The Ford Mustang Mach-E is the Blue Oval’s first fully-electric vehicle. American-made fully-electric vehicles have been encountering some growing pains as the automotive industry explores uncharted territory. After all, new internal combustion engine nameplates don’t gain the trust of consumers overnight. The Mach-E, like any other small electric SUV, isn’t without its problems. Some issues are more impactful than others. One Ford Mustang Mach-E problem will stop drivers in their tracks.

Are there any problems with the Mustang Mach-E?

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is a great small electric SUV option, but it has some reliability issues thus far. One of the most notable Mach-E issues to date was a safety defect that had the potential to render Mach-E models completely immobile. Some Mach-E owners experienced the immobility for themselves, prompting Ford to issue a stop-sale on the popular electric vehicle.

It seems that the American automaker has put this issue behind it, but the Mach-E’s reliability remains in question after reports of other issues, such as buggy infotainment screens (according to Ford Authority). While Ford’s handling of the potential Mach-E safety issue was swift, the thought of immobility doesn’t help consumers who suffer from range anxiety and a fear of the mass electrification of the automotive industry.

The truth is electric vehicle technology is still in its infancy in comparison to ICE tech, and no automaker is immune from experiencing the growing pains of adopting new methods and materials for production. Tesla faced plenty of reliability issues early on, and many of its most popular nameplates still struggle with problems today. EVs will have their issues. The real question is, which electric vehicle will the average American consumer trust the most over time?

What was wrong with the Mach-E battery?

Battery contactors were overheating, causing the small electric SUV to completely lose power and become immobile. The Mach-E isn’t the first EV to have battery issues, and it likely will not be the last.

Recently, General Motors cut ties with LG after suffering through battery issues that cost the company over a billion dollars following Bolt EV recalls. The Chevy Bolt is one of the most controversial electric vehicles in existence because drivers experienced battery fires. EV battery fires are, in many ways, the worst fears of EV skeptics.

Automakers are working hard to source batteries that use different materials and create systems that cool batteries so they don’t overheat. Automakers like Volkswagen are offering different battery options to consumers (Volkswagen ID.4).

How many years will a Ford Mustang Mach-E last?

Ford offers an eight-year or 160,000-kilometer (99,419 miles) warranty on the Mach-E’s battery. The average driver travels for 99,419 miles in roughly seven years. So, expect a Mach-E’s battery to last the average driver for roughly seven years.

Using those numbers as a benchmark, the Mustang Mach-E doesn’t last as long as an internal combustion engine vehicle without needing a new powertrain. Electric vehicles are rapidly evolving, but they aren’t quite as reliable as internal combustion engine vehicles yet. The next step in the electric future is the production of affordable and reliable EV batteries that consumers can easily replace.

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