| Recurring |
one_organization |
(a) The software failure incident has happened again at one_organization:
Ford Motor Co has experienced software-related issues with its Mustang Mach-E vehicles multiple times. In addition to the recent recall due to a part overheating and causing a loss of propulsion power, Ford had previously issued five recalls for various 2021 Mustang Mach-E vehicles, including one for a software issue that could cause unintended acceleration [129599]. This indicates a recurring pattern of software-related problems within the organization. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident in the Ford Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles was related to a design issue. The article mentions that the high-voltage battery main contactors could overheat due to DC fast charging and repeated wide-open pedal events, leading to arcing and deformation of electrical contact surfaces. Ford plans to address this issue with a software update for vehicles built from late May 2020 through late May 2022 [129599]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system |
(a) within_system: The software failure incident in the Ford Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles was due to a part overheating, specifically the high-voltage battery main contactors, which could lead to a loss of propulsion power. Ford mentioned that DC fast charging and repeated wide-open pedal events can cause the overheating issue. The company plans to address this issue with a software update expected to begin next month [129599]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident in the Ford Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles was primarily due to non-human actions. The issue was related to the high-voltage battery main contactors overheating during DC fast charging and repeated wide-open pedal events, leading to arcing and deformation of electrical contact surfaces. This could result in a contactor remaining open or welding closed, causing a loss of propulsion power while driving [129599]. The solution proposed by Ford to address this issue was a software update to prevent overheating and related failures, indicating that the root cause was not directly linked to human actions. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
hardware, software |
(a) The software failure incident reported in Article 129599 is related to hardware issues. Ford Motor Co is recalling about 49,000 Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles due to a part that could overheat, specifically the high-voltage battery main contactors. The overheating of these contactors can occur due to DC fast charging and repeated wide-open pedal events, leading to arcing and deformation of the electrical contact surfaces. This hardware issue can result in a loss of propulsion power while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Ford plans to address this hardware issue with a software update [129599]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
non-malicious |
(a) The software failure incident described in Article 129599 is non-malicious. The issue with the Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles was related to a part overheating due to DC fast charging and repeated wide-open pedal events, causing the high-voltage battery main contactors to overheat. Ford addressed this issue with a software update to prevent overheating, indicating that the failure was not due to malicious intent but rather a technical flaw in the system [129599]. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
accidental_decisions |
The software failure incident reported in Article 129599 regarding the Ford Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles was primarily due to accidental_decisions. The issue of overheating and potential loss of propulsion power was caused by the high-voltage battery main contactors overheating due to DC fast charging and repeated wide-open pedal events. Ford addressed this issue with a software update to prevent arcing and deformation of the electrical contact surfaces, which could lead to a loss of propulsion power while driving [129599]. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
accidental |
(a) The software failure incident in the Ford Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles was not explicitly attributed to development incompetence. The issue was related to the high-voltage battery main contactors overheating due to DC fast charging and repeated wide-open pedal events, leading to arcing and deformation of electrical contact surfaces. Ford addressed this issue with a software update [129599].
(b) The software failure incident in the Ford Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles was accidental, as it was caused by the high-voltage battery main contactors overheating due to specific usage scenarios like DC fast charging and repeated wide-open pedal events. This accidental overheating could result in a loss of propulsion power while driving, increasing the risk of a crash [129599]. |
| Duration |
temporary |
The software failure incident mentioned in Article 129599 is temporary. Ford Motor Co is recalling about 49,000 Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles due to a software issue that can cause the high-voltage battery main contactors to overheat. The company plans to address the issue with a software update expected to begin next month. Until the software update is completed, dealers cannot deliver new vehicles to customers, indicating a temporary nature of the software failure incident [129599]. |
| Behaviour |
crash |
(a) The software failure incident described in the article is related to a crash. The article mentions that if an overheated contactor opens while driving, it could result in a loss of propulsion power, increasing the risk of a crash [129599]. |