Ford Recalls 45,000 Mustang Mach-E Vehicles — Headlights, Turn Signals Can Fail Without Warning

Ford told 45,047 Mustang Mach-E owners that their headlights, turn signals, and daytime running lights could all stop working at once — and then asked them to keep driving for three months while the company developed a fix.

The recall (NHTSA campaign 25V885) covers 2025-2026 Mach-E electric crossovers produced between June 6, 2024, and October 1, 2025. A software fault in the Light Driver Control Module B can disable all exterior lighting simultaneously. Ford issued interim notification letters in late January 2026. The software update was not expected until April.

The Defect

The LDCMB is the electronic module that controls the vehicle's exterior lighting systems. A software fault can cause the module to fail, disabling multiple lighting systems at once.

A vehicle without functioning headlights or turn signals at night — or without daytime running lights in low-visibility conditions — is a collision risk for the driver and every vehicle around them. The driver may not realize the lights have failed until another driver alerts them or until they notice the missing dashboard indicator.

Ford says it is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this defect. But the failure mode — all exterior lights disabled simultaneously without warning — represents a serious safety risk.

The Timeline Problem

Ford issued interim owner notification letters in late January 2026, informing owners of the safety risk. The letters told owners a fix was coming. The actual remedy — an over-the-air software update or dealer-installed update — was not expected to be available until April 2026.

That means owners were told their vehicle had a defect that could disable all exterior lighting, and then asked to keep driving it for approximately three months while Ford developed a fix.

This gap between notification and remedy is not unique to Ford. It is a structural issue in the auto recall process. NHTSA requires manufacturers to notify owners of known safety defects. It does not require the remedy to be available at the time of notification. The result is a window during which owners know their vehicle is defective but have no way to fix it.

Ford's EV Recall Track Record

The Mustang Mach-E has been the subject of multiple recalls since its 2021 launch. Previous recalls addressed issues including potential battery failure, loss of drive power, and door handle malfunctions.

Ford's broader EV strategy has been challenged by quality issues across the Mach-E and F-150 Lightning lineups. The company reorganized its EV and internal combustion engine businesses into separate units in 2022, partly to isolate the financial losses from its EV division.

The lighting recall adds to a pattern that raises questions about Ford's quality control processes for its electric vehicle platform. Software-related defects — as opposed to mechanical failures — are a growing category of vehicle recalls industry-wide. As vehicles become more software-dependent, the potential failure modes multiply.

What Owners Should Do

If you own a 2025 or 2026 Mustang Mach-E, check your VIN at NHTSA.gov to confirm whether your vehicle is affected. If it is, contact your Ford dealer to schedule the software update.

Until the update is installed, be aware that your exterior lighting may fail without warning. If you notice that your headlights, turn signals, or daytime running lights are not functioning, pull over safely and contact Ford roadside assistance.

Do not drive at night or in reduced visibility if you suspect a lighting failure. A vehicle without functioning exterior lights is invisible to everyone else on the road.

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