DecodedCars2023 Ford F-150 Lightning
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2023 models.
- Class
- Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
- Body styles
- EV 4dr Pickup, Extended Range EV 4dr Pickup, Platinum EV 4dr Pickup
- Engines
- Electric motor
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- EV
- EV range
- 320 mi · 9.3 h on 240 V
- Length
- 229.9 in
- Curb weight
- 6,021–6,901 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 11 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Long EV rangeUp to 320 miles on a charge (EPA).
- Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- 11 recallsMore than similar models (about 4). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 6 similar 2023 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning is a standard pickup truck powered by electricity and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 230 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 145-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 6,021 lb (EV 4dr Pickup).
The electric version has an EPA-rated range of up to 320 miles and takes about 9.3 hours to charge on a 240-volt Level 2 charger.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 11 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 113 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2023
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2022 F-150 Lightning — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2022; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2022 F-150 Lightning →
Trims, performance & features
Powertrain–Electric motor
DriveAWD/4WD
Seating5 seats · 2 rows
Trims
SuperCrewLariat
Safety & driver-assist features
Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringStandard
Blind-spot interventionSome trims
Rear cross-traffic alertStandard
Rear automatic brakingStandard
Lane departure warningStandard
Lane keeping assistStandard
Parking assistStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Adaptive driving beamStandard
Keyless startStandard
LED headlightsYes
Built in: Dearborn, Michigan
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2023 F-150 Lightning configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV 4dr Pickup | 229.9 in | 79.9 in | 75.6 in | 145.3 in | 67.7 / 68.1 in | 6,021 lb | 50/50 |
| Extended Range EV 4dr Pickup | 229.9 in | 79.9 in | 75.6 in | 145.3 in | 67.7 / 68.1 in | 6,360 lb | 50/50 |
| Platinum EV 4dr Pickup | 229.9 in | 79.9 in | 75.6 in | 145.3 in | 67.7 / 68.1 in | 6,901 lb | 50/50 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F-150 Lightning 4WD Extended Range EV | 210 and 210 kW AC PMSM | Automatic (A1) | All-Wheel Drive | 320 mi · 47.9143 kWh/100mi | – | $1,100 | – |
| F-150 Lightning 4WD EV | 358 and 358 kW AC PMSM | Automatic (A1) | All-Wheel Drive | 240 mi · 49.3643 kWh/100mi | – | $1,100 | – |
| F-150 Lightning Platinum 4WD EV | 210 and 210 kW AC PMSM | Automatic (A1) | All-Wheel Drive | 300 mi · 50.7071 kWh/100mi | – | $1,150 | – |
9/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
10/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $6,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.4 MPG2023 Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD average
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2023 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning.
Similar 2023 standard pickup trucks
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning (this car) | 320 mi | Not rated | 11 |
| 2023 Chevrolet Silverado | 26 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2023 Nissan Frontier | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2023 Nissan Titan | 18 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2023 Ram 1500 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
| 2023 Lordstown Endurance | 174 mi | Not rated | 3 |
| 2023 GMC Sierra | 26 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
Recalls (11)
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Internal › Park Pawl · Dec 12, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V863000 · 272,645 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2026 F-150 Lightning BEV, 2024-2026 Mustang Mach-E, and 2025-2026 Maverick vehicles. The integrated park module may fail to lock into the park position when the driver shifts into park. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
- Risk
- A loss of park function can allow the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- The park module software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C69. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 26, 2026.
Exterior Lighting · Oct 24, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V731000 · 14,843 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · May 9, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V313000 · 6 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150 Lightning vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V801. The SYNC software may fail to activate the electronic stability control (ESC) system at the beginning of each ignition cycle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
- Risk
- Failure to reset the ESC to active may result in the driver unknowingly operating the vehicle without electronic stability control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C15.
Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery · Apr 23, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V272000 · 3 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150 Lightning vehicles. The fasteners that secure the junction box bus bars inside the high-voltage battery pack may not have been tightened securely, which can cause electrical arcing at the busbars.
- Risk
- Electrical arcing increases the risk of a fire. In addition, a loss of drive power may occur, which can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and repair the busbar fasteners and replace any damaged components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 21, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S11. This recall expands previous recall number 24V-144.
Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery · Feb 28, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V131000 · 950 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 F-150 Lightning battery electric vehicles. A manufacturing defect in the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit.
- Risk
- A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Owners are advised to only charge their vehicles to a maximum of 80% battery capacity until the repair has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high voltage battery array as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S18.
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint · Dec 19, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V949000 · 11,922 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 F-150 Lightning BEV vehicles. The front upper control arm ball joint nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the front upper control arm to detach from the knuckle assembly.
- Risk
- A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle steering and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect the upper control arm ball joint nut, and replace the nut and/or knuckle assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S76.
Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery · Feb 23, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V144000 · 216 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150 Lightning vehicles. The fasteners that secure the junction box bus bars inside the high-voltage battery pack may not have been tightened securely, which can cause electrical arcing at the busbars.
- Risk
- Electrical arcing increases the risk of a fire. In addition, a loss of drive power may occur, which can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and repair the busbar fasteners and replace any damaged components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 31, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S11.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Nov 28, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V801000 · 5,118 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150 Lightning vehicles. The SYNC software may fail to activate the electronic stability control (ESC) system at the beginning of each ignition cycle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
- Risk
- Failure to reset the ESC to active may result in the driver unknowingly operating the vehicle without electronic stability control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C38.
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Windshield › Electrical Heating Element · Oct 13, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V688000 · 931 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150 Lightning pickup trucks. The electronic cabin coolant heater module may be missing a solder joint, which can cause intermittent or no cabin heat and result in an inoperative windshield defrosting and defogging system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
- Risk
- An inoperative windshield defrosting and defogging system may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the electronic cabin coolant heater, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 3, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C32.
Exterior Lighting · Jun 9, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V418000 · 16,375 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery · Mar 15, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V168000 · 18 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150 Lightning pickup trucks. The high-voltage battery pack may experience an electrical short-circuit when the battery is fully charged or near fully charged.
- Risk
- A battery short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the high-voltage battery pack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S15.
Not every 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
113Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
8Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
4Injuries reported
10,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 11 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 58 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Exterior Lighting — 25 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Power Train — 17 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 10,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Battery health. Ask for a battery state-of-health report, check the remaining battery warranty, and compare the displayed range at 100% charge with the EPA's 320 miles.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other F-150 Lightning years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 F-150 Lightning | 320 mi | 229.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 9 |
| 2024 F-150 Lightning | 320 mi | 229.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 31 |
| 2022 F-150 Lightning | 320 mi | 229.9 in | Not rated | 9 | 92 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →