The Mustang Mach-E is Ford’s first real entry into the fast-rising EV segment.
Despite the Mustang branding, the Mach-E is a fully-fledged crossover with four doors and lots of cargo space in the back, and a bit more in the front.
It also promises great performance, excellent range, and lots of modern tech that rivals those found in other luxury SUVs in its price range, including its main rival, the Tesla Model Y.
If you’re thinking about buying the Mustang Mach-E as your next daily driver, you’re probably wondering about its long-term durability, running costs and average lifespan.
We’ll cover all that in this article, read on to find out…
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Here is the short answer to how long the Ford Mustang Mach-E lasts:
Based on the Mach-E’s range and large battery capacity, we predict it can last between 300,000 – 500,000 miles.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E is expected to last between 300,000 – 500,000 miles before its lithium-ion battery cells will require replacement. If you drive 15,000 miles a year, you can theoretically get 20 – 30 years of service out of the batteries. However, a more realistic estimate for battery degradation would be 10 – 15 years.
How Many Miles Can You Expect from a Ford Mustang Mach-E?
The Mustang Mach-E is still very new, so it’s difficult to accurately estimate how long it will last.
But we can still make an educated guess based on our existing understanding of EV batteries and car manufacturing in general.
Batteries play a huge role in the lifespan of an EV (Electric Vehicle) like the Mach-E since they’re very expensive to replace.
In normal conditions, a typical EV battery is rated for at least 1,000 to 1,500 charge cycles. The process of fully charging then discharging a battery is considered one complete charge cycle.
Since the Mustang Mach-E has an estimated range of around 200 to 300 miles per charge, we can assume that its batteries can last for roughly 300,000 – 500,000 miles over the course of 1,500 charge cycles.
As the batteries degrade with age and after hundreds of charge cycles, the car’s range will be much lower and performance might also suffer. But this doesn’t necessarily mean the batteries and the car will be completely useless.
The Mach-E’s electric powertrain comes with an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty in case the battery falls below 70% of its maximum capacity prematurely.
If you drive an average of 15,000 miles per year, you can get a solid 6 – 7 years of use out of the Mach-E before the battery’s warranty runs out. And there’s nothing stopping you from getting another 100,000 to 200,000 miles out of the vehicle.
Of course, this all depends on how well you take care of the vehicle.
The Mach-E will last much longer if you do the following:
- Don’t drain the battery completely
- Only charge it to 100% for long trips
- Avoid fast charging the vehicle unless completely necessary
- Don’t abuse the vehicle and drive smoothly
- Don’t skip its scheduled maintenance
Does the Mustang Mach-E Rust Easily?
The Mustang Mach-E won’t have much of a problem with excessive rust because it uses a lot of aluminum for its body panels and suspension components.
The hood and front fenders, for example, are made out of aluminum which doesn’t get eaten away by rust like steel does.
The doors are made out of high-strength steel which won’t rust away too easily and the liftgate or hatch is made out of strong plastics.
If you live in an area that uses a lot of road salt during the winter, you might see some rust in 5 to 10 years, but that is normal for any car.
All new Ford vehicles also come with a 5-year/unlimited-mile corrosion perforation warranty in case excessive rust causes holes to appear.
Tips to protect your Mustang Mach-E from rust:
- Regularly wash and dry your car: This includes its underside (especially during the winter) to remove the salt, dirt and grime that causes rust. We recommend having a detail shop wash everything underneath at the end of each winter.
- Repair paint damage and scratches: Exposed metal will oxidize. If it’s beyond a DIY fix, speak to your local body repair shop.
- Garage: Store your Mustang Mach-E in a garage to protect it from harsh weather and bird droppings.
- Waxing: Wax your car twice a year. Not only will this give your Mustang Mach-E a nice shine, it also gives it a protective coating against rust.
- Rustproofing: If you’re planning on keeping your Mustang Mach-E for a very long time, you might want to consider a rustproofing treatment; popular choices are Krown and Rust Check.
- Ceramic Coating: A popular choice for those who want to add an extra layer of protection to the paint job.
What is High Mileage for a Mustang Mach-E?
A Mustang Mach-E with 100,000 miles is what we would consider a high mileage vehicle.
At this point, the battery and electric powertrain’s warranty will have already expired and you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket for any repairs needed.
And while an EV has less parts and doesn’t require much maintenance, it still has a lot of normal vehicle components like suspension dampers, brakes, wheel bearings, power steering and A/C that may be near the end of their effective lifespan at 100,000 miles.
You’ll have to consider the added cost of replacing and repairing many of the Mach-E’s vital parts because it can add several thousand dollars to the vehicle’s initial purchase price.
But if the vehicle has been meticulously maintained, even a high-mileage Mach-E can provide many years of trouble-free motoring.
A higher mileage Mach-E with a couple of years left on its electric powertrain warranty can also be a good buy since you won’t have to worry about battery replacements too much.
When buying a used Mustang Mach-E, always consider the following:
- Maintenance history. Check that the car was properly serviced and the owner can provide evidence of this.
- Get a second opinion. Take it to an independent auto repair shop or at least have it inspected by a mechanic you trust.
- Check the CarFax. This doesn’t guarantee anything but it will provide a clearer picture of wear-and-tear. Ensure it has minimal damage, if any, and has not been involved in a major accident.
- Number of previous owners. As a general rule, less is better. More owners usually means more wear-and-tear. If one family owned it and drove the full mileage and serviced the car, then you can almost guarantee they took good care of it throughout their ownership.
- How long you are planning on keeping the car. If you’re planning on keeping the car for a long time, you should evaluate whether the short-term savings outweigh spending a bit extra on something more reliable.
- Examine the interior. The condition of the interior tells the story of how well the car was maintained and cared for. Does the steering wheel, pedals, or shifter look suspiciously new? If so theres a good chance that the car was very heavily used, and those parts were just replaced before sale.
How Long Does the Mustang Mach-E Last Compared to its Rivals?
In this section, we’ll compare the Mustang Mach-E to some of its rivals in the electric crossover segment.
Mustang Mach-E vs. Tesla Model Y
The Model Y is only a year older than the Mach-E, but Tesla has the longest track record in the EV market while Ford is still in its early stages.
There’s a lot of excitement around the Tesla brand and the Model Y is considered by many as a modern-day luxury vehicle.
The Model Y and Mach-E have very similar specs and options, but the Model Y is definitely more popular and it’s currently the best-selling EV in the U.S.
The estimated range and usable battery capacities for the Model Y is similar to the Mach-E’s, so it should have the same 300,000 – 500,000 mile lifespan.
- Kelley Blue Book’s consumer rating index gave the Tesla Model Y a reliability rating of 4.2/5 which is slightly lower than the Mach-E’s score of 4.3/5.
- Edmunds consumer reviews gave the Model Y an overall score of 4.2/5 which is slightly lower than the Mach-E’s 4.5/5.
- RepairPal doesn’t have any reliability ratings for Tesla but the Ford brand has an above average rating of 3.5/5.
- Car and Driver ranked the Model Y as the 8th best EV while the Mach-E was ranked 1st in 2021.
- The Model Y has a smaller battery than the Mach-E so it will go through more charge cycles to cover the same distance which can affect its longevity.
- The max range of Model Y is 326 miles which is a little higher than the Mach-E’s 300 miles.
Despite all the cutting-edge tech that’s featured in the Model Y, Tesla is still a very young automotive brand.
The Model Y still hasn’t been able to shake off build quality issues like body panel gaps, rattles in the cabin, and malfunctioning door handles.
Ford, on the other hand, has over 100 years of experience in auto manufacturing and engineering. This is evident in the Mach-E’s better fit and finish, and it has fewer small yet annoying issues.
The Mustang Mach-E also uses much larger batteries than the Model Y, and it keeps a larger percentage (11%) of the battery’s capacity inaccessible.
The larger battery and higher buffer/reserve capacity adds up to fewer charge cycles over time which prolongs its lifespan.
Owner reviews and ratings of the Model Y and Mach-E are also very close. But the Mach-E has a very slight edge over the Model Y if you look closely at the numbers.
Related: How Long Do Tesla Model Y Last?
Mustang Mach-E vs. Volkswagen ID.4
The Volkswagen ID.4 is just as new as the Mach-E but it’s a little bit cheaper.
This compact crossover also comes in RWD and AWD variants but has slightly less performance and range compared to the Mustang Mach-E.
Similar to the Mach-E, the ID.4 is VW’s first big push into the EV market.
It’s modern and more grown-up looking compared to the Mach-E’s flashy muscle car/Tesla-inspired styling.
With the ID.4’s smaller battery, we predict that it will have a slightly shorter lifespan of 300,000 – 400,000 miles compared to the Mach-E.
- Kelley Blue Book’s consumer rating index gave the Volkswagen ID.4 a reliability rating of 5/5 which is impressive compared to the Mach-E’s score of 4.3/5. Although this rating is likely to change because it’s only based on 2 owner reviews so far.
- Edmunds consumer reviews gave the ID.4 an overall score of 4.5/5 which is exactly the same as the Mach-E’s rating.
- RepairPal gave the Volkswagen brand an overall reliability rating of 3.5/5 which is the same as Ford’s rating.
- Car and Driver ranked the ID.4 as the 4th best EV while the Mach-E was ranked 1st in 2021.
- The ID.4 has a smaller battery than the Mach-E so it will go through more charge cycles to cover the same distance which can affect its longevity.
- The max range of the ID.4 is 260 miles which is lower than the Mach-E’s 300 miles.
The ID.4 may have less range than the Mach-E but it’s more than enough for daily commuting duties.
The ID.4 and Mach-E both have minimalistic interiors, but the Mach-E has a much larger infotainment screen and more soft-touch upholstery.
However, the ID.4 does handle better and rides more comfortably than the Mach-E.
The Mach-E has more performance on tap, but it isn’t rated for any kind of towing, unlike the ID.4 which has a maximum towing capacity of 2,200 lbs.
The ID.4’s smaller battery capacity means it will need more charge cycles to cover the same distance, so its lifespan will be a little shorter compared to the Mach-E’s batteries.
Volkswagen and Ford have the same reliability ratings, but Volkswagens have a reputation for being more expensive to repair — at least when it comes to its internal combustion engines.
But VW is also known for its excellent build quality, especially when it comes to their interiors, so it’s a real toss-up between the two brands.
Related: How Long Will a VW ID.4 Last?
Mustang Mach-E vs. Hyundai Kona Electric
The Hyundai Kona Electric is a subcompact crossover EV so it’s smaller than the Mach-E.
It does, however, pack lots of performance with a 0 – 60 time that’s pretty close to the base Mach-E in RWD trim.
The Hyundai Kona comes with the smallest battery in this comparison so we predict a slightly lower lifespan of 250,000 – 400,000 miles compared to the Mach-E.
- Kelley Blue Book’s consumer rating index gave the Hyundai Kona Electric a reliability rating of 4.4/5 which is similar to the Mach-E’s 4.3/5.
- Edmunds consumer reviews gave the Kona Electric an overall score of 3.9/5 which is much lower than the Mach-E’s rating of 4.5/5.
- RepairPal gave the Hyundai brand an overall reliability rating of 4/5 which is much better than Ford’s 3.5/5.
- Car and Driver ranked the Kona Electric as the 3rd best EV while the Mach-E was ranked 1st in 2021.
- The Kona has a much smaller battery than the Mach-E so it will go through many more charge cycles to cover the same distance which can affect its longevity.
- The max range of the Kona Electric is 258 miles which is shorter than the Mach-E’s 300 miles.
Hyundai has significantly built up its reliability over the last decade to the point where it now rivals the likes of Toyota and Honda.
The Kona Electric has also been available since 2018 so its newer models have gone through a lot of development and improvement to eliminate most quality issues.
Hyundai also offers the longest battery warranty in the industry at 10 years/100,000 miles
It’s definitely a great contender if you’re looking for a small zippy EV. Car and Driver even ranked it as the 3rd best EV for 2021.
But it’s let down by its shorter range and much smaller battery capacity. This means you’ll go through many more charge cycles to cover the same distance which will affect the battery’s longevity.
The Kona Electric also has a traditional-looking interior compared to the Mach-E’s more modern cabin with its impressive screen in the middle and large panoramic roof.
AWD also doesn’t come as an option on the Kona which is a must-have for a lot of people.
Considering that the Kona Electric is only a couple thousand dollars cheaper than the lower trim levels of the Mach-E, the Mustang will definitely give you more bang for your buck.
Comparison Chart
| Mustang Mach-E | Tesla Model Y | Volkswagen ID.4 | Hyundai Kona Electric | |
| KBB Consumer Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.2/5 | 5/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Edmunds Consumer Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.2/5 | 4.5/5 | 3.9/5 |
| RepairPal Brand Reliability | 3.5/5 | NA | 3.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Car and Driver Ranking (2021) | 1st | 8th | 4th | 3rd |
| Battery Capacity (kWh) | 75.7 – 98.8 | 50 – 75 | 52 – 77 | 39 – 64 |
| Electric Range (miles) | 230 – 300 | 230 – 326 | 215 – 260 | 190 – 258 |
| Expected Lifespan (miles) | 300k – 500k | 300k – 500k | 300k – 400k | 250k – 400k |
Is the Ford Mustang Mach-E Reliable?
Electric Vehicles like the Mustang Mach-E have less moving parts than an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicle, so they are inherently more reliable.
Engines and transmissions have hundreds, if not thousands, of parts that all work together to make the car run.
Many of these parts are under constant stress and require lots of cooling and lubrication.
Sometimes, just one failure of a vital component can lead to catastrophic damage.
On the other hand, the Mach-E’s powertrain has relatively fewer parts that can be easily replaced once they’re worn out or failed.
Early builds of the Mach-E had a software glitch related to the smaller 12-volt battery losing charge, which made the vehicle completely unusable.
It has since been addressed by Ford, most likely through a software update made at the dealer.
The only common complaint has been with using your phone as a key. The car can still be operated using the key fob however.
Reviews of the Mustang Mach-E have been very positive so far with no build quality or reliability issues reported.
Here is more proof of the Mustang Mach-E’s reliability:
- Kelley Blue Book’s consumer rating index gave the Mach-E a reliability rating of 4.3/5 which is great considering it’s still in its first model year.
- Edmunds gave the Mach-E an impressive overall rating of 4.5/5.
- Car and Driver magazine gave the Mach-E it’s ‘EV of the Year’ award for 2021, beating out all the other EV sedans and SUVs included in its test.
Ford Reliability Compared to Other Brands
Source: Consumer Reports
| Ranking | Brand | Score |
| 1 | Lexus | 76 |
| 2 | Mazda | 75 |
| 3 | Toyota | 71 |
| 4 | Infiniti | 69 |
| 5 | Buick | 66 |
| 6 | Honda | 66 |
| 7 | Subaru | 66 |
| 8 | Acura | 64 |
| 9 | Nissan | 63 |
| 10 | Mini | 60 |
| 11 | Hyundai | 56 |
| 12 | Chrysler | 54 |
| 13 | Porsche | 52 |
| 14 | Chevy | 48 |
| 15 | Audi | 47 |
| 16 | Cadillac | 47 |
| 17 | BMW | 45 |
| 18 | Ford | 44 |
| 19 | Kia | 43 |
| 20 | Volvo | 42 |
| 21 | Ram | 40 |
| 22 | GMC | 37 |
| 23 | Mercedes-Benz | 34 |
| 24 | Volkswagen | 31 |
| 25 | Genesis | 30 |
| 26 | Jeep | 26 |
| 27 | Tesla | 25 |
| 28 | Lincoln | 18 |
The Best and Worst Years for the Mustang Mach-E
Since the Mustang Mach-E is not even a year old yet, there are no best or worst model years for it yet.
Even if you pick up an early build of the Mach-E, you shouldn’t encounter many issues considering the great reviews it’s been getting from reviewers and owners.
It will also still be under warranty so any eventual quality issues can be easily dealt with through your local Ford dealer.
As time goes on, the Mach-E will get more updates and upgrades so it’s always better to get the newest model you can get your hands on.
At the time of writing:
- The Mustang Mach-E has had 0 issues reported on CarComplaints.com
- Only 8 complaints were observed on the NHTSA website.
What About Recalls for the Mach-E?
The 2021 Mustang Mach-E has had 3 recalls in total since it was released.
You can check if your Mustang Mach-E has been subjected to a recall campaign by entering your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on the Ford recall site or the NHTSA recall database.
It is important to note that recalls are manufacturing faults repaired at no charge to the consumer.
Here are all the recalls issued for the Mustang Mach-E so far:
- Bonding of the windshield
- Bonding of the panoramic glass sunroof
- Loose subframe bolts on early production builds
Related: How Long Will A Polestar 2 Last?
Ford Mustang Mach-E Model Year List
Ford began production of the Mustang Mach-E in 2020, but they were all sold as 2021 models.
First Generation:
- 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E
- 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E
Is the Ford Mustang Mach-E Expensive to Maintain?
The Mustang Mach-E’s running costs will be very minimal.
Aside from not needing any gas, you also won’t need to take it in for oil changes or have to replace parts like the water pump, alternator, timing belt/chain, spark plugs and ignition coils.
At the 3-year mark, you’ll just need to change the brake fluid.
Ford also recommends changing the cabin filter every 20,000 miles.
Most EV owners typically just rotate and replace their tires as needed, and rarely have to pay for any major repairs even as the vehicle approaches 100,000 miles.
How Long Do the Brakes Last?
It’s possible to go over 100,000 miles in the Mach-E on the original brake pads especially if you avoid driving aggressively.
The Mustang Mach-E features regenerative braking and one-pedal driving so you don’t even have to step on the brakes to slow down the vehicle, by simply lifting your foot off the accelerator the car speed will drop very quickly.
This lets you get significantly more life out of your brake pads and rotors.
How Long Do the Tires Last?
The Mustang Mach-E’s stock tires will likely last 20,000 to 30,000 miles.
EVs tend to wear out a set of tires much faster than a comparably sized ICE-powered vehicle because they are much heavier.
This puts more strain on the tires whenever you turn, accelerate or brake.
The Mach-E’s higher performance motors and the instantaneous torque they produce also make the tires wear out faster.
However, tire wear is also dependent on various factors such as driving habits, climate, and road conditions.
Here are a couple of tips that will help you preserve the life of your tires:
- Rotate tires every 5,000 miles to ensure even wear.
- If you have to drive on rough or flooded roads, or go off-roading, your tires will take more of a beating.
- Check your tire pressure every few weeks to make sure they’re at the correct tire pressure.
- Check your tires every so often for uneven wear and have it addressed quickly.
- Check your wheel alignment every 6 months.
You may also be interested in our article: How Long Will a Nissan Leaf Last?
How Long Do the Transmissions Last?
The Mustang Mach-E doesn’t use a traditional transmission with multiple gears but instead uses what is essentially a single-speed transmission.
The gears that transfer power from the motors to the drive wheels don’t deal with as much friction or stress as a traditional transmission because it doesn’t need to constantly change from one gear ratio to another.
The power that’s sent to the wheels and the speed at which the wheels rotate is controlled directly by the electric motors.
How Long Will the Mach-E’s Electric Motors Last?
Ford has been working with electric motors for a long time in its hybrid vehicles so they know what it takes to develop a long-lasting drive unit.
The Mach-E’s electric motors will likely last at least 500,000 miles and will see several battery changes before it needs to be replaced.
According to the Renault Group, an electric motor can last 15 to 20 years in optimal conditions.
How Long Do the Spark Plugs Last?
The Mustang Mach-E doesn’t use any spark plugs and relies entirely on battery power.
How Long Do Mustang Mach-E Batteries Last?
There’s no official data from Ford about how long the Mustang Mach-E’s batteries are supposed to last.
The Mach-E has the largest battery in the compact SUV segment which means it will need fewer charge cycles to cover long distances.
It matches its rivals when it comes to usable capacity, but it also has a much higher buffer which keeps it from being drained to zero and charged to 100%.
Unlike the typical Lithium-ion battery found in laptops and phones which see a lot of degradation at around 500 to 1,000 charge cycles, EV batteries are significantly larger and use a lot of cooling to prevent degradation.
The Mach-E’s charging system is also very conservative.
It will slow down the charging rate significantly once it charges to 80% and even more at 95% – this helps prolong the life of the battery even more.
With all the Mach-E’s battery protection systems, we expect its batteries to last at least 300,000 – 500,000 miles.
Keep in mind that Lithium-ion batteries will naturally degrade over time, and they actually degrade even more if they are not used for long periods of time.
In 10 to 15 years, the Mach-E’s batteries will have much less charge capacity compared to when new, even if it’s not driven too much.
Here are some other tips to keep your Mach-E batteries in good condition:
- Avoid using or storing the vehicle in extremely hot temperatures
- Don’t let the vehicle sit unused for long periods of time
- When storing the Mach-E, slow charge it to avoid battery degradation
- Avoid regularly draining the battery to 0% or charging it to 100%
- Charging up to 80% is recommended
- Minimize the use of DC fast chargers at public charging stations
What is the Range of the Mustang Mach-E?
A Mustang Mach-E with a Standard Range battery can last up to 230 miles on a full charge.
An Extended Range battery can give you up to 305 miles.
How Long Does the Mustang Mach-E Take to Charge?
| Charger Type | Range per Hour of Charge | 0 to 100% Charge* |
| Mobile Charger 120V | 3 miles | 3 to 5 days |
| Mobile Charger 240V | 20 miles | 12 to 15 hours |
| Ford Charge Station 240V | 28 miles | 8 to 10 hours |
*This is a rough estimate since charging slows down significantly once the battery reaches 80% to prolong its life.
When you connect to a DC fast charger at any Electrify America public charging station, you can get as much as 70 miles of additional range every 10 minutes.
Here are some other approximate charging times you can expect when using a DC fast charger:
- 10% to 80% takes roughly 50 minutes
- 0% to 100% takes 2.5 hours
Ford recommends unplugging the Mach-E once it charges up to 80%.
The charging rate slows down significantly once it reaches 80% and then again at 95% to protect the battery from premature degradation.
What About Insurance Costs?
According to Finder, the average cost of full comprehensive coverage for a Mustang Mach-E is $2,880 per year or around $240 per month.
Insurance costs can vary from person to person, so be sure to shop around to find the best possible deal for your Mustang Mach-E.
Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Mustang Mach-E
- Adopt smooth driving habits.
- Use regenerative braking to extend range and battery life.
- Charging every couple of days is better than charging every day to keep it topped up.
- Keep up to date with factory-recommended maintenance.
- Use quality parts and fluids.
- Keep on top of repairs to prevent them from developing into larger problems.
- Regularly wash your Mustang Mach-E to remove dirt and grime to protect the paint and undercarriage from rust.
- Keep your Mustang Mach-E stored in a garage to help protect it from extreme heat.
- Read the owner’s manual to learn the location of important components, what your Mustang Mach-E needs and what quantity, and to understand the symbols and dashboard warning lights.
You may also be interested in our article: How Long Will an Audi e-tron Last?
Resources
https://www.ford.com/buy-site-wide-content/overlays/mach-e-overlays/mach-e-faq/
https://www.ford.com/suvs/mach-e/
https://help.ford.com/warranty/corrosion-warranty/
https://www.kbb.com/ford/mustang-mach-e/
https://www.edmunds.com/ford/mustang-mach-e/2021/consumer-reviews/
https://www.caranddriver.com/ford/mustang-mach-e
https://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Mustang_Mach-E/
https://www.ford.com/support/recalls/
https://www.finder.com/car-insurance/mustang-mach-e-insurance-rates
