2023 Ford F-150 Lightning BEV transmission problems
16 of the
195 complaints about the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning BEV are about the
transmission — 8% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
2,300 miles.
D
16
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Power Train
1593.8%
Automatic Transmission
16.3%
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
Boulder, CO
POWER TRAIN
Ford Motor Company has failed to remedy NHTSA Safety Recall 25V863 (Ford recall number 25C69, Integrated Park Module / Park Pawl Engagement) on my vehicle within the timely manner required, and the recall remains in "Recall Incomplete" status more than four months past Ford's own stated remedy availability deadline. The recall was announced on January 26, 2026. The defect — the Integrated Park Module (IPM) failing to properly engage the Park Pawl when "P" is selected — creates a documented safety risk of roll-in-park and increased crash risk, per Ford's own filing summary as displayed on NHTSA's VIN-lookup result. At the time of the January 26, 2026 announcement, Ford stated that no remedy software was yet available and committed to a Q1 2026 remedy-availability deadline. That deadline (March 31, 2026) elapsed without a remedy being authorized. As of NHTSA's recall-data refresh on April 7, 2026, the recall remained "Recall Incomplete" on my vehicle with no remedy available. As of NHTSA's recall-data refresh on June 2, 2026 — 137 days after the original announcement and 63 days after Ford's own Q1 deadline — the recall still shows "Recall Incomplete" on my vehicle, although Ford has now (very late) authorized dealers to perform the SOBDMC (Secondary Onboard Diagnostic Module C) software update as the remedy. I am filing this complaint under the criterion explicitly published on NHTSA's VIN-lookup recall-result page: "If the manufacturer has failed or is unable to remedy this safety recall for your vehicle in a timely manner, please contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline." The substantive concern is not that the remedy will never arrive. It is that a remedy for a documented roll-in-park crash-risk defect was not delivered within the timeline the manufacturer itself committed to, leaving my vehicle and similarly affected vehicles in an unrepaired safety-defect state through the Q2 2026 window. This is exactly the manufacturer-timeliness failure per NHTSA's guidelines
NHTSA complaint #11741722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Akron, OH
POWER TRAIN
I own a 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning, with 48,200 miles and 2.5 years of ownership. Recently, my truck began displaying a “Powertrain / Reduced Power” warning while driving, and the air conditioning stopped producing cold air. The dealer scanned the vehicle and found DTC P0534 – A/C System Charge Loss. Further diagnostics indicated that multiple vehicle modules may require reprogramming and software updates. The dealer stated they need to evacuate and recharge the AC system, add dye, and remove front trunk components to locate the leak. This AC system is part of the high-voltage battery and eDrive thermal management system, meaning that failure of the HVAC system affects battery cooling and powertrain performance. Loss of cabin cooling is a symptom of a thermal system malfunction, which can lead to battery overheating, powertrain derating, and reduced driving performance. The combination of unexpected reduced power and loss of cabin cooling creates a safety risk, particularly during highway driving, merging, or situations requiring acceleration. These failures occurred at relatively low mileage and are associated with the high-voltage EV system, which should be functioning properly to ensure safe vehicle operation. I am submitting this complaint to report a potential safety defect with the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning affecting the battery thermal management, high-voltage AC system, and eDrive components, which can result in sudden power loss and compromised vehicle safety.
NHTSA complaint #11728387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Akron, OH
POWER TRAIN
The front traction motor on my 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning failed without warning, causing the vehicle to lose all-wheel drive capability. The truck automatically limited available power to about 67%, which I later learned indicates the front motor was disabled and the vehicle was operating in rear-wheel drive only. The failure occurred with no warning lamps, messages, or prior symptoms on the dashboard or in the FordPass app. I assumed AWD was functioning, which could have caused a serious accident in snow, ice, or gravel conditions because the loss of front-wheel traction significantly reduces vehicle stability. The component/system is still available for inspection. At this time, the issue has NOT been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer, and the vehicle has NOT yet been inspected by the manufacturer or any other party. Cause of failure is UNKNOWN. This lack of a warning or alert to the driver represents a major safety hazard because it changes how the vehicle handles without the driver’s knowledge.
NHTSA complaint #11682304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Diego, CACrash2 injured
POWER TRAIN
I was leaving my storage unit on Sunday October 6, 2024 at around 7 pm. I was traveling at 5 mph as I approached the exit gate code box. I stopped at the top of the steep hill by depressing the brake. I rolled down the window so I could put the code in that opens the rolling gate below. As I took my foot slowly off the brake, suddenly the vehicle rapidly accelerated, veering slightly left, the steering wheel locked as I pressed the brake pedal twice more it was unresponsive. We flew like a rocket ship knocking down small trees, 2 light posts with 1 light coming down and breaking passenger side windshield. Continuing crashing through 2 iron water main fixtures and through an iron gate. At the bottom of the hill the truck flew into the air and came to a hard landing, the steering wheel unlocked and we came to a stop quickly as the one pedal finally engaged and the computer screen announced " one pedal engaged". Then announced Power Train Malfunctioned. Also airbags never deployed. Prior to the wild ride, the vehicle was awaiting the overdue WiFi update named Power Train system update and prior to approaching the hill, I had tried twice to turn on the one pedal and got the never before seen message " one pedal failure could not engage". Truck was a total loss and my passenger and I were injured. When I contacted a Ford representative and told them about the incident, I mentioned that there was 2 other incidents of a brief steering wheel lock and rapid acceleration without injury or crash, I was told that I should have brought it in, therefore they were not responsible. The 2 brief incidents left me unsure of what had happened so we thought it was a fluke and without out any computer warnings we paid it no mind.
NHTSA complaint #11649009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westlake, OHCrash
POWER TRAIN
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 visual inspection, the axle snapped, and the axle's interior steel looked defective. The axle appeared very coarse, porous, and poorly consolidated. I requested to keep all the parts which are now located in storage. Both the insurance company and the Ford Motor Company dealership seemed to think the axle was defective. Nobody was injured or hurt.
NHTSA complaint #11645109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hawthorn Woods, IL
POWER TRAIN
Powertrain Failure. Vehicle unresponsive. Multiple complains through various individuals of this failure. Battery pack failures causing numerous safety issues related to driving, 12v system, etc
NHTSA complaint #11641609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntington Beach, CA
POWER TRAIN
On my new Ford F-150 Lightning, five out of the six studs on the right front wheel sheared off, leaving just one lug nut and stud holding the wheel on. I took my truck into the Ford dealership who repaired the vehicle and it was returned to me. They did not appear to be escalating the dangerous situation to Ford. The dealership kept the removed parts for warranty submission.
NHTSA complaint #11639466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colorado Springs, CO
POWER TRAIN
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11620403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colorado Springs, CO
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11620403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Antonio, TX
POWER TRAIN
“Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power” error message with accompanied vehicle propulsion reduction to approximately 5 mph.
NHTSA complaint #11614319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lebanon, OH
POWER TRAIN
While driving in sport mode multiple times, received "drive mode not available" message. Vehicle reverted to normal mode changing expected regeneration braking force. No other issues with the vehicle noted or stored in CAN. Seems to be a software glitch but arrives randomly and unexpectedly changes expected regenerative braking force requiring more driver input.
NHTSA complaint #11613375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,300 milesBurlington, WI
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving after a cold start or after stopping at a traffic light, whenever the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that the "Wrench Symbol” was illuminated and the message "Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power - Contact Dealer" was displayed. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, who diagnosed that the gear shift module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Manufacturer Communications: Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) High Voltage Battery Module Replacement Program Number: 23H01 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 2,300.
NHTSA complaint #11595044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eustis, FL
POWER TRAIN
While driving at high way speeds, a fault in the drive train was detected and reduced power to the electric motors, reducing our speed to only 5 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #11594949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
POWER TRAIN
Jan 9, 2024 Aprox 465 miles Powertrain malfunction/ reduced power (15 miles per hour) Vehicle was on the dealer shop for 8 days...at the time of returm 9f the car they told me that the issue was fixed
NHTSA complaint #11568395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
POWER TRAIN
Aprox 1083 miles PowertraiN malfunction/ reduced power Vehicle was on the dealer shop for 4days so far( still counting)...second time on a brand new vehicle with a little bit more than 1000 miles Not able to drive a vehicle after 15 min, very unsafe
NHTSA complaint #11568398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Emerson, GA
POWER TRAIN
• power train malfunction / reduced power • dealer sees the same problem / issue • I did get a "wrench" icon on my dashboard and a power train malfunction notice on my ford pass app
NHTSA complaint #11543071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.