Ford is Recalling 12,000 2023 and 2024 F-150 Lightning BEV Trucks Because They Can Potentially Lose Their Steering

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that Ford Motor Company is recalling its popular EV pickup because of a manufacturing problem. Ford is recalling 11,922 2023 and 2024 F-150 Lightning EV trucks because a front control arm can separate and cause the truck to lose its steering. Losing control of the truck could increase the risk of a crash.

How Ford Found Out About the Problem

According to the NHTSA Safety Report, Ford received an incident report that outlined what happened during an accident. “The customer reported that at 639 miles they experienced intermittent vibration while driving at highway speed before the vehicle suddenly made an uncommanded left turn into a side rail. Upon inspection, the dealer technician discovered the upper control arm nut was missing and the joint had separated from the knuckle.” Ford went back and determined that some of the joints had not been tightened properly.

As of November 14, 2024, Ford is aware of two field reports and one warranty claim representing two incidents related to this concern, received from September 12, 2024, through October 23, 2024. Ford is aware of one accident attributed to this condition.  

The recall affects:

• 8,017 2023 model year Ford F-150 Lightnings
• 3,905 2024 model year Ford F-150 Lightnings

How Ford Will Fix the Problem

Ford says F-150 Lightning owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to inspect the torque of the left and right upper control arm ball joint nut. If the torque inspection passes, dealers will replace the nut. If the torque inspection fails, dealers will replace the knuckle and nut. The service connected to the recall will be free.  

Owners should be notified by mail starting February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S76.The NHTSA Recall number is 24V949000.

In the meantime, a driver may feel the vehicle vibrate and hear a clunk or rattle if the ball joint nut is loose or missing. The problem is only believed to affect about one percent of the recalled vehicles, but it is important to take any warning signs seriously.

Ford Photo

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

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