Front Drive Unit needs replaced

[Doobster6]

If I recall correctly, Munroe actually praised the front motor of the Mach-E. Tesla has had numerous major component failures over the years. Consumer Reports regularly trashes Tesla for reliability.

If you read a car forum, eventually you will see every issue under the sun crop up. It’s an issue of frequency and so far, a motor failure on a Mach-E remains a very rare thing.

Well then, that’s good to know. I knew Tesla’s were dinged for poor build quality, but not their major components. That’s good to know too.

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[phil]

"needs replaced"

 

[roamtheworld]

Had the dreaded wrench appear last week. Dropped it off at the dealer last Friday. They just called me to tell me I need a new front drive unit. Won't have the part for two weeks and then another 1.5 - 2 weeks to do the actual work. So I may be without my car for almost a month. To top it all off they were out of loaners so I got a non-electric car from Hertz with 72k miles on it and it looks like it has twice that from the outside! Anyone able to explain what this is (front drive unit) and how significant of an issue this is? Is this more common than I think....just don't remember many of these issues popping up on the forum. Have had zero problems up until the dealer did the HVJ replacement a few weeks ago. Nothing like making a payment and not being able to drive it for a month. Thanks.

It happened to us at the end of the year during the holidays so it can happen.I posted about the crazy experience in this post https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/failed-front-drive-unit-the-south-central-texas-saga.33541/
It took exactly 30 days to get the car fixed and as pointed out Ford isn't sitting on front-drive units as spares. At the time we escalated with BEV team and got spot #3 in the whole of the US for getting the replacement.
Good luck and talk with the BEV to make sure the dealership is getting the proper support.

 

[ryan9751]

I brought my 22 GTPE with 19K miles in to the dealership last month because the suspension made a creaking sound when turning at low speeds and going over bumps.

They somehow came up with the front drive motor needing replacement, although I find it hard to believe that their diagnosis is correct, because the vehicle had no warning lights on, and I had not noticed any change in acceleration power.

Tomorrow will be the 30th day they have had the vehicle (although only 1.5 weeks from the part arriving)

The whole experience has been pretty frustrating, and would have thought that after it sitting there for 2 weeks they would have put a rush on the repair once the part arrived.

Could anyone confirm what the book time / labor hours required for this job that would help me understand why it is taking them 2 weeks to repair?

 

[raju1uce]

Hello fellow Pony lovers,

I faced the same issue this week.
My 2023 Mach E Premium, my dearest Night Pony, started making humming, clunking noises and weird smell while driving on the highway with several messages popping up “AWD failure” “Powertain Malfunction”, “Service AdvanceTrac” and “Pre-Collision Assist Unavailable”. I somehow made it home safely but once I parked my baby, it just refused to Shift into Gear, basically dead in the driveway!
Tried 12v jump, -ve reset but to no avail.

Got it towed to dealership and they called back after 3 days saying “Front Electric Drive Assembly” needs replacement. ETA 1 month, parts back ordered..!!

To my agony they don’t have a loaner, 4 week waitlist..

Questions based on your experience:
1. Any tips to interrogate the dealership to confirm, if they got the diagnosis right?

2. How much do the repairs cost (Parts, labor all inclusive). Looks like this should be covered under warranty but I’m curious!

3. Is your Pony running fine after repairs or any residual issues?

4. Any tips to get the out-of-pocket Car Rental reimbursed by Ford, while I suffer through this waiting game!


- Help..!

 

[HuntingPudel]

Hello fellow Pony lovers,

I faced the same issue this week.
My 2023 Mach E Premium, my dearest Night Pony, started making humming, clunking noises and weird smell while driving on the highway with several messages popping up “AWD failure” “Powertain Malfunction”, “Service AdvanceTrac” and “Pre-Collision Assist Unavailable”. I somehow made it home safely but once I parked my baby, it just refused to Shift into Gear, basically dead in the driveway!
Tried 12v jump, -ve reset but to no avail.

Got it towed to dealership and they called back after 3 days saying “Front Electric Drive Assembly” needs replacement. ETA 1 month, parts back ordered..!!

To my agony they don’t have a loaner, 4 week waitlist..

Questions based on your experience:
1. Any tips to interrogate the dealership to confirm, if they got the diagnosis right?

2. How much do the repairs cost (Parts, labor all inclusive). Looks like this should be covered under warranty but I’m curious!

3. Is your Pony running fine after repairs or any residual issues?

4. Any tips to get the out-of-pocket Car Rental reimbursed by Ford, while I suffer through this waiting game!


- Help..!

Just pointing out that the GT models in both of the threads to which you replied use a different front drive unit than your Premium and parts cost may be different.

 

[Sheldon]

It happened to us at the end of the year during the holidays so it can happen.I posted about the crazy experience in this post https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/failed-front-drive-unit-the-south-central-texas-saga.33541/
It took exactly 30 days to get the car fixed and as pointed out Ford isn't sitting on front-drive units as spares. At the time we escalated with BEV team and got spot #3 in the whole of the US for getting the replacement.
Good luck and talk with the BEV to make sure the dealership is getting the proper support.

I own a 2023 Ford Mach-E with nearly 60,000 miles. It’s an awesome car, but the issue is that Ford can’t supply replacement parts in a reasonable time frame. On July 18th, 2025, I was on the road when my front drive unit failed, leaving me stranded. The best I could do was have Hillsboro Ford in NH inspect the car two weeks later due to their high volume of repairs. Fortunately, since the car was on their lot, they checked it out on July 24. The good news was they confirmed it was the front drive unit, and it was under warranty. The bad news was that the part was backordered, and they had no idea when it would arrive. At that point, I approached their sales department with the idea of trading in my vehicle for a 2025 Mach E. I was told they weren’t interested in a trade since there was no estimated time of arrival for the replacement part, and they could be stuck with a car they couldn’t sell. During this period, I had to rent a car, costing me over $2,800, because Hillsboro Ford had no loaners. On August 1st, I was told the part was due to arrive at the dealer on August 8th, and repairs would take one day. Today (August 10th), I’ve been told I will get the car back on August 12th. I bought my Ford because I believed the company could supply parts and perform repairs in a reasonable time. Now I’m out over $2,800 because Ford chooses not to support their vehicle line with timely replacement parts to keep customers satisfied. Hillsboro Ford has requested reimbursement from Ford Motor Company for the rental car. We’ll see how that goes. This isn’t just an EV issue—other non-EV vehicles at Hillsboro are also waiting for parts. I think the Mach E is a great car, but I would suggest you consider other options if you’re thinking of a new vehicle. I hate to say TESLA, but maybe Honda is an option.

 

[roamtheworld]

I own a 2023 Ford Mach-E with nearly 60,000 miles. It’s an awesome car, but the issue is that Ford can’t supply replacement parts in a reasonable time frame. On July 18th, 2025, I was on the road when my front drive unit failed, leaving me stranded. The best I could do was have Hillsboro Ford in NH inspect the car two weeks later due to their high volume of repairs. Fortunately, since the car was on their lot, they checked it out on July 24. The good news was they confirmed it was the front drive unit, and it was under warranty. The bad news was that the part was backordered, and they had no idea when it would arrive. At that point, I approached their sales department with the idea of trading in my vehicle for a 2025 Mach E. I was told they weren’t interested in a trade since there was no estimated time of arrival for the replacement part, and they could be stuck with a car they couldn’t sell. During this period, I had to rent a car, costing me over $2,800, because Hillsboro Ford had no loaners. On August 1st, I was told the part was due to arrive at the dealer on August 8th, and repairs would take one day. Today (August 10th), I’ve been told I will get the car back on August 12th. I bought my Ford because I believed the company could supply parts and perform repairs in a reasonable time. Now I’m out over $2,800 because Ford chooses not to support their vehicle line with timely replacement parts to keep customers satisfied. Hillsboro Ford has requested reimbursement from Ford Motor Company for the rental car. We’ll see how that goes. This isn’t just an EV issue—other non-EV vehicles at Hillsboro are also waiting for parts. I think the Mach E is a great car, but I would suggest you consider other options if you’re thinking of a new vehicle. I hate to say TESLA, but maybe Honda is an option.

Sheldon, Make sure to reach out to the BEV team and see if they can help escalate the reimbursement for the rental car. They do have a limits on tow truck reimbursement but they may have more flexibility on rentals.
Word to anyone with an issue, ALWAYS contact the BEV team, they will help the dealership navigate the process and provide the inputs they need to escalate part orders and processing internal payments.

 

[raju1uce]

Sheldon, Make sure to reach out to the BEV team and see if they can help escalate the reimbursement for the rental car. They do have a limits on tow truck reimbursement but they may have more flexibility on rentals.
Word to anyone with an issue, ALWAYS contact the BEV team, they will help the dealership navigate the process and provide the inputs they need to escalate part orders and processing internal payments.

Hey bud - How to reach the BEV Team? Is there a different phone no.? Link / Process?

 

[raju1uce]

I own a 2023 Ford Mach-E with nearly 60,000 miles. It’s an awesome car, but the issue is that Ford can’t supply replacement parts in a reasonable time frame. On July 18th, 2025, I was on the road when my front drive unit failed, leaving me stranded. The best I could do was have Hillsboro Ford in NH inspect the car two weeks later due to their high volume of repairs. Fortunately, since the car was on their lot, they checked it out on July 24. The good news was they confirmed it was the front drive unit, and it was under warranty. The bad news was that the part was backordered, and they had no idea when it would arrive. At that point, I approached their sales department with the idea of trading in my vehicle for a 2025 Mach E. I was told they weren’t interested in a trade since there was no estimated time of arrival for the replacement part, and they could be stuck with a car they couldn’t sell. During this period, I had to rent a car, costing me over $2,800, because Hillsboro Ford had no loaners. On August 1st, I was told the part was due to arrive at the dealer on August 8th, and repairs would take one day. Today (August 10th), I’ve been told I will get the car back on August 12th. I bought my Ford because I believed the company could supply parts and perform repairs in a reasonable time. Now I’m out over $2,800 because Ford chooses not to support their vehicle line with timely replacement parts to keep customers satisfied. Hillsboro Ford has requested reimbursement from Ford Motor Company for the rental car. We’ll see how that goes. This isn’t just an EV issue—other non-EV vehicles at Hillsboro are also waiting for parts. I think the Mach E is a great car, but I would suggest you consider other options if you’re thinking of a new vehicle. I hate to say TESLA, but maybe Honda is an option.

Man - This is excruciatingly painful. Mine’s been 1 week at the dealership, no word, no parts ETA!

 

[Sheldon]

Yes, it is painful. This says a lot about Ford's inability to support their vehicle lineup. It is one thing to have a needed repair. Things happen, but to have your vehicle sit with no ETA on parts? They should be available within a day, especially with a part that is known to fail.
I feel your Pain!

 

[Sheldon]

Sheldon, Make sure to reach out to the BEV team and see if they can help escalate the reimbursement for the rental car. They do have a limits on tow truck reimbursement but they may have more flexibility on rentals.
Word to anyone with an issue, ALWAYS contact the BEV team, they will help the dealership navigate the process and provide the inputs they need to escalate part orders and processing internal payments.

What does the BEV Team stand for? Thanks

 

[Sheldon]

Hello fellow Pony lovers,

I faced the same issue this week.
My 2023 Mach E Premium, my dearest Night Pony, started making humming, clunking noises and weird smell while driving on the highway with several messages popping up “AWD failure” “Powertain Malfunction”, “Service AdvanceTrac” and “Pre-Collision Assist Unavailable”. I somehow made it home safely but once I parked my baby, it just refused to Shift into Gear, basically dead in the driveway!
Tried 12v jump, -ve reset but to no avail.

Got it towed to dealership and they called back after 3 days saying “Front Electric Drive Assembly” needs replacement. ETA 1 month, parts back ordered..!!

To my agony they don’t have a loaner, 4 week waitlist..

Questions based on your experience:
1. Any tips to interrogate the dealership to confirm, if they got the diagnosis right?

2. How much do the repairs cost (Parts, labor all inclusive). Looks like this should be covered under warranty but I’m curious!

3. Is your Pony running fine after repairs or any residual issues?

4. Any tips to get the out-of-pocket Car Rental reimbursed by Ford, while I suffer through this waiting game!


- Help..!

My car did the exact thing. Same back order issues as well. Ford, WAKE UP! There is no excuse for this backorder story.

 

[roamtheworld]

What does the BEV Team stand for? Thanks

Lots of valuable information on this site can be accessed via search.
I had trouble in the past getting the number, so here you go, (800) 392-3673‬ ask for the Battery Electric Vehicle Team (BEV).

 

[Sheldon]

Thank you for the number. That is helpful. My dealer says they have been using a specific contact at Ford, and that is why I got on the accelerated list for delivery. Two weeks does not seem accelerated. I think the Pony Express could have been faster.

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