My Lightning has been in the shop for 16-weeks, HVAC and other issues

[nc27101]

Well, at the 20-week mark, and after more parts installed, that did not solve the HVAC problems, ford has agreed to do a buyback. It's a bittersweet ending, as I did love the truck, the performance, the bypassing of all gas stations, the extra trunk storage, the economics of charging at work, etc.. but the final four+ months in limbo really did leave a bad taste.

For those of you who reached out through this site, I appreciate the advice. I still believe the Lightning product and platform are excellent, and especially for a first to market EV truck. I was an early adopter, and I simply feel that mine had a defect from the factory, and the issue was further compounded by the lack of experience at the service department when their "one EV trained Tech" tore into it.

Anyhow, I'll watch and see what happens with the upcoming models before ordering a replacement. Before diving in again, I want the lightning to have the NACS plug, and a heat pump - both of which I think will be in the 2025 models.

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[brtnstrns]

That's unfortunate but it's good that you're entering the buy-back phase.

Are you planning to replace it with anything in the meantime?

 

[Phineas Magliozzi]

Well, at the 20-week mark, and after more parts installed, that did not solve the HVAC problems, ford has agreed to do a buyback. It's a bittersweet ending, as I did love the truck, the performance, the bypassing of all gas stations, the extra trunk storage, the economics of charging at work, etc.. but the final four+ months in limbo really did leave a bad taste.

For those of you who reached out through this site, I appreciate the advice. I still believe the Lightning product and platform are excellent, and especially for a first to market EV truck. I was an early adopter, and I simply feel that mine had a defect from the factory, and the issue was further compounded by the lack of experience at the service department when their "one EV trained Tech" tore into it.

Anyhow, I'll watch and see what happens with the upcoming models before ordering a replacement. Before diving in again, I want the lightning to have the NACS plug, and a heat pump - both of which I think will be in the 2025 models.

I (and unfortunately probably a growing number of others) would like to know more about the buyback if you're wiling to share, either in this open forum or via DM. Your patience for waiting 20 weeks is astounding.

 

[rdr854]

Thank you. I was hesitant to go the lemon route for the first 2-months, as I generally dislike legal intervention and prefer to handle directly in most cases. However, when Ford corporate basically told me to keep waiting, at 60-days, I did engage with a lemon law lawyer.
So I already started the Lemon process, but in NY I am outside of the parameters for a buyback (18,000 miles). I may be able to settle for a little cash, but nowhere near the value in aggravation, time, fuel, and ongoing expenses of owning a vehicle I don't have possession of. And at this point, neither the dealer or Ford seems very motivated to make this a priority and communicate anything to me.

What about a claim under the federal Magnuson Moss Warranty Act?

 

[Txxthie]

the issue was further compounded by the lack of experience at the service department when their "one EV trained Tech" tore into it.

Anyhow, I'll watch and see what happens with the upcoming models before ordering a replacement. Before diving in again, I want the lightning to have the NACS plug, and a heat pump - both of which I think will be in the 2025 models.

Lack of experience is real. I called some Ford dealers around me in CT, regarding a reduced power notification I had months ago. My local dealership (1 mile away) only services BEVs at their other location 50 miles away, not convenient. Calls to other dealerships weren’t encouraging either. Not enough techs or they don’t see many BEVs.

I would not have had your patience. I would have lemoned that truck asap. I buy BEVs for their simplicity and reliability. I am sorry you have to go thru this experience. Fords thermal system is a mess of hoses and clamps, lots of off the shelf stuff cobbled together. Reliability and servicing were a concern of mine after seeing the Munro tear down videos.

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