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Oct 22, 2024

Ford warns EV owners to stop using Tesla Supercharger adapters due to potential charging issues

The automaker has not disclosed the specific nature of the problem but has emphasized that prolonged use of the faulty adapters could lead to slower charging. Ford has issued an urgent bulletin

The automaker has not disclosed the specific nature of the problem but has emphasized that prolonged use of the faulty adapters could lead to slower charging.

Ford has issued an urgent bulletin advising electric vehicle (EV) owners to immediately stop using Tesla Supercharger adapters provided by the company. This follows the discovery of a potential issue with certain batches of adapters that could lead to reduced charging speeds or, in some cases, damage to the charging port. The problem appears to have emerged recently, and Ford is taking steps to replace the affected adapters at no cost to customers.

The automaker has not disclosed the specific nature of the problem but has emphasized that prolonged use of the faulty adapters could lead to slower charging. In the bulletin, Ford asked owners to return the original adapters and await replacements, which will begin shipping the week of October 28. The automaker clarified that this would be classified as a customer service action, not a formal recall.

Multiple Ford EV owners, including Mustang Mach-E drivers, reported receiving the bulletin via email. Some have already encountered issues, such as a flashing red light on the charging door when attempting to use Tesla Superchargers.

Ford has instructed customers to verify their shipping addresses in the FordPass app by October 24 to ensure smooth delivery of the new adapters. Fleet customers are being asked to confirm their addresses directly with their National Account Managers.

While Ford deals with this issue, officials from other automakers like General Motors and Rivian have stated they have not experienced similar problems with their Tesla North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapters. Rivian drivers are still able to use their adapters without concerns at this time.

This development is significant because Ford was among the first automakers to partner with Tesla, allowing its EV drivers access to Tesla’s expansive Supercharger network. However, this issue could pose a temporary setback as Ford works to ensure the safety and reliability of the charging equipment provided to its customers.

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