Rear motor death by exsanguination.

[FrunkMonk-e]

Three weeks ago (April 11th) after 3,700 miles on my 2023 Lariat, the rear motor had a catastrophic failure.

I was decelerating from about 40mph and turning into my neighborhood when I felt something weird in the back of the truck. As I came out of the turn and began accelerating something didn’t feel right.

After exiting the truck, I noticed a trail of fluid up my driveway. I pulled the truck forward, and there was a puddle of red dielectric fluid (see attached photo). That trail of fluid leads all the way back to where I turned into the neighborhood.

The next day, I had Ford roadside assistance tow it to a nearby dealer. The dealer said the rear motor was ‘blown” and there was a decent sized hole in it. (I’ve asked for photos. If I get them, I’ll share them.)

What shocked me is that the service advisor said this was the fourth one he has seen! If one dealer has seen this four times, how often does this happen?

The original estimate was 10 days. It’s now been 21 and they don’t even have the part. I’m hoping this doesn’t take three months like the service advisor said the first one did.

Update 5/20/24
Received photos of the hole in the housing. The dealership was expecting to receive the necessary part(s) today. Hoping this doesn’t go beyond six weeks.

Final Update

Got the truck back yesterday (5/23). It ended up being six weeks to the day. The service advisor said Ford would take the failed motor and dissect it to see what happened. He also said they don’t ever report back. It’s good to finally have the truck. Hope this remains a very rare occurrence.

 

[DesertEV]

Three weeks ago (April 11th) after 3,700 miles on my 2023 Lariat, the rear motor had a catastrophic failure.

I was decelerating from about 40mph and turning into my neighborhood when I felt something weird in the back of the truck. As I came out of the turn and began accelerating something didn’t feel right.

After exiting the truck, I noticed a trail of fluid up my driveway. I pulled the truck forward, and there was a puddle of red dielectric fluid (see attached photo). That trail of fluid leads all the way back to where I turned into the neighborhood.

The next day, I had Ford roadside assistance tow it to a nearby dealer. The dealer said the rear motor was ‘blown” and there was a decent sized hole in it. (I’ve asked for photos. If I get them, I’ll share them.)

What shocked me is that the service advisor said this was the fourth one he has seen! If one dealer has seen this four times, how often does this happen?

The original estimate was 10 days. It’s now been 21 and they don’t even have the part. I’m hoping this doesn’t take three months like the service advisor said the first one did.

Sorry to hear this. The red puddle looks like a crime scene. What is your build month and year?

 

[FrunkMonk-e]

It was built in October of ‘23 and delivered at the end of January.

 

[Montecarlossfan]

It was built in October of ‘23 and delivered at the end of January.

Hopefully this isn’t a pattern, I have a same build date lightning xlt…

 

[DesertEV]

It was built in October of ‘23 and delivered at the end of January.

That is crazy. Mine is Sept 2023 build date. You should talk to the BEV team at 1 (800) 392-3673 if your dealer is not covering expenses and if nothing is getting done.

 

[The Weatherman]

 

[TaxmanHog]

Really curious to see the photos, case fracture because of casting weakness, parking pawl miss engagement, other......?

 

[FrunkMonk-e]

That is crazy. Mine is Sept 2023 build date. You should talk to the BEV team at 1 (800) 392-3673 if your dealer is not covering expenses and if nothing is getting done.

My expectation is that Ford will cover everything under warranty.

I hope that this is just going to be a big inconvenience - not having my truck and driving around an ICE Explorer. (My wife and I are now fighting over the Mach-e).

And I think I’m pretty fortunate that this happened close to home. I took the truck on an out-of-state road trip the week before.

 

[DesertEV]

My expectation is that Ford will cover everything under warranty.

I hope that this is just going to be a big inconvenience - not having my truck and driving around an ICE Explorer. (My wife and I are now fighting over the Mach-e).

And I think I’m pretty fortunate that this happened close to home. I took the truck on an out-of-state road trip the week before.

Glad to hear that. Ford has been good to me so far too with this truck…knock on wood. You are right, it could always be much worse. Gives you more time in the Mach-e!

 

[Maxx]

It was built in October of ‘23 and delivered at the end of January.

Too close to mine for comfort. Wish a quick resolution. Keep us posted.

 

[ctuan13]

Three weeks ago (April 11th) after 3,700 miles on my 2023 Lariat, the rear motor had a catastrophic failure.

I was decelerating from about 40mph and turning into my neighborhood when I felt something weird in the back of the truck. As I came out of the turn and began accelerating something didn’t feel right.

After exiting the truck, I noticed a trail of fluid up my driveway. I pulled the truck forward, and there was a puddle of red dielectric fluid (see attached photo). That trail of fluid leads all the way back to where I turned into the neighborhood.

The next day, I had Ford roadside assistance tow it to a nearby dealer. The dealer said the rear motor was ‘blown” and there was a decent sized hole in it. (I’ve asked for photos. If I get them, I’ll share them.)

What shocked me is that the service advisor said this was the fourth one he has seen! If one dealer has seen this four times, how often does this happen?

The original estimate was 10 days. It’s now been 21 and they don’t even have the part. I’m hoping this doesn’t take three months like the service advisor said the first one did.

Good ole ULV tranny fluid. I'm sorry that happened though, hoping it was just a fluke and that they get you taken care of soon!

 

[cal]

Very curious about the “decent size hole” thing. That doesn’t sound like a casting failure crack. I wouldn’t think a rock thrown up from road debris would have enough force to put a hole in a motor housing.

Oh yea I had to look up exsanguination! Thanks!

 

[MountainAlive]

Hope to hear more about the hole. If it was a fracture or a puncture.

 

[Tony Burgh]

Common at your local dealer but uncommon on this forum.

Sounds like something’s rotten in Denmark, er, Utah.

 

[TaxmanHog]

This video will help you understand the Lightning motor.

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