS warnings or the specific BECM DTCs associated with HVBJB failure? I've seen the former, but not the latter on this forum, though I may have missed something. Reason I ask is the question of whether the repair/previous failure is somehow contributing to subsequent failures.

 

[Shelbeast]

Mine is in shop now getting new hvbjb.
ford rep called to remind me of ford pass warning. He left message.

 

[HuntingPudel]

Mine is in shop now getting new hvbjb.
ford rep called to remind me of ford pass warning. He left message.

Sorry to hear that you blew up your HVBJB. Mine just got dealer-diagnosed (I already pulled the same code). Now we wait for parts. ??

 

[JoeSnow]

Number 4 is why I was hesitant to file a complaint. “Working as intended.” I submitted anyhow, but I think that submissions are best left to those who have experienced a failure requiring replacement of the part (SVS or SSN). ?‍?

EDIT: My submission will more than likely make it to the round file. ?‍?

I had the SVS message, reprted to NHTSA, and got contacted by NHTSA for more details.

If some folks are reporting SSN after SVS, then this is still risky.
The software update is fixing the issue only if you are close to a dealership, and this is not how solving the issue should be.

 

[Shelbeast]

Sorry to hear that you blew up your HVBJB. Mine just got dealer-diagnosed (I already pulled the same code). Now we wait for parts. ??

Yeah, I felt I was driving same as usual.

 

[AKgrampy]

By error do you mean the HVB/SVS warnings or the specific BECM DTCs associated with HVBJB failure? I've seen the former, but not the latter on this forum, though I may have missed something. Reason I ask is the question of whether the repair/previous failure is somehow contributing to subsequent failures.

What I mean is people have had their HVBJB replaced on vehicles manufactured after May 22. I just do not know if they have bricked which would be a SSN error or if recall software gave them the SVS error and the vehicle remained drivable. Either way their have been reported cases.

 

[HuntingPudel]

Yeah, I felt I was driving same as usual.

I know, right? I got the warning when I engaged my cruise control after getting onto the freeway. ??

 

[Mike G]

We need those great big shiny "feckoff" contactors like this Mach-E has. Not those wimpy ones with the little dinky pre-pubescent wires. It's embarrassing really. ?‍

 

[azerik]

If the Lightning HVJB isn't failing.. fit it in the MME.

I think the people who definitely should be submitting complaints are people with failures post-recall, multiple failures, etc.

I think most of them have already dumped the car and moved on. They're sitting on lots somewhere for some luck contestant to purchase.

 

[Melancholy1980]

Just in case anyone is wondering, I got curious and googled average time to investigate an NHTSA claim and hooboy we are in for a long and bumpy ride.

“The defects office sets a goal of finishing preliminary investigations in 120 days. When it upgrades those to an engineering analysis, the goal is to finish in a year. But auditors found that preliminary probes in a 2018 and 2019 sample took an average of 617 days to finish. The engineering analyses were open for another 1,001 days on average, almost three times the goal.”

source URL also provides some background that doesn’t make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside about the NHTSA, but at least they’re supposedly on an upswing after their latest improvements.

 

[AKgrampy]

Just in case anyone is wondering, I got curious and googled average time to investigate an NHTSA claim and hooboy we are in for a long and bumpy ride.

“The defects office sets a goal of finishing preliminary investigations in 120 days. When it upgrades those to an engineering analysis, the goal is to finish in a year. But auditors found that preliminary probes in a 2018 and 2019 sample took an average of 617 days to finish. The engineering analyses were open for another 1,001 days on average, almost three times the goal.”

source URL also provides some background that doesn’t make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside about the NHTSA, but at least they’re supposedly on an upswing after their latest improvements.

Which by that time they will have all failed and been changed out under warranty!

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