YearToAvoid

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 50 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2021 Mustang Mach-E, 15% of that year's 344 total complaints. Two related recalls exist: a rear differential pinion shaft fracture (26V417000) and a PCM software fault on AWD models (22V333000). Median mileage at failure is 19,500.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
50
15% of 344
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
19,500 mi
Related recalls
2

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Vehicle displays a "Stop Safely Now" warning and loses drive power without notice, sometimes at highway speed.
  • After the warning appears, the car cannot be shifted into neutral or park, leaving it stuck in the roadway or unable to be towed normally.
  • Some owners report a grinding noise followed by a "Shift System Fault" message and complete loss of gear engagement.
  • Power loss events sometimes occur during DC fast charging trips or shortly after leaving a charging stop.
  • Owners describe the vehicle shutting down mid-drive while passing another car, creating a hazard with oncoming traffic.

When 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E transmission complaints were filed

First complaint May 4, 2021, latest Aug 18, 2026.

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month6May 2021Jun 2022Nov 2022Oct 2023Aug 2024Jun 2025Feb 2026
50 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2021 to Aug 2026; peak Aug 2023 (6).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E

  1. NHTSA 26V417000Jun 30, 2026Transmission & Powertrain42,784 vehicles

    Power train:driveline:differential unit

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Mustang Mach E vehicles. The rear differential pinion shaft may fracture.

    Risk: Differential pinion shaft fracture may result in a loss of drive power, or unintended vehicle movement if the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will repair or replace the rear differential assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in late December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S50.

  2. NHTSA 22V333000May 13, 2022Transmission & Powertrain464 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Power train:automatic transmission:control module:software

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Mustang Mach-E vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive. The powertrain control module (PCM) functional safety software may fail to detect a software error, resulting in unintended acceleration, unintended deceleration, or a loss of drive power.

    Risk: Unintended acceleration, unintended deceleration, or a loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: The PCM software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S29.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Mustang Mach-E model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 202150 (15%)
  2. 202227 (20%)
  3. 202322 (18%)
  4. 20248 (18%)
  5. 20253 (25%)

Frequently asked questions

How many Transmission & Powertrain complaints does the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E have?
NHTSA lists 50 complaints in this area for the 2021 model year, making up 15% of the 344 total complaints filed for that year.
Is there a transmission or powertrain recall for the 2021 Mustang Mach-E?
Yes, two recalls apply: campaign 26V417000 for a rear differential pinion shaft that may fracture, and campaign 22V333000 for a PCM software error on AWD models that can trigger a safety issue.
At what mileage do these problems typically show up?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 19,500 miles for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2021 Mustang Mach-E.
Were there any crashes or injuries linked to these complaints?
NHTSA records 1 crash and 2 injuries tied to Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2021 Mustang Mach-E, with no fires reported.
How does 2021 compare to other Mach-E model years for this problem area?
The 2021 model year has the highest raw complaint count in this area at 50, though its 15% share of total complaints is lower than the 20% seen in 2022 and the 25% seen in 2025.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.