32 of the
394 complaints filed about the Ford F-150 Lightning BEV
are about the other systems —
8% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2023.
Vehicle: 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Flash — 17,240 miles ▎ Current software version: itrm-25.B04 ▎ ▎ Following an over-the-air software update in November 2025, my truck will not stay in the drive mode I select. At every startup the vehicle prompts me to confirm Sport mode and I select Yes. The truck then reverts to Normal mode on its own, without my input. ▎ ▎ This happens every single time I drive the truck. I drive it at least three times a week and it has occurred on every trip since the update. The timing is unpredictable — sometimes immediately after Android Auto connects, sometimes at the end of my driveway, sometimes at the end of my road, sometimes several minutes into the drive. The randomness is part of the hazard: I cannot anticipate when the vehicle's braking behavior will change. ▎ ▎ There is no warning of any kind when the mode changes — no chime, no message, no alert. The only indications are that the small "S" disappears from the instrument cluster and the truck's driving characteristics change. The most safety-critical difference is regenerative braking: lifting off the accelerator produces substantially less deceleration in Normal mode than in Sport. I drive to the braking behavior I selected, and the truck silently takes it away from me. ▎ ▎ I have had two close calls as a direct result: ▎ ▎ 1. A vehicle ahead of me made a late right turn onto a side road. I lifted off the accelerator expecting Sport-mode regenerative braking to slow me. The truck had silently reverted to Normal. It did not decelerate at the rate I expected and I had to slam on the brakes to avoid a collision. ▎ 2. At a blinking light at the end of my road, a vehicle ahead stopped short. Again I lifted off expecting the Sport-mode regen I had selected, again the truck had changed modes on its own, and again I had to slam on the brakes. ▎ ▎ In both cases I was relying on the deceleration characteristics of the mode I set, and the vehicle had changed them without telling me. This be
NHTSA complaint #11750210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ford provides various driving modes for this truck, by their own description this setting changes the responsiveness of the steering, acceleration, and regenerative braking. This mode defaults to "Normal" at startup, with a short on-screen prompt to return to the previous mode. While this is incredibly frustrating, on its own probably doesn't rise to the level of a reportable issue. However sometime in November the truck received an OTA update that has introduced a bug that causes the truck to make an uncommanded return to the Normal drive mode. Regardless of how the truck is put into Sport or another mode (either the "return to mode" prompt, or going into the vehicle menu and selecting another mode) after a few minutes of driving the truck will return to Normal mode. This causes a change in steering responsiveness, and since I usually drive in Sport mode, also reduced the regenerative braking, meaning letting off the accelerator doesn't slow the truck as much as expected. A for representative mentioned on the FordLighting forums that Ford engineers were aware of the problem and looking for a solution back in January, but we haven't seen anything more from them since.
NHTSA complaint #11750342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This vehicle is a BEV with regenerative braking. At various times while driving, when the regenerative braking is engaged, the brake lights illuminate to indicate to other drivers that the vehicle is slowing down. The problem is there is no indication inside the vehicle for the driver to know when the brake lights are on. This seems like a potential safety hazard. The driver can feel the effects of the regenerative braking and knows the vehicle is slowing but does not know when the slowing is enough to illuminate the brake lights.The driver's only option to ensure the brake lights are activated is to apply additional braking via the brake pedal but additional braking may not be the safest action to take in some situations. Depending on traffic, weather, and road conditions it would be safer for the driver to know when their brake lights are illuminated.
NHTSA complaint #11748873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2023 Ford F-150 Lightning ER Platinum Ford Case Number: [XXX] VIN: [XXX] Failed: Battery overheated far beyond safety limits. No indication on dash. Safety: When it was finally checked, 3 sensors reported temps of 399, 419, and 419F. The service manager verified the temps. A photo of the diagnostic screen is available. These temps made a battery fire a significant possibility putting myself and others on the road around me in danger. The car is at the dealer in Hays, KS being looked at. There was no indication on the dashboard that there was any problem. According to information I have uncovered, these temperatures are over 3x the safety limits specified by FORD. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11748315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was the only person in the truck and there was no one nearby. I was slowly backing the Ford 150 Lighting into my driveway, going straight back. I was going slow because another car was parked at the back end corner. As I was rolling slowly back, the truck started to accelerate on its own, I had not increased pressure on the pedal. The truck was not making any beeping noises or alerts on the screen indicating that there was another car parked behind it. NO safety alerts at all. The truck was completely out of my control other than my ability to turn the steering wheel. I had lifted my foot off the gas pedal entirely at one point to make sure it was not me pressing it and the car kept moving faster without my foot. I tried to steer the truck straight back but upon realizing it would not stop and was only getting faster, I veered the steering wheel to avoid hitting our other small car and turned the truck which backed up directly into the south west corner of our house. The house is what stopped the truck. Upon impact with the house- NO airbags inflated. The truck touchscreen temporarily shined red and audibly said that it would “call 911” and no call was ever made. After this, and after I had gotten out of the truck, I realized that the entire truck shut down mechanically. The turn on button did nothing, the key did nothing, the gears would not shift - it was in a locked position. The driver's seat that I was in- got dislodged and crooked by the force of the truck to the house. My right calf is still sore because my right foot was on the pedal when the truck hit the house. My left side of my neck is very sore and I have a headache around tension around my temples and top of head, my forearms, wrists, trapezius muscles, and rhomboid muscles - all were sore after the crash.
NHTSA complaint #11746670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHAT FAILED: Ford's recall-tracking and consumer-information system. Ford has internally inconsistent records re: Safety Recall 25V315 / 25S49 (Rear Camera Screen Software Update) on my VIN [XXX] . Vehicle and Ford-account portal available for inspection. STATUS SUBSYSTEM SAYS CLOSED: (1) Mailed "Successful OTA Update" notice received 6/1/2026 (verbatim): "the software to remedy this concern has been installed on your vehicle through a free Over-The-Air (OTA) software update, meaning the recall is now closed" (2) NHTSA database refreshed 6/2/2026: 25V315 no longer in unrepaired list (3) Ford VIN-specific recall dashboard 6/3/2026: 25S49 removed; only 25C69 remains DELIVERY SUBSYSTEM SAYS NOT DELIVERED: (4) ford.com/support/software-updates 6/2/2026: 9 of 10 expanded OTA detail cards captured, NONE references 25S49. Portal DOES show Compliance Recall 26C10 (ITRM-25.B04) with explicit completion language ("This completes Compliance Recall 26C10. No further action is required.") - proving the portal surfaces recall OTAs when they actually deploy. (5) In-vehicle SYNC Software Updates 6/2/2026: silent on 25S49. SYNC version 25221_PRODUCT Rev 2025 unchanged from 3/26/2026 despite 25S49's remedy being an APIM software update. (6) Ford MODEL-level recall page 6/3/2026 (verbatim): "Recall service not available right now. We have a remedy but parts are not available right now." SAFETY RISK: Ford simultaneously tells me the recall is closed via OTA delivered to my VIN AND publishes that the remedy parts are not yet available. Both cannot be true. Consumers cannot verify whether safety-critical recalls have been delivered. REPRODUCED/CONFIRMED: Contradiction is Ford-generated, reproducible by any reviewer. INSPECTED: No dealer or independent inspection of this discrepancy has occurred. WARNING LAMPS / FIRST APPEARANCE: Not lamp-driven. Confirmed [XXX]. I request ODI review of Ford's recall-tracking accuracy for OTA-remediated recalls. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552
NHTSA complaint #11741726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving on a surface road in Columbia, MD at approximately 40 mph, the dash display of the 2024 Ford Lightning Flash went completely blank, leaving no indication of vehicle speed, battery percentage, battery temp, motor temp, cruise control status etc. Zero information was displayed, and the dash was completely cold and dark. This failure, while traveling at speed, represents a gross safety hazard, especially because the same LCD displays automatic emergency braking informaion etc. Immediately, I was able to pull over, and establish an OBD-2 connection to the ECM, and pull error logs. I also took screenshots of critical components and voltages. I cleared the codes, re-checked for codes and saved another error log showing a couple of codes. I then cycled power to the truck several times, hoping for a reboot to clear the error. I also performed a manual reset of the Ford SYNC system. Using the OBD-2 virtual dash on my reader, I was able to safely display speed and battery data, and drive immediately to the nearest Ford Dealer (Koons Ford). On the way, I phoned Crossroads Ford (Apex, NC) who did a remote error check using the vehicle's modem. The dealer may have saved this data. Upon arrival to Koons, service writers and technicians were able to witness and verify inoperability of the dash unit, and cycle the vehicle power, whereafter the problem persisted. They then took it back for service and evaluation. After approximately 4 hours, I was told that the "dash reset itself after a couple hours" and they could not get it to repeat the error after it came back. Before this, there were no warning signs of dash failure, nor since.
NHTSA complaint #11734282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro VIN: [XXX] This vehicle is subject to a fire-related battery recall issued by Ford Motor Company. The vehicle has been at an authorized Ford dealership (West Herr, New York) since December 26 for recall repair. As of today, it has been out of service for 53 days. The dealership has stated that the delay is due to EV battery lift capacity limitations and that my vehicle is waiting behind another truck because they only have one lift capable of performing the repair. No firm repair completion date has been provided. For over seven weeks, I have received no proactive communication from the dealership regarding repair status. All updates have required me to initiate contact. This complaint is being filed to document prolonged failure to complete a fire-related safety recall due to dealership capacity constraints. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11718477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My f150 lightning won't drive wben put in Drive. Then all the sudden it goes forward when not expecting it and we almost was in an accident. This happened many times and has been in service for over 3 months. They aren't able to fix it. We are trying to get them to take it back. The computer we noticed was defective the day after we bought it and inquired about it immediately. delayed engagement followed by a sudden lurch or unintended acceleration—matches several reports from other F-150 Lightning owners. Because this vehicle is fully electric, "revving" effectively signals the electric motors to apply instant torque, which can lead to dangerous lunges if the software or sensors are out of sync.I mentioned the safety issues and it was not addressed Our computer goes in and out and blacks out when driving. Anything you ask of it has not worked. This isn't the biggest deal but the safety issue. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11701060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was on the on-ramp and accelerated to get to freeway speed nothing crazy. The truck took off even with my foot off the pedal. I braked hard to avoid rear ending the vehicle in front.. Started slowing down took my foot off the brake and it did it again... braked hard again, hit the hard shoulder then it went back to normal. Lucky it was a 5 lane freeway...
NHTSA complaint #11680348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving into a parking space and my 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning had a sudden unintended acceleration, which caused vehicle to crash into the concrete block wall in front of the parking space.
NHTSA complaint #11678949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The truck's remote access app is not able to communicate with the truck during the entire period I own the truck. This features worked 20% of time only. I am not able to unlock or lock the truck remotely. I am not able to find out its location and I am not able to remotely start its cooling system to keep battery cool during charging. I have brought the issue to the dealer I purchased the truck from at least 3 time in the last 2 years. Even though the truck's key was locked in it at the dealer, this issue was not resolved due to cost of its repair. Other trucks were repaired with a new modem. The truck was advertised as a remotely accessible EV truck, I am concerned about my safety if this feature is not available and I am at a urgent situation when it is necessary to use the features.
NHTSA complaint #11662347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Folding shifter issues with many F150s. Gets stuck in park or drive. Seems to be a rampant issue. Stuck in park is one thing, stuck in drive is extremely dangerous... Also causes service lights.
NHTSA complaint #11661114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gear shifter was stuck in the car. Can happen at random times. For no reason at all, the gear shifter refuses to budge out of park, or reverse, or drive, and essentially bricks the car. Car refuses to move. Car refuses to respond to accelerator or brake pedals. Can happen in the middle of the road, or in a parking lot late at night when you are trying to leave a sketchy area. Can be an extremely dangerous circumstance, and Ford is trying to avoid attention to this at all costs.
NHTSA complaint #11660834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gear Shifter stuck in D with amber light blinking constantly. At the same time, the Amber Wrench symbol appeared on the dash, with "Service vehicle soon" warning message. This indicates a Powertrain malfunction/Reduced Power issue. Vehicle towed to nearest Ford dealer (Scenic Ford, Mount Airy, NC) with about 225 miles on odometer. I purchased this new '24 Lightning Lariat [XXX] online, and picked it up at Sheehy Ford in Gaithersburg, MD [XXX], with 47 miles on odometer. The above issues occurred [XXX] as I was driving the vehicle home from Maryland to my home in Georgia. These problems occurred the same day I drove the new vehicle off the dealer lot. Additionally, the Gear Shifter has never folded down as its meant to fold down, enabling a flat work surface between the two front seats. This situation was present at Sheehy Ford when I picked it up brand new on [XXX]. I have an appointment at my local dealer, Akins Ford, Winder, GA, May 14, 2025 at 10am to have these issues assessed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11660586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My vehicle has a broken backup camera (extremely blurry, barely or unusable). It has not functioned properly since the vehicle had about 2,500 miles on it, around 15 December 2024. It now has 7,300 miles on it and the manufacture has not remedied the situation. The backup camera is currently on back order (since January 2025) by the dealership. The dealership implied that it was likely on backorder because there was a high demand for them since they were breaking frequently.
NHTSA complaint #11649103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When performing low-speed departing, 3-point turns, parking, etc., I repeatedly shifted into the wrong gear. I thought I’d suddenly forgotten how to drive. Once home in my driveway, I discovered the shifter had 2 “extra” detents. It takes 2 clicks to get from P to R and two clicks to get from D to N. There should only be one! This is extremely unsafe and I won’t drive the truck until it’s fixed (except to take it to the dealer using extra caution when using the shifter).
NHTSA complaint #11616079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.