NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 11 recalls and 94 owner complaints for the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev.
For the 2023 F-150 Lightning, electrical system complaints make up the largest share of what owners report, with a range of issues spanning charging behavior, warning light cascades, and sudden loss of vehicle function. Several owners describe the truck throwing multiple warning messages at once and losing power assist for steering and brakes while in motion, leaving the vehicle unable to move or shift. Charging problems also come up repeatedly, some owners report reduced range or inconsistent charging behavior depending on charger type. Exterior lighting draws the second-highest complaint volume, though the specific symptoms reported there are less uniform. Powertrain complaints are fewer but notable: some owners describe the truck hesitating or refusing to move when placed in Drive, then lurching forward unexpectedly, with dealers unable to resolve the issue after extended shop time. A smaller number of reports mention the vehicle catching fire while parked and not connected to a charger.
94
Total Complaints
6
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2023 F-150 Lightning has 11 recalls, the most serious being multiple fire risks tied to the high-voltage battery pack, along with a front suspension defect that can cause complete loss of steering control.
The battery concerns cover two related failure modes: loose fasteners inside the battery junction box can cause electrical arcing, and a separate defect can produce an internal short circuit when the battery is fully or nearly fully charged. Either condition raises the risk of fire, and the arcing issue can also cut drive power without warning. There is also a park function recall shared with other Ford EVs, where the park mechanism may not fully lock when the driver shifts into park, allowing the vehicle to roll away. On the electronics side, the vehicle's SYNC software can fail to activate electronic stability control at the start of each drive cycle, leaving the driver without traction assistance without any indication that it is off; prior repair attempts did not fully resolve this issue for some vehicles. Rounding out the list, a missing solder joint in the cabin heater module can leave the windshield defroster inoperative, reducing visibility in cold or wet conditions. The rear lightbar lens can develop microcracks that let moisture in, causing the reverse lights to flicker or go dark entirely.
At a glance
What can fail
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
The park module may fail to lock the transmission into park when you shift into park, allowing the vehicle to roll unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Ford will update the park module software through an over-the-air update or at a dealer, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear lightbar has tiny cracks in its outer lens. Moisture seeps in through these cracks, causing the reverse lights to stop working or flicker.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear lightbar and replace it along with fasteners as needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The SYNC software may not turn on the electronic stability control system when you start the vehicle, leaving it inactive during driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the Accessory Protocol Interface Module software at no cost to restore stability control function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Fasteners securing the junction box bus bars inside the high-voltage battery pack may not be tight enough, causing electrical arcing at the busbars.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the busbar fasteners, tighten them, and replace any damaged parts at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A manufacturing defect in the high voltage battery cells may cause an internal short circuit.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the high voltage battery array as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front upper control arm ball joint nut may not be properly tightened, which could allow the front upper control arm to separate from the knuckle assembly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the ball joint nut and replace the nut and/or knuckle assembly as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Fasteners securing the junction box bus bars in the high-voltage battery pack may not be tight enough, risking electrical arcing at the busbars.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten the busbar fasteners and replace any damaged parts at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The SYNC software may fail to turn on the electronic stability control system when you start the vehicle, which helps prevent loss of control during braking or turning.
What the fix does
A software update to the Accessory Protocol Interface Module will be installed by your dealer or wirelessly, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electronic cabin coolant heater module may be missing a solder joint, causing the cabin heat, windshield defrosting, and defogging system to work intermittently or not at all.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the electronic cabin coolant heater module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear lightbar lens can develop small cracks that let moisture inside, causing the reverse lights to flicker or stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear lightbar at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high-voltage battery pack may experience an electrical short-circuit when fully charged or near fully charged.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the high-voltage battery pack at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.