2021 Ford Mustang Mach E Subframe Recall (21V140)
Ford Motor Company · 1,258 vehicles · Reported March 5, 2021
Ford Motor Company is recalling 1,258 2021 Ford Mustang Mach E vehicles. The front subframe bolts may not have been tightened properly during assembly, which could result in loose bolts. Loose subframe bolts may reduce the vehicle's performance in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V140 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V140000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 21S09 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | March 5, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2021 Ford Mustang Mach E |
| Units affected | 1,258 |
| Component | Suspension > Subframe / Mounting Bracket |
| Safety risk | Loose subframe bolts may reduce the vehicle's performance in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach E in recall 21V140?
The front subframe bolts may not have been tightened properly during assembly, which could result in loose bolts.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Mustang Mach-E vehicles. The front subframe bolts may not have been tightened properly during assembly, which could result in loose bolts.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Mustang Mach E with recall 21V140?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Loose subframe bolts may reduce the vehicle's performance in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Loose subframe bolts may reduce the vehicle's performance in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the subframe and mounting bracket.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V140?
Recall 21V140 covers 1,258 vehicles: 2021 Ford Mustang Mach E.
NHTSA lists 1,258 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Ford | Mustang Mach E |
What is the fix for the Mustang Mach E subframe recall?
Yes. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front subframe bolts and tighten them as necessary, free of charge.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front subframe bolts and tighten them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S09.
When was recall 21V140 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 21V140 to NHTSA on March 5, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| March 5, 2021 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V140000. |
This recall was filed 67 months ago. If your Mustang Mach E was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Mustang Mach E is part of recall 21V140?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V140 is open on your Mustang Mach E, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021 Mustang Mach E vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should Mustang Mach E owners do about recall 21V140?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V140000 applies to your Mustang Mach E.
- Call a Ford dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any subframe and mounting bracket symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Mustang Mach E owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 347 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 2 of them about the suspension, wheels and tires.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the suspension, wheels and tires have been filed since recall 21V140 was reported (2) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 347 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 2 of them involve the suspension, wheels and tires. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Ford Mustang Mach E: 347 complaints in total, 2 about the suspension, wheels and tires
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was extremely bouncy. Additionally, the contact stated that while making left or right turns, the vehicle lost traction and skipped.
2021 Ford Mustang Mach E owner, FL, NHTSA complaint 11646754, filed March 6, 2025
Can recall 21V140 make my Mustang Mach E a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 21V140000 does not automatically make your Mustang Mach E a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
If a suspension or wheel problem on the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach E returns after the recall work, keep the repair orders. Repeat visits for the same defect are what California's lemon law looks at.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach E has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Mustang Mach E been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Ford Mustang Mach E recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V140
Is the 21V140000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Mustang Mach E is part of recall 21V140000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V140000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Ford. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.