Oh no, the F-150 Lightning is pumping the brakes again! This could lead to further delays as Ford quickly scrambles to find a solution to a new battery issue. Until then, the models have ceased to be produced and shipped.
Why is Ford F-150 Lightning production paused?
Production and completed shipments have been temporarily halted due to a possible battery issue. Do you hear the creak of production lines stopping? It might get frustrating.
Production may be temporarily halted due to a possible battery problem detected during a pre-delivery quality check. But Ford spokeswoman Emma Berg did not go into detail about the issue.
Berg explained that the team is working hard on root cause analysis. Ford is doing the right thing for its customers by taking the time to correct potential issues before resuming production and shipments.
The order to halt shipments and halt production began early last week. There is currently no word on when things will get back on track. There is no sales stop order for F-150 Lightning models that are already in stock at many dealerships.
So dealers can sell existing stock. Ford added that it is not currently aware of any accidents or problems related to the potential battery problem.
How long does the F-150 Lightning battery last?
It uses two lithium-ion battery packs. The standard 98.0 kWh battery powers about 230 miles of range, while the larger 131 kWh extended range battery pack offers about 320 miles of range.
F-150 Lightning batteries are covered by an eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty, whichever comes first. Also, the battery must hold at least 70 percent of its charge over that period.
Ford plans to have 600,000 electric vehicles available globally by the end of 2023. Nearly 150,000 of these models will be Ford F-150 Lightning trucks in North America. About 70 percent of the battery capacity is set to deliver 2,000,000 EVs annually by 2026.
To achieve this goal, Ford is working with Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) to provide batteries for the Mustang Mach-E and Lightning in 2024. It is the largest supplier of batteries in the world.
How long is the F-150 Lightning waiting for?
The average wait time for a form is four to six months if you’re lucky. Some people may wait more than a year. Also, at one point, the booking list reached three years!
Ford doesn’t seem to be sure of the cause of the mysterious battery problem, so that doesn’t make much sense. However, there may not be an outstanding issue that needs to be corrected. This would be the best case scenario for Ford.
With each passing day, production and shipping delays are increasing. Hopefully, the new F-150 Lightning will be back on track soon.
Also, it’s probably best if they catch the potential problem early. That way, Ford may be able to avoid an expensive recall. Stay tuned for the latest updates.
