2023 FORD F-150 Complaints

NHTSA Safety Defect Report – 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Tailgate Light Bar Condensation My 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning has moisture and condensation building up inside the rear tailgate light bar. It looks exactly like the issue described in Ford recall 23S30, also known as NHTSA recall 23V-418. Even though my VIN is not included in that recall, my truck is showing the same symptoms. The condensation collects behind the lens, especially around the reverse light section, and becomes worse after it rains or after I wash the truck. Lately, I’ve noticed the reverse lights flicker at times, which makes me think the moisture is getting into the electrical components. If the reverse lights go out or stop working properly, it becomes a safety concern because other drivers and pedestrians may not see that I’m backing up. This could easily cause an accident, especially at night or in parking lots. I brought the truck to a Ford dealer and was told that my VIN isn’t part of the recall and that I’m just outside of the 36,000-mile warranty. The truck currently has around 37,000 miles. They said they couldn’t replace the light bar unless Ford adds my VIN to the recall. The issue clearly matches the same defect Ford already acknowledged, which involves moisture getting into the tailgate light bar due to cracks or poor sealing. I believe Ford’s recall should be expanded to include more 2023 model trucks like mine that are having the same problem. It’s not an isolated case, and I’ve seen other owners reporting identical issues online with newer builds. Since this involves lighting that affects safety when reversing, it should be handled even if the truck is just outside warranty coverage. I can provide photos and a short video showing the condensation inside the light bar and the flickering reverse lights if needed.

The transmssion is shifting by itself from from a low gear (say 1st or 2nd) directly into 8th gear which bring the truck to a complete stop. This happend on May 30th while driving up my gravel driveway and I had the vehicle towed to the Ford Dealer where they inspected it and found nothing wrong. They said they did a software update but could not guantee that this would resolve the issue. I have been driving the truck with out issue up to today (10/21/2025) when it happened again in the same location. I was able to record a video of the dash and it is clear to see that it is shiting from 1st to 8th gear which brings the truck to a complet stop as that part of the driveway is uphill. I am concerned that if I was pulling out at an intersection and this happend I could get stuck in the intersection and hit by cross-traffic.

The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V512000 (Power Train). The contact was concerned about operating the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the vehicle was inspected. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Water intrusion into rear lightbar/back up/brake light assembly that has caused shorting of the back up lights and flashing of the brake lights. This is a known issue, NHTSA campaign 23V418000. Ford is refusing to cover replacement of this part.

Earlier this year, I filed NHTSA ID 11663872 when I noticed moisture collecting in the brake light assembly on my truck and Ford called this "normal", despite earlier issuing a recall for this very thing happening under NHTSA action 23V-418. Now, the brake light has failed completely, and Ford is denying coverage of this under my extended warranty with the following explanation: "your claim is denied due to water intrusion. A subject matter expert advised that Ford and Lincoln Protect will not participate in this claim as the lighting option only covers electrical failures on incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs, High Intensity Discharge (HID) and [Light-Emitting Diode] LED lamp assemblies. A mechanical failure of a lamp assembly that allows water intrusion (fogging/moisture) is not a covered failure. A resulting electrical failure from this moisture/water would be consequential to the mechanical failure and would not be covered." Having inoperable brake lighting and possibly reverse lighting as well is an obvious danger to the public and there is no messaging system in the vehicle to tell you those components are not working properly, and clearly the previous recall campaign that replaced the lens assembly the first time did not work.

Defective rear light bar allowing water intrusion causing some reverse lights and brake lights to malfunction including a running rear white light shining into the face of drivers causing a safety hazard

Transmission making whining noise. Started making whiny noise at 14,000 miles. Currently has 18,000 miles. Complained to the dealer, but dealer said that this type of transmission makes this kind of noise and it is normal. Which is not normal from everything that I’m reading. It’s basically the transmission is failing and it’s just a matter of time before it quits completely. I will attach a note from the dealer.

Rear light bar housing brake lights and backup lights have water inside the assembly. Water is causing shorting of the lights. It puts me and others at risk if it doesn't activate or activate at a bad time.

The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that her husband had taken the vehicle in for service at a local dealer. The dealer was aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V512000 (Power Train). The dealer inspected the rear hub bolt and became aware that the bolt had fractured. The contact's husband was advised to leave the vehicle at the dealer because it was not safe to drive the vehicle with the fractured bolt. The contact had been advised by the dealer that the remedy was not yet available to complete the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 29,828.

The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V512000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was at the dealer during routine maintenance. While the tires were being rotated, the end hub bolt detached from the vehicle. The contact received a letter from the manufacturer that the parts for the recall repair were available. The contact was later informed that the parts might be available by November 2025. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.