2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Review

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Electronic stability control (esc)

Recall Number: 

25V313000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

25C15

Manufactured from: 

2022-03-17 to 2023-02-02

Number of vehicles affected: 

6

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150 Lightning vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V801. The SYNC software may fail to activate the electronic stability control (ESC) system at the beginning of each ignition cycle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Defect Consequence: 

Failure to reset the ESC to active may result in the driver unknowingly operating the vehicle without electronic stability control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will update the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 9, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C15.

Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery

Recall Number: 

25V272000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

24S11

Number of vehicles affected: 

3

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150 Lightning vehicles. The fasteners that secure the junction box bus bars inside the high-voltage battery pack may not have been tightened securely, which can cause electrical arcing at the busbars.

Defect Consequence: 

Electrical arcing increases the risk of a fire. In addition, a loss of drive power may occur, which can increase the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will inspect and repair the busbar fasteners and replace any damaged components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 21, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S11. This recall expands previous recall number 24V-144.

Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery

Recall Number: 

25V131000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

25S18

Number of vehicles affected: 

950

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 F-150 Lightning battery electric vehicles. A manufacturing defect in the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit.

Defect Consequence: 

A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Corrective Action: 

Owners are advised to only charge their vehicles to a maximum of 80% battery capacity until the repair has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high voltage battery array as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed April 25, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S18.

Suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint

Recall Number: 

24V949000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

24S76

Number of vehicles affected: 

11922

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 F-150 Lightning BEV vehicles. The front upper control arm ball joint nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the front upper control arm to detach from the knuckle assembly.

Defect Consequence: 

A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle steering and control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will inspect the upper control arm ball joint nut, and replace the nut and/or knuckle assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S76.

Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery

Recall Number: 

24V144000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

24S11

Number of vehicles affected: 

216

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150 Lightning vehicles. The fasteners that secure the junction box bus bars inside the high-voltage battery pack may not have been tightened securely, which can cause electrical arcing at the busbars.

Defect Consequence: 

Electrical arcing increases the risk of a fire. In addition, a loss of drive power may occur, which can increase the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will inspect and repair the busbar fasteners and replace any damaged components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 31, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S11.

Electronic stability control (esc)

Recall Number: 

23V801000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

23C38

Number of vehicles affected: 

5118

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150 Lightning vehicles. The SYNC software may fail to activate the electronic stability control (ESC) system at the beginning of each ignition cycle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Defect Consequence: 

Failure to reset the ESC to active may result in the driver unknowingly operating the vehicle without electronic stability control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C38.

Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:windshield:electrical heating ele

Recall Number: 

23V688000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

23C32

Number of vehicles affected: 

931

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150 Lightning pickup trucks. The electronic cabin coolant heater module may be missing a solder joint, which can cause intermittent or no cabin heat and result in an inoperative windshield defrosting and defogging system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."

Defect Consequence: 

An inoperative windshield defrosting and defogging system may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will replace the electronic cabin coolant heater, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 6, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C32.

Exterior lighting

Recall Number: 

23V418000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

23S30

Number of vehicles affected: 

16375

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150 BEV vehicles. The rear lightbar may have microcracks in the outer lens that allows moisture to accumulate, which can result in inoperative or flickering reverse lights.

Defect Consequence: 

Inoperative or flickering reverse lights may not alert other driver's that the vehicle is reversing, increasing the risk of injury or crash.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will replace the rear lightbar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 9, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S30.

Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery

Recall Number: 

23V168000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

23S15

Number of vehicles affected: 

18

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150 Lightning pickup trucks. The high-voltage battery pack may experience an electrical short-circuit when the battery is fully charged or near fully charged.

Defect Consequence: 

A battery short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will replace the high-voltage battery pack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S15.