BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX) vs Ford Mustang Mach-E: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Ford Mustang Mach-E carries less risk than the BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX): 32/100 versus 38/100 (both moderate risk). The BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX) has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Cells with a damaged cathode in the high-voltage battery (fire risk)»; the Ford Mustang Mach-E has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «High-voltage battery contactors overheating: loss of power».

Risk index

BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX)

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

Reviewed on 30 October 202619 sources How we work

Is the BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX) reliable?

The sources consulted record no faults with the motor or the reduction gear. What is documented are small recalls for the battery (cells, modules, pads) and the integrated charger, concentrated on cars built from 2021 to 2023: ask for the chassis number and the paperwork.^[1][2][3]

See the 5 of the BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX) faults

Is the Ford Mustang Mach-E reliable?

The Mach-E's electrical system has one documented weak point in Europe: the high-voltage battery contactors, which overheat and can cause a loss of power. Ford first fixed it with software (2022) and then by replacing the battery junction box (2023). No motor or battery faults have been published in Europe beyond that.^[4][5][6]

See the of the Ford Mustang Mach-E fault

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX) and Ford Mustang Mach-E
Item	BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX)	Ford Mustang Mach-E
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Electrical	Electrical
Displacement	—	—
Timing	—	—
Power	282–650 hp	268–487 hp
Production	since 2020^[3][7][8][9]	since 2021^[10][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	38Moderate risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	1
Of high or critical severity	3	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Cells with a damaged cathode in the high-voltage battery (fire risk) Critical severity: Protective pads for the high-voltage battery not fitted (2021 i4) High severity: Battery cell and module monitoring circuit out of specification	High severity: High-voltage battery contactors overheating: loss of power
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	iX3 (G08) 80 kWh, 286 hp (2020-2024)^[2][3]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	i4 eDrive35 and eDrive40 rear-wheel drive (2021-)^[2][13] i4 xDrive40, M50 and M60 all-wheel drive (2022-)^[2][7] iX xDrive40, xDrive50 and M60 (2021-2025)^[2][14][15] iX xDrive45, xDrive60 and M70 (2025-)^[8][16]	Standard Range, 75.7 kWh battery, 269-329 hp (2021-2025)^[4][5] Extended Range, 98.8 kWh battery, 276-375 hp (2021-present)^[17][18] GT, 98.8 kWh battery, 487 hp (2021-present)^[17][19]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX)

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Other comparisons

With the BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX)

With the Ford Mustang Mach-E

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

Rückruf BMW i4 und iX: Batterieproblemeauto motor und sport · Motoring press · published 24 June 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
DVSA – base de llamadas a revisión (R/2021/361, R/2022/020, R/2022/330, R/2023/133, R/2023/235, R/2024/211, R/2025/274)DVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 30 October 2026
Probleme mit dem BMW iX3: typische Schwächen inkl. RückrufeCarWiki · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
Rückruf Ford Mustang Mach-E: Hochvolt-Batterieauto motor und sport · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
Ford Mustang Mach-E: battery switch overheats after recall (KBA 013267)car-recalls.eu · Other source · published 19 December 2023 · consulted 30 October 2026
Fiabilité Ford Mustang Mach-E: pannes et avisfiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
BMW i4Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
BMW iXWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
BMW X3 (G01): sección iX3 (G08)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
Ford Mustang Mach-E 1. Generation: ModellvariantenADAC Autokatalog · Technical documentation · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
Ford Mustang Mach-E reviewDrive (antes Honest John) · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026
Ford Mustang Mach-EWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
Safety Gate: alerta A12/00124/22, BMW i4 (almohadillas de la batería de alta tensión)Comisión Europea – Safety Gate · Official body · published 18 January 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026
BMW iX (2022): EV/Hybrid, firecar-recalls.eu · Other source · published 21 September 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026
BMW iX Probleme (i20): Mängel, Schwachstellen und RückrufeCarWiki · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
BMW iX reliabilityAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026
Ford Mustang Mach-E: Probleme mit dem HochvoltschützÖAMTC · Consumer association · published 28 December 2023 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
Ford Mustang Mach-E: Rückruf wegen Leistungsverlustfuturezone.at · General press · published 20 October 2023 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
Ford Mustang Mach-E: Rückruf wegen überhitzender Hochvoltbatterieecomento.de · Motoring press · published 24 June 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German