My 2023 Mach-E Premium Has Been My Daily Driver for 18 Months, But Ford's Climate Controls on Touchscreen, Useless Sun Visors, and Missing Steering Wheel Play/Pause Button Still Drive Me Crazy, Here's My Fix-It List

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is not a Mustang. However, it’s a good car, maybe even a great one, but strapping the iconic Mustang badge to an electric crossover is like dubbing a Labradoodle “Direwolf.” 

It may wear the snarl of a heritage nameplate, but the Mach-E doesn’t thunder, doesn’t slide, and doesn’t make your molars vibrate when it idles, because it doesn’t. 

It’s not a Mustang in any sense that involves gear ratios, throttle response, or pit-stained Trans-Am weekends. What it is, however, is one of the most competent EVs to roll out of Detroit in a generation. If only it could remember how to aim a sun visor, according to a recent post on a forum.

“This is a list of gripes I have about my 2023 Mach-E Premium. It is meant as an "I'd love fixes or improvements to these things in future models" list for anyone who cares (like maybe the engineers at @Ford Motor Company).

Many people have already discussed these issues here at length, so I'm just posting to get it off my chest rather than start anything. Feel free to join in on the gripe-fest if you want, though!

The Visors

I hate the visors. They don't rotate forward far enough, so at maximum rotation they're often too low for me to use comfortably. If the mounts were lower or the visors were positioned closer to the windshield, maybe the roof liner wouldn't get in the way. All my previous cars had visors that would rotate all the way to the windshield for those times where you want just a little visor action, not have half my view blocked by a lousy chunk of plastic.

The garage door opener on the visor has poor range. My partner's Toyota bZ4x can open the garage from a block away, while I have to be practically in my driveway to get mine to work.

The Steering Wheel & Cluster Screen

The lack of a play/pause button (or even mute!) on the steering wheel media controls is just stupid. It seems like such a no-brainer, but it's not there. My partner's Toyota BZ4x also lacks this basic functionality, so maybe it's not just a Ford problem?

As for the cluster screen, I'll just echo everyone's gripes about the positioning of information on the cluster, especially speed. I really don't understand Ford's thought process on this layout.

It's also not easy to position the steering wheel comfortably while maintaining an unimpeded view of the instrument cluster. Basically, I think Ford could have done a better job with the whole driver's side of the dashboard.

The Console/Infotainment Screen

Climate controls never should have been integrated into the center touch screen. I hate having to change anything while driving. It's far too distracting, and is downright dangerous!

(Note: I know carmakers seem to be trending back to having physical buttons and knobs for things in future models (partly due to EU regulations), but I don't know if that includes Ford.)

The climate controls are just terrible in general. It doesn't maintain settings like recirculation and vent choice, auto mode is a pain to turn off, and (again) I loathe having to change anything while driving. Also, why can't there just be a "vent only" setting? I just want fresh air and not have to deal with the car trying to turn on the A/C because I set the temperature to LO. I don't want to have to think about temperature to get fresh air!

Ford Assistant is laggy, unusable garbage. I wish they hadn't even bothered.

Also, I wish I could uninstall Alexa.

Honestly, I just hate having to use a touch screen for everything. I need to be able to quickly and reliably find controls without looking, which requires tactile feedback. I knew what I was getting into when I bought it, but I didn't think I'd still hate it after a year and a half.

And don't get me started on how laggy the console screen can be! Sometimes I'll press a button and it takes multiple seconds to react, while in the meantime I'll have tapped something else and then it suddenly tries to do everything at once (thus doing everything wrong). Lose the stupid screen animations, Ford, and optimize the software better for the hardware! This is the control panel for a two-ton death machine, not a tablet for someone lounging on their couch; Don't make me wait for a fancy fucking screen animation so I can redirect the airflow while I'm barreling down the freeway!

Speaking of which...

The Air Vents

The dashboard air vents are too low! They blow directly on my hands most of the time, which is about as effective at cooling me as gently waving a feather two feet away from my face. When the A/C is on, my knuckles end up frozen and stiff.

(This is a gripe I have with many automakers. They always care more about style than functionality.)

The leftmost air vent is significantly weaker than the other three and almost not worth using if you're a normal person who usually sits in the middle of the seat.

Additionally, the air vents' directional vanes are terrible at horizontal airflow adjustment. I have the left vent set to full right but air still flows almost straight out (parallel with the door).

I've been working on designing some airflow redirectors (think reverse snorkel or submarine periscope) to 3D print, but I already know they're going to look and perform like shit compared to vents that weren't crap from the start.

The Headlight Knob & Adjacent Buttons (vs My Knee)

I'm not a particularly tall guy, but my knee still gets in the way of seeing the headlight knob area. If I'm not sure what headlight mode is selected or want to change it, I have to either twist my leg out of the way or wait til I can stop. Another stupid and dangerous design choice.

Also, why isn't there an Open Liftgate button around this area? Do they expect everyone to keep their key fob in the center tray or something? It stays in my pocket, so opening the tailgate while seated is a major production!

Instead, they give us a redundant MAX defrost button in a difficult-to-see area (which I guess echoes having a fogged up windshield?), interior light brightness adjustment buttons even though this can be done in the console settings, and a Traction Control button that is even MORE difficult to see than the others, but no way to open the liftgate while seated with your keys in your pocket.

The Back End

The cargo cover flaps around like a nerd in a Darth Vader cape on Halloween when more than one window is open. I saw someone here 3D printed some tubes to put on the cover's attachment strings, and I'll give them a try, but we all agree it's stupid to have to do that, right? Right, @Ford Motor Company ?

There's no easy way to replace the cargo cover with a retractable cover without drilling holes in the interior panels.

I could've sworn Ford sold their own retractable cover for the Mach-E, but now I'm not seeing it anywhere. Did I dream it up? They could have sold us an overpriced retractable cover, but I guess they didn't feel like ripping us off for that one. Thanks, I guess?

The reverse camera is almost useless when it gets wet. My previous car was from before car cameras were a thing (2001 Saturn) so maybe this is common on modern cars, but you'd think it'd be a safety concern. Maybe have it recessed a little more, or give its mounting hole a little lip above it to redirect water away. Even a hydrophobic coating would help.

The Frunk

I actually never use the frunk, but I'm a little disappointed that Ford didn't make anything to utilize those two FITS attachment points from the Maverick. That's more accessory money you could've made, Ford!

Other Things

Isn't there a function that is supposed to turn down the audio volume when you come off the freeway? I turned it on once, but it never worked.

The car produces really bad Helmholtz Resonance, aka that low-frequency wind throb that gives me a headache, when one window is down. Never had this problem with past cars and I kinda hate having to roll down a second window when opening one.

The interior accent lights don't want to save my color settings. They always go back to blue.

In Conclusion

Despite how it sounds, I do enjoy my car. There are just a lot of things that could be better that I thought I'd be okay with eventually, but that hasn't been the case.

Do better, Ford. Please.” - Mach-E Forum user

That quote comes from a post on Mach-E Forum, and it’s the most honest thing I’ve read about the car yet. It’s a well-organized cry for help, from someone who genuinely enjoys their car but is slowly being ground down by the thousand papercuts of design oversights.

Let’s talk visors. “They don’t rotate forward far enough,” says the owner, “so at maximum rotation, they’re often too low for me to use comfortably.” It’s a simple piece of hardware, function over form, one would think. But in the Mach-E, they’re a case study in ergonomic compromise. Then there’s the climate control system, buried inside a screen that often behaves more like a distracted barista than a reliable copilot. “Lose the stupid screen animations, Ford,” the poster writes, “and optimize the software better for the hardware! This is the control panel for a two-ton machine, not a tablet for someone lounging on their couch.” 

Inside the Ford Mustang Mach-E Cabin: Key Design & Mustang DNA Breakthroughs

• Ford adopted a “less is more” approach, creating a clean, spacious cabin centered around a large vertically mounted touchscreen and minimal physical controls to enhance driver comfort and usability 
• Using the flat-floor GE1 electric platform allowed designers greater freedom to reimagine space, placing occupants at the center while fostering a sense of openness and modernity 
• The design team used a fast-paced workflow, sketches turned into CAD models midweek, milled into clay mockups by week’s end, accelerating iteration and achieving a cohesive Mustang-inspired aesthetic 
• Designers honored Mustang DNA, shark-nose front, powerful haunches, tri-bar taillights, while embracing futuristic elements like integrated soundbars and digital interfaces, balancing nostalgia with progress

Of course, not every owner is sharpening their pitchfork. The same thread quickly turns into a town hall of nuanced perspectives. User phil agrees with the gripes but adds, “none of them is big enough to bother me.” Another, MachhE-CT, says the garage opener works perfectly, voice commands function reliably, and he’s got zero beef with HVAC. 

Even the dreaded flapping cargo cover, compared hilariously to a “nerd in a Darth Vader cape on Halloween”, has been MacGyvered into submission with a couple pieces of PVC pipe. The message here is clear: the issues are real, but they’re not universal. And they sure as hell don’t define the entire ownership experience.

Why the Mustang Mach-E Earns Its Stripes: Performance, Handling & Minimalist Cabin

And let’s give credit where it’s due. The Mach-E, badge aside, is a well-engineered, surprisingly enjoyable EV. It’s quiet. It’s quick. It grips like a cat on carpet. The AWD version devours weather like a Subaru, and even base trims feel more dialed in than the first few Model Ys Tesla sent down the chute. The interior, while a little too Scandinavian Tech Conference for some, is clean and minimal. It doesn’t overwhelm you with complexity, even if it sometimes underdelivers in terms of tactile function. There’s no rumble, no bark, but there is grace, torque, and intention.

Mustang Mach-E Dashboard Deep Dive: Cluster Layout & Readability Updates

Still, some details nag. The instrument cluster, according to one macheclub.com user, has become more cluttered after a recent update, burying speed data off to the right and replacing a dynamic layout with a static UI that makes a calculator watch look futuristic. And that’s emblematic of the whole experience: a car that feels 90% finished, with the last 10% reserved for customer feedback and aftermarket hacks. It’s good, but it needs polish. And that polish shouldn't require 3D printing airflow redirectors in your garage just to cool your face instead of your fingers.

2025 Mustang Mach-E Specs Breakdown: Price, Range, Performance & Charging

• The Mach‑E starts around $43,000 MSRP for the Select trim, with upper trims (GT, Rally) approaching $60,000+, and offers standard (~68 kWh) and extended (~88 kWh) packs delivering EPA range from ~230 to 320 miles 
• Sitting on a 2,984 mm wheelbase, it’s approximately 4,739 mm long × 1,881 mm wide × 1,621 mm tall, fitting squarely in the compact crossover segment with ample cargo and passenger space 
• Depending on trim, power ranges from 264 hp to 480 hp, with torque up to 700 lb‑ft (with GT Performance pack). Base models sprint 0‑60 mph in ~5–6 s, while GT and Rally hit 3.3–3.8 s 
• Top speed is electronically limited around 111–124 mph (180–200 km/h). DC fast charging supports up to 115 kW on standard battery or 150 kW with extended battery, enabling rapid replenishment .

Here’s the irony. The same Ford that gave us the Mustang SVO, the GT40, and the Raptor built this car, and they did it well. But they also buried some key functions beneath a glass panel and called it progress. This isn’t a dealbreaker, but it’s a reminder that while EVs are rewriting the rulebook, some old rules, like tactile controls and well-placed knobs, were written for a reason. When the speed of your finger on a screen can determine whether you see out of a fogged windshield or not, lag is not just annoying. It’s dangerous.

The Mach-E is a victim of branding and a hero of engineering. It’s not a Mustang, and it never should’ve been labeled as such. But that doesn’t mean it’s a bad car; in fact, it's one of the most impressive daily drivers Ford has ever built. It deserves its own name. It deserves its own legacy. Call it the E-Torq, the Falcon-E, the Thunderbird Redux, anything but Mustang. Let the icon rest. Let the Mach-E stand on its own. Because if Ford can iron out the quirks, get the basics right, and stop chasing touchscreen minimalism at the expense of usability, the Mach-E won’t just be a great EV. It’ll be a great car.

So, Ford, if you're listening, your customers aren't angry. They're invested. They're pointing out the bumps in the road because they actually want to drive this thing, every day. And maybe, just maybe, give them a name that doesn't come with the impossible burden of legacy exhaust notes.

Image Sources: Ford Newsroom

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.