Mach-E Charge Cable Stuck, Won't Unlock or Release - What to Do

[Mach-Lee]

If you are done DC charging and find that you cannot remove the charging cable, please follow these steps first:

1. Open the driver's door.
2. Press the unlock button (for the door locks) on the inside of the door. Verify lock light is NOT lit.
3. Press the unlock button on the charge port, wait 5 seconds for a white circle.
   1. If you don't see a white circle, also try the unlock soft button on the touchscreen under vehicle controls, between the frunk and tailgate open buttons.
4. Lift/tilt the handle of the DC cable upwards slightly, and simultaneously press and hold the release latch.
5. Pull cable or adapter directly outwards to remove.
6. [Tesla Supercharger only] - Remove adapter from Supercharger cable. Be sure to press down the release button on the adapter FULLY if the cable won't release from the adapter. If the adapter is still stuck, try pressing the Tesla cable fully IN the adapter before pulling OUT while holding the cable release.

The DC cable unlock button will not function unless the key is present outside the vehicle, or the doors are unlocked first (software was changed). The same applies for the unlock soft button on the vehicle controls screen.

If there was a charge error (red circle) and the cable won't release with the unlock button:

1. Shut the car off.
2. Open and close the driver's door (screens should go dark).
3. Wait 15 minutes with black screens.
4. Turn the car back on.
5. Try the above release steps again.

This performs a soft reset of the high voltage modules; they take 15 minutes to fully shut down.

If the cable is still not unlocking after following the above steps, there is an emergency release cable accessed from inside the frunk. Please follow these steps (or see owner's manual):

1. Verify DC charging has stopped before continuing. If not, press the stop button on the charger and/or the unlock button on the charge port (unlock vehicle first) and try removing the cable one more time.
2. Shut off the vehicle, open the hood.
3. Remove the top frunk panel cover by lifting upwards around the edges until each clip releases.
4. Remove the left hand panel cover, start at the rear and pull upwards by each clip working to the front.
5. This exposes the backside of the charge port. Look for thin steel cable with a loop at the end tucked behind the charge port.
6. Grab the loop and slowly but firmly pull it towards the center of the vehicle. Do not yank the cable or it can break. Use a gradual pull of increasing force until it moves. The cable will only pull a small amount, perhaps a quarter inch.
7. Lift/tilt the handle of the DC cable upwards slightly, and simultaneously press and hold the release latch.
8. Pull cable or adapter directly outwards to remove. Wiggle the cable in all direction while pulling if it still won't remove.

If the cable still won't release after pulling the emergency cable, there may be a jam or other physical problem that will require mechanical intervention. I suggest calling the charge point operator at this point to report the situation and ask for assistance.

NOTE: The charge port locking actuator may need to be replaced if it gets stuck and doesn't release fully. This can occur if the charge cable has been removed incorrectly by forcing the release latch down, rather than pressing the unlock button and waiting for the white signal. Never force the release latch down. For more information, see this article: TSB 22-2355 - Illuminated Charger Service Required Indicator In The IPC And/Or Multiple DTCs

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[RickMachE]

Good stuff! Thanks Lee!

 

[Maui]

Saved! Curious if this is this just a general memo or our you seeing some people with issues with the new feature?

Your comment about the adapter. I assumed that when locked the adapter was part of the lock chain and would be safe from thief as well. Correct?

 

[RickMachE]

I think the test with an adapter is as follows:

1) Stop charging session by pushing on handle button on Tesla charging handle.
2) Try to remove Tesla charging handle from adapter.
3) Now, since the charging session has ended, can the adapter be removed?

 

[MachEtimes2]

Adding to the anxiety associated with my first road trip.

 

[Colorado MME GT]

Adding to the anxiety associated with my first road trip.

This rarely happens, so don't worry about it on your road trip. Most of us have never had this challenge.

 

[Charge_Rob]

The easiest way to never have a problem is to always end every DC charging session by pressing the unlock button inside the charge status indicator.

If this doesn't work because the key is not detected, pressing the unlock button on the driver's door and then pressing the unlock button inside the charge status indicator is the best way to skip the key check.

 

[Charge_Rob]

I think the test with an adapter is as follows:

1) Stop charging session by pushing on handle button on Tesla charging handle.
2) Try to remove Tesla charging handle from adapter.
3) Now, since the charging session has ended, can the adapter be removed?

With the new software, the unlock button inside the charge status indicator must always be pressed. Press the unlock button, remove the adapter as normal, remove the cable from the adapter.

 

[Mach-Lee]

Your comment about the adapter. I assumed that when locked the adapter was part of the lock chain and would be safe from thief as well. Correct?

Yes, it will now be locked to the car so no one can remove it or stop the charge. It must be removed in the exact order specified. Pressing down on the release latches won’t work until it’s unlocked.

 

[ChasingCoral]

The DC cable unlock button will not function unless the vehicle is unlocked first (software was changed). The same applies for the unlock soft button on the vehicle controls screen.

Awesome write-up, Lee.

Do you know which update brought about this software change?

 

[Mach-Lee]

Awesome write-up, Lee.

Do you know which update brought about this software change?

It's been in the powertrain software since about November 2024, which may have been updated by a dealer for various TSBs. Looks like this is part of 10.2.0 OTA as well.

New Ford EVs will already have the feature.

 

[RickMachE]

Yes, it will now be locked to the car so no one can remove it or stop the charge. It must be removed in the exact order specified. Pressing down on the release latches won’t work until it’s unlocked.

Not that I have tried this, but are you saying that the button on the Tesla SuperCharger nozzle doesn't end the session? Because if it does, then what stops the nozzle from being pulled out of the adapter, leaving the adapter on the car?

 

[Charge_Rob]

The DC cable unlock button will not function unless the vehicle is unlocked first (software was changed).

To be super clear, the unlock button will function if either:

1. The vehicle's key (including Phone-as-a-Key) is detected near the charge port while the unlock button is pressed, or
2. The vehicle is unlocked first

If the key is detected, the vehicle does not need to be unlocked first. But if the key is not detected, unlocking the vehicle will bypass the key detection step.

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

Thank you @Mach-Lee and @Charge_Rob! I've saved and printed this. Will keep in my car just in case...

 

[Mach-Lee]

Not that I have tried this, but are you saying that the button on the Tesla SuperCharger nozzle doesn't end the session? Because if it does, then what stops the nozzle from being pulled out of the adapter, leaving the adapter on the car?

No, the button on the Supercharger cable doesn’t do anything IIRC. And even if charging is stopped, if the adapter is locked to the car, the cable can’t be removed from the adapter until it is removed from the car first (there is an interlock on official adapters).

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