2023 Ford F-150 Lightning problems, complaints & recalls
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NHTSA has received 199 owner complaints about the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning, or 54.2 per year on the road — more complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 1.29, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2023 vehicles we track, it ranks #70 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Ford models its rate is about the same; against other Electric vehicles it is about the same.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2023-02-16 and 2026-08-31. Median delay from incident to filing: 5 days.
199Complaints
54.2Complaints per year on the road
1.29Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
2Recalls
5.5%Share involving a crash or fire
36Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2022) drew 64.4 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2024) drew 11.2 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2023 model collected 129 complaints, 55% higher than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Electrical (39.7% of complaints), followed by Transmission / powertrain (20.6%) and Engine (8.5%). Electrical complaints are 2.5 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Electrical reports, owners most often mention “cluster”, “screen”, “instrument”, “full accessory” and “sync”. 11 reports (5.5%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 4 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 18 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the second year (43% of incidents). In the last 12 months 36 new complaints were filed, versus 53 in the 12 months before — the pace is falling.
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for this model year. 40% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles1.29
vs. other Ford models1.0
vs. other 2023 models1.29
vs. other Electric vehicles0.96
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (129)1.55
While maneuvering the vehicle to park near a building, the truck unexpectedly accelerated forward and crashed into the building. I did not intend for the vehicle to accelerate into the structure.
Electrical · 2026-08-27 · ODI 11760024 · Crash
When i had the radio paused and not playing anything in my 2023 f150 lightning it made a loud auditory pop and one of my ears hearing got "muffled"
Electrical · 2026-08-14 · ODI 11756934
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.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-08-31 · ODI 11761161
I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2023 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-08-03 · ODI 11754497
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.
Interior & equipment · 2026-07-07 · ODI 11748873
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT Campaign 23V688000 · 2023-10-13
Summary: 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."
Risk: An inoperative windshield defrosting and defogging system may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the electronic cabin coolant heater, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 3, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C32.
Summary: 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.
Risk: A battery short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the high-voltage battery pack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S15.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning?
199 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning, or about 54.2 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning?
The most common category is Electrical, accounting for 39.7% of complaints.
Does the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 36 new complaints were filed, versus 53 in the 12 months before — the pace is falling.
How does the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 199 owner complaints about the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning, or 54.2 per year on the road — more complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 1.29, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2023 vehicles we track, it ranks #70 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Ford models its rate is about the same; against other Electric vehicles it is about the same.