After Two Years and 30,000 Miles... Long Term Owner Review

[Mirak]

Two years ago today, I flew to Denver to pick up Sonic - my Grabber Blue FE - and drive him home to Wichita. That odyssey is detailed here. Sonic is Blucifer's twin and I was only able to get him due to a cancelled pre-order by @Mach-E VLOG. 29,900 miles later, here is my two-year review....

Much of this is copied from my 1yr review, with updates. I have no regrets. I would absolutely buy it again. My timing was fortuitous because I was able to locate a cancelled pre-order Grabber Blue First Edition at X-Plan pricing just before the global markets went to hell and car prices went through the roof (and have you seen the price at the pump now LOL?!)

Pros:

• The exterior styling is gorgeous. Way better than the frumpy androgynous people-mover lump of a Model Y, or the Kia EV6 or Hyundai Ionic 5. The Grabber Blue is not only the fastest color - it is gorgeous. It pops in the day and practically glows at night. Fit and finish are flawless. I think it is still the best looking EV on the road in this price class.
• Mechanically the car is nearly flawless, aside from a couple of issues I'll detail below.
• My 4X has plenty of giddy up. Not quite as quick as a comparable MY, but not a big enough difference to care.
• The interior is very comfortable and refined. Nice little touches like blue contrast stitching and soft touch materials give the cabin a very refined feel. Front and rear passenger space is perfectly adequate, and the cabin is quiet - much quieter than the MY.
• The infotainment screen gives the car a suitably futuristic air while maintaining most of the comforts of a more traditional vehicle. Unlike the MY, I get a driver instrument cluster. Unlike the MY, I don't have to tap into the menu to activate my wipers or open the freaking glove box. And I get that glorious KNOB that is so easy to use (and now multifunction!) The latest 4.1.2 refresh made several nice enhancements, but see one big con below.
• Trunk and frunk capacity are quite good for a car of this size. The floor lays perfectly flat. Don't believe any numbers that suggest the MY has more cargo capacity - the capacity is basically the same and comes down to the specific dimension of your luggage (or banana boxes).
• The infotainment screen is generally quite easy to use and responsive, with only a few negatives addressed below.
• Ford's suite of driver assistance features generally works quite well. Blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alerts, adaptive cruise control, and lane centering all work well. BlueCruise Hands Free is nice on long highway drives, but there are cons listed below.
• PAAK generally works well, at least once I'm in the car, but see cons below.

Cons:

• Public charging remains my biggest complaint. Two years later, the network has not meaningfully improved in Kansas. Midwest road trips require careful planning and if the charging station doesn't work, you're in for a major headache. Not having 800v architecture is becoming a more evident deficiency when it comes to charging speed.
• OTA updates are still painfully slow to deploy. An update typically takes months to be pushed to all cars. Even in Early Access, I had to wait over a month to receive 4.1.2 and I ultimately had to make a trip to the service center to get "unstuck."
• TWO YEARS LATER, I still cannot turn off the Alarm Interior Motion Sensors.
• TWO YEARS LATER, my car still reverts to Guest Profile every time I remote start.
• TWO YEARS LATER, I still don't have one-tap access to open my trunk.
• Ford's latest UI refresh whiffed on some softballs, detailed here.
• The "sport tuned" suspension is stiffer than I would like.
• BlueCruise Hands Free cuts out sometimes, and not just on curves. Ford wants me to pay $600 (plus tax) by end of this month to subscribe for another three years, but has not committed to giving me BC1.2. I'm not going to subscribe to software unless Ford commits to keep it updated with the latest version.
• PAAK frequently makes me wait several seconds before allowing me to open the doors from the outside. Once I'm in the car, it almost always detects the key.
• The driver screen buzzes. Ford replaced my screen and the new one buzzes less, but it's still there. Weird that Ford can't source a driver screen that is silent like the much larger infotainment screen.
• Communication from Ford is generally poor. Don't get me wrong, as an early adopter and vociferous forum participant, Ford has interacted with me several times at a fairly high level, and I appreciate that. But Ford could clear up a lot of confusion if it would provide more detail as to what various updates do. There's a ton that we just don't know, and it makes things like tracking down bug resolutions quite difficult.
• FordPass could be cleaner, and put essential charge management on the home page.

Some of these gripes are fairly minor, some are not, but overall I love the car and I would do it again. The only reason I'd recommend anyone buy a Tesla at this point is if they (1) take so many road trips that they need the greater DCFC reliability, or (2) if they plan to drop the $12,500 extra on Full Self Driving.

Great job @Ford Motor Company!! But seriously, read the Super Poll and get us more of these software enhancements!

 

[IB_NYC]

Any contacts you would suggest reaching out to to get the small screen replaced or did you just go through your dealer? How long did it take? Did it mess anything else up?

This is my biggest complaint about the car. If they can solve this 100% I would be very happy. It's extremely annoying.

• "The driver screen buzzes. Ford replaced my screen and the new one buzzes less, but it's still there. Weird that Ford can't source a driver screen that is silent like the much larger infotainment screen."

 

[Guss-E 2021]

I am only nine months into ownership so I really appreciate these posts. Ford should too. I have to say I'm very impressed that the experience with a first edition has been so good. That being said, the software side issues are really inexcusable in 2023. I hope they eventually works themselves out for you @Mirak

 

[Giddyup]

I also have the same - FE Grabber Blue. I'm up to 20,000 miles in 2 years, and charge primarily at home using the provided charger & 220V outlet. I originally picked mine up from a small Ford dealer in the town of Tryon, NC. Their service and interactions have been wonderful. I've taken it on one "road trip" to Louisville, KY, and can definitely echo the same concerns about the charging network. Other than that, I am mostly satisfied with everything about this vehicle. I certainly get lots of compliments about it.

 

[DennisD]

Two years ago today, I flew to Denver to pick up Sonic - my Grabber Blue FE - and drive him home to Wichita. That odyssey is detailed here. Sonic is Blucifer's twin and I was only able to get him due to a cancelled pre-order by @Mach-E VLOG. 29,900 miles later, here is my two-year review....

Much of this is copied from my 1yr review, with updates. I have no regrets. I would absolutely buy it again. My timing was fortuitous because I was able to locate a cancelled pre-order Grabber Blue First Edition at X-Plan pricing just before the global markets went to hell and car prices went through the roof (and have you seen the price at the pump now LOL?!)

Pros:

• The exterior styling is gorgeous. Way better than the frumpy androgynous people-mover lump of a Model Y, or the Kia EV6 or Hyundai Ionic 5. The Grabber Blue is not only the fastest color - it is gorgeous. It pops in the day and practically glows at night. Fit and finish are flawless. I think it is still the best looking EV on the road in this price class.
• Mechanically the car is nearly flawless, aside from a couple of issues I'll detail below.
• My 4X has plenty of giddy up. Not quite as quick as a comparable MY, but not a big enough difference to care.
• The interior is very comfortable and refined. Nice little touches like blue contrast stitching and soft touch materials give the cabin a very refined feel. Front and rear passenger space is perfectly adequate, and the cabin is quiet - much quieter than the MY.
• The infotainment screen gives the car a suitably futuristic air while maintaining most of the comforts of a more traditional vehicle. Unlike the MY, I get a driver instrument cluster. Unlike the MY, I don't have to tap into the menu to activate my wipers or open the freaking glove box. And I get that glorious KNOB that is so easy to use (and now multifunction!) The latest 4.1.2 refresh made several nice enhancements, but see one big con below.
• Trunk and frunk capacity are quite good for a car of this size. The floor lays perfectly flat. Don't believe any numbers that suggest the MY has more cargo capacity - the capacity is basically the same and comes down to the specific dimension of your luggage (or banana boxes).
• The infotainment screen is generally quite easy to use and responsive, with only a few negatives addressed below.
• Ford's suite of driver assistance features generally works quite well. Blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alerts, adaptive cruise control, and lane centering all work well. BlueCruise Hands Free is nice on long highway drives, but there are cons listed below.
• PAAK generally works well, at least once I'm in the car, but see cons below.

Cons:

• Public charging remains my biggest complaint. Two years later, the network has not meaningfully improved in Kansas. Midwest road trips require careful planning and if the charging station doesn't work, you're in for a major headache. Not having 800v architecture is becoming a more evident deficiency when it comes to charging speed.
• OTA updates are still painfully slow to deploy. An update typically takes months to be pushed to all cars. Even in Early Access, I had to wait over a month to receive 4.1.2 and I ultimately had to make a trip to the service center to get "unstuck."
• TWO YEARS LATER, I still cannot turn off the Alarm Interior Motion Sensors.
• TWO YEARS LATER, my car still reverts to Guest Profile every time I remote start.
• TWO YEARS LATER, I still don't have one-tap access to open my trunk.
• Ford's latest UI refresh whiffed on some softballs, detailed here.
• The "sport tuned" suspension is stiffer than I would like.
• BlueCruise Hands Free cuts out sometimes, and not just on curves. Ford wants me to pay $600 (plus tax) by end of this month to subscribe for another three years, but has not committed to giving me BC1.2. I'm not going to subscribe to software unless Ford commits to keep it updated with the latest version.
• PAAK frequently makes me wait several seconds before allowing me to open the doors from the outside. Once I'm in the car, it almost always detects the key.
• The driver screen buzzes. Ford replaced my screen and the new one buzzes less, but it's still there. Weird that Ford can't source a driver screen that is silent like the much larger infotainment screen.
• Communication from Ford is generally poor. Don't get me wrong, as an early adopter and vociferous forum participant, Ford has interacted with me several times at a fairly high level, and I appreciate that. But Ford could clear up a lot of confusion if it would provide more detail as to what various updates do. There's a ton that we just don't know, and it makes things like tracking down bug resolutions quite difficult.
• FordPass could be cleaner, and put essential charge management on the home page.

Some of these gripes are fairly minor, some are not, but overall I love the car and I would do it again. The only reason I'd recommend anyone buy a Tesla at this point is if they (1) take so many road trips that they need the greater DCFC reliability, or (2) if they plan to drop the $12,500 extra on Full Self Driving.

Great job @Ford Motor Company!! But seriously, read the Super Poll and get us more of these software enhancements!

Once again, how the bar has lowered to almost the ground.

Your list of cons is quite extensive.

I purchased a 2022 Prius in March of last year and it now has 27,000 miles (close to what you have).

Now while I realize that I own a car that is in it's last year before the new revision came out this year, I have zero issues with this car. If you look at almost any review of this car, it comes out squeaky clean.

There are zero mechanical and electronic issues. None.

Now with that being said, when I compare the quality of both interior and exterior parts with my MME, there is no comparison. The Prius is so much better.

The thing I like the most about the MME is the looks and the "fun to drive" part of it. After that, it reminds me of my Pontiac Grand Am and Chrysler LeBaron that I used to own.

Those too were a good looking car (IMHO) and were fun to drive. After a few months into driving these cars the "funness" was starting to wear thin with the little issues that I was having. The "con" list was getting lenghty.

I would love to say to people that ask about my MME how great it is but I honestly can't bring myself to do so. If they ask about my Prius I tell them it may quite be the ugliest car that I have ever owned but it is the best car that I have ever owned quality wise.

Ford has some of the most loyal customers on the planet. I want them to succeed with the MME (because I own one mainly) but I want them to get their act together so I can purchase another one without anxiety. If Japan can make a car that starts out at around 26k and has very few problems, why in the heck can't Ford with a car that starts at the 40k mark?

I am truly glad that you enjoy your car and would do it again but I am one that is not there yet. I will shop around when purchasing another EV.

Nice post though and have fun with your ride for the years to come.

 

[azerik]

I'm not discounting your issues at all as I live pretty much all of them and more because I futz around with my suspension etc.

But I expect pretty much every EV that came out 2019 to 2024? To be the 'learning curve' for manufacturers to figure out what they can get away with and what they must get right. Right now enough of them are putting so much stake in software fixing the issues that they're forgetting to look at the actual mechanical issues. Thinking people will be distracted with the latest in hands free driving or automagic parking.

 

[Mirak]

Any contacts you would suggest reaching out to to get the small screen replaced or did you just go through your dealer? How long did it take? Did it mess anything else up?

This is my biggest complaint about the car. If they can solve this 100% I would be very happy. It's extremely annoying.

I don't have any contacts. I think I sent a DM to @Ford Motor Company and took a few trips to the dealership. There are many threads on this. Biggest one linked below. I believe at least a few people have gotten their IPCs replaced, but I'm not sure if Ford is still doing that or not.

I guess all I can say is, don't expect miracles. But my replacement does buzz about half as loudly as the first one, so I do appreciate the replacement. It took I think two days and it did not mess anything else up.

(2) SM 49810 - Buzz Noise From The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) | MachEforum - Ford Mustang Mach-E Forum, News, Owners, Discussions

 

[ShaggySS]

Great write up. Thanks for sharing.

This one caught my attention.."

• TWO YEARS LATER, my car still reverts to Guest Profile every time I remote start.

"
EVERYTIME?!?!

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

• TWO YEARS LATER, I still cannot turn off the Alarm Interior Motion Sensors.
• TWO YEARS LATER, my car still reverts to Guest Profile every time I remote start.
• TWO YEARS LATER, I still don't have one-tap access to open my trunk.

Add the radio/Xm preset bug to that list.

As you’re aware, Ford doesn’t seem to be interested in fixing day 1 customer facing bugs. Or they’re not aware of them.

 

[leehinde]

• The driver screen buzzes. Ford replaced my screen and the new one buzzes less, but it's still there. Weird that Ford can't source a driver screen that is silent like the much larger infotainment screen.

I would lemon-law that sh*t.

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

Congratulations on your two-year anniversary, @Mirak! Coincidently today is Ode to Joy's one-year date. (Well technically she arrived at 12:30am on 3/9/2022, but the DMV paperwork says the 8th...) Glad you would buy yours again. I would buy Joy again too. And I agree with all of the pros and cons you list (though I'll have to take your word for Kansas DCFC infrastructure situation since I've not been there - yet). Enjoy your car!

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

I would lemon-law that sh*t.

>
SSM 49810 - 2021 Mustang Mach-E - 21 May 2021 - Buzz Noise From The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC)

Some 2021 Mustang Mach-E vehicles may exhibit a buzzing noise from the IPC that changes with the brightness setting. This is a normal operating characteristic of the vehicle and replacement of the IPC and/or other parts is not recommended. If compared to like vehicles some variation may be noted and should be considered normal.<

 

[alexgorod]

I purchased a 2022 Prius in March of last year and it now has 27,000 miles (close to what you have).

Now while I realize that I own a car that is in it's last year before the new revision came out this year, I have zero issues with this car.

How OTA updates work for you?

 

[DennisD]

How OTA updates work for you?

I have a 2022 Prius, and to my knowledge they don't have them. I believe the 2023 has them and I will see how well they work in comparison. I plan on purchasing a new Prius this coming Fall.

 

[JcMarin]

I'm past my 1 year anniversary with my GT and I agree with the OP on most positive points why I like the Car

On the cons do, my main one (and its a big one) is reliability, I had the infamous HVBJB Problem that took quite some time resolve, have had a door component replaced and now a front camera issue that was not fixed with TSB 23-2040 so back at the shop.

I was prepared to have some first - EV issues, but I think Ford (and its Dealers) were not prepared to service these EV's and they are still not there yet.

Same goes for the charging infrastructure as stated by OP, its not where it needs to be and TESLA is much better in this regard

To be fair, both these issues are not only a problem Ford is having, as most first generation EV's are having similar issues, but I was naively expecting Ford to be better prepared.

If I had none of these reliability issues I would say I'm very happy with the Car.

I don't have issues withe the usual complaints:
PaaK works, No Screen Buzz, Have Frunk btn, Car is up to date with 4.1.3 (and I'm not in early access)

BUT, until I get the car to be out of service with issues for at least 6 months I'm not a Happy Camper.