Owners have reported 7 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to NHTSA for the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints71
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning frequently report issues with the electrical system, particularly involving unintended acceleration and power loss. Complaints often describe the vehicle accelerating suddenly without throttle input or losing power temporarily, sometimes resulting in crashes. Instrument cluster failures are also common, with multiple reports of screens going blank, leaving drivers without critical information such as speed and battery charge. Additionally, water intrusion in the rear light bar is noted, leading to shorting and flickering lights. These issues are reported at various mileages, with some occurring as early as 16,000 miles, and raise safety concerns due to the potential for loss of vehicle control and visibility.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints37
POWER TRAIN
Owners report several power train issues with the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning, with common problems including hesitation in acceleration and unexpected power reductions. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle losing power or failing to shift out of park, with some experiencing a "Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power" warning. Several reports indicate rear axle bolt failures, often discovered during routine maintenance, leading to concerns about potential loss of control or parking capability. One crash is noted, resulting in two injuries, with the vehicle reportedly accelerating uncontrollably. These issues typically arise between 2,300 and 45,000 miles, highlighting potential safety risks for used car buyers.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints17
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Owners report several issues with the exterior lighting of the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning, primarily involving water intrusion in the rear light bar and taillights. Complaints frequently mention moisture causing flickering, partial illumination, or complete failure of brake and reverse lights. These problems often persist even after recall-related repairs, with some owners experiencing repeated failures shortly after replacement. Typical mileage at the time of failure ranges from approximately 9,729 to 70,000 miles. Safety implications include increased risk of accidents due to inoperative brake and reverse lights, as well as potential visibility issues from flickering or misaligned headlights. These patterns suggest potential maintenance concerns for prospective buyers of used models.
Owner complaints17
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report several issues with the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning, primarily involving the sunroof, gear shifter, and air conditioning. Multiple owners describe their sunroof unexpectedly exploding while driving, causing loud noises and potential safety risks from falling glass. Complaints frequently mention gear shifter malfunctions, where the shifter becomes stuck in various positions, preventing the vehicle from moving, which can occur at random and potentially in dangerous situations. Additionally, several owners experience intermittent air conditioning failures, often after extended use, leading to uncomfortable cabin conditions. These issues are noted at varying mileage, with some occurring shortly after purchase.
Owner complaints6
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning report several issues related to the service brakes, with two incidents involving crashes. A common issue involves the 1-pedal braking system, where the vehicle rolls back unexpectedly when switching from reverse to drive, leading to minor collisions. Another frequent problem is the failure of the electronic brake booster, causing a complete loss of braking capability, as noted around 22,000 miles. Additionally, owners describe unexpected changes in driving modes affecting regenerative braking, and random engagement of the parking brake when stopping. These problems occur at various mileages and can result in loss of control or collisions, posing safety risks for potential buyers.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints5
STEERING
Owners report several steering-related issues with the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning. Complaints frequently mention sudden loss of power steering and braking, often accompanied by multiple system warnings and a complete vehicle shutdown, as seen in incidents occurring at various speeds including 45 mph and 70 mph. These issues are sometimes linked to a faulty 12v battery, and owners describe difficulty in controlling the vehicle, with some reporting near-accidents. Additionally, a steering assist failure is described as causing the steering wheel to jerk before locking up, requiring significant physical effort to maintain control. These problems are noted in vehicles with low mileage, around 1,500 miles, indicating early onset. Safety implications include potential loss of vehicle control, posing risks of accidents.
Owner complaints5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning frequently report issues related to unexpected acceleration and braking malfunctions. Complaints often describe instances where the vehicle accelerates on its own, particularly when attempting to slow down or when using the one pedal drive mode. Additionally, there are reports of the adaptive speed control system causing abrupt and unnecessary speed reductions, sometimes from 65+ mph to 35 mph, requiring immediate driver intervention. One incident involved a crash resulting in an injury when the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated at low speeds. These issues are reported at various mileage levels, including as low as 2,100 miles, and raise potential safety concerns for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints4
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners of the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning frequently report issues with the infotainment system, particularly the backup camera functionality. Complaints describe the screen freezing or failing to initiate, which affects the display of the backup camera, sometimes showing a static image that leads drivers to inaccurately assess their surroundings. This problem is noted to occur during the initial boot-up and can last 30-90 seconds, posing a safety risk when reversing. Additionally, one complaint mentions the sunroof glass shattering unexpectedly while driving, creating a hazard for both the driver and other vehicles. These issues are reported in vehicles that are relatively new, with problems emerging shortly after purchase.
Owner complaints3
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners report issues with the Forward Collision Avoidance system in the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning, with common symptoms including unexpected activation of the pre-collision alert despite no vehicles or obstacles present. Complaints frequently mention the system's warning light illuminating at various speeds, sometimes accompanied by the vehicle drifting towards a ditch. One owner describes a comprehensive safety system shutdown affecting multiple features, including Forward Collision, with instances of the steering wheel misaligning, though it self-corrects after a message about steering calibration. These issues are reported at low mileages, around 2,000 miles, with some owners experiencing repeated occurrences. While no crashes or injuries are reported, the described symptoms could imply potential safety risks, particularly concerning unexpected system failures and steering anomalies.
Owner complaints2
ENGINE
Owners of the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning report issues related to engine failure and unexpected vehicle behavior. One complaint describes the vehicle shutting off and the wheels locking while driving at 45 MPH, accompanied by a check engine light and a "Service Soon" message. This issue appears more frequently in rainy conditions and involves a cracked engine block and battery replacement, with the initial failure occurring at approximately 20 miles. Another owner reports the truck lurching forward after coming to a complete stop, despite the brake being applied, which is described as feeling like a rear-end collision. These issues highlight potential safety concerns, including loss of control and unexpected vehicle movements, that prospective buyers should consider.
