On Thursday, Ford announced a voluntary safety recall of 18 F-150 Lightning electric trucks due to a battery issue that could cause a vehicle fire. The recall affects vehicles delivered to customers before the release date of September 2021.
The automaker said that the root cause of the problem is related to the battery-cell supplier's factory, which provided faulty cells that could leak in some rare cases. The recall is a proactive measure to avoid potential fire incidents, and Ford has not received any reports of incidents.
Customers affected by the recall will be contacted by their local Ford dealership and will have their trucks' battery packs replaced free of charge. The recall process should take less than a day, and Ford will provide rental cars for customers who need them.
The F-150 Lightning is Ford's first all-electric pickup truck, and the company is betting heavily on the vehicle to compete with other electric pickups from Tesla, Rivian, and General Motors.
The recall is a setback for Ford, which has seen strong demand for the F-150 Lightning, with pre-orders already exceeding 150,000 units. However, the company remains committed to delivering the vehicles to customers as soon as possible and ensuring that they are safe and reliable.
The F-150 Lightning is powered by a 105 kW PK03XL lithium-ion battery pack that delivers an estimated range of 230 miles on a single charge. The battery pack is located under the vehicle and is protected by a reinforced steel frame.
The PK03XL battery pack is one of the most critical components of the F-150 Lightning, and Ford has invested heavily in its development to ensure that it meets the highest safety and quality standards.
In conclusion, the voluntary safety recall of 18 F-150 Lightning pickup trucks is a cautionary measure taken by Ford to address an issue related to battery-cell supplier's factory that could potentially cause vehicle fires. Customers affected by the recall can expect to have their trucks repaired free of charge and experience minimal inconvenience. Ford remains committed to delivering safe and reliable electric vehicles, including the F-150 Lightning, to customers around the world.