Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

30 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
11

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration. Of these, 3 mention a crash.

unintended acceleration 5software faults 4transmission slipping 2
A recent report: Following a software update by Ford in the past 6-8 months, upon start-up my vehicle asks me which drive mode I wish to be in but then after 15-45 seconds "forgets" my answer and changes drive modes…
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Following a software update by Ford in the past 6-8 months, upon start-up my vehicle asks me which drive mode I wish to be in but then after 15-45 seconds "forgets" my answer and changes drive modes. This results in regenerative braking being disabled, at random, in the middle of a drive. This is a major safety issue, as I will expect braking to applying while easing up on the accelerator but that simply doesn't happen. This could cause an accident, injury or worse.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11750676 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
10

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 5electrical shorts 1
A recent report: While driving at speed on public roads on [XXX], the primary 12-inch digital instrument cluster suffered a total blackout while the vehicle was powered and moving. The failure eliminated all…
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While driving at speed on public roads on [XXX], the primary 12-inch digital instrument cluster suffered a total blackout while the vehicle was powered and moving. The failure eliminated all speedometer readings, battery state-of-charge indicators, gear selections, and safety telltales/warning lights in violation of FMVSS 101. When previously reporting intermittent digital screen and electrical dropouts, Ford and dealership service personnel claimed this behavior is 'normal operation' and have failed to correct the underlying electrical/gateway defect across multiple service visits. The vehicle cannot be operated safely without an operational speedometer and warning cluster. Video link: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11761496 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
5

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration. Of these, 2 mention a crash.

unintended acceleration 2software faults 1rollaway 1
A recent report: The contact owns a Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated while in a drive through, a vehicle was ahead, the vehicle appeared to be rolling forward even though the…
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The contact owns a Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated while in a drive through, a vehicle was ahead, the vehicle appeared to be rolling forward even though the foot was on the brake pedal. The front grill fender area was impacted. The other drivers vehicle the trunk and rear bumper were impacted. No additional property damage. No airbags deployed. No warning lights illuminated including any collision indicators. No injuries were sustained. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate mileage 15,002.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11741477 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
1

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 1
A recent report: Ford issued a recall for Ford Lightnings produced from November 2023 to February 2024, for the front ball joint nut falling off. Causing a loss of control, suspension and all steering input, later…
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Ford issued a recall for Ford Lightnings produced from November 2023 to February 2024, for the front ball joint nut falling off. Causing a loss of control, suspension and all steering input, later crashing. New truck with 700 miles. Fords guesstimate of 12000 trucks, going by the month math is more likely than not well over 24000 affected vehicles. MY TRUCK WAS MANUFACTURED JUNE 2024. My husband MOVED/unscrewed the aforementioned nut, off the left upper ball joint WITH THE FINGERS ON HIS HAND. The nut was loose. The upper ball joint appeared hand tight. FORD NEARLY KILLED US. I advised william at NHTSA and he hung the phone up on me. William needs to be terminated. William is apparently biased against gay men and/or retired law enforcement officers.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11633994 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
1

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 1
A recent report: We were driving down the road, hit a normal bump outside our neighborhood (one we go over all the time) and the rear window glass went bang. Looking through the rear view mirror, I saw that the…
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We were driving down the road, hit a normal bump outside our neighborhood (one we go over all the time) and the rear window glass went bang. Looking through the rear view mirror, I saw that the entire window was cracked (like a spider web). The window remained intact the redt of the drive home. When we arrived home, we got out of the car, and closed the doors, which caused the window to blow out all over the driveway and tonneau cover. There was no physical damage before hand. Ford is refusing to cover this issue under warranty, even though it was a non-impact glass break, caused either by either the vehicle body twisting just enough or thermal resistance issue with the defroster (it was not on at the time).

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11759224 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
2

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 2
A recent report: The factory Pedestrian Alert System on my 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning produces an exterior warning sound at low speeds that is insufficiently audible to pedestrians in normal parking-lot conditions. On…
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The factory Pedestrian Alert System on my 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning produces an exterior warning sound at low speeds that is insufficiently audible to pedestrians in normal parking-lot conditions. On multiple occasions pedestrians have walked directly into my vehicle’s path without apparently hearing my approaching vehicle, requiring me to brake abruptly to avoid hitting them. I’m each instance, my vehicle is operating at very low speeds where the electric drivetrain produces little conventional vehicle noise. I am concerned that the factory pedestrian warning sound is inadequate to accomplish its intended safety function under FMVSS 141. I have not modified or disabled the pedestrian warning system. I believe GM had similar issues with the Chevy Equinox which was remedied via a recall. I am very concerned because several Ford F-150 Lightning owners have noticed this issue. I previously brought mine into the dealer, but they did not have a remedy for it. I am concerned because this is a 6600 pound pick up truck that seems to be in stealth mode at low speeds, which in my opinion is a recipe for tragedy.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11761009 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 30 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2024 and 2026, roughly 16 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.