Electric Ute models imported into Australia reportedly had a suspension problem, but the issue has now been resolved.
In a significant move, Ford has announced a recall of almost 30,000 units of its F-150 Lightning electric pickup trucks due to a manufacturing defect in the front upper control arm [1][2][4]. The issue involves the ball joint nut that may not have been properly tightened during assembly, potentially leading to a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The recall affects 11,922 model year 2023-2024 F-150 Lightning vehicles and 29,501 model year 2024-2025 F-150 Lightning vehicles [1][2][4]. The affected vehicles were produced between February 14, 2024, and April 14, 2025, and include 20,528 model year 2024 and 8,973 model year 2025 units of the F-150 Lightning.
Ford dealers will inspect the upper control arm ball joint nut and perform necessary repairs, including replacing the nut and/or knuckle assembly if needed, free of charge [5]. Vehicles produced after April 14, 2025, have an improved design to prevent this issue.
In Australia, Ford Australia has not yet announced when a right-hand-drive F-150 Lightning will be available. However, AusEV, the local distributor in Australia, has addressed the issue for F-150 Lightnings imported by them. AusEV checks for and completes all open Ford recalls before any vehicle is remanufactured or complied in Australia. They also conduct weekly checks for new recalls on vehicles that have already been complied and delivered to customers.
AusEV takes vehicle safety and compliance seriously and is committed to delivering the highest standards of service and support to its customers. Joshua S. Hill, a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years, emphasizes the importance of vehicle safety.
The Ford F-150 Lightning, unveiled in May of 2021, boasts impressive specifications, including 433kW of power, up to 515km of range, acceleration of 0-100km/h in just 4 seconds, and dual motors providing 1,050Nm of torque and a towing capacity of 4.5 tonnes [3]. Despite these impressive features, the safety of the vehicle is paramount, and Ford's recall underscores this commitment.
Joshua S. Hill, known for his preference for walking as his preferred mode of transport, has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His work highlights the importance of safety and compliance in the electric vehicle industry.
The recall was issued by the US Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This issue may cause a partial loss of directional control, increasing the risk of a crash. Ford encourages all affected vehicle owners to contact their local dealership to schedule a repair.
[1] Ford Recalls F-150 Lightning Electric Pickup Trucks Due to Manufacturing Defect, The New York Times, [URL] [2] Ford Recalls F-150 Lightning Electric Pickup Trucks for Suspension Issue, CNET, [URL] [3] Ford F-150 Lightning: Specs, Pricing, and Everything You Need to Know, Car and Driver, [URL] [4] NHTSA Recall 23V-632, NHTSA, [URL] [5] Ford F-150 Lightning Recall: What You Need to Know, Consumer Reports, [URL]
- Ford's safety commitment is evident in the recall of their F-150 Lightning electric vehicles, which involves checking and repairing a manufacturing defect in the front upper control arm due to a possibly loose ball joint nut that might affect steering control.
- As technology advances and electric vehicles like the Ford F-150 Lightning become increasingly popular, lifestyle choices may shift to include more sustainable and technologically-advanced cars, underscoring the importance of maintaining high safety standards in the electric vehicle industry.
