Production Issues Stop the Ford F-150 Lightning Again
Oh no, the Ford F-150 Lightning is pumping the brakes again! This may create further delays as Ford quickly rushes to find a solution for a new battery problem. Until then, production and shipment of the Ford F-150 Lightning models have stopped.
Why is Ford F-150 Lightning production paused?
Production and shipments of completed Ford F-150 Lightning models have been paused due to a potential battery issue. Can you hear the squeaking of the production lines coming to a stop? It’s probably depressing.
According to CNBC, production could be paused due to the discovery of a potential battery problem that was discovered during a pre-delivery quality inspection. But Ford spokeswoman Emma Bergg didn’t go into detail about the issue.
Bergg explained that the team is diligently working on the 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 stop-shipment order and production halt began early last week. There is currently no word about when things will get back on track. There is no stop-sale order for F-150 Lightning models that are already on the dealer lots.
So dealers can sell the current inventory. Ford added that it’s currently unaware of any incidents or issues associated with the potential battery problem.
How long will an F-150 Lightning battery last?
The Ford F-150 Lightning uses two lithium-ion battery packs. The standard range 98.0-kWh option cranks out about 230 miles of range, and the larger 131-kWh extended-range battery pack provides about 320 miles of range.
The F-150 Lightning batteries are covered by an eight-year or 100,000 miles warranty, depending on which happens first. Also, the battery should retain a minimum of 70 percent of its charge during that period.
Ford has been working to deliver 600,000 electric vehicles globally by the end of 2023. Nearly 150,000 of those models will be Ford F-150 Lightning trucks in North America. About 70 percent of the battery capacity has been sourced 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’s the world’s largest battery supplier.
How long is the wait for an F-150 Lightning?
The average waiting time for a Ford F-150 Lightning model is between four to six months if you’re lucky. Some people could be waiting for over a year. Also, at one point, the reservation list hit three years!
It sounds like Ford isn’t sure about what’s causing the mysterious battery problem, so that doesn’t boast much confidence. However, there might not be an outstanding issue to correct. That would be the best-case scenario for Ford.
With each passing day, the production and shipping delays are getting longer. Hopefully, the new F-150 Lightning will get back on track soon.
Also, perhaps it’s better if they catch the possible problem early. This way, Ford might be able to avoid an expensive recall process. Stay tuned for the latest updates.
