The Ford Mustang Mach-E Years To Avoid
Ford Mustang Mach-E by Vauxford - CC-BY-SA-4.0
The Mustang Mach-E is a game-changer for Ford as the company’s first fully electric crossover. The 120-year-old automaker is signaling that electrification is part of the brand’s future by leveraging the storied Mustang nameplate. Joining Ford’s lineup for the 2021 model year, this breakthrough car is becoming more prominent in the used car market, which leads to the question, What are the Ford Mustang Mach-E years to avoid?
We’ll dive into the answers by reviewing complaints and recall information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In addition, we’ll check out what Consumer Reports and J.D. Power have to say about the Ford Mustang Mach-E. It’s important to note that no modern vehicle is trouble-free. The trick is buying a car with a lower likelihood of problems down the road.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE FORD MUSTANG MACH-E
Being a brand-new model, the Mach-E doesn’t have a longer track of some competitors (like the Tesla Model Y). So, wondering about the most reliable Ford Mustang Mach-E years is only natural.
Many buyers are attracted to electric vehicles because of fewer moving parts, which presumably translates into fewer ownership hassles. In many aspects, this is true. The lack of an internal combustion engine (ICE), conventional transmission, and pollution controls does simplify things. However, this change creates a greater reliance on other components. A problematic electrical system won’t necessarily immobilize an ICE-powered car, while similar issues in an EV can stop it in its tracks.
In particular, our review looks for issues like this that can directly impact dependability. We’ll use this information to define the Ford Mustang Mach-E years to avoid. We’ll also mention if there are any Mach-E years worth buying (Hint: yes).
Importantly, other considerations aren’t included in this article. Do your own research about Mach-E safety, energy consumption, charging times and capabilities, and resale value. Further, always have a used car checked out by a mechanic before buying. In the case of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, such an inspection should include testing of the main battery. Be certain the professional you hire has this capability.
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2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E
Consumer Reports Reliability Rating (out of 5): 3
J.D. Power Reliability Rating (out of 100): 60
NHTSA Complaints: 144
NHTSA Recalls: 6
Avoid or Buy? Stay away from this one
Mechanics and car enthusiasts frequently recommend against buying the first year of an all-new vehicle to avoid the gremlins that often occur with a new design. We’re in complete agreement with this approach. Not only is the Mach-E a brand-new vehicle for Ford, but the technology underneath is also revolutionary for the company. These advancements are undoubtedly compelling, but not a reason to spend a large chunk of money without assurances.
This advice is especially meaningful for the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, the debut model year. The 144 owner complaints submitted to NHTSA may not seem significant, given that the company sold more than 27,000 examples in 2021. Yet, that data reveals something troubling: 68 of these reports involve issues with the electrical system. That’s unacceptably high for a component so essential to an EV.
Further, while recalls may not directly affect reliability, they can signal build quality issues. Bad engineering, poor manufacturing techniques, and inadequate inspections (which can lead to recall) can show up later in repair bills.
The six recalls for the 2021 Mach-E don’t break any records for a specific Ford model year, but it is the highest for any Mach-E built so far. One of the recalls concerns a faulty battery contact that may overheat, causing the car to lose power while driving. It clearly indicates that the first Mach-E model year didn’t leave the factory with a perfect electrical system.
The 2021 edition is one of the Ford Mustang Mach-E years to avoid.
2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E
Consumer Reports Reliability Rating (out of 5): 1
J.D. Power Reliability Rating (out of 100): 60
NHTSA Complaints: 33
NHTSA Recalls: 3
Avoid or Buy? Not worth the risk
The second year of a new model often benefits from updates that resolve first-year bugs. A glance at the numbers for 2022 Mach-E appears to confirm this. Complaints are down drastically, and recalls are cut in half. However, this information is deceiving.
Owner reports submitted to NHTSA are still dominated by electrical system issues. So, even though the volume of cases is reduced, this problem remains. And a carryover recall from 2021 regarding a bad battery contact suggests that what’s wrong with the first year of the Mach-E may also be a problem for the 2022 model year.
An ultra-low reliability rating (1 out of 5) from Consumer Reports (CR) is an additional hint that this edition is another Ford Mustang Mach-E year to avoid. Our concerns are also validated by J.D. Power, giving the 2022 Mach-E a 60 (out of 100) for reliability. This ranking is unchanged from 2021, indicating the auto research firm believes the 2022 Mach-E has the same level of dependability as the previous year.
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2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E
Consumer Reports Reliability Rating (out of 5): 2
J.D. Power Reliability Rating (out of 100): Not Rated
NHTSA Complaints: 10
NHTSA Recalls: 0
Avoid or Buy? Proceed with caution
While the 2023 Mach-E has only been on the street for about a year, signs show improvements for this model year. The lack of any recalls is always a good starting point. The absence of recall-related problems reveals that at least some of the troubles from 2021 and 2022 don’t apply to the 2023 model year.
We’re also encouraged by only ten owner complaints on file with NHTSA. Even with only a one-year history, we’d expect to see more cases if there was a particular problem. Yes, some reports cover the electrical system, but most involve ancillary systems (like the center console or adaptive cruise control) that don’t affect overall reliability.
8 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN BUYING A USED CAR
So you’re in the market for a used vehicle? We’ve gone ahead and prepped some essential questions to ask when buying a used car.
Consumer Reports does give the 2023 Mach-E a 2 for reliability, but the group admits this is for “predicted reliability,” not a definitive, data-backed decision. It’s their version of an educated guess. We might agree with this verdict if the other numbers (complaints, recalls, etc.) were equally bad. However, we don’t see a justification for such a low rating, especially because CR predicts a perfect (5 out of 5) owner satisfaction experience. You’d think the prediction would be lower to reflect a poor reliability forecast.
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