2023 Ford F-150 LIGHTNING BEV problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
107 owner complaints analyzed
11 distinct recall campaigns
9,865 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 57 of 107 complaints (53.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 27 | 25.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 21 | 19.6% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 5.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 3.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 57 |
| Exterior Lighting | 23 |
| Power Train | 16 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 16 |
| Service Brakes | 14 |
| Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer | 12 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
Electrical System: 57; Exterior Lighting: 23; Power Train: 16; Vehicle Speed Control: 16; Service Brakes: 14; Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer: 12; Unknown Or Other: 12; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 99 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 49 |
| 2025 | 27 |
| 2026 | 18 |
2023: 13; 2024: 49; 2025: 27; 2026: 18
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 21 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11540824 · 2023-08-25 (August 25, 2023)
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 - 7 mph behind and had plenty of room to stop. I depressed the brake further (we were already slowing due to turning vehicle) but the truck did not slow at which point I depressed the brake pedal as hard as I could. The truck did not slow at all…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11540824 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11556869 · 2023-11-26 (November 26, 2023)
I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC ON THE 405 AND THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A SCREECHING HALT ON FREEWAY. I WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED. THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED "FRONT CAMERA FAULT" AND :COLLISION AVOIDANCE NO AVAILABLE" ON THE DASH FOR A FEW MINUTES. NO ERROR CODES WERE FOUND IN THE COMPUTER. I ALSO HAVE "ONE PEDAL DRIVE" FAULTS THAT CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL WHEN I REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR. IT SHOULD STOP, BUT INTERMITTENTLY KEEPS GOING. THIS IS THE SECOND FORD LIGHTNING I'VE HAD WITH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11556869 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11529480 · 2023-06-28 (June 28, 2023)
The 240V mobile charging cord that is sold with the vehicle repeatedly overheats and derates the charging speed once overheated. Problem has existed since the vehicle was brand new. Cord is used in a warm climate but not an abnormal temperature for a non-climate controlled garage. Overheating electrical equipment could result in a household electrical fire if the temperature sensors were to fail, which is a safety mechanism and shouldn’t be triggered in normal everyday operation. An alternate brand charging cord with similar capabilities works …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11529480 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11553709 · 2023-11-06 (November 6, 2023)
I’ve owned this Lightning for only four months. When I started it this morning, the digital instrument display would not work. Without it, I have no speedometer, odometer, battery temp, battery charge, or other displays.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11553709 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11550318 · 2023-10-17 (October 17, 2023)
The vehicle's message center reported multiple system failures while driving 70 MPH on a two lane Montana highway. The steering assist failure caused the wheel to jerk left/right before locking up. It took all the strength I had to keep the vehicle from exiting the roadway. If someone else was driving they would not have likely been as fortunate. The vehicle is now parked inside while I wait to hear from Ford. The local dealer won't look at the truck until the middle of next month. The truck has about 1500 miles.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11550318 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11554588 · 2023-11-10 (November 10, 2023)
The entire over steering wheel display/cockpit stopped functioning. No ability to view charge level, speed, and other related details normally shown in this display was available. The things I tried to repair were: parking the car, locking the door to simulate a full stop/start cycle, disconnecting everything from the vehicle ports, Etc. eventually after leaving the car for an extended period this functionality eventually returned to normal. If I had been far from home I’d have been faced with essentially driving blind. I also have video of thi…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11554588 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11567522 · 2024-01-24 (January 24, 2024)
The backup camera in the F150 Lightning Lariat is displayed on the large infotainment screen when the truck is shifted into Reverse. The software for the infotainment system freezes during the initial boot up approximately 50% of the time the vehicle is started. The backup camera will not function during the 30-90 seconds (estimated) that it takes for the system to un-freeze and reboot. This is a frequent safety concern because this usually occurs when the vehicle is backing out of the driveway or a parking space. Sometimes, the screen freeze…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11567522 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11569874 · 2024-02-05 (February 5, 2024)
While driving on a wet road, a "frunk" open warning appeared to which I got out of the vehicle, opened the frunk and closed and it the warning went away. As I pulled away at about 25mph several warnings appeared and the vehicle lost power and shut off while on the road in a driving lane. Braking ability was greatly reduced and the vehicle continued to roll downhill with zero power, no lights worked, windows did not open then the vehicle suddenly shifted into park and came to a violent stop. I was stuck in the lane of a major roadway in the rai…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11569874 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11761161 · 2026-08-31 (August 31, 2026)
On August 20, 2026, while driving my 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning, the vehicle suffered a sudden, complete, and catastrophic loss of propulsion. The truck stopped abruptly while in motion on an active roadway. This immediate loss of power created an extremely hazardous situation, exposing myself, my passengers, and oncoming traffic to an immediate risk of a collision. The vehicle was towed directly to Williams Ford of Binghamton (Vestal, NY), where technicians diagnosed the issue as a major component failure tied to an outstanding manufacturer s…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11761161 at NHTSA ↗