Last updated: 2026-03-04
2025 Ford F-150 Lightning Reliability Score & Common Problems
The 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning scores 60/100 ("Good"). With 3 recalls and 2 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.
2025 is year 4 of the First generation.
Recalls
3
Complaints
2
Complaint Rate
0.7
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
3 recalls on record
Generation & Refresh (US)
2025 is year 4 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 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning?
The 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning scores 60/100 ("Good"), placing it in acceptable but not class-leading territory. 2025 is year 4 of the First generation.
With 2 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 electrical system (1). An extended warranty may provide additional peace of mind.
Compared to the 2026 Ford F-150 Lightning. See also the 2024 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
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1)
- 1 fire incident reported in owner complaints
Compare 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning With
2025 Ford F-150
Score: 75/100
2025 Ram 1500
Score: 73/100
2025 Chevrolet Silverado
Score: 85/100
2025 Toyota Tundra
Score: 73/100
2025 GMC Sierra 1500
Score: 80/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
- 3 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1)
Recall Overview
3
recalls on record
The 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning has 3 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
0.7
per 10k soldSegment avg: 2.7
Safety Incidents
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2025 Ford F-150 Lightning Recall Details
3 recalls have been issued for the 2025 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 F-150 Lightning BEV vehicles. The front brake jounce hose bracket screws may loosen and detach, which can allow the jounce hose to contact the tire and result in a brake fluid leak.
Consequence
A brake fluid leak can extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the front brake hose and replace both brake jounce hose bracket screws, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S71.
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.
2025 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.
2025 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 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing, based on the most common reported issues.
- Inspect forward collision avoidance system for proper warning alerts
- Check for signs of electrical system malfunctions or battery issues
- Test cruise control button for unintentional activation during turns
- Verify Blue Cruise system stability and lane-keeping functionality
Check Any 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning's History Before You Buy
Reliability scores tell you what to expect from the 2025 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.
2025 Ford F-150 Lightning Common Problems by Component
2 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaintSafety-relatedOn September 19, 2025, my wife was at the wheel of our 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning (VIN: [XXX] ), a vehicle we had leased just months earlier on June 22, 2025, from Sam Galloway Ford at [XXX] . Traveling at a mere 15-20 mph when she was involved in a routine multi-vehicle collision (no citations were issued). No collision warning was sounded. The front-end impact triggered an instantaneous and ferocious eruption of flames from the truck's forward section. The vehicle was swiftly consumed in a raging inferno, leading to its complete and irreparable destruction. My wife narrowly escaped with her life, scrambling from the cab amid the explosive intensification of the fire while relying on the urgent assistance of bystanders to reach safety—mere seconds from what could have been a fatal entrapment. She endured profound terror, acute anxiety, and an overwhelming fear for her very survival in the face of this abrupt and merciless blaze. Responding emergency crews, including the fire department, pinpointed the origin at the vehicle's front end, aligning with hallmarks of a catastrophic battery or electrical malfunction. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaintVehicle unintentional cruise activation has happened two times now. The button requires no other 2nd action and at speed low enough to cause unintended forward and sudden acceleration. The button activates easily under turns due to its placements. In addition to this blue cruise gets very confused as sudden vehicles entering the lane in front of it cause severe lane drift due to programming.
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
4 recalls · 19 complaints
2025(this page)
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 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning?
How many recalls does the 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning have?
Is the 2025 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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