Ford Mach-E Recall Issued Over Risk Backseat Passengers May Become Trapped

Recall follows multiple reports of children becoming trapped in the vehicle, due to their inability to operate the manual door latch.

Federal highway safety officials have announced a recall impacting nearly 200,000 Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles, due to faulty door latches that can trap backseat passengers inside the vehicle.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the Ford Mustang Mach-E recall on June 16, following multiple reports of individuals being unable to exit the electric car, often children.

The Mustang Mach-E is a fully electric SUV that is known for its long driving range and advanced technology features.

However, when the vehicle’s battery charge is too low the electronic door latches may stay locked if the driver or front passenger exit the vehicle and close the door. This can trap additional occupants in the car.

As of January 10, federal regulators had received at least six incident reports of owners who were unable to open the vehicle door after the battery lost power. In at least two cases, children were trapped inside.

The recall affects approximately 197,000 model year 2021 through 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles in the U.S., along with more than 120,000 additional vehicles sold internationally.

According to Ford, between November 22, 2023, and April 28, 2025, the company received three customer reports involving locked vehicle doors and three separate incidents where children were trapped in the back seat. Ford also acknowledged receiving four warranty claims related to battery power and door latch issues. However, no injuries or accidents have been reported in connection with the problem.

Recall notification letters will be mailed to owners by June 23, outlining the safety concern. A second letter with instructions on how to get the repair will be sent by September 29, once the fix is available. Dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and the Secondary Onboard Diagnostic Control Module C (SOBDMC) software at no cost.

Owners with questions about the recall can contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332.

Ongoing Mach-E Safety Issues

The door latch problem at the center of the current recall was also the focus of Ford Mach-E lawsuit filed in February 2025, which alleges the automaker has long been aware of the design flaw that prevents doors from opening when the battery loses power.

Although the vehicle includes a manual release, the lawsuit claims it poses a serious safety risk to children and pets, who are often unable to operate it. Instead, occupants may remain trapped until the battery can be recharged—a process that can be complicated and time-consuming, increasing the danger in an emergency.

This is not the first safety concern involving the Mach-E. In 2022 and 2023, nearly 100,000 vehicles were recalled due to battery overheating issues that could cause sudden power loss and potentially trap passengers inside.

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