This has been quite a year for Ford as the automaker has filed 40-plus recalls, several to fix problems with driveshafts. Now, the automaker has filed another recall, this time for the Mustang Mach-E, to fix a troublesome right rear half-shaft.
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This hasn't been a great season for Ford and its driveshafts. For example, the automaker recently recalled nearly 200,000 F-150 pickups for faulty sound insulators that were incorrectly installed. The insulators can potentially score the driveshaft leading to failure. When the driveshaft fails, the truck stops. It is also possible that the failing driveshaft can dig into the ground and act as a fulcrum launching the vehicle. Ford has notified truck owners of the problem.
Another Recall – Problems With Cable Bushings
Then there is another problem Torque News reported on last spring: a cable bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission. A vehicle's shifter may indicate it is in Park, but it is not. The bushing can degrade or wear over time, causing the problem, which will keep the pawls needed to put the vehicle into Park unset, leaving the vehicle able to roll. Ford has recalled over 3 million vehicles, including SUVs, CUVs, Vans, and sedans, to fix the problem.
Now, the automaker, which has issued 40-plus recalls, has recalled its top-rated electric vehicle, the 2022 Mustang Mach-E, for a driveshaft problem. More specifically, the right rear half-shaft stem may fail.
According to the recall paperwork filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a problem with the right rear half-shaft stem may cause the half-shaft to break. The issue is due to improper manufacturing of the half-shaft. This issue may cause the joint at this point to break, forcing the vehicle to lose its torque to the rear wheels. Since there is no power, the Mach-E will stop. In turn, this could lead to a crash.
No Warning Before Problem Occurs
There is no warning that this problem will occur, so that the failure will be unanticipated. Also, this will mean the driver cannot shift the vehicle into Park so that the Mustang Mach-E may roll. Drivers must set their parking brakes before they exit the vehicle to prevent this occurrence.
Though this is not a huge recall, at 1,175 vehicles, it is still one that stands out as it is for the automaker's premier electric vehicle. The recall also means that any vehicles still in dealer hands – unsold – must be repaired before they can be sold. It also means that any undelivered vehicles in dealer hands must be held until they can be fixed.
Ford will notify owners of the affected vehicles on Sept. 23, 2022. The vehicles were manufactured from July 18, 2022, to July 29, 2022. When owners or dealers receive their recall notices, they can schedule the repair work of replacing the right rear half-shaft.
Consumer Information
For more information, owners can contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332. The Ford identifier for this recall is 22S55. Owners can also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 or the agency's website at www.nhtsa.gov. The NHTSA identifier is 22V646.
Marc Stern has been an automotive writer since 1971 when an otherwise normal news editor said, "You're our new car editor," and dumped about 27 pounds of auto stuff on my desk. I was in heaven as I have been a gearhead from my early days. As a teen, I spent the usual number of misspent hours hanging out at gas stations Shell and Texaco (a big thing in my youth) and working on cars. From there on, it was a straight line to my first column for the paper, "You Auto Know," an enterprise I handled faithfully for 32 years. Not many people know that I also handled computer documentation for a good part of my living while writing YAN. My best writing, though, was always in cars. My work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Mechanix Illustrated, AutoWeek, SuperStock, Trailer Life, Old Cars Weekly, Special Interest Autos, etc. You can follow me on: Twitter or Facebook.
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