Ford Mustang Mach-E Crash Video Does Not Show Technical Failure

A viral video showing a Ford Mustang Mach-E crash on a California highway has circulated widely on social media. The video has prompted claims that the electric vehicle experienced a catastrophic electronic failure, with locked steering and an uncontrollable accelerator. These claims have raised questions about EV safety. Our investigation finds these claims to be misleading: official findings point to driver impairment, not an EV system failure.

Social Media Posts

Videos have been widely shared on Facebook and other platforms claiming that the Ford electric car malfunctioned on the freeway, causing it to go out of control before crashing into another vehicle, as seen in the viral footage.

Source | Archive

Source | Archive

Fact Check

Official Investigation Findings

CHP’s Redwood City office investigated the August 13, 2025 crash on US-101 near Holly Street in San Carlos. Their statement says officers determined the Mach-E was not operating in autonomous mode and the driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, resulting in injuries to another.

Ford representatives confirmed to CarScoop that they are cooperating with authorities and directed all detailed inquiries to the California Highway Patrol’s official investigation. The CHP has verified the authenticity of the viral video and confirmed that the Mach-E driver was arrested for driving under the influence.

Technical Explanation

In the viral video, a green Mach-E is seen traveling along the right highway barrier with its hazard lights on before colliding with a merging Mitsubishi Mirage. While many people quickly claimed this was due to a “stuck accelerator” or “locked steering,” the video evidence doesn’t actually support this theory.

Notably, the Mach-E doesn’t continue accelerating after the impact, which would be expected if the accelerator was truly stuck. Additionally, the car is seen scraping the wall at an angle rather than driving perfectly straight, suggesting the driver still had some control rather than the car being in a “hands-off” autonomous driving mode. (Source: The Autopian, Carscoops)

The Mach-E uses a standard hydraulic brake system, not a fully electronic one. This means that even if the car’s electronics failed completely, pressing the brake pedal would still activate the brakes through hydraulic pressure. In simpler terms, the brakes would still work mechanically even if the car’s computers malfunctioned. This basic design feature contradicts claims that electronic failures could prevent the driver from stopping the car. (Source: Ford User Manual, Mache Forum)

Conclusion

Our investigation found this claim to be misleading. Official evidence from the California Highway Patrol shows that the Ford Mustang Mach-E did not have a technical failure as claimed on social media. The car’s steering wasn’t locked, and the accelerator wasn’t stuck. The hydraulic brake system remained functional throughout the incident, and the vehicle’s autonomous driving feature (BlueCruise) was not turned on. The investigation determined that the crash was caused by the driver, who was impaired and arrested for DUI, not by any malfunction of the electric vehicle.