New Lawsuit Might Force Ford To Change Mustang Mach-E Door Handles

[generaltso]

I've been saying for a while, install a small lithium powerbank style backup battery within the door panel of the driver-side that kicks in when no power is detected from the 12v battery by the door actuator when an opening attempt is made. This battery is always kept fully charged by the 12v. The draw on opening/locking the door shouldn't be much so this backup battery should last for hours. But even if it only worked ONCE, that's all you would need to get into the car.

That already exists in the form of capacitors in the doors. The fact that it can’t be unlocked is a security decision, not because of lack of power.

Sponsored

 

[Ford_orr]

That already exists in the form of capacitors in the doors. The fact that it can’t be unlocked is a security decision, not because of lack of power.

Well if it were that simple we wouldn't be here and have this issue with a pending lawsuit on the horizon.

Obviously some sort of secondary or independent backup like I'm suggesting would be applicable. Or add a simple mechanical key lock to the driver-side door. The hidden key in the FOB could work, but lots of people don't use the FOB and use Paak, so a secondary system would still be needed. Maybe the FordPass app would turn on the secondary access power option once it determines the 12v is dead and allow it to activate the doorframe battery to open the door. As long as Paak or the FOB is present, this process wouldn't be inhibited by security protocols. You would be able to open the door via either method.

 

[Jimrpa]

Your home doesn’t have a backup method of entry?

Mine does - a rock ? seriously, my front door has a battery powered electronic lock. My garage has a battery-powered keypad to open the door. Both sets of batteries would have to die, or the front door batteries would have do die, coupled with a power outage, before I’d have to use the rock. In which case, I have homeowner’s insurance.
Note: (the electronic lock does have a key, which I keep safely stored inside the house ?)

 

[Art]

And the aerodynamics? OMG


New Lawsuit Might Force Ford To Change Mustang Mach-E Door Handles | Carscoops


For those of you who haven’t encountered the Mach-E in person (or haven’t been fortunate enough to get locked out of one), here’s the deal: The electric crossover doesn’t feature the usual door handles or even a traditional keyhole. Instead, it relies on electric latches that open only when the key fob is nearby and, critically, when the battery has enough charge to pop the doors.

A Dead Mach-E Isn’t Just a Problem; It’s a Headache



Now, if your electric Ford’s battery is dead, you’re in trouble. The only way to get into a dead Mustang Mach-E is by accessing the battery and charging it enough so that the doors function again.

According to the lawsuit, the plaintiffs argue that while the Mach-E is “designed to open electrically at the touch of a button,” unlike most cars with electronic door handles, it “does not have a fail-safe physical key that can be used should the battery fail; there’s no hidden physical slot to insert one.” As a result, they claim, this “feature” is actually a defect in need of correction.

To be fair to the plaintiffs, the stories surrounding this issue do make the design seem more like an afterthought than a well-planned feature. In just the last two months, we’ve reported on at least two separate instances of owners getting locked out unexpectedly. In one case, a child was effectively trapped in the car with no fast way to open the door.

A better solution might be a software solution...Warn the driver that the 12V battery is going bad, then keep the doors from locking until the battery is changed. That will insure that the driver will get the battery changed promptly. (Only a software fix which doesn't cost as much.)

 

[Art]

The doors will open mechanically from the inside, even if locked.
Your concern is unfounded.

If a young child is in the car, they maybe to scared, too small, or in a child seat to open the doors.

 

[Maquis]

If a young child is in the car, they maybe to scared, too small, or in a child seat to open the doors.

Geeze.
Please pay attention to the context!

The comment I responded to was about not having the doors lock automatically when driving. Means an adult is in the car.

 

[generaltso]

Well if it were that simple we wouldn't be here and have this issue with a pending lawsuit on the horizon.

Of course they should have included a mechanical key cylinder in the design. I think Ford learned their lesson and is likely to in future designs. But I was just stating that simply adding a battery to the doors wouldn’t solve the problem since that already exists.

 

[Ford_orr]

Of course they should have included a mechanical key cylinder in the design. I think Ford learned their lesson and is likely to in future designs. But I was just stating that simply adding a battery to the doors wouldn’t solve the problem since that already exists.

Yes, I agree, a mechanical key would be a partial solution, but as I stated above, many people use Paak and leave their FOB/key at home. This wouldn't work for someone coming out to their car from work or shopping and the 12v battery is dead. I don't think telling people, from now on bring your keys "just in case" is practical. That's just not going to happen. An alternate emergency power supply to power the driver-side door when it was locked prior to the battery dying needs to be found. I'm just spit-balling an idea. Guess we'll have to wait and see what they end up coming up with.

 

[generaltso]

Yes, I agree, a mechanical key would be a partial solution, but as I stated above, many people use Paak and leave their FOB/key at home. This wouldn't work for someone coming out to their car from work or shopping and the 12v battery is dead. I don't think telling people, from now on bring your keys "just in case". That's just not going to happen. An alternate emergency power supply to power the driver-side door when it was locked prior to the battery dying needs to be found. I'm just spit-balling an idea. Guess we'll have to wait and see what they end up coming up with.

A mechanical key in a magnetic hide-a-key is the quick and easy solution I use for my EV9. I don’t usually carry the fob.

 

[Jimrpa]

I’m sure this is a stupid question, but those are the type I excel at:
The consensus here seems to be that Ford should have included a mechanical lock cylinder and key. Given that the only external control to actually open any of the passenger compartment doors, or the rear hatch, is an electric switch, what good will a key do if the vehicle has no 12V power to operate the actuator mechanism(s) those switches control?
Bonus question: what is the actual rate of failures that require the use of the emergency frunk opening leads and jumping the 12V battery to gain entry to the vehicle? In other words, is this a real problem, or a money-grab?

 

[Tammy Lisa]

Thank you.

 

[generaltso]

I’m sure this is a stupid question, but those are the type I excel at:
The consensus here seems to be that Ford should have included a mechanical lock cylinder and key. Given that the only external control to actually open any of the passenger compartment doors, or the rear hatch, is an electric switch, what good will a key do if the vehicle has no 12V power to operate the actuator mechanism(s) those switches control?

There are also manual cables for the front doors. That's why you can open them from the inside without power.

 

[Jimrpa]

There are also manual cables for the front doors. That's why you can open them from the inside without power.

So, I was just looking briefly at online documentation for the Lincoln Nautilus. Its exterior door handles are shaped so that you can grab them and pull, but they’re electronic, like our buttons. The nautilus does have a key cylinder hidden behind some trim on the front quarter panel that can be used to manually open the front driver’s side door. Ford may simply implement something like this. Note that it would do me no good since I use PAAK and never have my fob with me unless I’m going to the car wash, or on a long trip.
I’d still like to know the failure rate that would require the use of the backup mechanisms. Personally, I see this as nothing more than a greedy lawyer’s money grab, but I’m happy to be proven wrong.

 

[DaddyDeuce]

I’d still like to know the failure rate that would require the use of the backup mechanisms. Personally, I see this as nothing more than a greedy lawyer’s money grab, but I’m happy to be proven wrong.

I will stay silent on the money grab statement, but analysis of any failure that has safety consequences requires two elements:

• What is the rate this failure occurs?
• What is the impact of this failure?

Impacts can include things like human safety, property damage, or even reputational harm to the manufacturer. Only with knowing both the frequency and the impact can you evaluate the overall consequence of the problem.

 

[azerik]

Your home doesn’t have a backup method of entry?

Everybody’s home has the rock through the window back up entry.

Sponsored