Last updated: 2026-03-04

2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Reliability Score & Common Problems
The 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning scores 61/100 ("Good"). With 4 recalls and 19 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.
2024 is year 3 of the First generation.
Recalls
4
Complaints
19
Complaint Rate
5.7
per 10k sold
Below avgEst. Annual Cost
N/A
Major Repair Risk
N/A
NHTSA Rating
5/5
Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
Acceptable reliability — worth considering with a pre-purchase inspection.
Top Issues
4 recalls on record
Generation & Refresh (US)
2024 is year 3 of the First generation.
- Redesigned for the 2022 model year.
- Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
- 1st generation F-150 Lightning (US).
What this means for buyers
Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.
First generation
Should You Buy the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning?
The 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning scores 61/100 ("Good"), placing it in acceptable but not class-leading territory. 2024 is year 3 of the First generation.
With 19 owner complaints, some reported issues may need attention, but we don't yet see evidence of a single dominant failure mode.
A pre-purchase inspection is recommended for used examples, with particular attention to unknown or other (5). An extended warranty may provide additional peace of mind.
Compared to the 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning, which scored 1 points lower. See also the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- Acceptable reliability score
- Below-average complaint rate for Truck
- 5-star NHTSA crash rating
Cons
- Moderate recall count
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER: Issues with the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning involving unintended acceleration and... (5 complaints)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM issues reported (4 complaints)
- 1 fire incident reported in owner complaints
Compare 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning With
2024 Ford F-150
Score: 74/100
2024 Ram 1500
Score: 77/100
2024 Chevrolet Silverado
Score: 73/100
2024 Toyota Tundra
Score: 65/100
2024 GMC Sierra 1500
Score: 73/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
- 4 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (5)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4)
- SERVICE BRAKES (3)
- POWER TRAIN (3)
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1)
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1)
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1)
- STEERING (1)
Recall Overview
4
recalls on record
The 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning has 4 recalls on record. This is a moderate number. Each recall represents a safety or compliance issue identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships, regardless of warranty status.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
5.7
per 10k soldSegment avg: 7.2
Safety Incidents
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Recall Details
4 recalls have been issued for the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
POWER TRAIN
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."
Consequence
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.
SUSPENSION
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150 Lightning BEV vehicles. The front upper control arm ball joint nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the front upper control arm to detach from the knuckle assembly.
Consequence
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 June 6, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S76. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V949.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 F-150 Lightning battery electric vehicles. A manufacturing defect in the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit.
Consequence
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.
2024 Ford F-150 Lightning NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
BEV Powertrain
Rollover risk: 12.7%
Safety Technologies
Ford F-150 Lightning Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
1.5Maintenance rating: 1.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Example Repair Prices
National average price ranges for common repairs. These are not model-year-specific failure predictions.
| Repair | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Noise Diagnosis | $122 – $179 |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System Relearn | $49 – $72 |
| Ignition Switch Replacement | $128 – $156 |
| Sunroof Motor Replacement | $760 – $1,016 |
| Traction Control Switch Replacement | $363 – $511 |
| Suspension Shock or Strut Replacement | $1,099 – $1,407 |
| Backup Warning System Sensor Replacement | $1,686 – $1,725 |
| Power Seat Switch Replacement | $140 – $163 |
| AC Recharge | $344 – $441 |
| AC Condenser Replacement | $1,008 – $1,208 |
Estimates based on national average repair costs. Actual costs may vary by location and shop.
When Buying a Used 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing, based on the most common reported issues.
- Inspect gear shifter for proper operation in all positions
- Test brakes for responsiveness and ensure no unintended acceleration
- Check backup camera and 360-degree view for clarity and functionality
- Verify instrument cluster displays correctly without going dark
- Inspect for any signs of rodent damage to wiring
- Ensure tailgate light bar is free of condensation
Check Any 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning's History Before You Buy
Reliability scores tell you what to expect from the 2024 F-150 Lightning in general — but every car has its own story. Uncover past accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and service records for a specific Ford F-150 Lightning with a free VIN lookup.
Powered by VINExposed.com — free vehicle history reports using public title and safety data.
2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Common Problems by Component
19 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5 complaintsSafety-relatedOwners report issues with the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning involving unintended acceleration and camera malfunctions. Two complaints describe sudden acceleration, with one resulting in a crash into a concrete wall. Camera problems are frequently noted, including blurry backup and 360-degree views, with one owner indicating the backup camera has been non-functional since around 2,500 miles and remains on backorder. These issues can impact safety, particularly the unintended acceleration which has led to at least one crash.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4 complaintsSafety-relatedOwners of the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning report issues primarily related to the electrical system, including one incident involving a fire where the vehicle caught fire while parked, resulting in a total loss. This incident occurred at approximately 5,000 miles and is suggested to be related to electrical or battery components. Additional complaints involve rodent damage to soy-based wiring insulation, potentially affecting vehicle control. Furthermore, multiple owners describe the instrument cluster going dark, impacting visibility of essential driving information such as speed and range. These issues highlight potential safety implications due to loss of control and visibility, particularly at low mileage or early in the vehicle's life.
SERVICE BRAKES
3 complaintsOwners of the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning report issues with the vehicle's braking system, particularly involving unintended acceleration and failure to stop when the brake pedal is depressed. Multiple complaints describe situations where the vehicle accelerates independently, even when the brake is applied, leading to loss of control. Incidents typically occur during low-speed maneuvers such as parking or reversing, with one report noting the issue at highway speeds. The mileage at which these issues occur varies, with one case mentioning 28,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as owners describe near-collisions and the need to use emergency measures, such as shifting to park, to stop the vehicle.
POWER TRAIN (3 complaints)
POWER TRAIN
3 complaintsOwners of the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning report several issues related to the power train, primarily involving the gear shifter. Complaints frequently mention the shifter getting stuck in park or drive, with some describing it as being stuck in drive accompanied by warning lights, such as an amber wrench symbol and service alerts. Another common issue is the vehicle moving in the opposite direction than intended when shifting gears, with one owner describing an incident where the vehicle moved forward while the shifter was set to reverse. These issues have been reported with vehicles having as little as 225 miles on the odometer. Safety implications include the potential for unintended vehicle movement, which could lead to collisions, especially in tight parking situations.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1 complaints)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaintSafety-relatedI was making a road trip in my 2024 F150 Lightning Lariat. I pulled up to a Tesla supercharger. I turned the car off and attempted to plug in but the cable was about three inches too short. So I got back in the truck, turned it back on and put it in gear for the last three inches of travel. The truck accelerated dramatically. It clipped two charging stations, hopped a curb and went into a field, headed for a major lane of traffic. I rode the brake as hard as I could and it continued to accelerate. I threw it in neutral and finally got control of it, just short of the road. I turned the vehicle off and back on and drove out of the field, the truck behaving normally. I finished the trip and returned home without incident. In reviewing the experience in my mind, I can't make mistaking the accelerator for the brake pedal make sense. You can't turn the vehicle on without pressing the brake pedal. You can't put it in gear without pressing the break pedal. And the fact that it continued to accelerate after hitting the charger doesn't sound like a pedal mistake. I have never found the human factors of the F150 to be challenging - it is very straight forward to drive. I also don't think I could have accidentally hit the cruise control. You can't accidentally engage the cruise control from a standing stop. I do always use one-pedal driving.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1 complaints)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 complaintCondensation in 2024 Ford Lightning Tailgate light bar consistent with 2022 and 2023 model recall. For Reference - The Ford F-150 Lightning recall related to the rear light bar is 23S30, which is also NHTSA Recall No. 23V-418.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints)
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaintSafety-relatedI was involved in a rear-end collision caused by a vehicle abruptly moving into my lane while traveling at a slower speed. From the time the vehicle entered my lane to the time of the collision was approximately one second. Despite this timeframe, the anti-collision warning system and automatic emergency braking (AEB) functionality in my Ford vehicle did not activate or alert me before the impact. Additionally, I have observed that the adaptive cruise control and Blue Cruise systems in my vehicle do not react until a vehicle in front is fully out of the lane (for acceleration) or fully in the lane (for deceleration). This delayed reaction may have contributed to the system’s failure to engage in this incident. I believe this represents a potentially unsafe functionality in the collision avoidance system, as it may not adequately respond to rapidly changing traffic conditions. I am reporting this to ensure it is investigated to help improve the safety of these systems and prevent similar incidents in the future.
STEERING (1 complaints)
STEERING
1 complaintFord 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.
When Do 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Problems Start?
Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.
Best & Worst Ford F-150 Lightning Years
Best Ford F-150 Lightning Years to Buy
The best Ford F-150 Lightning year is 2024 with a reliability score of 61/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2025 (60/100) and 2023 (45/100).
2024(this page)
4 recalls · 19 complaints
2025
3 recalls · 2 complaints
2023
11 recalls · 175 complaints
Ford F-150 Lightning Years to Avoid
The worst Ford F-150 Lightning year is 2022 with a score of 39/100, primarily due to power train (78) issues. Also avoid 2023 (45/100).
2022
9 recalls · 280 complaints
2023
11 recalls · 175 complaints
Ford F-150 Lightning Reliability Score Trend
Ford F-150 Lightning reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 61/100 compared to 42/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 39/100 | Risky |
| 2023 | 45/100 | Mixed |
| 2024 | 61/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 60/100 | Good |
Ford F-150 Lightning Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning?
How many recalls does the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning have?
Is the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning expensive to maintain?
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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