Ford F-150 Lightning Trucks Could Get Stuck in Off-Road Mode
» Posted December 25, 2023 • Resources | Share This Post
Ford is recalling more than 5,000 Ford F-150 Lightning pickup trucks over a software defect that could limit drivers’ control of the vehicles.
Certain pickups that got a previous over-the-air software update may remain in off-road mode at all times, Ford recently told federal regulators. Vehicles in off-road mode have reduced electronic stability control.
“The vehicle operator may not notice that the vehicle operates differently after receiving the OTA Update 6.3.0 and now remains in Off-Road Mode with a reduced ESC state after cycling the ignition,” Ford said in a defect notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “If the vehicle operator does not notice the ESC Off telltale in the cluster, they may not know the vehicle is in a reduced ESC state."
The problem increases the risk of a crash, Ford said.
The recall covers certain 2022 and 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning pickups, which were built between October 2021 and August 2023.
Ford plans to notify owners of recalled vehicles via mail by the end of December, the company told NHTSA. The automaker will provide an over-the-air software update. Owners will also have the option to bring their cars to local dealers for the update.
Owners who already paid to have vehicles fixed prior to the recall can seek reimbursement from the company, Ford said.
Sadly, Ford is no stranger to these kinds of recalls.
The company issued more recalls than any other auto manufacturer last year.
Ford announced a total of 67 separate recalls in 2022, data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show, far surpassing the 45 recalls by the next closest manufacturer, Volkswagen.
More recently, Ford called back some 230,000 Explorer sport utility vehicles that the company said could lose power or roll away. The move came months after the company recalled roughly 35,000 Mustangs that also could unexpectedly lose power on the road.
Legal Rights for Ford Owners in California
The California lemon law requires Ford and other car manufacturers to perform various repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty.
The law also forces manufacturers to buy back (or replace, in some situations) cars that they cannot or will not fix. That means compensating the owner for the car’s purchase price, as well as financing charges, rental car costs and other related expenses.
A manufacturer can instead offer to replace the vehicle, under the law. It is up to the owner, however, to decide whether to accept or reject this alternative arrangement.
An experienced California lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and explore your options.
How Our California Lemon Lawyers Can Help
At Bickel Sannipoli, our California lemon law attorneys have assisted hundreds of clients across the state stuck with defective or malfunctioning vehicles.
We are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney today.
