Owners have reported 8 crashes, 3 fires and 11 injuries to NHTSA for the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints78
POWER TRAIN
Owners report frequent issues with the powertrain of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, primarily involving rear axle bolt failures and transmission problems. Complaints often describe abnormal noises, such as clunking, grinding, or clicking, and some mention unintended acceleration or deceleration, particularly at low speeds. Many owners note these issues occurring around 30,000 to 60,000 miles. A significant number of reports highlight delays in recall repairs due to unavailable parts, with some owners experiencing extended periods without their vehicles. Safety implications include potential loss of drive power and one instance of a vehicle fire, which could pose risks during operation.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints75
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report multiple issues with the electrical system of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, primarily involving the rear lightbar and sound system. Complaints frequently mention moisture accumulation in the rear lightbar, leading to flickering or non-functional lights, which can impair signaling visibility and potentially increase collision risk. Additionally, numerous owners describe an extremely loud noise from the Bang & Olufsen sound system, which occurs unexpectedly, causes ear pain, and distracts drivers, potentially leading to loss of control. These issues often appear after recall repairs, with some owners noting recurrence within months. Safety implications include reported crashes, a fire incident, and injuries, suggesting significant risks for prospective buyers to consider.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 1 fire, 6 injury reports
Owner complaints32
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Owners report recurring issues with the rear light bar on the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, primarily involving moisture intrusion leading to malfunctioning brake and reverse lights. Complaints frequently mention moisture accumulation due to micro-cracks, even after recall repairs, causing lights to dim, flicker, or fail entirely. These issues often arise within the first 36,000 to 40,000 miles. Multiple owners describe safety concerns such as reduced visibility and compromised communication with other drivers, particularly when reversing. Additionally, some owners have experienced problems with daytime running lights, which are not replaceable individually, requiring costly headlight assembly replacements.
Owner complaints26
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report several recurring issues with the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, primarily involving the audio system and HVAC controls. Complaints frequently mention extremely loud popping and static noises from the speakers, which can occur without warning and cause ear discomfort. Another significant issue is the erratic behavior of the HVAC system, where the temperature control fails to maintain the set temperature, often blowing excessively hot air regardless of the settings. Some owners also describe problems with the rear camera system, including freezing or lagging, which could potentially affect safety when reversing. These issues are noted to occur at various mileage points, with some owners experiencing problems shortly after purchase.
Owner complaints10
EQUIPMENT
Owners of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning frequently report issues with the B&O Unleashed audio system, specifically mentioning extremely loud popping and static noises from the speakers. These sounds occur intermittently, often upon starting the vehicle or while driving, and persist despite attempts to turn off the audio system or the vehicle itself. The noise can be startling and disorienting, with some owners reporting temporary hearing damage and physical pain. Incidents are reported across various mileage ranges, with no clear pattern of occurrence. Safety implications include potential loss of vehicle control due to driver distraction or disorientation, but no crashes are directly reported. This issue is documented by multiple owners and remains unresolved by dealerships, which may be a consideration for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints8
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning report issues with vehicle speed control, particularly involving unexpected acceleration and loss of acceleration during low-speed maneuvers. Complaints frequently mention a lag in throttle response, especially when turning or after stopping, with some reports indicating a complete lack of acceleration followed by a sudden surge. Two incidents involve crashes, one due to unintended acceleration while in a car wash line and another when the vehicle accelerated at a red light without driver input. Mileage at the time of failure varies, with some issues occurring as early as 3,000 miles. Safety implications include increased risk of collisions in traffic and parking areas.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints6
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning frequently report issues with the vehicle's forward collision avoidance systems, particularly the adaptive cruise control and BlueCruise features. Common symptoms include the vehicle unexpectedly crossing lane lines or veering off the road, as well as abrupt and unpredictable speed reductions when passing exit ramps or underpasses. One complaint involves a crash where multiple safety components, including adaptive cruise control and emergency braking, reportedly failed to engage, although no injuries occurred. These issues are noted as occurring at various mileages, with one specific report mentioning problems at approximately 1,600 miles. Safety implications are significant, with reports of near-miss incidents and instances where the system does not maintain safe distances from other vehicles, posing potential risks for drivers and passengers.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints5
ENGINE
Owners of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning report several engine-related issues, primarily involving acceleration loss and coolant leaks. Multiple complaints describe a temporary inability to accelerate after coasting or turning, which poses a safety risk when merging or maintaining traffic flow. Additionally, owners frequently mention coolant leaks from the heat exchanger, leading to engine overheating and triggering low power mode, often requiring drivers to pull over. These issues are reported at various mileage levels, with some occurring shortly after purchase. The lack of available replacement parts for these problems is a common theme, leading to prolonged repair times and potential safety inspection failures due to persistent check engine lights.
Owner complaints4
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning report issues with the service brakes, including instances where the auto hold brake feature unexpectedly disengages, leading to roll-forward incidents and rear-end collisions. In some cases, emergency braking and pre-collision safety systems fail to activate, resulting in crashes. Affected vehicles have been noted to exhibit brake system warnings, such as ABS and traction control lights, following hard braking, with one owner describing a loss of braking power and brake fluid leakage at approximately 27,901 miles. Additionally, some owners mention difficulty transitioning between the brake and accelerator pedals due to their relative positioning, causing near-miss accidents. These complaints highlight potential safety concerns, including crashes and loss of control, for prospective buyers to consider.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning report issues related to the engine and engine cooling system. One complaint describes an abnormal sound and fluid leaking from a crack in the exhaust system due to rust, occurring around 58,000 miles. Another report involves a fire incident, with symptoms such as low turbo boost warnings and reduced engine power, followed by a burning odor and flames while driving at approximately 5,500 miles. Safety concerns are significant in the second case, where the vehicle was deemed totaled after the fire, though no serious injuries were reported. Potential buyers should be aware of these issues and the associated mileage when considering this vehicle.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
