Multiple Ongoing Water Leaks - Entering Arbitration

[Lytning Stryks]

So sorry you're having these issues...it sucks. That being said..it sounds like you're in the same situation I was in and you will get taken care of in the end. It's not a fast process, however.

1. Have you opened a case with the BBB Autoline? If not, that is the first real step...I didn't get anywhere with Ford until I opened a case with the BBB. If you have, you have to continually be on them. It moves at a glacial pace and the communication is very slow. Don't be shy to just continually reach out.
Website if you don't have it: https://bbbprograms.org/programs/all-programs/bbb-autoline/how-bbb-auto-line-works

2. Document EVERYTHING. Dates, mileage, receipts, etc. Keep it all. Every single conversation, write a summary to yourself.

3. Your initial offer from Ford (once you get to that point) will be your state's lemon law exactly. DO NOT accept this. This is the base you'll receive...they are bound to it but you are not. That's true of the entire negotiation process.

4. Get a loaner. I wasn't able to get one from the dealer my truck was at but I got it through another Ford dealer. They'll match the $60/day limit Ford will pay for a rental truck (must be a Ford). They did reimburse me for a few days of a rental via Enterprise @ $100/d also. Again, document it all.

5. Depending on your state...you'll get it all back minus some "wear and tear" for mileage you put on. That is also a negotiable number. I was able to get mine cut down 1/3 of the initial offer, adding $2k to my pocket. I've heard some people get it 1/2 and some even completely waived. I think the lower your mileage the better chance you have at a higher %. My truck was at 12k miles.

6. Don't forget to send them receipts for things such as: Electrician fees for installing your charger(s), any chargers you purchased (I had 2 since I had one installed at my studio), any accessories you added or purchased specifically for the truck (that cannot be removed within reason). I got my window tint, stubby antenna, center console organizer and Builtright seatback release all refunded to me in full.

7. Stand firm, stay calm and be patient. It was hard for me....ha!

In the end the truck cost me less than $4k to drive for a year and all my expenses were reimbursed so really, I probably came out ahead since I have things like a new 50amp circuit in my garage, etc.

Thanks, I really appreciate the advice. I have not reached out to BBB. Will do so ASAP. I have been documenting everything pretty well, just in case though.

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[Lytning Stryks]

Mine was from the cabin vents behind the rear seat. I think I actually caught it early because I noticed condensation on some tools I had under the back seat and the carpet felt moist under the seat. Unfortunately, the dealership first said there was nothing leaking, then a few days later, after another rainstorm, I showed them there was clearly moisture inside and it was starting to smell quite bad. Then it just sat at the dealership for a month waiting for parts that were on backorder (it was not driveable as I expect there was mold and the smell was pretty bad). I suspect the dealership left it outside, so continued to get wet and with all windows closed for a month waiting for the parts to arrive. By that point the smell had penetrated everything.

 

[RandomguyinPNW]

I had multiple leaks but there are a few that are VERY common on F150's in general, not only the Lightning.

The most common one seems to be the cabin vents located behind the back seats. This is an easy one for you to check. They don't get clipped in all the way so they can leak water. If you push on them and they move, they're not installed right. They have to remove the entire bed to fix it since there isn't enough space to get in there outside and they clip on from the exterior.

There is also a common seam leak in the front corner below the windshield.

There is also a common issue where the overflow drain tubes on the moonroof are either clogged or the hose is pinched off during installation. This leads to leaking in the headliner and/or down the pillars.

Mine was also leaking:

-missing rivets somewhere in the rear
-missing body seam sealer on rear c pillar area
-cracked seam sealer on other side

These are impossible to see unless you rip the interior out.

 

[pja3668]

I’ve heard a “sizzling-type” noise before, after a rain storm. Like water in a frying pan, not an electrical sizzling (*maybe I was wrong on that). The noise was apparently water getting into the AC fan/system. It would go away if I shut the system off altogether. This time the truck smelled bad, like rotten food. I dug into it and found the cabin air filter was wet (yesterday 9/3/24). I let the system run so it would dry out. This morning I took the filter out because of the smell and looked around and saw standing water on cavities around the filter housing. I checked the floor but I think it’s already dry to the touch. I would bet it was probably wet too. I have an appointment tomorrow morning