It’s pretty easy to get all charged up by the Ford F-150 Lightning. It’s one exciting electric truck that’s taking the market by storm. However, is this new truck reliable? Does it have expensive repairs? Also, do you know how much it costs to replace the Ford F-150 Lightning‘s battery? 

How much does it cost to replace the Ford F-150 Lightning’s battery? 

Replacing the Ford F-150 Lightning battery can cost around $30,500 or $4,400 per module, depending on which dealer you purchase it from. This is the cost for the standard range and the extended range battery pack. 

Other automotive journalists found a local extended-range battery with 320 miles of range for $35,960 and a standard-range battery with 230 miles of range for $28,556. At those prices, you could buy a used truck! 

But the battery is covered by the warranty. The Ford F-150 Lightning battery is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles based on which comes first, and it should retain 70% of its original capacity during that period. 

Batteries will degrade over time. Just like a cell phone battery, the charge may not last as long over time. Experts estimate that electric vehicle batteries may degrade by about two to three percent over time. 

But on a positive note (yes, that’s a battery pun), the risk of the battery randomly failing is low. Ford sold 15,617 Lightning models last year, and there’s only one high-profile replacement that can be found online. 

In March, Ford released a recall for 18 models because an electrical short could lead to a fire. Most of the impacted trucks were still at the factory, and Ford was unaware of any injuries or accidents related to the problem. Ford replaced the high-voltage battery packs at no cost to the driver.

How reliable is the F-150 Lightning? 

Currently, the Ford F-150 Lightning doesn’t have an official reliability ranking. It’s still brand new and needs to be put through paces. However, critics predict that it should at least be average.

The 2023 F-150 Lightning has racked up 80 complaints so far. That’s relatively low, and the most common issue is related to electrical problems. Driver experiences flashing infotainment screens, freezing reverse camera views, the failure to start, and getting stuck in accessory power mode.

You can expect the average gas-powered Ford F-150 model to last between 200,000 to 250,000 miles. But some models bit the dust around 150,000 miles while others have surpassed 300,000 miles. The engine type and proper care can impact its lifespan. 

Drivers struggle with the Ford F-150 Lightning’s range when it’s cold out and while towing. But this doesn’t impact its reliability score. Also, Ford released information on maintaining a better charge when it’s cold out. 

How to protect your F-150 Lightning battery

As far as we know, the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning doesn’t have any battery problems to be concerned about.  But you can try to protect the battery.

Avoiding exposure to extreme heat while parking can help save your charge. Park in the shade or plug your vehicle in to avoid having the thermal temperature system drain the batteries to keep things cool. 

Avoid overcharging your vehicle. It could help its performance by keeping it between 25 to 75% charge. Also, fast charging stations could strain the battery, causing it to degrade faster. 

If you need to replace the battery in the Ford F-150 Lightning, then it could come at a pretty high price. However, the warranty provides pretty good coverage, and significant issues haven’t emerged.

How many recalls does the F-150 Lightning have? 

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning currently has eight recalls, and he 2023 model has two. That’s a bit higher than expected. The first issue involves inoperative windshield wipers that reduce visibility. Also, flicking parking lights may reduce visibility. 

Improper airbag deployment increases the risk of shrapnel, and some of the wheel lug nuts may have been improperly tightened, causing the wheel to separate from the vehicle. Plus, the drive shaft may fracture, resulting in the loss of power. 

Something is up with the steering wiring that may cause the wheel to turn in unintended directions, the trail brakes may fail, and there’s another driveshaft issue. 

These problems seem to be related to electrical issues and manufacturing problems. The Lightning has racked up 95 complaints related to these issues. 

The 2023 model has recalls for an inoperative windshield defogger, limiting visibility in cold weather, and battery short that may increase the risk of fire.

Perhaps these problems will be solved by the time the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning hits the streets. But we have to wait a little longer for an official reliability ranking.