NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev
Federal crash-test performance, recalls, and complaints, scored into one NHTSA Safety Index.
The Ford F-150 Lightning is a full-size electric pickup truck, not a sedan, competing in one of America's most popular vehicle segments. Aimed at work-oriented buyers and tech-forward truck enthusiasts who want the hauling and towing capability of the iconic F-150 nameplate paired with an all-electric powertrain, the Lightning has drawn significant attention since its 2022 debut as a mainstream EV truck option.
The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev earns an NHTSA Safety Index of 78 out of 100, an average result driven by its federal crash-test stars and its recall record. It has 9 recalls on record, reflected in the score.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
Reviewers generally regard the F-150 Lightning as a bold and capable entry into the electric truck segment, praising its familiar F-150 roots and the practicality of its frunk storage. Most acknowledge it as a strong daily driver for existing Ford truck loyalists, while noting that real-world range and charging infrastructure remain practical considerations for buyers.
NCAP // CRASH TESTCrash-test breakdown
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 17309
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSRecall record
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:PARK PAWL25V863000
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.
Reported 2025-12-12
EXTERIOR LIGHTING25V731000
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.
Reported 2025-10-24
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)25V313000
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.
Reported 2025-05-09
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY25V272000
Risk: Electrical arcing increases the risk of a fire. In addition, a loss of drive power may occur, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the busbar fasteners and replace any damaged components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 21, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S11. This recall expands previous recall number 24V-144.
Reported 2025-04-23
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY25V131000
Risk: A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised to only charge their vehicles to a maximum of 80% battery capacity until the repair has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high voltage battery array as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S18.
Reported 2025-02-28
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT24V949000
Risk: A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle steering and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the upper control arm ball joint nut, and replace the nut and/or knuckle assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S76.
Reported 2024-12-19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY24V144000
Risk: Electrical arcing increases the risk of a fire. In addition, a loss of drive power may occur, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the busbar fasteners and replace any damaged components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 31, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S11.
Reported 2024-02-23
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)23V801000
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: The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C38.
Reported 2023-11-28
EXTERIOR LIGHTING23V418000
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 replace the rear lightbar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 9, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S30.
Reported 2023-06-09
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints
0 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.