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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
1,044 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #78

Feb 092024

F-150 Lightning

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While coasting to an upcoming stop downhill, on slightly graded slope, speed within 15mph or less, with brake slightly applied; the Automatic Parking Brake engaged on its own, subsequently resulting in the transmission shifting of drive modes to park automatically. The vehicle came to an instant, unexpected stop, while still maintaining a speed around 5mph on its own. The vehicle locked up mid-line-of-traffic, leaving the potential of a rear-end collision by following vehicle. No known damage to transmission or powertrain resulted. Adverse weather/road conditions did not play a factor at the time of incident. Incident has occurred multiple times prior, during similar environment & circumstance.

- Mars, PA, USA

problem #77

Nov 152023

F-150 Lightning

  • 9,000 miles
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal depressed the floorboard but failed to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. As a result, the contact collided with the rear of two vehicles ahead. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed, and no injuries were reported. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that sometime later, while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, a message displayed reading "Full Accessory Power Active, " after which the vehicle inadvertently lost all motive power. The contact's wife was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to restart. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,000.

- Sherman Oaks, CA, USA

problem #76

Nov 202023

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
While driving down the highway, my 2022 Ford F-150 Tremor randomly caught on fire. I was driving down the highway and was flagged down by other drivers to let me know the bottom of the truck was on fire. I pulled over and luckily someone had a fire extinguisher and we were able to get the fire under control. The fire department was also called and they also helped put out the fire after their arrival. The truck has always been serviced at a Ford dealer and had gone in for an oil change less than 350 miles prior to the truck catching fire.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #75

Feb 012023

F-150 Lightning

  • 6,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and transmission warning lights illuminated, and the Check 4x4 and Check Locking Differential messages were displayed. Additionally, while driving, there were popping sounds heard coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle also rolled about 4-6 inches while the transmission was in park (P). The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, only the Check Locking Differential message was displayed. The dealer reset the Check Locking Differential message. The failure recurred with the Service Rear End message displayed and abnormal sounds coming from both the front and rear ends of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (Power Train) for which the VIN was included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.

- Homer, AK, USA

problem #74

Jan 152024

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
In park changed mode to 4A and moved shifter to reverse no reverse. Truck in electric mode then engine started and reverse activated. Upon stop shifted to drive and truck would not move. Engine started then truck moved.

- Lynnwood, WA, USA

problem #73

Dec 182023

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
During a long road trip my truck displayed a message stating that I had a Powertrain Malfunction/ Reduced Power. My truck, while driving, reduced itself to half power. It also would not charge. I was 3 states away from home when this happened. I took the vehicle to my Ford dealership once I was able to get it home. The technician simply cleared a code and said that the issue could not be replicated. Clearly there is an issue. I know several people with the same issue. Frankly, I don't think that I can trust my new truck a significant distance from my residence.

- Jeffersonton, VA, USA

problem #72

Jan 102024

F-150 Lightning

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Costco took off rear right wheel and axle bolt fell off.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #71

Oct 152023

F-150 Lightning

  • 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the rear wheels. The contact then parked the vehicle in the driveway. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear axle bolts had loosened independently. The dealer tightened the bolts; however, the failure recurred while driving to the residence. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer the following day. The dealer tightened the bolts and applied a thread locking compound; however, the failure recurred after driving 500 miles. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

- Belleville, IL, USA

problem #70

Oct 102023

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
For lighting, model came with the quad beam and headlight would often malfunction leaving headlights stuck in the low position and high beams not usable. For power train, the 10 speed would cause sharp jolts and shifts that is not normal for regular driving. Very abrupt jolts that make operating vehicle unsafe to drive in traffic. Vehicle began experiencing these symptoms around 25k miles and dealership mentions these issues aren-??t a big problem.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #69

Dec 282023

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
Shifting gears is very hard with it often skipping over gears. When driving the vehicle will jerk or buckle when trying to shift. Transmission is the biggest issue with this vehicle and I seem to have a hard time getting Ford to recognize that.

- Marlboro, NY, USA

problem #68

Dec 152023

F-150 Lightning

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Took the vehicle in for a oil change and tire rotation at Southgate Ford in Southgate Michigan. When they pulled off a rear wheel for rotation, the head of the axle bolt fell off. Technician and Service advisor said it was a know issue. Car has to be kept because it is unsafe to drive until fixed.

- Southgate, MI, USA

problem #67

Aug 252023

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
My 2022 Ford F150 Powerboost Hybrid has the Max Tow Axle option. A known defect is that the LH and RH Axle bolts break early in the life of the vehicle. The failure is a tensile failure in the bolt causing the head to essentially pop off, rendering the vehicle unsafe to drive. I have had (1) of these failures so far. I expect more failures to come and do not accept that Ford has fixed this issue with the Max Tow option utilizing the 3/4 float axle design that they have had since 2021. For 2024 Ford is now disallowing the Max Tow option with the Hybrid Powerboost model, leading me to believe there is an incompatiblity between the Hybrid drive system in the Powerboost model and the Max Tow axle design. Possibly certain dynamic forces are inherent in the combination to cause this failure. It is speculated it could be the regenerative braking that is part of the Hybrid system. Other scenarios are possible as well. Aside from the ridiculously small 12 mm single bolt in this design, I believe this change with the 2024 model year is indicative that they have presented an inadequate fix for us current 2021-2023 model year owners since they have discontinued this combination. Ford is repairing under CSP 22B34. I request NHTSA investigate this issue thoroughly and force Ford to recall all Powerboost Hybrid F150 trucks with this design and present a proper / robust solution that will not fail when out of warranty which is very likely to occurr in my opinion. Ford's actions are inadequate regarding this issue in my opinion. Thank you. Richard Langhoff Greensboro, NC phone cell #336-254-0850

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #66

Sep 152023

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
a few months after purchased, I went to a shop to rotate tires for first time. Upon removing the rear passenger tire, the mechanic was shocked to see the axle bolt sheared off and lying inside the hub. Ford said not to drive it, and they picked it up for warranty service. They replaced the rear axle. A year later, I noticed a black greasy substance on the same rim. Went to Ford, and the axle bolt had broken again. This time it had apparently been off for some time. They replaced the axle, brake rotor, and both sets of rear brake shows, as the wobbly wear had ruined the brakes. A month later, I am now noticing that black greasy substance again on the same rim. My power train warranty is out at 60k miles, and I feel that I have a vehicle that is going to ruin an axle every 15-20k miles and be a serious danger to my family should the tire come loose in motion. There are other issues with the truck that are less dangerous such as intermittent black out of the GPS screen, but those do not have the consequences I fear from the breaking axle.

- Ararat, NC, USA

problem #65

Nov 192023

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
While in 4A, at a stop the vehicle lurched forward. This repeated 5 times having come to a stop with brake pedal depressed or not (autohold). Check engine light came on at some point for auxiliary transmission pump motor did not come on. Started after having truck serviced and pcm reprogrammed. Back at dealership claims issue due to HEV battery dropping below 285V and going in to fail safe due to usage in stop and go traffic. Truck was not in stop and go traffic during drive in which incidents occurred.

- Lynnwood, WA, USA

problem #64

Nov 212023

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
When sitting at a stop light/stop sign/a complete stop, the truck will switch to electric mode... after about five to seven seconds, the truck "jumps" -- if feels like you just got rear ended. Truck currently at the dealership with no known ETA on repair.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #63

Nov 272023

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
1) The rear axle bolt failed on my Max Tow equipped truck, the bolt head and washer broke off and were rattling around in the wheel. 2) The rear axle bolt secures the axle to the knuckle/hub and transmit power from the differential to the wheels. Without this bolt the axle could fall away from the hub and the vehicle would loose the ability to drive. 3) Yes the problem has been reproduced, Ford has CSP 22B34 for this same issue. That CSP is incomplete, it does not cover all of the date ranges that this issue can happen on. 4) No, there were no warning lights or messages while the issue was present.

- West Bloomfield, MI, USA

problem #62

Nov 062023

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
I had warranty work done on a trailer brake module on October 23, 2023. About 3 weeks after that it seemed like my transmission was a little rough. Then Nov. 6, I had several incidences where I was at a stop, and it felt like someone hit me from behind and lurch my truck forward a little bit. It seems very dangerous. In case someone in a crosswalk is walking in front of me I could possibly hit them up. My Ford diagnostic tells me that it is the electric transmission fluid pump. There was no warning no lights lit up on my dashboard warning me that this would happened. After I started the motor the next morning, the check engine light came on. The next day I drove it for a short time around the block and the check engine light was not on. I drove it straight to the dealership and made an appointment to take it in. I have read several articles and forums complaining about the exact same thing recently. It seems as if there should be a recall on this issue. Another issue since I-??ve had the truck brand new in July 2023 is it always skipped second gear which kind of makes it a little rough starting off.

- Redlands, CA, USA

problem #61

Oct 312023

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
This 2022 Ford f150 has experienced the exact failure shown in ford CSP 22B34. The right rear axle securing bolt has sheared. The CSP applies to trucks built through Sept. 30 2021. This truck was built in Dearborn, in November - BUT has had the exact failure. I am concerned Ford has under estimated the number of affected vehicles for this safety issue. This is concerning. Ford rep said it is OK to drive, even though it has failed and was not listed in the range. it could be a larger issue than the CSP.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

problem #60

Oct 312023

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
Right rear main axle bolt sheared and separated from the axle. I am concerned the wheel and hub could separate. Customer Satisfaction Program 22B34 may apply, but the dealer is not certain but is looking into it. filing this report as this seems like a serious flaw.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

problem #59

Nov 102023

F-150 Lightning

  • miles
I was driving south on Interstate 5 near Stockton CA and I noticed an awful sound coming from the back of my truck. When I gave it more throttle nothing was happening, my truck was slowing down, the more throttle I gave it the louder the grinding noise got. My truck was slowing down to a crawl, and I had to pull off the freeway, the shoulder was only big enough for my truck to fit, I could not open the driver's door because the on-coming traffic would hit my driver's door, I needed to use my passenger door to exit my truck. If was very dangerous because on-coming traffic was doing 65MPG, I had to call tow truck to coming and tow my truck away to the Ford dealership. The Ford service dealership inspected my truck and found that the real axle bolt had sheared off and allowed the rear axle to disengage from the differential causing the truck not to move or have control. Ford Motor Company knows this is a safety issue, I have attached a document, Customer Satisfaction Program 22B34 that proves Ford has had this issue in the past couple of years and seems to think it's still not an issue, Ford will only warranty the repair for the one side that failed. In the document I have attached it clearly states that both axles and both bolts need to be replaced. Ford told me that my vin # is not included in the customer satisfaction program so they will not replace the other axel and bolt. This is a major safety issue for me and the public allowing my vehicle to be on the road the way it is at this point in time. The other bolt could shear off and cause my vehicle to run off the road or cause an accident because of not have control of my vehicle.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

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