Ford recalled nearly 200,000 Mustang Mach-Es due to risk of back-seat occupants being locked inside when the vehicle battery charge has dropped to a low level.
The recall affects 2021 to 2025 Mach-Es.
When the driver or front-seat passenger gets out of the electric SUV and shuts the doors, they may be unable to unlock the rear doors until the battery is recharged, temporarily trapping anyone in the back seat, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Such a scenario can be dangerous in an emergency or if a child is trapped inside a hot car.
Lockouts can happen if the 12-volt battery falls below an 8.4-volt charge and the front-seat occupants opened their doors via interior release handles. Telltale signs there’s risk of a lockout include a dash display warning indicating “system off to save power” or a blank screen.
Ford had received a handful of warranty claims related to the issue but said it was aware of no resulting injuries or accidents.
Dealers will update the Mach-Es’ power train control and secondary onboard diagnostic control modules’ software.
The automaker is scheduled to mail interim recall notices to owners on June 23 and follow-up notices after it finalizes the remedy, which it estimates to be in late September.
