Powertrain Malfunction/ Reduced Power

[Ford Motor Company]

I had a similar warning a couple months ago. It went away after a single warning for me and once for my wife. 2 weeks ago my truck wouldn't turn on and it has been at the dealership for 2 weeks and they still haven't given me a diagnosis...

Hi there. This powertrain concern doesn’t sound like something we want you to experience with your Lightning truck. Should you need further help, please send us a PM with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer and I'd be happy to look into how I can assist you on my end. To send a private message, just click on our username and select "Start Conversation".

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[tjl2024]

I got the powertrain malfunction warning light last night on my truck with 600 miles on it. Power limited to 53% and regenerative braking not working. I dropped it off at the dealer today, but they won't be able to look at it at least until Monday. From reading this thread, looks like I'll be without a truck for a while.

 

[tnugentfl]

I got the powertrain malfunction warning light last night on my truck with 600 miles on it. Power limited to 53% and regenerative braking not working. I dropped it off at the dealer today, but they won't be able to look at it at least until Monday. From reading this thread, looks like I'll be without a truck for a while.

Hey there, unfortunately, it seems like you're dealing with the same battery problems a lot of us early Lightning owners are facing. I love my truck, but it's really frustrating that Ford isn't acknowledging how widespread this issue is. It seems like these trucks are ticking time bombs, and I'm worried about how much it'll cost to fix them once the warranty runs out. Hopefully, Ford will step up and do a full recall to replace these batteries, because as it stands, it feels like we're all just waiting for our trucks to break down.

 

[Jim Lewis]

I'd be interested to know how you folks experiencing battery problems drive on average. Do you generally take acceleration slow and easy or frequently accelerate to the max? I wonder if a high frequently repeated power draw on the battery is the straw that's breaking the camel's back? It shouldn't be that way, but maybe it's a factor Ford didn't nail down.

 

[GoodSam]

To help me complete my tracking spreadsheet (see my signature) of Powertrain failures, please let us know your Build Date (driver's door sticker) and Mileage on your truck, and any other updates on the repair needed...@BigWatts801, @Cptmorgemaker , @Seth1969 , @ytwytw , @Runaway Tractor , @tjl2024 , @Philipa902 . Thank you!

 

[Grumpy2]

maybe it's a factor Ford didn't nail down.

Great Question. There hasn't been any hint/report from Ford for these "failures".

I find it interesting that Ford continues to go with SK On, and there hasn't been any leaks about SK On changing their cell fabrication methods. Also other car makers are making deals with SK presumably using similar pouch cells, which seems unlikely if it is the result of poor QC during cell fabrication.

I have been wondering if it is just the BMS reporting a low voltage situation that others, say Tesla, have software in their BMS that will ignore this issue. From reading, it isn't unusal to have variation between cells, even with good manufacturing controls. Perhaps the current block on programing the powertrain module is also connected to this same topic??

The Tesla cells have different chemistry and different fabrication methods, and Tesla history involves replacing entire battery packs, but I don't know the numbers and %.

 

[Philipa902]

After having my truck for 2.5 weeks, they replaced the LVB and they fixed everything. They were surprised it worked and said they're not really sure what happened cuz they tried to jump the truck before that with no effect

 

[NCevGuyF150]

I'd be interested to know how you folks experiencing battery problems drive on average. Do you generally take acceleration slow and easy or frequently accelerate to the max? I wonder if a high frequently repeated power draw on the battery is the straw that's breaking the camel's back? It shouldn't be that way, but maybe it's a factor Ford didn't nail down.

Well, I have had a battery failure. And my truck is at the dealership. They said it would be a week and a half and now it is two weeks. I drive relatively like a grandmother. I’m slow to accelerate. I take the foot off the accelerator Before my stops. I have no regenerative breaking 57% power and unable to charge the vehicle with the power cord at home.

 

[Kiteboarderken]

My 2023 with 5K miles has been to 2 dealerships for a total of 5 times about the Powertrain malfunction. Just got it back on Wednesday and same light came on on Friday. They simply can't fix my truck and even though I enjoy driving the truck I feel like 8 times in for various repairs and they keep it for a few days to a week, is unacceptable on a truck that isn't even a year old and low mileage. Seems like they will milk it until warranty is out. I put in for a buy back ( I would trade for a new truck but it seems like they are having same issues) Ford said they would get back with me in 5 business days, been 20 and CRICKETS! I hate to lawyer up but they have some local lemon law ones locally so I guess since my dealer won't return my calls and texts, I will have to go that route.

 

[GoodSam]

@NCevGuyF150 @Kiteboarderken
Please let me know your Build Date (driver's door sticker), to track the likelihood of each model year's battery going bad (see my spreadsheet in my signature). Yes, it is the horrible time delays for repairs that are the worst part @Ford Motor Company .

 

[BigWatts801]

So just a follow up. After my truck sitting at the dealership for days for this error initially, I began getting the same warning daily and will no longer go away. Dealership says being it back in and expect it to be here for multiple days.

I cannot afford to use additional PTO at work due this issue that no one really wants to take responsibility for. The dealership is not offering a loaner and Ford is doing nothing to help. It's so frustrating this is happening 3 months after purchase and their solution is..."sir, please disregard this error" while my truck sits on the lot and I'm unable to have reliable transportation.

I don't know how these trucks got rated anything other than poor. Very frustrating!

 

[BigWatts801]

 

[GoodSam]

Even 2024 Flash having problems:
Lamonte Grulke
@GrulkeLamonte
2024 Flash model and it IMMEDIATELY has issues! Same service light and the gear shift is constantly shaking! I may be done with Ford
Update Finally got my lightning in the shop, and they said specifically battery module #3 has failed

 

[NCevGuyF150]

@NCevGuyF150 @Kiteboarderken
Please let me know your Build Date (driver's door sticker), to track the likelihood of each model year's battery going bad (see my spreadsheet in my signature). Yes, it is the horrible time delays for repairs that are the worst part @Ford Motor Company .

I would love to provide you with that information however I do not have my truck at the moment. It is at the dealership. Where it has been for two weeks.

 

[Kiteboarderken]

@NCevGuyF150 @Kiteboarderken
Please let me know your Build Date (driver's door sticker), to track the likelihood of each model year's battery going bad (see my spreadsheet in my signature). Yes, it is the horrible time delays for repairs that are the worst part @Ford Motor Company .

Sorry for late reply, 9/2023

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