Dec 4, 2025SteeringCrash1 injury
On November 15, 2024, my Ford Mustang Mach-E was involved in a rear-end collision on Interstate 270 near Clarksburg, Maryland. I was struck at high speed by a box truck, which pushed my vehicle forward into the van in front of me. The rear of the vehicle sustained significant damage, including the complete shattering of the rear window. During the impact, the steering wheel detached from the steering column and came off entirely in my hands. This occurred without the airbag deploying in the steering wheel area. The separation exposed the internal column components and wiring. This type of failure appears to be a serious safety defect. A steering wheel should not detach from the column in a rear-impact collision, and the separation could have resulted in loss of control or severe injury. I am submitting this report because I believe this warrants investigation for potential structural or component failure in the steering column assembly. I have photographs documenting the rear damage, the detached steering wheel, and the exposed steering column.
NHTSA ODI 11703028
Jan 4, 2024SteeringElectrical systemAirbagsCrash2 injuries
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Mach-E. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH the steering and braking systems suddenly malfunctioned causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The driver was unable to steer the vehicle and when pressing the brake pedal the vehicle did not stop. The driver lost control of the vehicle drove off the road and down a ravine and crashed into a concrete embankment. During the crash neither front air bags deployed. The front passenger sustained a fractured sternum and was transported from the scene to the hospital. The driver of the vehicle sustained a concussion which later required medical attention. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact indicated that the vehicle was recently serviced for NHTSA Campaign number: 23V687000(Electrical System). The failure mileage was 9,100.
NHTSA ODI 11563586
Oct 17, 2022SteeringElectrical systemDriver assistanceCrash
Power steering went out including 10+ error / fault codes displaying on the dash on the vehicle after planned having vehicle towed but was back to normal after a restart. Exiting the parking lot at a low speed power steering failed again resulting in a low speed crash. After having it towed to dealership they reviewed software on the vehicle seeing vehicle has has fault codes and module errors for 3+ months on their Ford telemetries cloud system showing module and system errors every other day. Dealership asked if I ever got notice via vehicle or app about these errors which I never received. Ford Legal was notified and said vehicle did have a possible Bluecruise recall and nothing wrong with vehicle without having a Ford Engineer viewing the vehicle. My dealership still said cloud system showed all these errors which didn't seem be an issue to ford. My insurance said they'd make repairs but if my dealership said vehicle isn't safe they recommenced fix what is needed which Ford said 0 issues.
NHTSA ODI 11489576