Recall Information: High Voltage Battery Junction Box (23S56)

[Ford Motor Company]

Hi Mustang Mach-E Owners,

Ford Motor Company has issued a recall for Certain 2021-2022 model year Mustang Mach-E extended range and GTs built between May 27, 2020 to May 24, 2022 related to failures of the High Voltage Battery Junction Box (HVBJB).

If your vehicle is included in this recall, you will receive a message from Ford soon with next steps.

In the meantime, you can also verify if your vehicle is included by entering your VIN at www.ford.com/support/recalls/

What is the issue tied to this recall?
Direct Current (“DC”) fast charging and repeated wide open pedal events can cause the high voltage battery main contactors to overheat on certain Mustang Mach-E extended range and GT models. Overheating may lead to deformation of the electrical contact surfaces, which can result in a contactor that is prevented from properly closing or a contactor that welds closed. An overheated contactor that is prevented from properly closing while driving can result in a loss of motive power.

What is the cause of the issue?
The high voltage battery main contactor is not robust to heat generated from multiple DC fast-charge and wide-open pedal events. A prior software update improved monitoring and management of the main contactor. Damage to the extended range and GT contactors caused by wear prior to the software update may reduce the effectiveness of the software.

What is the expected repair?
Once parts are available, owners will be asked to take their vehicle to a Ford dealer to replace the High Voltage Battery Junction Box.

Do I still need the software update related to this recall if I haven’t yet received it?
Yes.

Which vehicles are affected?
Certain 2021-2022 model year Mustang Mach-E extended range and GTs built between May 27, 2020 to May 24, 2022.

Why are Standard Range vehicles not affected?
Standard range contactors are not included because of the difference in heat generated in the contactors. The extended range and GT vehicles will see more current flow through the contactors than the standard range due, in part, to larger battery capacity and higher output electric drive motors.

What are you doing to take care of customers?
We are working through how we will support affected owners, including providing rentals and pick-up and delivery services.

Is there anything a customer can do to reduce the chance of the contactor overheating until their vehicle is repaired?
Until parts are ready, we ask that affected customers limit repeated back-to-back wide open pedal accelerations and use DC Fast Charging only when necessary.

Is there a warning sign that customers should be aware of?
For vehicles that previously received the software update in most cases, the software will proactively detect damage to the contactors and display a warning wrench light. If the contactors weld closed while driving, there will be no immediate effect on vehicle operation. Upon the next key cycle, a wrench light will be illuminated, and vehicle will not start. If the contactors are prevented from properly closing while driving, a wrench light will be illuminated, the vehicle will display “Stop Safely Now” and the vehicle will immediately lose motive power. The vehicle will coast to a stop, and all low voltage systems including power brakes, steering and lights will remain functional.

When will you notify customers of the recall?
We began sending letters to customers on November 3rd. Customers can also verify if their vehicle is included by entering their VIN at www.ford.com/support/recalls/

Will there be a charge to customers?
Customers will not be charged for service.

What is Ford’s reference number for this recall?
The reference number is 23S56.

Sponsored

 

[Mirak]

Cool. Can we get BC1.3 installed while the car is in the shop?

 

[2021-MMEx-RT1]

Cool. Can we get BC1.3 installed while the car is in the shop?

Yes, but they'll have to disable your frunk button to make it work.

 

[SONEWBE]

Ford should pay the dealer to install all available updates when implementing any recall. That’s the least they could do to make up for the inconvenience of taking a car into the service center.

 

[Schn3ll]

My wife had the HVJB failure for about a month now and dealership was backed up (took 3 weeks to get an appointment). The car was finished today and apparently the recall was completed (including new software). We'll see how it goes...

 

[Mach-Lee]

When will parts be available for this recall?

I’ll remind folks the new headlight switches took a full year to become available after the first announcement that they needed to be replaced. I predict something similar here where it will take 6-12 months to stockpile parts before people are able to get their recall repair done. Plan accordingly.

EDIT: Above applies to preemptive recall replacement only, if your HVBJB goes bad in the meantime you will get priority for immediate replacement (same as always). See below.

 

[Gimme_my_MME]

When will parts be available for this recall?

I’ll remind folks the new headlight switches took a full year to become available after the first announcement that they needed to be replaced. I predict something similar here where it will take 6-12 months to stockpile parts before people are able to get their recall repair done. Plan accordingly.

This does not mean there are no parts available. If you have the fault you will still get repaired. A stockpile needs to be built up to support all the other incoming replacements

 

[Logal727]

When will parts be available for this recall?

I’ll remind folks the new headlight switches took a full year to become available after the first announcement that they needed to be replaced. I predict something similar here where it will take 6-12 months to stockpile parts before people are able to get their recall repair done. Plan accordingly.

EDIT: Above applies to preemptive recall replacement only, if your HVBJB goes bad in the meantime you will get priority for immediate replacement (same as always). See below.

Hmm, how will we know when parts are available?

 

[EELinneman]

Until parts are ready, we ask that affected customers limit repeated back-to-back wide open pedal accelerations and use DC Fast Charging only when necessary.

So, for people who have expiring Blue Oval Network credits, is Ford going to extend the date on these since their failure is leading them to tell us not to use them?

 

[Mirak]

Yes, but they'll have to disable your frunk button to make it work.

Well as the old saying goes, you can have it fast, you can have it good, you can have it cheap, and you can have a frunk button, but you can only have 3 of the 4.

 

[hybrid2bev]

Hmm, how will we know when parts are available?

I imagine once there are sufficient number of parts available, that's when Ford will publish the full dealer instructions and advise dealers to contact customers to setup repair appointments.

 

[Logal727]

I imagine once there are sufficient number of parts available, that's when Ford will publish the full dealer instructions and advise dealers to contact customers to setup repair appointments.

Man, I hope it doesn't rely on dealers proactively reaching out, I'll never hear from anyone. The one I bought it from is over 2 hours away and they've never contacted me and the one I get serviced I've never had them proactively tell me about a needed recall (though I haven't really been part of one).

 

[generaltso]

Man, I hope it doesn't rely on dealers proactively reaching out, I'll never hear from anyone. The one I bought it from is over 2 hours away and they've never contacted me and the one I get serviced I've never had them proactively tell me about a needed recall (though I haven't really been part of one).

Ford will send a letter when the remedy is available.

 

[FarSide]

Just got the letter and I’m also selling the MME around year end. If there are parts/service delays, I hope this does not impact my ability to trade it in with a major outstanding recall?

 

[LuckyKH4]

Hi Mustang Mach-E Owners,

Ford Motor Company has issued a recall for Certain 2021-2022 model year Mustang Mach-E extended range and GTs built between May 27, 2020 to May 24, 2022 related to failures of the High Voltage Battery Junction Box (HVBJB).

If your vehicle is included in this recall, you will receive a message from Ford soon with next steps.

In the meantime, you can also verify if your vehicle is included by entering your VIN at www.ford.com/support/recalls/

What is the issue tied to this recall?
Direct Current (“DC”) fast charging and repeated wide open pedal events can cause the high voltage battery main contactors to overheat on certain Mustang Mach-E extended range and GT models. Overheating may lead to deformation of the electrical contact surfaces, which can result in a contactor that is prevented from properly closing or a contactor that welds closed. An overheated contactor that is prevented from properly closing while driving can result in a loss of motive power.

What is the cause of the issue?
The high voltage battery main contactor is not robust to heat generated from multiple DC fast-charge and wide-open pedal events. A prior software update improved monitoring and management of the main contactor. Damage to the extended range and GT contactors caused by wear prior to the software update may reduce the effectiveness of the software.

What is the expected repair?
Once parts are available, owners will be asked to take their vehicle to a Ford dealer to replace the High Voltage Battery Junction Box.

Do I still need the software update related to this recall if I haven’t yet received it?
Yes.

Which vehicles are affected?
Certain 2021-2022 model year Mustang Mach-E extended range and GTs built between May 27, 2020 to May 24, 2022.

Why are Standard Range vehicles not affected?
Standard range contactors are not included because of the difference in heat generated in the contactors. The extended range and GT vehicles will see more current flow through the contactors than the standard range due, in part, to larger battery capacity and higher output electric drive motors.

What are you doing to take care of customers?
We are working through how we will support affected owners, including providing rentals and pick-up and delivery services.

Is there anything a customer can do to reduce the chance of the contactor overheating until their vehicle is repaired?
Until parts are ready, we ask that affected customers limit repeated back-to-back wide open pedal accelerations and use DC Fast Charging only when necessary.

Is there a warning sign that customers should be aware of?
For vehicles that previously received the software update in most cases, the software will proactively detect damage to the contactors and display a warning wrench light. If the contactors weld closed while driving, there will be no immediate effect on vehicle operation. Upon the next key cycle, a wrench light will be illuminated, and vehicle will not start. If the contactors are prevented from properly closing while driving, a wrench light will be illuminated, the vehicle will display “Stop Safely Now” and the vehicle will immediately lose motive power. The vehicle will coast to a stop, and all low voltage systems including power brakes, steering and lights will remain functional.

When will you notify customers of the recall?
We began sending letters to customers on November 3rd. Customers can also verify if their vehicle is included by entering their VIN at www.ford.com/support/recalls/

Will there be a charge to customers?
Customers will not be charged for service.

What is Ford’s reference number for this recall?
The reference number is 23S56.

You will provide loaners now but wouldn’t provide a loaner when my HVBJB failed on October 10th?

Sponsored