- Nearly 12,000 Ford F-150 Lightnings manufactured in 2023 and 2024 could possibly be affected.
- The difficulty is an insufficiently torqued ball joint nut that might trigger suspension and steering elements to come back unfastened
- This has to this point 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 challenge that might trigger a lack of steering whereas driving. The issue stems from entrance suspension elements which will have been improperly tightened on the manufacturing unit and will come unfastened and separate, doubtlessly 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 car, it discovered that the truck, which was brand-new and had coated lower than 700 miles, was lacking an higher management arm nut, which induced the steering knuckle to separate. This prompted a broader investigation that resulted in a recall.
Based on the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA), which quotes info from the producer, “the nut on the higher management arm ball joint might not have achieved the right torque resulting from variation within the alignment or orientation between the fastening device and the fastener which will have induced lateral forces on the device, stopping it from correctly seating on the fastener.”
The variety of doubtlessly affected autos is 11,922, and so they have been constructed between November 6, 2023, and February 12, 2024—all might want to go to a supplier for an inspection. “Sellers will examine the higher management arm ball joint nut and substitute the nut and/or the knuckle meeting, as crucial, freed from cost.” Ford intends to ship notification letters to the homeowners of the affected autos beginning in early February.
The Ford F-150 Lightning was one of many first commercially obtainable electrical pickup vehicles, so it’s not stunning that it’s been the topic of a number of earlier recollects. One other recall additionally concerned an improperly fixed or lacking nut, however not one holding the suspension collectively—it was on the battery bus bar and will end in a battery pack hearth.
Picture by: Ford
In case your Lightning is among the many practically 12,000 affected autos, a few of the signs brought on by the defect could possibly be looseness and lack of steering precision or perhaps a shudder despatched up via 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. If you’re experiencing any of this, you are able to do a fast visible inspection of the affected half by trying contained in the wheel effectively behind the wheel and searching for looseness within the nut highlighted within the diagram above. If you happen to see it’s not performed up all the best way, it’s most likely not a good suggestion to drive your truck till you’ve it checked by a supplier.
