Ford Recalls F-150 Lightning EV Trucks to Fix Battery Defect
Ford Motor Company recently announced that it has recalled 18 of its F-150 Lightning electric pickup trucks to fix a battery defect. The automaker said that the root cause of a vehicle fire is tied to the supplier’s battery-cell factory. According to the company, the vehicles were sold to customers last year.
The defect seems to be limited to certain cells of the batteries manufactured by South Korean company Samsung SDI Co. Ltd. Due to the flaw, Ford will replace the battery packs in the affected vehicles with new ones. In the meantime, the company has advised all affected customers to stop driving their pickup trucks immediately, charge them outdoors, and keep them at a safe distance from structures and other vehicles. Ford said it will provide loaner vehicles until the new batteries are available.
The recall covers F-150 Lightning pickup trucks built between May 24 and July 1, 2021, and equipped with the extended-range battery option. The vehicles were built at the company’s Dearborn Truck Plant in Michigan. Ford said it has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the recall and will cooperate with the agency to ensure that the affected pickup trucks are repaired.
The automaker has also launched an investigation into the battery-cell factory that supplied the faulty cells. Ford said it will work with the supplier to ensure that the issue does not occur again in the future. The automaker is committed to the safety of its customers and will take all necessary steps to address any potential defects in its vehicles.
This is not the first time that Ford has faced issues related to its electric vehicles. In 2018, the company recalled its hybrid vehicles due to a defect that could cause them to lose power and stall. Ford also recently recalled its Mustang Mach-E electric SUVs due to issues with their high-voltage batteries.
In conclusion, Ford’s latest recall of 18 F-150 Lightning electric pickup trucks highlights the need for automakers to ensure the safety and reliability of their vehicles. While the company has taken swift action to address the issue, it remains to be seen how this will impact the sales and reputation of its electric vehicles. As consumers increasingly embrace electric cars, automakers must work to earn their trust by delivering reliable and safe vehicles.
Keywords: Ford, F-150 Lightning, electric pickup trucks, battery defect, recall, South Korean, Samsung SDI, battery packs, NHTSA, investigation, safety, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, Mustang Mach-E, high-voltage batteries.