JD Power: MME "Least Reliable New Car"

[Bonehead]

Consumer Reports bases their reliability ratings on actual subscriber surveys, and rates the 2021 model a 4 out of 5 for reliability. Lord knows how US News comes up with their score.

In the January 2022 issue, CR included the MME in their "Most Reliable New Cars of the Year" article:

https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...the-most-reliable-new-cars-of-the-year.12274/

Sponsored

 

[FirstPony]

This "article" is laughable. They show a picture of an MME, spend three grafs saying how great it is, and never once even mention reliability or quality issues of any kind. Total garbage. This article is not produced by JD Power either, it is written by US News.

ETA: The car might indeed have reliability issues. But this article says nothing of use and can be safely ignored.

 

[Logal727]

It's because it's a complex car and Ford didn't do a great job with the software. What's so hard to understand about that?

Same car same software some people complain that their infotainment system barely functions others have no issues, why is it hard for you to understand? Lol

 

[awp0]

Same car same software some people complain that their infotainment system barely functions others have no issues, why is it hard for you to understand? Lol

And that is the definition of “poor reliability”. Works under some conditions (people’s usage patterns, configurations, timing, etc), doesn’t work under other conditions.

 

[Dr Obnxs]

Same car same software some people complain that their infotainment system barely functions others have no issues, why is it hard for you to understand? Lol

Well, because I've managed mission critical hardware and software projects. The infotainment UI brakes many many rules of basic UI and software design. The state machine behind the notifications is ghastly. Or are you saying that having, for one example, a notification that the system can't connect to my phone while I see the contacts populating is a good thing? This is a Hallmark of poor state machine maintenance. This is but one example.

Ford fired, uh replaced, their head of EV software, if I remember correctly. Normally one doesn't do that for "job well done" reasons.

I get it. This is a Mach-E enthusiast site. One can criticize the golden child only if one is willing to catch shit from those that are offended.

I just call 'em how I see 'em. There's a lot Ford got right. There's some they got wrong. The OTA system, UI and infotainment are some of the low marks of what FORD has done.

 

[alexgorod]

Don't understand why some have issues and others are fine. I experience pretty much none of this, so strange.

Same here. Today is one year of ownership, and whatever is described as a daily experience may be I had during the whole year.
The only recurring issues are android auto wireless connection instability (about 2 times a week phone doesn't connect) and mileage not getting reset for the current trip.

 

[Jimbo]

Are we all feigning disbelief about why it's considered the least reliable? Yes, the article should have been more obvious about why, but the MME had a major recall that forced the car off the market for a period of time. And the "fix" that allowed them to sell it again isn't ... it just warns you when it's going to happen. This doesn't even count software update issues, a 12V battery prone to discharging, etc.

Not to mention there are still people who haven't been able to get their windshield/roof-fall-off recall done yet, which is over a year old at this point.

I consider 'reliability' to be pretty narrowly defined as starting and running....

issues with PAAK, welcome lights, infotainment, etc are convenience issues, not 'reliability' in my book. If you want to broaden the definition to 'Customer Satisfaction' then it gets purely subjective and opinion based. which has nothing to do with fact-checking 'reliability'.

Agreed in general, aside from PaaK.

There are the normal PaaK woes (takes 30 seconds to connect, have to open FordPass, have to restart phone, etc), which are very annoying, but I wouldn't consider "reliability" issues.

But a good number of us have had it where (usually after a FordPass update, IIRC) PaaK completely fails to operate, which is a reliability issue already if you don't remember your door key or backup passcode, and then on top of it, the car simply doesn't prompt you for your passcode, so you're stranded. THAT's PaaK unreliability

 

[Lynsey]

Are we all feigning disbelief about why it's considered the least reliable? Yes, the article should have been more obvious about why, but the MME had a major recall that forced the car off the market for a period of time. And the "fix" that allowed them to sell it again isn't ... it just warns you when it's going to happen. This doesn't even count software update issues, a 12V battery prone to discharging, etc.

We all know the issues this car has at this point. I'm hopeful my 2022 Job 2 will be less problematic when it shows up, but I can be honest that the first year and a half of this car has been rough.

So funny, cuz I think we are all (majority) fans of this car. We complain about issues...blah, blah, blah, ....then in the next sentence....so "My new one that's on order."

We all liked it enough to get a new one ? ? ? My self included.

 

[MellowJohnny]

Don't understand why some have issues and others are fine. I experience pretty much none of this, so strange.

Clearly they are praying to the wrong God...happens all the time

 

[Jasmine]

I think my 30k mile review had a low score and generally poor remarks. I created a post about it somewhere on here.

Then I did a 50k mile review and changed my tone a bit. Car scored pretty well and very reliable as far as basic transportation needs are concerned. It has never failed to get me where I needed to be and has always functioned well enough. The poor score items are primarily related to glitchy software and horrible OTA experiences but even then....the car still worked as transportation.

It might be time to start reviewing vehicles in two parts. Transportation and Tech. In the case of the Mach-E, the Transportation aspect can be excellent while the Tech not so much.

You are very through and seem to know a lot about these vehicles. do you represent Ford? Not sure I have as much time as you to respond to all these threads but it’s good info for my wife and I as we just got our first Mach ? Need our windows tinted.

 

[Hammered]

I bought the cheapest used GTPE on the market for ~64k as a 2nd car / beater. Don't need reliability, just a bigass battery to tap into for my solar and to play with

 

[Deleted member 14221]

US News for Cars does not even rise to the level of persuasive authority on any subject regarding automotive reviews. In fact, I doubt if anyone gives any weight to their opinion. This would be the last place I would look for car advice.

I'll stick to actual legitimate articles.

1. Car and Driver EV of the Year, 2021
2. AAA Best Overall EV for 2022

More specifically:

"AAA researchers gave special praise to the vehicle for its dramatic new profile, its power, and for being quiet, quick, roomy, and fun to drive. Mustang Mach-E continues to draw customer attention as well, with U.S. sales up 23 percent through April."

"The 2021 Mustang Mach-E has claimed a number of other awards including Car and Driver’s Editor’s Choice Award and Electric Vehicle of the Year Award, plus the Cars.com Eco-Friendly Car of the Year Award, AutoGuide’s Utility of the Year, Green Vehicle of the Year and Autoweek’s Car Buyer’s Award."

I'm sure I'm missing plenty of other awards.

Next complaint. This is too easy.

 

[AG_MachE]

I have to agree. I just sold mine this weekend; had it for 16mo, 24k miles, its been at the dealer at least 5 times during that time period; once for more than a week, each time the dealer said they couldn't do anything about my rental, despite what the letter from FORD said. I'm in sales, I rely on my car daily, so I was out of pocket each time for my rental expenses. My overall ownership was experience was poor to say the least.
For me, the last straw was when I found out that some early adopters received a second key fob, when I called FORD to inquire, they told me my vehicle was manufactured TWO DAYS after the cutoff, they couldn't entertain an exception. Given the experience with my car, I thought they'd make an exception.
I've never owned a new vehicle that has been in the shop as often as my Mach E - I can't say I'd recommend it to anyone, from reliability to the dealership experience, I expected more from a 55k vehicle.

 

[Hammered]

I snagged a gold certified negating its mileage and the warranty adds rental for free, but I've got 3 other vehicles.

 

[2022 Mach E 4X]

I've been driving my (7-2022 production model ) Ice White Premium for 5 weeks, so far, with no problems other than, the puddle lights stopped working about a month ago LOL - which may be some random setting, i have chosen- on this Huge Touch Screen Panel - before lift off begins

Enjoy the Warp Speed & Torque with care, i watched a Tesla (3) yesterday go airborne only (1) hour after this guy purchased it used, for about $55,000, and then launched it nose first into a curb and Tree, He told me, "i did not know how much power it had ", now he knows, He also said well at least the battery tray looks ok ? I`m sure the frame was bent, at about a 40mph Landing

Sponsored