VehicleVerdict

2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 187 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.5 times the median F-150 Lightning Bev year — the 2023 model ranks #1 of 5 F-150 Lightning Bev years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 69 reports (37% of the total).

187

NHTSA complaints

11

Recalls

0

Investigations

14

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2023 compare to other F-150 Lightning Bev years?

F-150 Lightning Bev NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted187 complaints2022: 137 complaints2023: 187 complaints2024: 42 complaints2025: 11 complaints2026: 0 complaints
F-150 Lightning Bev NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-150 Lightning Bev years to avoid →

What are the most common 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System6937%
Lighting2312%
Driver Assistance1810%
Speed Control169%
Transmission169%
Brakes158%
Other105%
Fuel System42%
Steering42%
Visibility & Wipers32%
Engine32%
Tires & Wheels21%
Airbags21%
Suspension11%
Seats11%

Does the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev have recalls?

11 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V863000TransmissionDecember 12, 2025 · 272,645 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2026 F-150 Lightning BEV, 2024-2026 Mustang Mach-E, and 2025-2026 Maverick vehicles. The integrated park module may fail to lock into the park position when the driver shifts into park. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence

A loss of park function can allow the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

The park module software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C69. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 26, 2026.

25V731000LightingOctober 24, 2025 · 14,843 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150 Lightning BEV vehicles previously repaired under recall number 23V418. The rear lightbar may have microcracks in the outer lens that allows moisture to accumulate, which can result in inoperative or flickering reverse lights.

Consequence

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

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the rear lightbar and fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SB6. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 29, 2025.

25V313000Electrical SystemMay 9, 2025 · 6 units

Defect

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."

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.

Remedy

Dealers will update the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C15.

25V272000Electrical SystemApril 23, 2025 · 3 units

Defect

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.

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.

Remedy

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.

25V131000Electrical SystemFebruary 28, 2025 · 950 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

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. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S18.

24V949000SuspensionDecember 19, 2024 · 11,922 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

24V144000Electrical SystemFebruary 23, 2024 · 216 units

Defect

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.

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.

Remedy

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.

23V801000Electrical SystemNovember 28, 2023 · 5,118 units

Defect

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."

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.

Remedy

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.

23V688000Visibility & WipersOctober 13, 2023 · 931 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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

Remedy

Dealers will replace the electronic cabin coolant heater, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 3, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C32.

23V418000LightingJune 9, 2023 · 16,375 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

23V168000Electrical SystemMarch 15, 2023 · 18 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

While braking slowly to park at my home, my 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning XLT suddenly accelerated forward without any throttle input. The vehicle struck a wall. My foot was on the brake and I did not touch the accelerator. There were no warning messages prior to the incident. This could have caused…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 16, 2025 · crash

Problem with instrument panel, instrument display, dashboard. When turning on the vehicle, it does not present any information, black screen with a faint Light on the edge. I turn on, turn off and drive the vehicle and the information does not return. The main screen of the center works normal, the…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · August 21, 2024

We were in a low speed situation. A car 2 cars in front of us was signaling a right hand turn. We began to slow down from approximately 25 mph to 5-7 mph. The car turning right stop short of completing their turn, the car immediately in front of us came to a complete stop. We were only traveling 5…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · August 21, 2023 · crash

I made a left-hand turn during a snow storm, and the right rear wheel slid and I made contact with the curb at a relatively low speed. The rear right wheel assembly failed and snapped, leaving the wheel assembly 90 degrees to normal. In other words, the wheel went from vertical to horizontal. Upon…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 4, 2025 · crash

About 30 mins prior to the incident,the accelaration was vey slow getting upto only 30/35MPH Message appeared in Dash Board instructing to SCHEDULE MAITANANCE SERVICE SOON. My last service was done only 2 months ago. anyhow i decided to drive the nearest Ford Dealer. On exiting the Freeway,the ramp…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · May 14, 2026 · crash

2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev — common questions

Is the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 187 complaints put the 2023 model at #1 of 5 F-150 Lightning Bev years. It is one of the F-150 Lightning Bev years to avoid.

What are the most common 2023 F-150 Lightning Bev problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (69 complaints), lighting (23 complaints), driver assistance (18 complaints).

Does the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns affecting the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford F-150 Lightning Bev years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-150 Lightning Bev years to avoid are 2023, 2022. The cleanest record among F-150 Lightning Bev years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.