NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 207 owner complaints for the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning. Most complaints involve electrical system (97) and power train (50). The EPA rates it 66–70 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150 Lightning pickup trucks. The electronic cabin coolant heater module may be missing a solder joint, which can cause intermittent or no cabin heat and result in an inoperative windshield defrosting and defogging system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150 Lightning pickup trucks. The high-voltage battery pack may experience an electrical short-circuit when the battery is fully charged or near fully charged.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“The high-voltage battery in my Ford F-150 Lightning is exhibiting significant degradation and erratic power availability. The vehicle will no longer charge above approximately 60% state of charge. Upon startup, available power can suddenly drop from 100% to approximately 50%, and the indicated available power continues to fluctuate unpredictably while the vehicle is being driven. I am concerned this condition could result in an unexpected reduction or loss of propulsion power while driving, creating a potential safety hazard. Car is scheduled to go to dealer on 10/8/2026.”
“I purchased a used 2023 Ford F-150 PowerBoost on April 3, 2026. Within days, the vehicle began making a hard clunk during initial acceleration and when stopping. It also hesitates before accelerating, especially while transitioning between electric and gasoline operation. At times, pressing the accelerator does not produce an immediate or predictable response. The problem is worse when accelerating uphill. This creates a collision risk when entering traffic, crossing intersections, merging, or driving uphill. The clunk can be heard and felt through the vehicle. There is also a loud, high-pitched whine that follows engine speed and certain gear transitions and can become extremely loud at highway speeds. On April 22, a Ford dealer confirmed the clunk during acceleration and stopping. The dealer found excessive movement in the rear leaf-spring and shackle bushings and replaced them, but the clunk and hesitation continued. On May 11, the dealer confirmed the high-pitched whine, traced it to the Hybrid Drive Unit, consulted Ford’s escalation team, and replaced the unit. The whining, clunking, shifting irregularities, and hesitation remained and have progressively…”
“2023 Ford F-150 Lightning with 42,220 mi. The rear light bar has formed a crack which will allow moisture intrusion (photo attached). This is the same condition named in recall 25SB6 (NHTSA 25V731) and predecessor 23S30 (NHTSA 23V418): water droplets in the lightbar outer lens, which can cause inoperative or flickering reverse lamps. On 10/06/2026 I took the truck to Elmhurst Ford. The dealer did not point to any outside forces that caused the crack, and acknowledged the recall stating they would attempt to have it covered under warranty or extended service plan purchased through Ford as my VIN was not listed/included. The dealer later said the part number was not covered and wanted to charge a diagnostic fee for searching a part number in a database. The service manager did relent on charging the diagnostic fee. I contacted the Ford BEV customer service and they confirmed it was not covered under any warranty or extended service contract and my VIN was not part of recall VIN population even though the defect is same model year truck (2022-2023), same trim (Lariat), same part number as recalled VINs. The dealer confirmed I have the earliest part number, not…”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F-150 Lightning 4WD Extended Range Auto (A1) · All-Wheel Drive | 78 | 63 | 70 | $1,100 | — |
| F-150 Lightning 4WD Auto (A1) · All-Wheel Drive | 76 | 61 | 68 | $1,100 | — |
| F-150 Lightning Platinum 4WD Auto (A1) · All-Wheel Drive | 73 | 60 | 66 | $1,150 | — |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tire rotation | 6,000–8,000 mi | 6–12 months | EVs wear tires faster (weight, torque) |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–4 years | Regen braking spares the pads, not the fluid |
| Battery coolant | Per manual | Per manual | Intervals vary widely by maker |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years |
2 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 207 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (97), power train (50), exterior lighting (31). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning at 66–70 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning 5 out of 5 stars overall.