Dead car…..again.

[Ford Motor Company]

Back story…. 2021 Mach-E GT.

Oct 2022 - car went into the crazy unlock, can’t start phase, lights flashing at half brightness. knocking sound in speakers. towed to dealership
NOV 2023 - car wouldn’t start, towed to dealership - HVBJB replaced
Dec 2022 - car did the crazy unlock, can’t star phase, lights flashing at half brightness, knocking sounds in speakers. Towed to dealership had it for 3-4 weeks. Can’t figure out what is wrong. Started working on its own. Give car back to me early Jan 2023.
Feb 9, 2023 - moved car from garage, got out as normal. Car locked by itself Ford pass sent a message same time saying “alarm triggered”. Now the car is dead. Locked but dead.
anyone else having these problems?

Called to schedule an appointment with the dealershi. They have no opening for 3-4 weeks. They have one tech that is trying to figure out the Mach-E issues. They currently have 3 Mach-E in front of me with the same issues and none of us can drive our cars. With no fix identified.

I love the car when it works but I can’t recommend anyone buy the Mach-E. At least not for a few years.

Hi there! Would you send us a private message with your VIN and dealership name and location? I’d like to look into this concern on my end.

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[heisnuts]

Even though you shouldn't have to, I would come out of pocket to replace the 12v battery myself if I was in the same situation as you. 12v battery issues are known to cause all sorts of issues with EVs.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ado-ln1agm

Spending $166 to potentially solve the problem and not have to deal with it anymore is will worth it in my opinion.

If you have a 10mm socket, a screwdriver, and about 45 minutes, you can pull the beauty covers, frunk tub, swap the battery, and put it all back together.

Again I agree you shouldn't have to do it yourself but it might save you lots of heartache dealing with the dealership. Could be a waste of money but at least it would be a relatively small amount.

I was thinking the exact same thing, especially when the OP said it was going to be weeks before they could get the car into the shop.

 

[scoopman]

I was thinking the exact same thing, especially when the OP said it was going to be weeks before they could get the car into the shop.

Yeah replacing the battery didn't seem too hard, just a lotta plastic to take out

 

[HI-Mach-E]

Hi there! Would you send us a private message with your VIN and dealership name and location? I’d like to look into this concern on my end.

Hi there! Would you send us a private message with your VIN and dealership name and location? I’d like to look into this concern on my end.

DM sent

 

[HI-Mach-E]

Even though you shouldn't have to, I would come out of pocket to replace the 12v battery myself if I was in the same situation as you. 12v battery issues are known to cause all sorts of issues with EVs.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ado-ln1agm

Spending $166 to potentially solve the problem and not have to deal with it anymore is will worth it in my opinion.

If you have a 10mm socket, a screwdriver, and about 45 minutes, you can pull the beauty covers, frunk tub, swap the battery, and put it all back together.

Again I agree you shouldn't have to do it yourself but it might save you lots of heartache dealing with the dealership. Could be a waste of money but at least it would be a relatively small amount.

I understand what you’re saying and I thought about just buying the battery myself and installing it. Two reason why I haven’t.

1. It’s under warranty and I should not have to.
2. If I installed a new battery who says that would even fix the problem. It might be another issue draining the battery not just a dead battery. So regardless whatever is draining the battery that part needs to be fixed.

 

[HI-Mach-E]

Call the Ford BEV team (1-800-393-3673) and open a case with them. This sounds an awful lot like a 12v battery issue. Since the car is dead atm, it’s the perfect opportunity to take it in. There are very few reasons the MME can be dead that do not involve the lvb.

Also which island are you on? If you're on Oahu there are other dealers.

I will call on Monday to open a ticket. Thanks for the number.

Also, I am on Oahu however, I have dealt with all 3 dealerships for my other Fords and the one I go to now is actually the best. Overall it comes down to we are on an Island in the middle of the ocean with limited technicians that are Certified to work EV’s.

 

[Shayne]

I’m asking this question sincerely: what are the “top-in-class options”?

You mean when I bought it or now? Back when I bought it was the Y and I had a performance on preorder. Declined delivery due to the arrogance of Tesla sales and I had got a bad taste in my mouth for its owner. I opted for the next, close service which was the MME and waited again. Next one we purchase should be a whole different story as we keep what we buy for awhile. I will be looking across the board next time, know what to look for and there should be a whole lot more options and track records by that time.

I also would think twice about bringing anyone in on this experience to date. The software still needs to get better for that to happen. Not like I am going to try to get any of the addons working on this OS. I can't even get the basics to run smooth to date. Maybe next year the software will have matured enough for me to recommend? It has got better but we all know that wasn't too hard. Last winter it just sat there plugged to 240V and let its 12V die. This winter it comes on and tries to maintain it. Get departure and charging info/scheduling thru Bluetooth would be a big step.

Don't regret my purchase but would have a bit of a problem recommending it to the less tech savvy still at this stage. Can you imagine what dealers are telling some and getting away with. Know what mine tried/tries on me. I will keep on them until the car does what it is suppose to do. At that point I will shut auto updates down. After 2 years I really thought that would have happen by now. Right now I am an ignored complainer and do not recommend that. Ford must know there is a timeline to get there sh!t together but it does not hurt to remind them.

 

[mkhuffman]

I understand what you’re saying and I thought about just buying the battery myself and installing it. Two reason why I haven’t.

1. It’s under warranty and I should not have to.
2. If I installed a new battery who says that would even fix the problem. It might be another issue draining the battery not just a dead battery. So regardless whatever is draining the battery that part needs to be fixed.

I feel your pain but I would definitely change out the battery myself rather than wait weeks without being able to drive my car. That's just me, and your position is reasonable. Still. If it is the LVB you could have it fixed in a couple hours easy. If it is not, at least you will know and can pass that info along to the dealership when they finally can fit you in.

 

[Ghost Ryder]

I’m asking this question sincerely: what are the “top-in-class options”?

Ok, I'll bite. I think the MY is still the target that all other Manufacturers are aiming for at this price point.

 

[Jimrpa]

You mean when I bought it or now? Back when I bought it was the Y and I had a performance on preorder. Declined delivery due to the arrogance of Tesla sales and I had got a bad taste in my mouth for its owner. I opted for the next, close service which was the MME and waited again. Next one we purchase should be a whole different story as we keep what we buy for awhile. I will be looking across the board next time, know what to look for and there should be a whole lot more options and track records by that time.

I also would think twice about bringing anyone in on this experience to date. The software still needs to get better for that to happen. Not like I am going to try to get any of the addons working on this OS. I can't even get the basics to run smooth to date. Maybe next year the software will have matured enough for me to recommend? It has got better but we all know that wasn't too hard. Last winter it just sat there plugged to 240V and let its 12V die. This winter it comes on and tries to maintain it. Get departure and charging info/scheduling thru Bluetooth would be a big step.

Don't regret my purchase but would have a bit of a problem recommending it to the less tech savvy still at this stage. Can you imagine what dealers are telling some and getting away with. Know what mine tried/tries on me. I will keep on them until the car does what it is suppose to do. At that point I will shut auto updates down. After 2 years I really thought that would have happen by now. Right now I am an ignored complainer and do not recommend that. Ford must know there is a timeline to get there sh!t together but it does not hurt to remind them.

Thanks. I actually meant “at the time you made the statement”, which I assume would be about now.
If a friend of yours walked up to you and said “Hey Shayne, I’m going to buy an Electric Car tomorrow, could you tell me what you think my ‘top-in-class’ options are?”
I’ll be honest - if he able to rave about the Mustang Mach E, criticize all vehicles without a frunk (I consider a frunk table stakes in the EV game), but beyond that, I’d be lost. I drove the Mercedes EQS and thought it was very nice for >$100K but no frunk. The volvo/Polestar twins? I don’t know much about them except they use google-based software and I don’t know how much influence the Chinese government has on their software. Audi? I don’t know anything. Jaguar? Same? Kia/Hyundai? I don’t know anything about them (except no real frunk), but I’ve seen them in person and find them unattractive. I’ve heard horror stories about VW software.

 

[Shayne]

Thanks. I actually meant “at the time you made the statement”, which I assume would be about now.
If a friend of yours walked up to you and said “Hey Shayne, I’m going to buy an Electric Car tomorrow, could you tell me what you think my ‘top-in-class’ options are?”
I’ll be honest - if he able to rave about the Mustang Mach E, criticize all vehicles without a frunk (I consider a frunk table stakes in the EV game), but beyond that, I’d be lost. I drove the Mercedes EQS and thought it was very nice for >$100K but no frunk. The volvo/Polestar twins? I don’t know much about them except they use google-based software and I don’t know how much influence the Chinese government has on their software. Audi? I don’t know anything. Jaguar? Same? Kia/Hyundai? I don’t know anything about them (except no real frunk), but I’ve seen them in person and find them unattractive. I’ve heard horror stories about VW software.

Wasn't me that you were responding to in the first post but you asked for an honest answer. Fact is some have approached me about the MME GT ready to buy one. We are in the teething stages and agree that many manufactures have a way to go. They say it takes 100 years to truly develop a new invention.

Still not many options but GM and Dodge will come in. I am good with what I have right now but if I was buying again today I would also be browsing the kia ev6 forums. MME does not make total sense for the extra cost and knowing its poor software. When I needed a vehicle there was really only 2 and I pushed that waiting for the second. Not interested in color or looks just the basics that makes it go/charge. Good thing is that our OS is in their trucks also and that group should be heard.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

I am on Oahu however, I have dealt with all 3 dealerships for my other Fords and the one I go to now is actually the best. Overall it comes down to we are on an Island in the middle of the ocean with limited technicians that are Certified to work EV’s.

Sadly, you’re effectively in the same boat as those of us on the neighboring islands.

 

[HI-Mach-E]

A few of the messages from Ford Pass.

 

[Shayne]

A few of the messages from Ford Pass.

These just in the app? Just force close the app and forget it? Know the car did spit out a whole lot of messages at you when the cars 12V is too low but never saw the app do it. Maybe progress? It is the car you care about forget the app.

It is not easy being green and yep appears something is not working in yours like it is for others. Bummer but they should fix it. Are you sure they currently have 3 Mach-E in front of you with the exact same issues?

Are you still locked out? Did you get a 12V charger on it? Is it still sitting at your place?

I drilled 12V access holes in the one cover after the first time I removed and replaced the covers hiding the 12V (manual). How to in the forum for access but watch your back dimension. Service is in there all the time and it won't take too long for the covers to start looking old removing them all the time. Saw the tech do it at my place 1st time the 12V died -28C and it was a one hand grab and tear. Every time they hook up the car to FDRS they hook up a 12V charger. Hoping they now pop the cover and use the 2" ports I drilled not gripping panels and losing pins. Becomes easy for you once the access ports are in. Maybe another time hope you get fixed up.

 

[HI-Mach-E]

UPDATE:

Car is still dead. I had an appointment 6 Match so I had it towed on 2 March to the dealership while I had to go on a work trip. Got back and checked with the dealership 13 March. The car is still in the same spot as it was towed to. They stated they couldn’t get to it because the technician is still trying to figure out the 2 other Mach-e’s that are dead as well. Asked for a timeframe on when I could expect them to look at it….”as soon as we figure out the other two cars.” So pretty much I have been paying 4 months of a dead new vehicle.

I told the Ford rep to either buy back my vehicle or give me a new one. That is the only way for them to redeem themselves.

Ford has lost me as a customer. I am the 5th generation Ford owner in my family and I will be the last.

I loved the Mach-E when it worked but once I get the Mach-E back I will be selling it. I am done with Ford.

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