2023 Ford F-150 Lightning BEV lighting problems

Related recalls

• Recall 25V731000Oct 24, 202514,843 vehicles
  EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150 Lightning BEV vehicles previously repaired under recall number 23V418. The rear lightbar may have microcracks in the outer lens that allows moisture to accumulate, which can result in inoperative or flickering reverse lights.

  Risk: Inoperative or flickering reverse lights may not alert other driver's that the vehicle is reversing, increasing the risk of injury or crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rear lightbar and fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SB6. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 29, 2025.

• Recall 23V418000Jun 9, 202316,375 vehicles
  EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150 BEV vehicles. The rear lightbar may have microcracks in the outer lens that allows moisture to accumulate, which can result in inoperative or flickering reverse lights.

  Risk: Inoperative or flickering reverse lights may not alert other driver's that the vehicle is reversing, increasing the risk of injury or crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear lightbar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 9, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S30.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 7, 2026ILLighting

   2023 Ford F-150 Lightning with 42,220 mi. The rear light bar has formed a crack which will allow moisture intrusion (photo attached). This is the same condition named in recall 25SB6 (NHTSA 25V731) and predecessor 23S30 (NHTSA 23V418): water droplets in the lightbar outer lens, which can cause inoperative or flickering reverse lamps. On 10/06/2026 I took the truck to Elmhurst Ford. The dealer did not point to any outside forces that caused the crack, and acknowledged the…

   NHTSA complaint #11769484 · source
2. Filed Sep 22, 2026OHLighting

   The rear tail lights do not function. The vehicle cannot be driven at night because it has no rear illumination. It puts both the operator and other vehicles at risk of collision. I took the vehicle to a Ford dealer for repair. They reported the tail lights failed due to corrosion of the wiring harness pin connectors due to water intrusion. The wiring harness would have to be replaced at a cost of $4,375.32. I was unaware of the taillight failure until the power tailgate…

   NHTSA complaint #11766174 · source
3. Filed Jul 10, 2026OKElectrical SystemLightingAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Dealer identified Water intrusion into the rear wiring, harnesses is causing corrosion in the PIN connectors, which therefore leads to flickering tail lights which could be mis interpreted as braking or a turning. I also experienced random acceleration from slow speeds and a failure to decelerate. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

   NHTSA complaint #11749547 · source
4. Filed Jun 18, 2026MDLighting

   2023 Ford F-150 Lightning, VIN [XXX], 42,370 mi. The rear light bar has microcracks allowing moisture intrusion. Water droplets are visible inside the red lens across the tailgate and inside the white reverse lamp (photos attached, taken 5/30/2026). This is the warning condition named in recall 25SB6 (NHTSA 25V731) and predecessor 23S30 (NHTSA 23V418): water droplets in the lightbar outer lens, which can cause inoperative or flickering reverse lamps. On 6/15/2026 I took the…

   NHTSA complaint #11745066 · source
5. Filed Apr 18, 2026COElectrical SystemLightingVisibility & Wipers

   I own a 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning that is subject to an active safety recall involving electrical components and exterior lighting (potential water intrusion leading to lighting failure, including rear/reverse lamps). I was notified of the recall around October/2025 and contacted a Ford dealer shortly after. The dealer confirmed the recall is active but stated that no remedy is available. I have followed up multiple times with both the dealer and Ford corporate, and as of…

   NHTSA complaint #11732080 · source
6. Filed Nov 23, 2025ORElectrical SystemLightingOther / Unknown

   My f150 lightning won't drive wben put in Drive. Then all the sudden it goes forward when not expecting it and we almost was in an accident. This happened many times and has been in service for over 3 months. They aren't able to fix it. We are trying to get them to take it back. The computer we noticed was defective the day after we bought it and inquired about it immediately. ​delayed engagement followed by a sudden lurch or unintended acceleration—matches several reports…

   NHTSA complaint #11701060 · source
7. Filed Oct 16, 2025NCElectrical SystemLighting

   Water intrusion into rear lightbar/back up/brake light assembly that has caused shorting of the back up lights and flashing of the brake lights. This is a known issue, NHTSA campaign 23V418000. Ford is refusing to cover replacement of this part.

   NHTSA complaint #11693847 · source
8. Filed Oct 16, 2025TXLighting

   Earlier this year, I filed NHTSA ID 11663872 when I noticed moisture collecting in the brake light assembly on my truck and Ford called this "normal", despite earlier issuing a recall for this very thing happening under NHTSA action 23V-418. Now, the brake light has failed completely, and Ford is denying coverage of this under my extended warranty with the following explanation: "your claim is denied due to water intrusion. A subject matter expert advised that Ford and…

   NHTSA complaint #11693814 · source
9. Filed Oct 14, 2025TXLighting

   Defective rear light bar allowing water intrusion causing some reverse lights and brake lights to malfunction including a running rear white light shining into the face of drivers causing a safety hazard

   NHTSA complaint #11693299 · source
10. Filed Oct 9, 2025CALighting

    Rear light bar housing brake lights and backup lights have water inside the assembly. Water is causing shorting of the lights. It puts me and others at risk if it doesn't activate or activate at a bad time.

    NHTSA complaint #11692325 · source
11. Filed Aug 30, 2025TXElectrical SystemLighting

    The rear light bar in the tailgate that also includes my back up lights is defective. The light bar was defective at delivery of vehicle and this is the second time this light bar has been deemed defective by a Ford Dealership Service Department. The first repair on this defect was covered under a recall. This issue is a safety concern as it causes the rear light bar to flicker on and off and it has disabled the back up lights. There was no warning lights or alerts, I was…

    NHTSA complaint #11684077 · source
12. Filed Jul 13, 2025DELighting

    The rear light bar was replaced under warranty safety recall 23S30 on 10/19/2023. Subsequently the “new” light bar developed water in it and after a period of a month of flickering and partial illumination is fully out causing a safety issue with limited rear tail lights and reverse lights.

    NHTSA complaint #11673189 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology