YearToAvoid

Ford F-150 Lightning Best and Worst Years (2022–2025)

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning is the year to avoid, with a Complaint Index of 100, 109 complaints, 11 recalls, and 8 crashes. The 2025 model is the best year, with a Complaint Index of 0 and only 8 complaints. 2022 is a caution year.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2023Best 2025

Model years
4
2022–2025
NHTSA complaints
238
Recall campaigns
15
Crashes reported
21
Fires reported
4
Top problem area
Electrical System

F-150 Lightning Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Ford F-150 Lightning problems and recalls by year

YearVerdictIndexComplaintsCrashesFiresRecallsTop issueMPGNCAP
2022Caution6791409Electrical System68—
2023Avoid1001098211Electrical System68—
2024Good3330514Electrical System69—
2025Best08413Electrical System70—

F-150 Lightning years to avoid: what went wrong

2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Index 100 · 109 complaints · 11 recalls

The 2023 F-150 Lightning has the highest Complaint Index (100) of any year and ranks worst overall. NHTSA lists 109 complaints, 11 recalls, 8 crashes, 2 fires, and 4 injuries. The Electrical System is the top problem area, making up 70% of complaints for the year with a median failure mileage of 10,000. Engine complaints (18%) showed a median failure mileage of 2,100, Transmission & Powertrain (16%) at 2,300, and Brakes (14%) at 1,170. Recalls cover the transmission park module, a rear lightbar with microcracks that can let in moisture, and SYNC software that may fail to activate electronic stability control.

2023 electrical system problems →2023 engine problems →2023 transmission & powertrain problems →

Most common Ford F-150 Lightning problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

  1. Electrical System149 (63%)
  2. Engine38 (16%)
  3. Other37 (16%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain36 (15%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras34 (14%)
  6. Brakes27 (11%)
  7. Fuel System11 (5%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers10 (4%)
  9. Steering6 (3%)
  10. Structure & Body5 (2%)

Frequently asked questions

What year Ford F-150 Lightning should I avoid?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2023 F-150 Lightning is the year to avoid, with a Complaint Index of 100, the most complaints (109), the most recalls (11), and 8 crashes.
Which Ford F-150 Lightning year is the best?
The 2025 model year is the best based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, with a Complaint Index of 0 and only 8 complaints reported.
Is the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning reliable?
The 2022 model is rated Caution, with a Complaint Index of 67, 91 complaints, and 9 recalls, better than 2023 but worse than 2024 and 2025.
What is the most common problem with the Ford F-150 Lightning?
The Electrical System is the top problem area across all years, accounting for 149 complaints, or 63% of all reported issues.
Does the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2023 F-150 Lightning, including issues with the transmission park module, the rear lightbar, and SYNC software affecting electronic stability control.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.