---
title: "Ford Recalls 18 F-150 Lightnings With Batteries That Could Catch Fire"
date: "2023-03-11"
modified: "2023-03-11"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Rosales"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-rosales.md"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/ford-recalls-18-f-150-lightnings-with-batteries-that-could-catch-fire"
categories:
  - "Ford News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
---

# Ford Recalls 18 F-150 Lightnings With Batteries That Could Catch Fire

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/11/f150lightning-hero-scaled.jpeg>)
*\<em\>Ford\</em\>*

Ford stopped production of its [2023 Ford F-150 Lightning EV](<https://www.thedrive.com/car-reviews/2022-ford-f-150-lightning-review-a-plug-and-play-ev-that-wont-replace-gas-trucks-just-yet.md>) pickup truck in February due to a battery defect that [led to a truck catching fire](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/ford-f-150-lightning-production-stopped-after-battery-defect-found-may-be-a-few-weeks.md>) during its pre-delivery quality check. The automaker has apparently found a fix and has issued a recall to just 18 trucks for a [full battery replacement](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/ford-mustang-mach-e-gets-new-battery-tech-in-2023-f-150-lightning-in-2024.md>), and that production will resume on March 13.

The automaker found the root cause of the battery pack defects to be defective battery cells that weren’t manufactured correctly, causing the fire that stopped Lightning production. Only 18 trucks made it out of the factory with the battery defect, thus explaining the small number of recalled vehicles. Ford didn’t even advise owners to stop driving their Lightnings, park them outside, or even advise them to limit charging. The only thing the 18 owners have to do is wait for a service appointment, and a loaner vehicle will be provided.

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/11/f150lightning-battery.jpeg>)
**Ford**

Ford spokesperson Emma Bergg did not comment to *[Green Car Reports](<https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1139009_ford-f-150-lighting-recall-battery-fire-january?taid=640ba2b728a8a600018061e6&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter>)* about the number of defective battery packs that were produced, only noting that 18 made it to dealers and customers. Though it did confirm that battery supplier SK and Ford found the root cause of the issue and that engineering and parts changes were made to new battery packs to prevent the issue. Ford wouldn’t comment on what the exact issue was other than a battery cell defect, nor why there was a fire. The automaker isn’t aware of any fires, crashes, or injuries related to the recall.

Battery fires are something of a recurring issue for EVs. Though the engineering reasons are complicated, batteries are complex things jam-packed with engineering and technology. Thought there are no moving parts, there are still interactions happening at a chemical and electrical level.

Ford confirmed that customer trucks will not be replaced, only high-voltage battery packs.

*Got a tip? Email [tips@thedrive.com](<mailto:tips@thedrive.com>)*

## Author
Chris Rosales is a former staff writer for The Drive. He covers a myriad of topics, mostly focused on the technical side of automobiles as well as performance driving and automotive history. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he frequents the Southern California canyons and car culture.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-rosales-837bb1172/>)  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/chrishasacamera>)  
[Twitter](<https://www.twitter.com/chrishasacamera>)

## More

- [Ford Recalls F-150 and Super Duty Pickup Trucks Once Again for Risk of Catching Fire](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/27374/ford-recalls-f-150-and-super-duty-pickup-trucks-once-again-for-risk-of-catching-fire.md>)
- [Ford F-150 Lightning Production Shut Down for at Least a Week Over Battery Issue](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/ford-f-150-lightning-production-stopped-after-battery-defect-found-may-be-a-few-weeks.md>)
- [First Ford F-150 Lightning Recall Affects 2,900 Electric Trucks](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/first-ford-f-150-lightning-recall-affects-2900-electric-trucks.md>)
- [Ford Recalls 2 Million Ford-F150 Pickup Trucks Due to Risk of Fire](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/23394/ford-recalls-2-million-ford-f150s-due-to-risk-of-fire.md>)
- [2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Base Price Jumps Again, Now $20K Over Launch](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/2023-ford-f-150-lightning-base-price-jumps-again-now-20k-over-launch.md>)
- [Factory Fire Leaves Ford Without Enough Aluminum to Build the F-150 Lightning](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/ford-f-150-lightning-best-selling-electric-pickup-production-stop.md>)
- [Volvo Is Recalling Over 40,000 EX30 EVs Because Their Batteries Could Catch on Fire: TDS](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/volvo-is-recalling-over-40000-ex30-evs-because-their-batteries-could-catch-on-fire-tds.md>)
- [Ford Fusion PHEVs Recalled for Loss of Power and Fire Risk](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/ford-fusion-phev-recall.md>)