10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
1,984 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #93

Dec 032023

F-150 Lightning

  • 9,271 miles
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the transmission would only shift from first through fourth gear and the vehicle was hesitating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the TCM software update needed to be performed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to another dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted in second gear. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,271.

- North Pole, AK, USA

problem #92

Jan 122024

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
Reduce power warning, instrument cluster is black, extremely loud pulse noise from radio that can not be turned off, catalytic converter issue ( ck engine light ) stalled in traffic. and horrible fuel mileage. Nothing resolved from the dealer.

- Lake Butler, FL, USA

problem #91

Jul 032024

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #90

Jul 022024

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
Clicking noise began at 32,000 miles. Heard when brakes applied, then heard again when accelerating from a stop. Dealership needed the truck 4 different times to diagnose the problem. Entire differential needs to be replaced

- Wellington, CO, USA

problem #89

Jun 072023

F-150 Lightning

  • 27,882 miles
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently decelerated. The contact stated that the transmission shifted from 10th gear to 5th gear unexpectedly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed CDF drum assembly. The contact was informed that the CDF drum assembly needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the vehicle decelerated independently. The contact stated that the transmission shifted from 10th gear to 5th gear unexpectedly. In addition, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,882.

- Hudson, OH, USA

problem #88

Mar 012023

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
Starting at roughly 2000 on the odometer the truck began shifting very harshly, missing gears, slipping gears, lurching forward during shifts. Upon acceleration through the first four or so gears, there is a very loud "thunking" sound presumably upon shift. There have been 4-5 times I was turning across traffic at a safe distance, and the truck would not accelerate, missing several gears. I was almost hit hard several times because of the truck failing to drive. Dealership turned me away 3 times, saying they would not be able to diagnose anything without a CEL code. Since the truck doesn't throw any fault codes they would not take it in for troubleshooting or attempt to reproduce the issue. The issues were reproduced by a local shop I took the truck to for a third party opinion. The loud thunk was thought to be too low a lubricant level on the slip yoke where the drive shaft meets the transmission. The shop checked and there was sufficient lubricant. They reproduced the thunk sound driving slowly with several technicians witnessing the issue standing within sight distance. These known and reproducible issues with the 10R80 transmission and there have been an exorbitant number of reports of this behavior in owner message groups, all with the same lack of resolution. Dealerships either don't fix the issue, won't troubleshoot without a CEL code, or say the transmission is working as designed.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #87

Jun 012024

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
While driving on interstate (I-95) truck lost power and stopped in lane of traffic. Car displayed the following messages "Powertrain Malfunction / Reduced Power" and "High-Voltage Battery Warning" (see attached from Ford App). After turning truck off and on a few time and waiting several minutes it drove again, but displayed same messages. Tuck was serviced at dealership on 4/16/20204 before this event to get recalls and software updates made.

- Herndon, VA, USA

problem #86

May 012024

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
Throwing an Active Air Dam fault, I noticed this was an issue with the F150 Lightning. However it is also doing it on the gas 2022 F150.

- Greer, SC, USA

problem #85

Dec 202023

F-150 Lightning

  • 13,000 miles
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the transmission made a loud clunking sound, and the vehicle was jolting while down-shifting from fourth gear through first. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The contact was concerned that the failure was related to a "Max Towing" feature added to the vehicle. No other information was available. The failure mileage was 13,000.

- Avon, IN, USA

problem #84

Oct 312022

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
Transmission has failed/malfunctioned resulting in two separate inspections/repairs by Ford of West Covina, CA. First inspection on [XXX] and mileage in at 8,954. Complaint of harsh downshift in transmission. Service involved the teardown of the transmission found E clutches burnt. Found excessive clutch material in the main control body valves and scored sticking unable to return freely. Performed overhaul. Replaced E clutches and seals. Replaced main control body. Installed new solenoid strategy. Post road test vehicle OK, however the mileage out of shop was 8,952 on [XXX]. Second inspection on [XXX] and mileage in at 11011. Complaint of clunking noise heard when shifting and going into gear. Service found leaking hydraulic circuit. Teardown found CDF cylinder bushings scored and HUB scored rings torn. Found main control body valves scored sticking unable to return freely Performed overhaul replaced seals. Replaced CDF cylinder and HUB. Replaced main control body. Installed new solenoid strategy. Post road test vehicle OK. Mileage out of shop was 11020 on [XXX]. Two days after this service, transmission made very loud clunk and jerking movement when going into gear and continues to have harsh downshift, clunking noises, and jerking movement when going into gear causing the vehicle to jump forward when braking. This action is putting others at risk of injury/death in the event the transmission fails and is unable to change gear. No warning lamps messages or have appeared. Problems first started to appear within the first six months of purchase date [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Glendora, CA, USA

problem #83

Mar 282024

F-150 Lightning

  • 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed and towing a camper, the vehicle made a shuddering sound and failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact was unsure what warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that there was a recall related to the failure. The dealer replaced the rear axle hub and seals. The contact stated on another occasion while driving at an undisclosed speed, unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The dealer replaced the rear wheel speed sensor. The vehicle was returned to the contact, and the contact stated that the vehicle failed to drive or reverse as needed. The vehicle was taken to another dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was related to the recall. The vehicle was not repaired, and the contact stated that the warranty was used to repair the vehicle two times to repair the rear axle; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Keller, TX, USA

problem #82

Feb 122024

F-150 Lightning

  • 18,000 miles
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into reverse. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the vehicle jumped forward and there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear axle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. However only a temporary repair was provided. The failure reoccurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #81

Mar 122024

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
As vehicle is downshifting there is sometimes a slight jerking or hard jerking associated when doing so. This happens a lot also when letting up off of the accelerator or slightly riding the accelerator for example is slow moving traffic. This is a significant jerking, not a smooth jerking when switching gears.

- Mc Calla , AL, USA

problem #80

Feb 262024

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
Vehicle's engine will not start. When attempting to start, it will turn on all usual electrical components, but will immediately show an warning message to "Stop Safely Now" along with an engine light of a red outlined truck with exclamation mark. Followed by a message of accessory mode on, however the engine will not start with no access to power steering or shifting gears. Normal attempts to jump start or charge the battery will not work. All fuses and harness connections appear to be normal. After researching Ford community forums, this appears to be a common complaint in the Powerboost Hybrid 2021-2022 Ford F-150s. Extremely inconvenient as this situation has left us stranded several hours from home with no reasonable solution other than to tow to a dealership. We hope our message helps encourage Ford Motor to continue researching the issue and come with a reasonable solution for all effected.

- Prince George, VA, USA

problem #79

Feb 142024

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
While leaving a parking garage the transmission violently jerked out of gears pulling te steering wheel and no longer driving the rear driveline so the vehicle could no longer accelerate up the ramp. Vehicle behind me almost rear ended me. The transmission was hunting erratically between gear as seen by the indicator gears, 1st to 2nd to 8th to 10th to 4th rapidly and began to smell significantly. The only way to pull forward off the ramp was to engage 4WD Hi. No warning lights. Dealer tried to state potentially low battery voltage but the vehicle continues to exhibit surging shifts both upshifts and down shifts.

- Tualatin, OR, USA

problem #78

Feb 092024

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
While coasting to an upcoming stop downhill, on slightly graded slope, speed within 15mph or less, with brake slightly applied; the Automatic Parking Brake engaged on its own, subsequently resulting in the transmission shifting of drive modes to park automatically. The vehicle came to an instant, unexpected stop, while still maintaining a speed around 5mph on its own. The vehicle locked up mid-line-of-traffic, leaving the potential of a rear-end collision by following vehicle. No known damage to transmission or powertrain resulted. Adverse weather/road conditions did not play a factor at the time of incident. Incident has occurred multiple times prior, during similar environment & circumstance.

- Mars, PA, USA

problem #77

Nov 152023

F-150 Lightning

  • 9,000 miles
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal depressed the floorboard but failed to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. As a result, the contact collided with the rear of two vehicles ahead. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed, and no injuries were reported. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that sometime later, while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, a message displayed reading "Full Accessory Power Active, " after which the vehicle inadvertently lost all motive power. The contact's wife was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to restart. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,000.

- Sherman Oaks, CA, USA

problem #76

Nov 202023

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
While driving down the highway, my 2022 Ford F-150 Tremor randomly caught on fire. I was driving down the highway and was flagged down by other drivers to let me know the bottom of the truck was on fire. I pulled over and luckily someone had a fire extinguisher and we were able to get the fire under control. The fire department was also called and they also helped put out the fire after their arrival. The truck has always been serviced at a Ford dealer and had gone in for an oil change less than 350 miles prior to the truck catching fire.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #75

Feb 012023

F-150 Lightning

  • 6,000 miles
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and transmission warning lights illuminated, and the Check 4x4 and Check Locking Differential messages were displayed. Additionally, while driving, there were popping sounds heard coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle also rolled about 4-6 inches while the transmission was in park (P). The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, only the Check Locking Differential message was displayed. The dealer reset the Check Locking Differential message. The failure recurred with the Service Rear End message displayed and abnormal sounds coming from both the front and rear ends of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (Power Train) for which the VIN was included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.

- Homer, AK, USA

problem #74

Jan 152024

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
In park changed mode to 4A and moved shifter to reverse no reverse. Truck in electric mode then engine started and reverse activated. Upon stop shifted to drive and truck would not move. Engine started then truck moved.

- Lynnwood, WA, USA

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