Legal Action Against Ford Due to Controversial Mustang Mach-E Door Fittings
In a recent development, a class action lawsuit has been filed against Ford Motor Company in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The lawsuit, led by plaintiffs Steven McNeely, John Salas, and Francisco Xavier Gonzalez, alleges that the Mustang Mach-E's E-Latch door handle system may pose a safety hazard for children and pets, and could leave drivers and passengers stranded in emergency situations.
The lawsuit, first reported by Car Complaints, suggests that the reliance of the Mustang Mach-E on battery power for door operation could cause problems when the 12-volt battery dies. This issue, if not addressed, could potentially leave drivers unable to unlock the vehicle's doors from the outside.
The Mustang Mach-E, Ford's first fully electric SUV, lacks a traditional key slot or external manual door release, making the situation more challenging. The necessary equipment for jump-starting the vehicle is typically stored inside the vehicle, creating a catch-22 scenario for owners.
The lawsuit argues that Ford failed to provide a proper fail-safe for the E-Latch door handle system and misrepresented the ease of use of this system. It also claims that the company failed to warn consumers about its potential drawbacks.
If successful, the lawsuit could push Ford to introduce a hardware revision, such as adding a hidden key slot or an emergency manual release. The outcome of the lawsuit could potentially lead to an industry-wide shift in the design of electronic door mechanisms in electric vehicles.
It's important to note that the class action lawsuit applies only to California residents who own or lease 2022-2025 Mustang Mach-E models. The lawsuit does not currently apply to residents outside of California.
The official solution for a dead Mustang Mach-E is to connect an external 12-volt power source to the front trunk (frunk) battery terminals to restore power to the E-Latch system. However, the process of jump-starting the vehicle is described as unnecessarily complex and impractical for an average driver.
This legal challenge could pressure Ford to reevaluate the design of its E-Latch system, ensuring the safety and convenience of its customers. Ford has yet to comment on the lawsuit.
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