- Virtually 12,000 Ford F-150 Lightnings manufactured in 2023 and 2024 may very well be affected.
- The problem is an insufficiently torqued ball joint nut that would trigger suspension and steering elements to return unfastened
- This has up to now solely been the supply of 1 accident attributed to this flaw and Ford will start notifying homeowners in early February.
Ford ended 2024 with an F-150 Lightning recall highlighting a critical problem that would trigger a lack of steering whereas driving. The issue stems from entrance suspension elements that will have been improperly tightened on the manufacturing facility and will come unfastened and separate, probably resulting in a critical accident.
Just one recognized accident has been attributed to this defect, and it noticed the truck veering right into a freeway barrier whereas touring at round 60 mph. When Ford investigated the automobile, it discovered that the truck, which was brand-new and had lined lower than 700 miles, was lacking an higher management arm nut, which prompted the steering knuckle to separate. This prompted a broader investigation that resulted in a recall.
In accordance with the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA), which quotes info from the producer, “the nut on the higher management arm ball joint could not have achieved the proper torque as a consequence of variation within the alignment or orientation between the fastening instrument and the fastener that will have induced lateral forces on the instrument, stopping it from correctly seating on the fastener.”
The variety of probably affected automobiles is 11,922, they usually have been constructed between November 6, 2023, and February 12, 2024—all might want to go to a vendor for an inspection. “Sellers will examine the higher management arm ball joint nut and change the nut and/or the knuckle meeting, as mandatory, freed from cost.” Ford intends to ship notification letters to the homeowners of the affected automobiles beginning in early February.
The Ford F-150 Lightning was one of many first commercially obtainable electrical pickup vans, so it’s not shocking that it’s been the topic of a number of earlier recollects. One other recall additionally concerned an improperly mounted or lacking nut, however not one holding the suspension collectively—it was on the battery bus bar and will lead to a battery pack fireplace.
Picture by: Ford
In case your Lightning is among the many almost 12,000 affected automobiles, a number of the signs brought on by the defect may very well be looseness and lack of steering precision or perhaps a shudder despatched up by way of the steering column. You might also hear noises coming from the entrance suspension whereas driving the truck usually or when making use of steering lock whereas stationary.
Some Lightning homeowners on the F-150 Lightning Discussion board have reported an inexplicable steering judder that they couldn’t repair by altering or rebalancing the tires. In case you are experiencing any of this, you are able to do a fast visible inspection of the affected half by trying contained in the wheel nicely behind the wheel and on the lookout for looseness within the nut highlighted within the diagram above. If you happen to see it’s not completed up all the way in which, it’s most likely not a good suggestion to drive your truck till you’ve gotten it checked by a vendor.
