What 385 owners told NHTSA about the 2023 Ford F-150 Supercab

The turn signal stalk on my 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning intermittently requires excessive force to manually cancel after turns and lane changes. The stalk self-cancels normally roughly 50% of the time, but when the steering wheel does not rotate far enough to trigger automatic cancellation the driver must manually return the stalk to center. The condition is most reliably reproduced when the cabin has been elevated in temperature for an extended period and subsides once cooled. The issue predominantly affects right-hand turns and lane changes. The affected component is the turn signal stalk switch pack (multifunction switch), available for inspection. Diagnostic scanning confirmed DTC B124C stored in the SCCM. Based on my research this code indicates a Turn Indicator Stalk Switch Pack fault. The safety risk is threefold: first, a stalk that does not self-cancel sends false signals to other drivers. Second, manually forcing the stalk back to center diverts driver attention from vehicle control. Third, when the stalk releases under applied force it does so suddenly and without warning, and if the driver's hand is on the steering wheel this can cause an involuntary steering input, risking unintended lane departure at highway speeds. I am the second owner, having purchased from a dealership at approximately 60,000 miles. The defect was present at purchase and has worsened progressively to approximately 76,000 miles. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer as it is outside warranty. No warning lamp is present; however DTC B124C is confirmed via diagnostic scanning. I documented the issue in a video post which received responses from numerous affected owners: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11743666

2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Complete instrument cluster blackout while driving. Screen goes entirely black intermittently, lasting up to 30 minutes. Occurs while vehicle is in motion. Issue persists even after stopping and restarting vehicle. Loss of speedometer, battery state of charge, warning lights, and all driver information. This creates unsafe driving conditions with no way to monitor speed or critical vehicle systems.

NHTSA ODI 11733547

I am reporting a significant safety defect regarding the integrated rear light bar on my vehicle. The component initially developed visible stress cracks across the housing. This has now progressed to a total electrical failure of the unit. The light bar serves as a primary housing for the vehicle's brake lights and reverse lights. These lights no longer illuminate. This is a critical safety concern as it leaves the vehicle without functional signaling for stopping or reversing, significantly increasing the risk of a rear-end collision, especially at night or in low-visibility conditions.

NHTSA ODI 11733363

Rear light bar has water inside. Recall has not been fix since October 2025. Rear light flickering on and off. Been pulled over by the police

NHTSA ODI 11729037

The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers : 25V512000 (Power Train) and 26V104000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear axle shaft assemblies had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available for the repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The failure mileage was unavailable.

NHTSA ODI 11728597

The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (Power Train) and 26V104000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact was informed that parts needed to be ordered and was later informed that parts were on back order. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were expected to be available in the third quarter of 2026. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ODI 11727494

The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V512000 (Power Train) and 26V104000 (Exterior Lighting, Electrical System); however, the parts for the recall repairs were not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an oil change. The contact was informed by the dealer that a hub bolt had detached from the vehicle. The contact was informed by the dealer that the hub bolt had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that parts were not available and were on backorder. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ODI 11725357

The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH and hauling a trailer, the rear brake lights failed to illuminate. There were several messages displayed related to the trailer connection and brake lights. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the trailer was difficult to control, and the display screen inside the vehicle was flashing off and on. The vehicle was driven back to a storage facility. While reversing and attempting to park the trailer, the message that the trailer was disconnected from the vehicle was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was contacted and informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V104000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

NHTSA ODI 11721965

⸻ Highlight Summary: My 2023 Ford F-150 (VIN: [XXX] ) has intermittent rear tail lamps, brake lights, turn signals, and backup lights failure due to water intrusion. The right side has completely failed; the left side is beginning to fail, creating a serious safety hazard at night or in low visibility. Both the dealership and Ford Customer Assistance have avoided returning calls and are denying responsibility, and this is a common problem nationwide. ⸻ Complaint – 2023 Ford F-150 Rear Lighting Failure •Vehicle: 2023 Ford F-150, VIN [XXX] , ~73,000 miles •Issue: Intermittent rear tail lamps, brake lights, turn signals, and backup lights failure due to water intrusion •Right side: completely failed; left side: starting to fail •Safety Risk: Creates serious hazard at night/low visibility, increasing risk of rear-end collisions •Dealership: D-Patrick Ford Superstore, Evansville, Indiana, E. Walnut St. •Initially could not duplicate issue •Feb 7, 2026: confirmed problem, quoted ~$3,000 for repair •Truck returned “all lights working,” but right side still not functioning •Manufacturer & Dealership Response: Ford Customer Assistance and dealership are denying responsibility and avoiding calls, leaving the defect unresolved nearly a year •Nationwide Problem: Common issue reported by many F-150 owners, indicating widespread safety defect •Request: Immediate review and corrective action for this recurring and escalating safety hazard INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11720040

Rear Taillight assembly filled with water due to a crack. The water caused the bulb to burn out. Dealer tried to get Ford to cover the taillamp and the manufacturer denied the claim stating the crack was not a flaw in manufacturing. The dealer also said that they have seen several of these where the manufacturer wont cover this component under the bumper to bumper warranty. This assembly has never been tampered with, the truck has not been in an accident. The failure of this taillight is likely caused by over torqueing at ASSY at the plant. Besides being costly this is a safety hazard when brake lights and taillights fail. Also..this assembly I find out houses the module for the blind spot monitor.

NHTSA ODI 11706100

The driver side headlamp did not work. I noticed both left and right headlamps had moisture inside. I took my truck to the dealership and they told me I would have to get an appointment for them to take digital images of the headlamps to send to Ford Motor. So they sent me home with only one headlamp in working order. I made the appointment. It took 2hrs to get the digital images. A crack appeared at the bottom of each headlamp at the exact same spot. I left the dealership the second time with only one headlamp working. 24 hours later, Ford Motor told the dealership they believed it was caused by an outside collision and would not be covered by the bumper to bumper warranty. The dealership offered to replace at cost and suggested I contact the State Attorney General’s office and try to mediate Ford’s decision. I made an appointment to replace both headlamps after the weekend at their earliest opening. I have kept the faulty headlamps. I believe Ford Motor is trying to mitigate cost of a faulty product at the expense of public safety. The States Attorney General attempted to mediate. However, a Consumer Affairs Legal Analyst from Ford wrote that the warranty was denied because the headlamp was damaged in a car accident. It was not.

NHTSA ODI 11705041

The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact inspected the vehicle and became aware that the brake light located near the rear window was inoperable and the brake light had melted. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 33,321.

NHTSA ODI 11702937

The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the taillights, running lights, and indicators were inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. Upon further research, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V418000 (Exterior Lighting). The local dealer was contacted, the vehicle was visually inspected, but the vehicle was not officially diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 71,842.

NHTSA ODI 11700274

NHTSA Safety Defect Report – 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Tailgate Light Bar Condensation My 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning has moisture and condensation building up inside the rear tailgate light bar. It looks exactly like the issue described in Ford recall 23S30, also known as NHTSA recall 23V-418. Even though my VIN is not included in that recall, my truck is showing the same symptoms. The condensation collects behind the lens, especially around the reverse light section, and becomes worse after it rains or after I wash the truck. Lately, I’ve noticed the reverse lights flicker at times, which makes me think the moisture is getting into the electrical components. If the reverse lights go out or stop working properly, it becomes a safety concern because other drivers and pedestrians may not see that I’m backing up. This could easily cause an accident, especially at night or in parking lots. I brought the truck to a Ford dealer and was told that my VIN isn’t part of the recall and that I’m just outside of the 36,000-mile warranty. The truck currently has around 37,000 miles. They said they couldn’t replace the light bar unless Ford adds my VIN to the recall. The issue clearly matches the same defect Ford already acknowledged, which involves moisture getting into the tailgate light bar due to cracks or poor sealing. I believe Ford’s recall should be expanded to include more 2023 model trucks like mine that are having the same problem. It’s not an isolated case, and I’ve seen other owners reporting identical issues online with newer builds. Since this involves lighting that affects safety when reversing, it should be handled even if the truck is just outside warranty coverage. I can provide photos and a short video showing the condensation inside the light bar and the flickering reverse lights if needed.

NHTSA ODI 11695507

The vehicle was recalled in October 2023 for water getting into the tailgate lens that could cause the reverse lights to malfunction. The vehicle was brought in for repairs on Jan 24, 2024. I notice that the tailgate lens has water in it now.

NHTSA ODI 11673772

A considerable amount of water intrusion has occurred in the rear light bar which is for braking and reverse lights. After taking it to my dealer, Ford has stated that unless water is "pooled" inside the unit this is normal, and that some condensation inside the assembly is "normal". I don't believe a sealed unit is supposed to have any water inside it, and this is the exact issue that lead to the recall campaign 23S30, which was performed on this truck in probably late 2023. I am concerned that this water will lead to malfunction as is happening to many other owners on the discussion forums, and I won't know.

NHTSA ODI 11663872

The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway turned off and unattended, the contact became aware that all the interior and exterior lights were flashing. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V682000 (Exterior Lighting). The contact called the local dealer and was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and transferred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11657569

4 or more different trailers some new some old, have been towed by our truck. With all of them the truck gave a warning that the right turn signal was out, when hooked up to a GMC Sierra the taillights all worked fine. When this happens the brake lights go out and the blinker blinks quickly. While using a trailer with its own braking system, the truck gave a fault that the trailer battery was not charging and none of the lights worked, causing a huge safety concern when coming to a stop. After turning the truck off and back on it worked fine. We took it to a Ford dealer and was first told it was the trailer, they tried it on 3 trailers the tech had and the blinker issue happened on 2 of the 3. Then they told us our trailers were too old. We refused to take it back without further diagnostics. They performed a BCM update. The next time we hooked up a trailer was this past weekend and the same issue occurred. We are hesitant to bring it back in as we need the vehicle and last time the dealership had it for over 15 days. I Due to the nature of the issues, the problem either lies in the connector, wiring, trailer control module or worse case scenario the body control module. Ironically My husbands job recently bought a ford F550, an employee driving it while pulling a trailer said it did the same thing but with the left blinker. They hooked that trailer to a Chevy truck and all worked fine. This is clearly an issue with Fords Trailering system. What steps should we take to get this fixed. We haul a lot of trailers. The truck has just over 5000 miles on it.

NHTSA ODI 11653617

The headlights in cars that use these super bright ass lights are ridiculous! They need to be changed into normal headlights. The lights in auto parts stores say for offroad use only! The lights in cars now , they are brighter than the ones with the offroad use only warning. Please fix this crap. We can't see when there's oncoming traffic. It's going to cause much more than just accidents. Fix it.

NHTSA ODI 11565662