2023 Mach-E GT Contactor Stuck

[V8toEV]

Same thing happened to my '23 GTPE Thursday last week. Wouldn't start with same code. Only 6k miles with < 10 DCFC sessions. I do have a lead foot. Lots of straight roads here in Phoenix.

This is the 7th new car I've purchased in my adult lifetime and is the only one to have a catastrophic failure. To be fair, none of those cars were a brand new power train technology from scratch, so I'll cut Ford some slack. Ford roadside offered me a $30 Lyft credit in case I was broken down on the side of the road. Luckily I was in my garage at home. Ford gave us all a free NACS adapter. They are trying really hard to compensate for these technical issues.


Well, mine is getting fixed there. Hopefully it goes smoothly. I was impressed when I took it there back in Feb and they did a non-scheduled 12v battery replacement on a busy Saturday while I waited.

A vehicle that holds the "Mustang" name and displays a "GT" badge should be able to handle "lead foot" all day and night without reducing power output! @Ford Motor Company made a huge mistake by not having people like you and me testing things out in the real world.

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[V8toEV]

This is what I'm afraid of. I thought I did a decent job researching before I made the decision but if I could go back 2 weeks I think I'd not buy it again because being stuck with random problems and hearing stories of being in the shop for weeks is nuts to me. We're coming from a 2016 camry that has never had a single problem ever in 4 years we've had it so this is a change of pace for sure ? ?

I specifically waited for the 2023 model year because I was aware that the recall was only for 2021-2022. I incorrectly believed that @Ford Motor Company was a quality based manufacturer that would not screw up the same thing three years in a row!

 

[V8toEV]

Amazing. Reading this forum I am starting to regret this purchase. I hope this does not happen to me. The Model 3 I traded in had one problem with the suspension once, was fixed and never saw the service center again. I really hope the MME does not give me trouble because I like the car.

I regret my @Ford Motor Company purchase. I paid for a 12 sec 1/4 mile performance vehicle but now have a derated Mach-E GT that can't even travel a 1/4 mile at full power! Wish I had bought a Tesla or Lucid instead.

 

[HuntingPudel]

I specifically waited for the 2023 model year because I was aware that the recall only for 2021-2022. I incorrectly believed that @Ford Motor Company was a quality based manufacturer that would not screw up the same thing three years in a row!

The current part number of the HVBJB for the GT is LK9Z-10C666-C. It was put in place in mid-November of 2023. The initial recall was for cars that did not have the limp home software and were more susceptible to a Stop Safely Now error. All of the cars included in that recall were produced before the end of May of 2022. They all had the first generation HVBJB. The second generation HVBJB was introduced at the same time. The second recall was for replacement of the HVBJB and installation of the software, unless the HVBJB had already been serviced via warranty (I missed that and was 3 months too early to get the third generation HVBJB when my first generation unit blew up). So, very few 2023 models got the third generation HVBJB. ??

The 2024 models have an improved cooling system along with the third generation HVBJB, which is why they can do a full quarter mile run without hitting the limiter. Great for strip duty, I guess. They still have a limiter, and Unbridled Extend is still necessary for track days. ?‍?

 

[Mike G]

@V8toEV Remain calm. Seeing as how you already have the newest HVJB.....

It is highly likely with that code that the dealership tech will be instructed to reset the counter on the BECM and test drive the car briefly. If the code does not return, you will be good to go.

Ask me how I know.....

 

[DaddyDeuce]

I haven't been following all this as close as I should. My car is a 22 GT-PE, I go WOT almost every day, I don't DCFC very often.

What is the chance my HVJB could go out on me?

 

[V8toEV]

I haven't been following all this as close as I should. My car is a 22 GT-PE, I go WOT almost every day, I don't DCFC very often.

What is the chance my HVJB could go out on me?

Your Mach-E most likely has the derating software update installed so I doubt you'll have the problem.

If it starts reducing power even at WOT after around 70 MPH then you know it's got the update. Basically Ford reduced the vehicle performance via software to save the inferior hardware component.

 

[Mach-Lee]

If it starts reducing power even at WOT after around 70 MPH then you know it's got the update. Basically Ford reduced the vehicle performance via software to save the inferior hardware component.

All ‘21-‘23 GT models do this by design, it was not an update or software change after the fact that reduced performance. Your statement is false.

 

[V8toEV]

All ‘21-‘23 GT models do this by design, it was not an update or software change after the fact that reduced performance. Your statement is false.

Before the HVBJB replacement my Mach-E could do average 12.8 sec 1/4 mile runs with SOC > 80%. After the repair, with all other conditions equal, it barely hits 15 3/4 sec.

It was a non-issue to pass a tractor trailer going uphill on a highway before, now the vehicle struggles. It noticeably runs out of steam after about 70 MPH.

What are your thoughts on why this would be the case?

 

[Mach-Lee]

Before the HVBJB replacement my Mach-E could do average 12.8 sec 1/4 mile runs with SOC > 80%. After the repair, with all other conditions equal, it barely hits 15 3/4 sec.

It was a non-issue to pass a tractor trailer going uphill on a highway before, now the vehicle struggles. It noticeably runs out of steam after about 70 MPH.

What are your thoughts on why this would be the case?

Previous tests have concluded the post recall software has no difference in 0-60 or 1/4 mile times.

It could be your test methodology, make sure you’re at >90% battery, and the battery temp is warmed up >70°F when testing acceleration. Ambient temp 70-95F. Flat ground, little wind, etc. And don’t use unbridle extend.

If it is legitimately slower than other GTs, then you may have some sort of installation issue or problem with the part. I have no idea how you’d address this with Ford however if there are no codes. Has anyone checked for hidden codes?

 

[V8toEV]

Previous tests have concluded the post recall software has no difference in 0-60 or 1/4 mile times.

It could be your test methodology, make sure you’re at >90% battery, and the battery temp is warmed up >70°F when testing acceleration. Ambient temp 70-95F. Flat ground, little wind, etc. And don’t use unbridle extend.

If it is legitimately slower than other GTs, then you may have some sort of installation issue or problem with the part. I have no idea how you’d address this with Ford however if there are no codes. Has anyone checked for hidden codes?

Current codes:
U2008-08
P0C2F-92

Dealer said that there's a CSP OTA update that will resolve.

As for the performance degrade, they actually told me that it is part of the repair to slow down the vehicle to prevent the same thing from happening again.

Are they BSing me?

 

[Mach-Lee]

Current codes:
U2008-08
P0C2F-92

Dealer said that there's a CSP OTA update that will resolve.

As for the performance degrade, they actually told me that it is part of the repair to slow down the vehicle to prevent the same thing from happening again.

Are they BSing me?

The P0C2F code is probably why you have reduced performance. That is a motor speed plausibility fault which would likely limit torque output. The fix is to update the powertrain software to latest to see if it goes away, if not then they have to go digging and repair some connections. Possibly the affected motor might need to get replaced.

The other U2008 code is typical and not a concern.

Slowing down the vehicle to prevent another failure is BS, that will only happen if another fault in the HVBJB is detected. Under normal operating conditions it should have the same performance as original. If this happened after the HVBJB repair, it's possible there may have been a problem introduced when putting it back together.

 

[Shayne]

@V8toEV Remain calm. Seeing as how you already have the newest HVJB.....

It is highly likely with that code that the dealership tech will be instructed to reset the counter on the BECM and test drive the car briefly. If the code does not return, you will be good to go.

Ask me how I know.....

A test drive is the only test to ensure nothing is wrong or it that a for sure test? No other data can be obtained to be sure?

Your Mach-E most likely has the derating software update installed so I doubt you'll have the problem.

If it starts reducing power even at WOT after around 70 MPH then you know it's got the update. Basically Ford reduced the vehicle performance via software to save the inferior hardware component.

Depends two types of failures stuck open and stuck shut. Stuck open no derating software would help. Limp mode driving and charging.

Current codes:
U2008-08
P0C2F-92

Dealer said that there's a CSP OTA update that will resolve.

As for the performance degrade, they actually told me that it is part of the repair to slow down the vehicle to prevent the same thing from happening again.

Are they BSing me?

As soon as I get the charging cord stuck CSP from last October OTA I will be looking for this one.

 

[V8toEV]

The P0C2F code is probably why you have reduced performance. That is a motor speed plausibility fault which would likely limit torque output. The fix is to update the powertrain software to latest to see if it goes away, if not then they have to go digging and repair some connections. Possibly the affected motor might need to get replaced.

The other U2008 code is typical and not a concern.

Slowing down the vehicle to prevent another failure is BS, that will only happen if another fault in the HVBJB is detected. Under normal operating conditions it should have the same performance as original. If this happened after the HVBJB repair, it's possible there may have been a problem introduced when putting it back together.

OK thx.

Overall, my customer experience with @Ford Motor Company is not good:

1) If your statement "All ‘21-‘23 GT models do this by design, it was not an update or software change after the fact that reduced performance. Your statement is false." is indeed a fact, then my Mach-E should not have faced a contactor failure.

2) Dealership service department should not be feeding me BS about power reduction.

3) Inferior product design, hardware and software are the root causes. Ford needs to do better by quality based customers like myself.

4) A vehicle labeled as a "Mustang" that displays the "GT" badge should have been built more robustly. WOT events should not cripple it. They obviously did not test it as thoroughly as they should have before putting it on the market.

 

[enhost]

Can a class action be filed for this? I know there are a few class actions for lesser things in other products going through the courts right now.

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