The Ford F-150 Lightning Years To Avoid
Ford F-150 Lightning rear bumper by Autosdeprimera - CC-BY-SA-4.0
The Ford F-150 Lightning is an all-electric pickup truck from Ford, one of the most iconic and best-selling vehicles in the United States. Moreover, the Lightning truck marks a significant step in the evolution of electric vehicles, particularly in the pickup truck segment.
As such, the F-150 Lightning stands out in the EV market due to its strong F-150 brand legacy, its design as a functional work truck with a powerful electric drivetrain and large frunk, and it’s backed by Ford’s extensive dealership and service network, making it one of the few electric trucks entering mass production.
In terms of competitors, the F-150 Lightning faces competition from several other electric trucks. These include the emerging Rivian R1T, the GMC Hummer EV, and the Chevrolet Silverado EV.
With all said and done, is the Ford F-150 Lightning a reliable vehicle?
As usual, we help you by highlighting the Ford F-150 Lightning years to avoid and offer insights into why they should be avoided by used car shoppers. Let’s get to it.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE FORD F-150 LIGHTNING
If you’re interested in this vehicle, select the most dependable option to keep money and time on your side. You might wonder - what is the most reliable Ford F-150 Lightning year available?
What is the Ford F-150 Lightning?
The Ford F-150 Lightning is an all-electric iteration of Ford’s top-selling F-150 series, marking the automaker’s significant stride into the electric vehicle (EV) market. Ford wants consumers to understand that this vehicle is not just an electric version of the F-150 but a reimagining of what a pickup truck can be in an electric world.
The F-150 Lightning, an all-electric vehicle, has no traditional internal combustion engine under the hood. Instead, it has an electric drivetrain with electric motors and a large lithium-ion battery pack. It comes in two versions: a standard range version with a 230-mile EPA-estimated range and an extended range version with a 300-mile EPA-estimated range. The extended range model also has more power, with 563 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque.
However, where the engine would traditionally be, the F-150 Lightning features a large, lockable space known as a “frunk” (a portmanteau of “front” and “trunk”). This frunk is a unique feature of many electric vehicles, made possible by the absence of a large engine block.
The frunk in the F-150 Lightning is quite spacious and practical. It offers 400 liters of volume and can carry up to 400 pounds of cargo. It’s also equipped with four electrical outlets and two USB chargers, making it a useful feature for work and recreational activities.
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Which Ford F-150 Lightning Years To Avoid?
If you’re going to buy a used F-150 Lightning, you’re going to have to settle with the 2022 version. In our previous write, we named the 2022 F-150 Lightning as the most reliable model year of the EV pickup truck. Thus, if you’re going to buy a used Lightning, you’re in good hands with the 2022 model year.
However, like all vehicles, the 2022 F-150 Lightning has its issues. This post aims to highlight such problems to help you make an informed decision. Plus, we offer some insights into the potential long-term reliability of this EV truck.
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning: The 10,000-Mile Performance Test
Sadly, when a new model hits the market, consumers typically have to wait months or even years to get good information about its real-world reliability and longevity – that is certainly the case with the Ford F-150 Lightning. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of people who put EVs into real-world tests, most notably the folks of TFLEV from YouTube.
The Ford F-150 Lightning has been put through its paces by The Fast Lane Truck (TFL), a group known for their rigorous testing of vehicles. After reaching the 10,000-mile mark, TFL shared their experiences and observations.
Despite being an electric vehicle, the Lightning is expected to handle the same abuse that any gas-powered F-150 or half-ton pickup truck can endure. TFL has certainly not been gentle with the vehicle, having taken it on taxing trips, including one to Alaska, and conducting races, towing, and hauling tests.
Overall, the 2022 F-150 Lightning holds well after 10,000 miles. However, one issue that has been noted is the seat material. It has started to crease and appears very used, with the material pulling up from the padding and becoming loose. TFL suggests that this is an area that Ford needs to address in the future.
We highly recommend watching the TFLEV video to learn more.
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Common Problems
Next, we take a look at the potential common problems of the F-150 Lightning based on user complaints from CarComplaints:
Electrical System Issues
Apparently, the 2022 F-150 has received several complaints regarding its problematic electrical system, as outlined below:
- Battery drain: Some users have reported that the truck’s battery drains quickly, even when the vehicle is not in use. This issue occurs randomly and can leave the truck without power.
- Charging issues: There have been complaints about problems with the charging system. Some users have reported that the truck does not charge properly or does not charge at all. This issue has been reported with home and public charging stations.
- Electrical system failure: A few users have reported complete electrical system failures while driving. This issue can cause the truck to lose power and stop running, which can be dangerous if driving at high speeds or in heavy traffic.
Please note that these are user-reported issues and may not represent all 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning trucks and their overall reliability.
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Powertrain Issues
Many users from the F-150 Lightning Forums have expressed concerns about the EV’s powertrain system. Some owners have reported the following powertrain woes:
- Powertrain malfunction: Some owners reported that their vehicle stopped sending power to the electric motors while driving. This resulted in the vehicle being unable to drive and needing to be towed to a dealership.
- Error notification: The malfunction was accompanied by a notice on the dashboard and the Ford app, indicating a powertrain malfunction and reduced power.
- Battery replacement: In some cases, the issue was resolved by replacing the entire battery. The vehicle was typically at the dealership for a week or two for this repair.
These issues made the 2022 model year one of the Ford F-150 Lightning years to avoid as a used car buyer.
THE BEST USED SUVS UNDER $10,000
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