Some electric-powered vehicles can do almost everything—and sometimes even better than—their gas-powered counterparts can do. The Ford F-150 Lightning is one such vehicle.
This pickup is just as spacious and practical as your regular F-150 but has better handling and is faster, smoother, and quieter.
If you plan to purchase the Ford F-150 Lightning, you may find it one of the most practical electric pickups on the market.
Despite these advantages, the Ford F-150 Lightning isn’t without its limitations.
If you have a trailer, you may find using the vehicle’s fast-charging infrastructure challenging. Furthermore, as of 2023, prices have gone as high as $16,000.
But what’s more concerning is that this electric pickup has undergone a couple of recalls in recent years. If you’re among the F-150 Lightning users hit by this recall, you know how much of a hassle this event can be.
This article examines the various Ford F-150 Lightning recalls and why the car manufacturer took such actions. This article also explores the affected components that became the subject of such recalls and the consequences when these parts go unchecked.
When you encounter vehicle issues that may lead to recalls, like what happened to the F-150 Lightning, Lemon Law Lawyers are here to help. We bring legal counsel related to lemon law and provide information on recalls and other updates essential for your vehicle.
Why Was the Ford Lightning Recalled?
In February 2023, Ford Motor Company (Ford) issued a recall notice for several F-150 Lightning pickup trucks with defective battery cells. The company discovered that these cells caused at least one truck to catch fire.
The automaker said it will restart production of the electric truck on March 13, 2023, using a clean stock of battery packs. This production resumption happened after a four-week pause to determine the cause of the defect.
Ford F-150 Lightning Recalls
The Ford F-150 Lightning experienced a recall more than once. You or someone you know who owns this vehicle may have been affected by such recalls in one way or another.
Some trending F-150 Lightning safety recalls, from heater module issues to defective light bars, are discussed in the sections below.
2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Subject to Recall Due to Problems With the Heater Module
Did you own a 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning pickup and had it sent back to the manufacturer in late 2023? If so, Ford may have issued a recall for your vehicle because of heater module issues.
An October 2023 report stated that the multinational car manufacturer recalled select 2023 Ford F-150 Lightnings due to an electronic cabin coolant heater module problem, likely caused by a missing solder joint.
In this vehicle, the electronic cabin coolant heater helps provide cabin heat and keep the windshield from frosting and fogging. With the reported defect, the heating may become intermittent or nonfunctional, and the defogging and defrosting system may be inoperable.
Aside from these problems, the defect can cause your vehicle to become noncompliant with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard requirements, specifically regarding windshield defrosting and defogging systems.
A windshield without a functional defrosting and defogging capacity can be risky because driver visibility may decrease, leading to potential crashes.
However, Ford wasn’t aware of any accidents or injuries that may have occurred at that time because of this condition. Thus, the recall may have helped prevent such incidents from happening.
If your vehicle was included in the recall, it may have been among 929 vehicles affected by the heater module defect. Fortunately, there should be no significant issue as the dealership will replace the defective module for free.
Ford F-150 Lightning Production Halted Due to Fire, Prompting a Recall to Address the Underlying Cause
A March 2023 report stated that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published documents about a Ford F-150 Lightning recall due to faulty high-voltage battery packs.
If your F-150 Lightning was recalled at this time, this defect may have been the cause.
The battery issue was discovered when an F-150 Lightning caught fire in Ford’s Rouge Electric Vehicle Center’s holding lot in Dearborn, Michigan, on February 4. This incident prompted the company to halt vehicle production and cease dealership deliveries.
Therefore, if you purchased this vehicle and experienced some delivery delays, this recall may have been one reason your automobile took longer to arrive.
The automaker determined that the root cause of the defect was at the Georgia factory of South Korean battery supplier SK On. Ford’s spokesperson, Emma Bergg, said the company wasn’t aware of any accident or injury reports associated with the recall.
The affected vehicles were still with the dealers or customers. However, Ford was working closely with the NHTSA, which was expected to publish the recall notice the following week.
According to SK On, the defect was rare and ensured that the factory was working on a fix.
Fortunately, production resumed on March 13, a little over a month after the recall. Although Ford once said that the defect was related to the high-voltage battery, the automaker didn’t mention the specific details.
Battery fires are rare. However, they’re still a significant concern for electric vehicle (E.V.) manufacturers.
Thus, if you own or plan to own an E.V., such as the Ford F-150 Lightning, battery fires are one risk you may be concerned about.
Suppose your E.V. uses lithium-ion batteries. When a battery fire occurs, these batteries usually burn hotter and faster and require more water to put out. This fact has prompted some towns to retrain emergency responders to act accordingly when such incidents occur.
Still, researchers have determined, despite needing more data, that most E.V.s have a low risk for such incidents.
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Recalls
Did you own a Ford F-150 BEV (battery electric vehicle) with a 2022-2023 model year and that had issues with its rear lightbar? If so, your vehicle may have been issued a recall by the car manufacturer.
The following sections explore the details of this recall.
Details
In a June 2023 NHTSA report, Ford recalled certain 2022-2023 F-150 BEVs (battery electric vehicles) due to microcracks in the outer lens of the rear lightbar. These defects may cause moisture to accumulate, resulting in your vehicle’s reverse lights flickering or becoming inoperable.
Consequences
If your vehicle has inoperative or flickering reverse lights, you mustn’t take this issue lightly. If you put your car in reverse, those defective lights may not alert other drivers that you are reversing. This can increase your risk of crashing or sustaining injuries.
Remedy
Although this recall is meant to address a safety issue, the remedy is pretty simple. Dealerships will only need to replace your rear lightbar at no charge.
If you own the affected vehicle, you may have received a notification letter mailed on October 9, 2023. If you need assistance regarding the recall, contact Ford’s customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Component Affected
Based on the abovementioned details of the recall, only the exterior lighting, specifically the rear lightbar, was affected. No other defective components were mentioned in the report.
Exterior Lighting
Generally, your vehicle’s exterior lights include the following components:
- Headlamps comprise high and low beams
- Park lights to make your parked car visible to other drivers
- Daytime running lights to help increase your vehicle’s visibility during daylight conditions
- Fog lights to give you more visibility on the road, especially during foggy conditions
- Signal lights to indicate your vehicle’s deceleration and a change in direction
- Side marker lights to give other drivers a clear view of your vehicle’s position and travel direction
- Cab lights to alert oncoming traffic of an approaching oversized vehicle
- Tail lights comprise red lamps on the vehicle’s rear to ensure your visibility to others
- Brake lights that illuminate when you step on the brake pedal and the car slows down
- Reverse lights that illuminate when you engage the reverse gear
- Hazard flasher lights that flash on and off to warn other drivers, such as when your vehicle is malfunctioning
Notes
As a driver, you mustn’t downplay the importance of automotive exterior lighting. It is essential as it helps ensure road traffic safety.
For instance, vehicle lights illuminate the lane and help you recognize the road, traffic signs, and obstacles.
That’s why if your exterior lighting, such as headlamps and reverse lights, starts flickering or becomes inoperable, you must have them fixed or replaced to ensure they’re fully functional.
Safety Features
Despite the reason for the recall of this specific model, the Ford F-150 has several safety features to help minimize the risks to the vehicle or its occupants. These features are discussed in the following sections.
Antilock Brakes
Vehicle brakes with an antilock braking system (ABS) automatically detect when a tire stops rotating due to extreme braking. The system modulates the brake pressure to ensure the tire keeps rotating. This increases the vehicle’s ability to turn while braking.
Stability Control
Stability control allows the vehicle to automatically sense when the handling limits have been exceeded. This feature then applies brakes, reduces engine power, or both to help prevent you from losing control of your vehicle.
Front-Impact Airbags
Does your vehicle have front-impact airbags? If you’re the driver, they can help protect your and your passenger’s heads during a frontal crash.
You can find the driver’s front airbag in the steering wheel while the passenger’s airbag is in the dashboard.
Side-Impact Airbags
Side impact airbags, especially those for your vehicle’s front seats, are meant to protect your torso during a side impact collision.
The Ford F-150 Lightning features a full complement of airbags that include not only front passenger airbags but front side airbags and first and second-row roof airbags.
Other models with side airbags on the driver and passenger sides include the 2023 Ford Ranger Lariat. Even the Tesla Cybertruck has seat-mounted airbags on the impacted and non-impacted sides that inflate during a severe side impact.
Overhead Airbags
Overhead airbags, usually installed on or proximate to your vehicle’s roof, help protect your and your passengers’ heads during a side collision or rollover.
Pretensioners
Whenever you step on the brakes, do you notice your seat belt tighten? If yes, your seat belt has a pretensioner that automatically tightens. This feature helps get you in an optimal seating position during a collision.
Security System
The Ford F-150 has a security mechanism that can detect or anticipate (or both) unauthorized vehicle intrusion. This feature can help prevent unwanted events like theft or vehicle break-ins.
What Electric Car Is Ford Recalling?
The F-150 Lightning is among the latest E.V.s that got a recall. However, it’s not the only electric vehicle that did so. Previously, another E.V. that Ford recalled was the Mustang Mach-E sport utility vehicle (SUV). Around 49,000 units were affected due to safety defect concerns that may immobilize the vehicle.
Even E.V.s from other companies were no exception. For instance, BMW has issued a recall for a few 2022 i4 sedans and iX SUVs due to the risk of battery fires. Toyota also recalled its bZ4X after discovering that loose hub bolts could cause the wheels to detach while driving.
Why Was the Ford Lightning Discontinued?
According to a December 2023 report, Ford was cutting its F-150 Lightning electric pickup production due to lower demand.
Ford messaged suppliers to expect that F-150 Lightning production would lower to 1,600 units weekly. This is half the company’s total capacity of 3,200 units a week.
Despite this announcement, Ford has yet to reveal what its production line is running now. Based on the automaker’s numbers, you can speculate that Ford may produce less than 3,200 trucks.
Regardless of the numbers, the renowned car manufacturer will produce the hyped electric truck in half the numbers than initially planned in only less than two years after launching.
Reference
Images sourced from Ford Media Center.