Powertrain Malfunction/ Reduced Power

[Wonko]

Well, I think I finally figured out why I've been having random electrical issues with my truck. Last night, I got the dreaded Powertrain Malfunction Wrench of Death—reduced power mode kicked in, limiting me to about 57%. Fingers crossed I can limp it to the dealership. Literally just picked it up from getting the rear window replaced with a melted defroster connector, and the fault came up when I pulled into the garage.

I pulled out the OBD-II reader and got the following codes:

• POB24-21 – Hybrid/EV Battery "A" Voltage Unstable
• POE15-00 – Hybrid/EV Battery Pack Coolant Heater "A" Control Performance

My assumption is that I’ve got a failed battery pack somewhere in the unit, which might explain some other weird electrical gremlins I’ve been dealing with:

• My 12V battery randomly failed about three weeks ago.
• My rear window defroster connector melted and caused the glass to shatter.
• Other random electrical glitches have been popping up.

I'm thinking these issues are all connected. If the HV battery has been throwing out unstable voltage, it could be messing with the 12V system via the DC-DC converter, leading to erratic electrical performance and failures.

Now it’s off to the dealership to see what they find. Hopefully, the parts are more readily available now because I really don’t want this to turn into a long-term nightmare. I’ll update once I get a diagnosis.

@Ford Motor Company

Mine had that set of codes and there was a bad heater assembly, which apparently is also responsible for circulating coolant for the battery pack. 2 failed modules before the dealer finally decided to run the heater assembly diagnostics. Did the bad pump cause the module failures? Hard to say - but have them check it.

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[riceilove]

After over a month of the truck in the shop, Ford finally gave me a call today that they've approved the buy back!

Recap:

• 2/7/24 - Purchased 2023 Lariat
• 9/30/24 - 10/7/24 - Truck in service due to:
  • When shifted into reverse, all but front parking sensors would go off when they're not supposed to
  • Frunk doesn't open past 6"
  • Some software related open recall
  • Upon picking up the truck, the parking sensor issues still persisted, but only with the driver side rear corner / tailgate one. Whatever I could live with it
• 12/23/24 - Dropped off at dealership due to battery module failure. Not sure which one, but got the dreaded yellow wrench + reduced power to 57 + can't charge past 60%ish
• Late Dec - Early Jan - Got in touch with BEV team since no loaners were provided
• 1/15/25 - Got approved for a rental. Had to be Ford and under $60 per day
• 1/17/25 - Submitted official request for a buyback as I'd met my state's minimum requirements for a lemon
• 1/28/25 (Today) - Ford buyback team reached out and informed me of the approval
• The truck is still currently at the dealership lol
• TBD with offer timeline and details. Could be as quick as a couple of weeks or as slow as just under a month...

Buyback team member requested some documents such as registration, DL photos, bill of sale, and any receipts of out-of-pocket expenses of repairs and aftermarket add-ons (tint, spray liner, etc). I had just sent them over and hopefully they finalize an offer for me ASAP. Will likely negotiate additional $ since the truck was out for over a month and they couldn't get me into a truck loaner/rental + I've heard folks have success with negotiating the usage as well.

Huge weight off my shoulders and hoping the offer includes a Ford credit towards a new vehicle. I'll be looking to get one of the 2024 F150 Powerboosts that are still on many lots here. Really loved the lightning when it worked, but this headache is just not worth the risk to go with another EV for now.

Hopefully my write-up helps those of you in similar situations!

Alright a bit of an update on the buy-back for my 2023 Lariat for those of you who care. I submitted all of the requested paperwork to the buyback rep on 1/28. She moved very quickly and got back to me with an offer within 10 days (originally said it could take up to 20-30 days). I negotiated some of the terms, and was sent a revised offer a few days later.

I accepted the offer and have a vehicle surrender date set for next week. Very bittersweet for sure, but honestly relieved that I don't have to worry anymore about a random battery malfunction that could lead to 45 days in the shop.

Like a masochist moth to a flame, I've decided to stick with Ford and go for a 2024 F150 Lariat Powerboost that I've managed to get $12k under MSRP for. Fingers fucking crossed lol...

Anyway - I'm sorry so many of y'all are experiencing these issues and even more so for the folks who are out of their lemon law requirements or warranties. 1st gens are just not mature enough, but the potential is there. Love the truck, hate the issues more.

Edit: Seems like I have a used mobile charger and a brand new, unopened FCSP if anyone is interested in buying off me lol

 

[MotoGary]

Welp, you can add me to the spreadsheet! I hopped in this morning to run a quick errand and get a carwash, and was greeted with the yellow wrench on the display and the red ring at the charge port. 2023 XLT build date 12/23, 6,200 miles

I finished my errand with no problems--Then it was off to the carwash. I had visions of the truck locking up in the conveyor tunnel mid-wash and causing the whole place to shut down for the day until Ford could somehow rescue me! In retrospect, I probably shouldn't have tempted fate. But luckily no problem.

When I got home, I immediately made an appointment with my dealer for tomorrow morning. They will send out a "service valet" to pick it up at the house. I'm mentally preparing for anything from a code reset (I know, not likely), to 3 months in the shop followed up by a Lemon Law claim.

Edited to add: I also received my Tesla adapter today too. What are the odds?
(No, I didn't use it yet...so there's no correlation)

Update: Here's a quick report on my surprisingly positive experience with the dealer. First off, they sent a valet service to pick up the vehicle from my home. Later that day, the Service Advisor called me with the diagnosis: Bad HVB module #3. They ordered the parts and said it would be 3-5 days. He said I could drive the truck until the parts came in. I started out with around 75% and he requested that I return it with at least 50% SOC.

While the vehicle was there, they performed two recalls: 24B56 - Front parking sensors, and 24P24 - Front hatch control module. The valet service then delivered the truck back to my home. Both recall procedures went well. I did notice that the red LVB battery dash light was on. I plugged the charger in and was surprised that the red ring of death was gone and the truck actually started charging!

The next day, the SOC was at 90%, the LVB battery was recharged, and the red dash light was off. However, that was short-lived as the red ring re-appeared and the powertrain malfunction notification returned when I tried to charge again. But I was still able to drive with no problem.

5 days later the parts came in and I took it back for the module replacement. They said it was a very complicated process and could take 3-5 days. I was expecting the worst. To my great surprise, they called later that day and said it was all done! They also did the 24S76 Upper control arm nut replacement at that time.

So I'm back on the road after less than a week. They performed 3 Recalls and a HVB module replacement. I'm extremely pleased with the exceptional response by the dealer (Larry H Miller Ford, Draper UT). I don't know how they could have done any better. Hopefully I can still say that after driving it more, but so far, so good!

 

[TaxmanHog]

So I'm back on the road after less than a week. They performed 3 Recalls and a HVB module replacement. I'm extremely pleased with the exceptional response by the dealer (Larry H Miller Ford, Draper UT). I don't know how they could have done any better. Hopefully I can still say that after driving it more, but so far, so good!

It is so inspiring to get positive news from users and proactive dealers!!

 

[Grumpy2]

A report of a great job by the Ford Dealer!

You may want to monitor the coolant level closely for a week or so.

 

[Joneii]

Update: I got my truck back Wednesday. Everything appears to be in order.

For posterity’s sake I asked how much replacing 1 battery module would cost me if I had not still been under warranty. My dealer said they billed Ford for 16 hours of labor at $140/hr. They didn’t know the price of Module 1 as Ford just sends it to them without billing them if it is for warranty work.

So the labor alone was $2200 + whatever that module costs ( my service manager said he’d guess it at $8k, but he suspects the price will be lower as the trucks get older). $10200 is a big self-warranty price tag. There are nine battery modules. I suspect I might eat this cost if the truck survives to 200k miles as it does save me significantly on fuel and maintenance. The problem is that these issues don’t seem to have a mileage pattern.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Update: I got my truck back Wednesday. Everything appears to be in order.

For posterity’s sake I asked how much replacing 1 battery module would cost me if I had not still been under warranty. My dealer said they billed Ford for 16 hours of labor at $140/hr. They didn’t know the price of Module 1 as Ford just sends it to them without billing them if it is for warranty work.

So the labor alone was $2200 + whatever that module costs ( my service manager said he’d guess it at $8k, but he suspects the price will be lower as the trucks get older). $10200 is a big self-warranty price tag. There are nine battery modules. I suspect I might eat this cost if the truck survives to 200k miles as it does save me significantly on fuel and maintenance. The problem is that these issues don’t seem to have a mileage pattern.

We've been discussion the cost in another thread, a member shared a tid-bit about cost of a one module swap here https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/bad-battery-module.24376/post-479445

 

[Lightning64]

Well, I think I finally figured out why I've been having random electrical issues with my truck. Last night, I got the dreaded Powertrain Malfunction Wrench of Death—reduced power mode kicked in, limiting me to about 57%. Fingers crossed I can limp it to the dealership. Literally just picked it up from getting the rear window replaced with a melted defroster connector, and the fault came up when I pulled into the garage.

I pulled out the OBD-II reader and got the following codes:

• POB24-21 – Hybrid/EV Battery "A" Voltage Unstable
• POE15-00 – Hybrid/EV Battery Pack Coolant Heater "A" Control Performance

My assumption is that I’ve got a failed battery pack somewhere in the unit, which might explain some other weird electrical gremlins I’ve been dealing with:

• My 12V battery randomly failed about three weeks ago.
• My rear window defroster connector melted and caused the glass to shatter.
• Other random electrical glitches have been popping up.

I'm thinking these issues are all connected. If the HV battery has been throwing out unstable voltage, it could be messing with the 12V system via the DC-DC converter, leading to erratic electrical performance and failures.

Now it’s off to the dealership to see what they find. Hopefully, the parts are more readily available now because I really don’t want this to turn into a long-term nightmare. I’ll update once I get a diagnosis.

@Ford Motor Company

Got an update from the dealer on Saturday. They still do not have the replacement HV battery module and Ford has not given them a delivery date. It is not on backorder, but the system has also not given a date for delivery. Will update when I get the vehicle back.

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