Know Your Truck

2022–2026 Ford F-150 Lightning common problems and fixes

The rear light bar on 2022–2023 trucks can crack and fill with water (recalled twice), a "Stop Safely Now" warning has several possible causes including a weak 12-volt battery, and some trucks were recalled for high-voltage battery defects.

What owners should know

Covers 2022–2026 · Electric (dual motor) · Updated 2026-10-06

The F-150 Lightning is the electric F-150, with two motors and all-wheel drive in every truck, a standard or extended-range battery, and a large front trunk.

We counted 316 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for 2022–2026 Lightnings (retrieved October 5, 2026; each complaint counted once). 2022 and 2023 trucks have most of them (245), and there were none yet for 2026. No complaints had a VIN belonging to another vehicle. That count includes 78 Lightning complaints that NHTSA filed under the gas F-150's names, which we matched to the Lightning by VIN. We left out complaints about the gas-electric F-150 PowerBoost hybrid that NHTSA returns when you search for the Lightning; they're counted on the F-150 pages. Complaint counts show what owners report most often, not how many trucks have a problem, and newer trucks have had less time to collect them.

At a glance

  • The rear light bar is the most reported single part: 47 complaints mention it, and it was recalled twice.
  • 45 complaints mention a battery, either the 12-volt battery or the high-voltage pack.
  • 52 complaints mention software or a screen.

Rear light bar

47 complaints mention the light bar across the tailgate, fogging up, filling with water or flickering. Ford recalled certain 2022–2023 trucks because microcracks in the lens let moisture in (23V418000), then recalled trucks repaired under that recall to inspect and replace the light bar and fasteners as needed (25V731000).

Batteries

A "Stop Safely Now" warning means the truck has found a fault that may cut power, and it has more than one possible cause. On F150 Lightning Forum, one cause owners often report is the 12-volt battery, which runs the truck's computers, being weak, loose or drained by software. A dealer scan is the way to find which fault set the warning. Ford recalled certain 2023 trucks for high-voltage battery packs that could short when fully charged (23V168000), others for loose busbar bolts inside the pack (24V144000 and 25V272000), and certain 2022–2024 trucks for battery cell defects (25V131000; charge to no more than 80% until it's repaired).

Recalls to check

  • Stability control that may not turn on when the truck starts on certain 2022–2023 trucks (23V801000, redone under 25V313000)
  • Front upper ball joint nuts that may be loose on certain 2023–2025 trucks (24V949000 and 25V341000)
  • Park module that may not lock into Park on certain 2022–2026 trucks (25V863000)

Before you buy

  • Check open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls with the VIN; there are several battery recalls.
  • Look for water or fog inside the rear light bar.
  • Ask how old the 12-volt battery is.
  • Don't judge the high-voltage battery's health by the charge level or range shown on the dash; range changes a lot with temperature, speed and driving. Ask a Ford dealer that services EVs for a battery health check, and for records of the battery recall work.
  • Bring our used truck inspection checklist.

Researched from owner forums and NHTSA complaints and written by Know Your Truck. These are patterns in what owners report, not a guarantee about any particular truck.

Sources (16)

Common failures & how to fix them

Parts and video buttons search for your 2022-2026 Ford F-150 Lightning. Always confirm a part fits using your VIN. Brakes, steering, fuel and airbag work affects your safety, so if you're not sure, have a qualified mechanic do it.

  • Rear light bar fills with water (2022–2023)

    Dealer job

    Signs: Fog or water inside the light bar across the tailgate, and reverse lights that flicker or don't work.

    Fix: Covered by Ford recalls on certain 2022–2023 trucks: 23V418000 replaces the light bar, and 25V731000 inspects trucks repaired under the first recall and replaces the light bar and fasteners as needed. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.

    May be covered free by recall 23V418000 / 25V731000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

  • "Stop Safely Now" warning

    Dealer job

    Signs: A "Stop Safely Now" warning or 12-volt battery light, sometimes losing power or the truck not turning on.

    Fix: The warning has several possible causes, so have a dealer read the stored fault codes before replacing anything. One cause owners on F150 Lightning Forum report is a weak or loose 12-volt battery, or software that let it drain. Testing the 12-volt battery and checking its connections is an easy first check; also make sure all software updates are installed.

    Shop: F-150 Lightning 12V battery

  • High-voltage battery cell defects (some 2022–2024)

    Dealer job

    Signs: Usually none; a cell can short internally.

    Fix: Covered by Ford recall 25V131000 on certain 2022–2024 trucks: the dealer inspects the high-voltage battery and replaces battery arrays as needed. Until the repair is done, Ford advises charging to no more than 80%. Check the VIN, because affected trucks aren't in one VIN range.

    May be covered free by recall 25V131000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Each year in this generation

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared with the typical truck of the same kind and model year. Open a year for its recalls and complaints.

Going to look at one?Bring our free inspection checklist, with these known problems added →