2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 4 F-150 Lightning years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning ranks worst of 4 model years, with a Complaint Index of 100, 109 complaints, and 11 recalls. Electrical System issues dominate at 70% of complaints, and it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Lightning years.
- Complaints
- 109
- Recalls
- 11
- Crashes / fires
- 8 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 68
- 76 city / 61 hwy
Top 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System76 (70%)
- Engine20 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain17 (16%)
- Brakes15 (14%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras15 (14%)
- Other12 (11%)
- Fuel System6 (6%)
- Steering4 (4%)
- Lane Departure3 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while braking at low speeds, sometimes resulting in collisions with objects or shrubs.
- Owners describe the truck catching fire while parked and not charging, with no prior warning lights.
- Some report the brakes failing to hold or engage after switching from reverse to drive, causing rollback or collisions.
- One owner reported the rear wheel assembly axle snapping during a turn, causing the wheel to fold flat.
- Owners describe the front collision-avoidance sensors failing to warn or assist before a low-speed crash into a structure.
2023 Ford F-150 Lightning recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V863000Dec 12, 2025Transmission & Powertrain272,645 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Power train:automatic transmission:internal:park pawl
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2026 F-150 Lightning BEV, 2024-2026 Mustang Mach-E, and 2025-2026 Maverick vehicles. The integrated park module may fail to lock into the park position when the driver shifts into park. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk: A loss of park function can allow the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The park module software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C69. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 26, 2026.
- NHTSA 25V731000Oct 24, 2025Electrical System14,843 vehicles
Exterior lighting
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150 Lightning BEV vehicles previously repaired under recall number 23V418. The rear lightbar may have microcracks in the outer lens that allows moisture to accumulate, which can result in inoperative or flickering reverse lights.
Risk: Inoperative or flickering reverse lights may not alert other driver's that the vehicle is reversing, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rear lightbar and fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SB6. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 29, 2025.
- NHTSA 25V313000May 9, 2025Brakes6 vehicles
Electronic stability control (esc)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150 Lightning vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V801. The SYNC software may fail to activate the electronic stability control (ESC) system at the beginning of each ignition cycle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Risk: Failure to reset the ESC to active may result in the driver unknowingly operating the vehicle without electronic stability control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C15.
2023 Ford F-150 Lightning fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 76 MPG
- Highway
- 61 MPG
- Combined
- 68 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,100
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Electricity
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2023 compared with other F-150 Lightning years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning reliable?
- Relative to the other three F-150 Lightning model years, 2023 has the highest Complaint Index (100) and ranks worst overall, with 109 complaints and 11 recalls reported to NHTSA.
- What is the top problem area for the 2023 F-150 Lightning?
- Electrical System complaints make up 70% of all reported issues, with a median mileage at failure of 10,000 miles for that category.
- Does the 2023 F-150 Lightning have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2023 F-150 Lightning, including issues with the high-voltage battery bus bar fasteners, brake ESC activation via SYNC software, and a rear lightbar moisture defect.
- How does the 2023 Lightning compare to other years?
- The 2023 model has a Complaint Index of 100 and an Avoid verdict, compared to 67 (Caution) for 2022, 33 (Good) for 2024, and 0 (Best) for 2025.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2023 F-150 Lightning?
- EPA rates it at 68 MPG combined (76 city, 61 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $1,100.