That’s quite the headline! If your buddy bought another Ford F-150 Lightning after a breakdown experience with the first, it speaks to either remarkable optimism or a deeper appreciation for the truck despite its reliability hiccups.
Here’s a breakdown of what might be going on:
Many early owners have had issues, particularly:
Here are some possible reasons:
Here’s a breakdown of what might be going on:
Ford F-150 Lightning: Common Ownership Themes
Why Some Owners Still Love It:
- Unmatched Utility: The Lightning is still one of the few full-size electric pickups with real truck capabilities—tons of torque, towing capacity, and a huge front trunk (Mega Power Frunk).
- Driving Experience: It’s smooth, powerful, and quiet. That instant torque is addicting.
- Innovative Features: Vehicle-to-load (V2L) and even home backup power via bidirectional charging (Pro Power Onboard) can be game-changing.
The Problems (including getting stranded):
Many early owners have had issues, particularly:
- 12V Battery Failures: Ironically, the small 12V battery—not the huge EV pack—has stranded people when it dies and prevents the car from booting up.
- Software Glitches: Some Lightnings have experienced software bugs that require resets or service visits.
- Charging Challenges: DC fast charging performance can vary a lot, and Ford’s earlier versions didn’t always reach the advertised speeds.
- Towing Range Anxiety: When towing, the range can drop by 50% or more, which surprises first-time EV truck owners.
So Why Buy Another One?
Here are some possible reasons:
- Faith in Ford’s Updates: Ford has rolled out software patches and improved diagnostics, and some buyers believe they’ve worked out early kinks.
- Loyalty / Familiarity: Your buddy might love the truck's layout, tech, or work features and doesn’t want to learn a new system.
- Warranty Support: If the issue was covered and fixed professionally, he may have felt confident enough to try again.
- No Comparable EV Truck: Aside from Rivian and (eventually) the Silverado EV or Cybertruck, there aren't many solid electric pickup alternatives yet.
Pro Tip: What to Check Before Buying (or Re-Buying) a Lightning
- Ask if 12V battery issues have been resolved or updated.
- Make sure firmware/software updates are current.
- Test charging at a DC fast charger before relying on it.
- Use FordPass app for live diagnostics and remote updates.