Ford Mustang Mach-E Class Action Lawsuit: Door Defect Poses Safety Risk

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles have a door defect that can trap passengers inside when the battery dies, posing a safety risk.

Consumers Affected: Owners and lessees of Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles in California.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Ford is facing a lawsuit over a potentially dangerous defect in its Mustang Mach-E, with owners alleging that a design flaw in the vehicle’s electronic latching system can trap passengers inside when the battery fails. 

The lawsuit, filed by two Mach-E owners, claims that Ford knowingly sold vehicles with the defect and failed to warn consumers, putting drivers, children, and pets at risk.

Ford Mustang Mach-E Has Door Defect, Lawsuit Claims

Plaintiffs John Salas and Francisco Xavier Gonzalez purchased new Mustang Mach-E vehicles—Salas in 2022 and Gonzalez in 2024—without knowing about the defect, according to the lawsuit. 

The electronic latching system (E-Latch) prevents the doors from opening from the outside when the 12-volt battery dies; the only way to regain access is to jump-start the battery, a process requiring special aftermarket equipment, the lawsuit adds.

Salas and Gonzalez argue that Ford concealed this issue at the time of purchase, depriving them of the ability to make an informed decision. Had they known about the defect, they claim, they either would not have bought the vehicle or would have paid less for it.

Consumers Allege Ford Failed to Disclose Safety Risk

The problem lies in the Mach-E’s reliance on an electronic door latch system with no manual override from the outside, the lawsuit states. Unlike traditional car doors with physical keyholes, the Mach-E requires power to activate the E-Latch system. If the battery dies, the doors remain locked.

While there is a manual release inside the vehicle, that doesn’t help if a child, elderly passenger, or pet is stuck inside without knowing how to use it. Several owners have reported terrifying experiences where passengers were effectively trapped due to battery failures.

Despite consumer complaints, Ford has yet to issue a recall or provide a simple fix, according to the lawsuit. The company could have included a manual key option, as seen in some Volkswagen and Toyota electric vehicles, but instead opted for an entirely electric system that leaves drivers stranded in certain situations.

Ford Faces Other Lawsuits Over Vehicle Defects

This isn’t the first time Ford has faced legal trouble over its vehicles. The automaker has been hit with multiple lawsuits over defects, including one lawsuit that claims Ford and Chinese battery maker Camel Group knowingly installed faulty 12-volt batteries in certain Bronco Sport and Maverick models, causing sudden power loss and stalling. 

Another lawsuit alleges defects in the EcoBoost 2.7L and 3.0L V6 engines, with plaintiffs arguing they were not warned of potential failures before purchase. A third lawsuit, filed by four Ford owners, accuses the company of selling vehicles with defective rear-view cameras, leaving them unable to sell or return their cars.

In the Ford Mustang Mach-E class action lawsuit, the drivers want to represent anyone in California who purchased and still owns, or who leased, at least one new Mustang Mach-E for the 2022 through 2025 model years. They are suing for fraudulent concealment and are seeking damages, injunctive relief, fees, costs, and interest.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Salas, et al. v. Ford Motor Company
• Case Number:  2:25-cv-01701
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Central District of California 

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Abbas Kazerounian and Pamela E. Prescott (Kazerouni Law Group, APC)
• Edward S. Diab (Diab Chambers LLP)

Do you own a Ford Mustang Mach-E? Have you experienced any issues with the doors? Share your experience in the comments below.