Ford recollects 18 F-150 Lightnings for battery hearth concern

Ford found out the problem that led to the battery pack catching hearth on a 2023 F-150 Lightning electrical pickup’s battery pack.

On Friday, Ford spokesperson Emma Bergg advised Inexperienced Automotive Studies the automaker will recall 18 2023 Ford F-150 Lightnings and change their high-voltage battery pack.

Bergg confirmed Lightning electrical vehicles themselves is not going to get replaced, even at buyer requests. Solely the high-voltage battery pack. Alternative packs might be put in at dealerships quickly as packs are in inventory.

Prospects might be notified as quickly as attainable and usually are not requested to cease driving their F-150 Lightnings, park inside, or cease charging. A free loaner car might be supplied to clients however it in all probability is not going to be a F-150 Lightning. Bergg could not touch upon whether or not the loaners could be F-150s as sellers function independently.

F-150 Lightning manufacturing was halted in February as a result of a truck catching on hearth exterior whereas present process its pre-delivery high quality test. A stop-build and stop-ship order was issued.  The foundation explanation for the fireplace was decided to be a battery cell manufacturing defect. Packs which may embrace suspect cells have been constructed throughout a four-week window on the finish of 2022, in response to Bergg.

Ford will not touch upon what number of vehicles have been constructed with packs  suspect cells in complete through the finish of 2022, solely noting that 18 vehicles constructed throughout that interval made it to sellers and clients.

Ford will not be conscious of any experiences of an accident, hearth, or accidents associated to this recall.

After Ford and battery provider SK On confirmed the basis causes of the problem engineering and elements costs have been carried out as new packs have been been made, however Ford will not elaborate on what these modifications are, or element as to why there was a hearth.

Manufacturing of the F-150 Lightning will restart on March 13, which allowed SK On time to construct up to date battery cells into arrays and packs earlier than delivering them to the manufacturing line.