Complete electrical failure at 45MPH

[Octavius]

10 minutes into my morning commute, my 2022 hybrid mav suddenly lost all power without warning. Has anyone heard about something like this happening???

I was going 45mph while my mav was operating on electric power. I suddenly and unexpectedly lost complete control:

• Dashboard & Lights
• Power Steering
• Brakes?!!
• Parking brake switch

All dead.

I know what driving without power steering feels like, so I was able to wrangle the steering wheel on the curvy road. But the brake not budging at all was extremely alarming. When the vehicle finally lost all momentum, something rattled under the hood and the brake then suddenly depressed. I had blown a stop sign but thankfully no one else was on the road. Can't imagine what would have happened otherwise. I still can't believe this was possible.

Anyways, Ford has me on the path of bureaucracy and is not taking this significant safety issue seriously. They have started a buy back process, but are not truly digging into the cause. They did quote me $2600 to for them to service a TSB that MIGHT be related (but for some reason not covered under the Hybrid/powertrain warranties unless I lived in California). Face palm. Figured I'd send a warning here.

Loved my mav. Very sorry to say I won't be driving it again. My family can't take that chance. No idea what I'm going to drive next, I'm going to miss it. I'm also glad to know God still has me here for a reason Hoping Ford steps up and looks into this so none of you have the same experience!!!

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[Chops]

That is incredibly scary. You definitely dodged a bullet!

Unfortunately it will probably take a serious injury or fatality before Ford takes action?

 

[bgn]

Please report the issue here: https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem

 

[Octavius]

Yep, thanks, bgn! I reported it to NHTSA yesterday. I was hoping to see Ford take action first, but they are really dragging it out. We'll see what NHTSA thinks...

 

[Blue_Max]

You might wanna check out this similar topic:
https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...-while-driving-full-electrical-failure.54396/

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

You're not alone. Eerily similar to this report.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2022/FORD/MAVERICK%2520HEV/PU%252FCC/FWD#complaints

HRG

 

[Octavius]

@Hot Runr Guy OH NO! That NHTSA complaint is it!!! I was really hoping this was a isolated lemon issue, not a potentially model wide issue. Only difference between my situation is that I have never needed to jump start mine. This will kill people.

Does anyone have Jim Farley's phone number?

@Blue_Max That situation is similar but I think he drove an ecoboost and didn't experience brake failure. Dangerous? Yes. Dead in the road with no lights is not a great place to be. But not quite as bad as also losing your brakes.

 

[Blue_Max]

@Blue_Max That situation is similar but I think he drove an ecoboost and didn't experience brake failure. Dangerous? Yes. Dead in the road with no lights is not a great place to be. But not quite as bad as also losing your brakes.

Yeah, losing the brakes is really scary. That shouldn't be possible!

 

[OleFordGuy]

Yep, I recall several post on this forum way back where they were driving down the interstate and the truck lost all power. Hope all goes well for you in getting this settled and a replacement vehicle you choose.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Yeah, losing the brakes is really scary. That shouldn't be possible!

I agree with you.
From what I've been able to research. Even though the brakes are electrically boosted, they are still hydraulically operated. It is not a brake by wire system.
Think of it this way. If you lose power you may have only one real good press on the brakes using up any residual boost. Make it count.
Don't pump them.
I don't think folks realize how much actual pressure it takes without the the power boost. It may feel like you're actually going to snap the brake pedal off. You may actually have to stand on the pedal with both feet.

 

[Blue_Max]

From what I've been able to research I agree with you. Even though the brakes are electrically operated, there still is a hydraulic component that works when the electric goes out. I don't think folks realize how much actual pressure it takes without the the power boost. It may feel like you're actually going to snap the brake pedal off.

Is the brake pedal linked mechanically to the hydraulics, or does it just send a signal like the gas pedal does?

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Is the brake pedal linked mechanically to the hydraulics, or does it just send a signal like the gas pedal does?

It looks to me to be a mechanical linkage. I took a picture of mine and compared it to the online parts.
I'm trying to figure out a safe way to test out the amount of pressure needed to stop the Maverick when it's rolling with electrical an engine turned off.

 

[notfast]

Is the brake pedal linked mechanically to the hydraulics, or does it just send a signal like the gas pedal does?

I'm not aware of any street-legal vehicle that has brake-by-wire other than the Zoox taxis in Las Vegas, which are only allowed on specific roads. Pretty sure mechanically-linked braking and steering are still required at the federal level.

I don't think folks realize how much actual pressure it takes, without the the power boost. It may feel like you're actually going to snap the brake pedal off.

I once lost vacuum-assisted power brakes. Had to pull against the steering wheel and use both feet on the brake pedal along with engine braking to glide to a stop.

On a different vehicle, I lost hydraulically-assisted power steering. Suffice it to say, I don't use steering wheel covers that aren't sewn on now. The slip-on ones just slide around when you don't have power steering, so you have to grip the wheel insanely tight and turn.

 

[Blue_Max]

My first car was a 1969 Mustang with non-power-assisted four-wheel drum brakes. It had a very limited range of effectivity, and they would always drag if I had driven through a puddle.

Anyway, when I had to get brake work done, the mechanics always said they weren't sure how to adjust them properly because they were only used to power brakes.

 

[uga]

Forget about Jim Farley's phone number, find a great law firm, you have a case.

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