Why does my 2021–2022 Mustang Mach-E say 'Stop Safely Now' or refuse to start?

Short answer: On 2021–2022 Mach-Es, a 'Stop Safely Now' message, a sudden loss of power, or a car that won't restart is most often the main contactors in the high-voltage battery junction box (HVBJB) overheating. Contactors are heavy-duty switches that connect the big battery to the car. Ford first issued a software recall, then a second recall that replaces the junction box on Extended Range cars. Both are free.

Symptom: 'Stop Safely Now', a wrench light with reduced power, the car coasting to a stop, or a car that drove fine but won't restart.

What to check first

1. Run your VIN at ford.com/support/recalls for 22V412 (Ford 22S41), 23V687 (Ford 23S56), 25V130 and 25V441.
2. If you see 'Stop Safely Now', get off the road and have it towed to a Ford EV dealer.
3. Ask the dealer whether the junction box was replaced or only the software was updated. They are different repairs.
4. Keep the 12V battery healthy. Owners discussed a Ford bulletin linking a low 12V battery with the same warning.

Likely causes

1. Overheated high-voltage battery contactors (HVBJB). Owners on MachEforum explain that a contactor stuck open means loss of power while driving, and one stuck closed means the car won't start next time. Heat is the main cause.
2. Low or discharged 12V battery. A low 12V battery can also bring up the warning, per the Ford bulletin owners shared.

What it usually costs

Free under the recalls.

Is it safe to keep driving?

No. A contactor that opens while you're driving cuts power, which is a crash risk. Get it to a dealer. Verify with a mechanic.

DIY or shop?

Dealer. High-voltage battery work only.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Recall 22V412 (Ford 22S41, June 2022; 2021–2022 Mach-E): the high-voltage battery main contactors may overheat. Dealers update the car's software. If your car is part of this recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Recall 23V687 (Ford 23S56, October 2023; 2021–2022 Extended Range): the same contactor overheating, now fixed by replacing the high-voltage battery junction box. Ford's dealer notice says loss-of-power incidents kept happening on cars that had the software fix.
• Recall 25V130 (February 2025): cars that weren't updated correctly under 22V412 get the update again.
• Recall 25V441 (June 2025; certain 2022 Extended Range): more cars added for junction box replacement.
• NHTSA complaints: 123 keyword-matched complaints for Ford Mustang Mach-E 2021–2022 (of 490 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-17; keywords: contactor, hvbjb, junction box, stop safely, loss of motive, loss of power, lost power, lost all power).

What owners report

• MachEforum's long 22S41 recall thread explains what owners pieced together about stuck-open versus stuck-closed contactors. The thread starter suggested easing off repeated full-throttle runs until the fix was done.
• The forum's Stop Safely Now (HVBJB) facts thread collects owner failures, and owners also discussed TSB 22-2178 for HVBJB replacement with a low or discharged 12V battery. The same topic runs on r/MachE.

My take

My advice as a former finance manager: on a used Mach-E, the recall printout matters more than the window sticker. Make sure the junction box replacement (23S56) shows as done if it's an Extended Range.

Vehicle focus: 2021–2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E, especially Extended Range.

Safety / mechanic note

A sudden loss of power at speed is a crash risk. Verify with a mechanic.