Lawsuit Targets Ford Mustang Mach-E’s Unconventional Doors

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A California court announced a lawsuit that
targets a material safety defect in tens of

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thousands of Ford's Mustang Marques.
The vehicles mentioned in the lawsuit all

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contain electronically latched doors called
E-latch, which Ford markets as a feature.

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However, the complaint argues they are actually
a defect because battery failure or loss of

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power forces owners to jumpstart the vehicle
and battery to open the doors from the outside.

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A May does not have traditional door handles or
a keyhole on its exterior.

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Instead, owners can unlock the doors by.
Pressing a button on the door while carrying

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the vehicle's key fob or using a connected
smartphone.

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The car needs enough power to open the doors,
and the lawsuit points out that the Mackee,

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unlike other vehicles with electronic door
handles, does not include a fail-safe physical

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key or slot in the event of battery failure.

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There is a simple resolution if the vehicle
loses power while occupied,

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but the lawsuit said the situation becomes more
difficult if occupants are locked out because

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the E-latch system also controls the car's
front hood where the battery is located.

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Someone needs to jumpstart the car just to
access and.

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Store power to the car's battery before the
e-latch system can open the doors.

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Ford's website explains that two power points
behind an access panel below the grille provide

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jumper cable connection points.
However, the lawsuit argued that the entire

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jumpstart process includes complicated and
time-consuming steps that could prove difficult

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for someone without extensive car knowledge and
the necessary equipment.

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The lawsuit noted that this could result in
passengers or pets being trapped in the vehicle

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if they cannot pull the manual lever to open
the doors.

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I'm Nolan Bstein.
This is manufacturing now.