Ford has launched a recall for 216 items of the 2023 F-150 Lightning, citing a security concern associated to the high-voltage battery’s bus bar retention nuts, which can be unfastened or lacking. The defect might result in electrical arcing on the bus bars, considerably growing the chance of fireside.
This recall impacts automobiles produced on the Rouge EV meeting plant between October 31, 2022, and August 2, 2023.
In keeping with the recall paperwork posted on the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) web site, the difficulty was first investigated by Ford’s Vital Concern Assessment Group on December 14, 2023, after a discipline report was acquired regarding a F-150 Lightning that stopped functioning and couldn’t be restarted. A dealership inspection revealed a lacking nut on the bus bar throughout the high-voltage battery’s junction field, resulting in electrical arcing and a whole lack of motive energy within the car.
This was traced again to a rework operation on March 15, 2023, throughout which the nut was mistakenly eliminated and never correctly checked or changed afterwards.
Ford’s documentation signifies that the possibly affected batteries had been produced between February 1, 2023, and March 31, 2023. Regardless of the potential of motive energy loss, the 12-volt battery system is designed to maintain steering and braking capabilities. Sellers are instructed to examine for any unfastened or lacking nuts and change broken parts as vital.
House owners of the affected automobiles are entitled to a rental car if repairs are wanted.
This recall comes at a difficult time for Ford, as the corporate additionally issued a stop-ship order for 2024 fashions of the F-150 Lightning for prolonged high quality checks as a consequence of an unrelated concern. The automaker has additionally slashed its 2024 manufacturing for the Lightning by 50% as a consequence of weak demand for the electrical pickup truck.