2022-2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev Stability Control Recall (23V801)
Ford Motor Company · 5,118 vehicles · Reported November 28, 2023
Ford Motor Company is recalling 5,118 2022-2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev vehicles. The SYNC software may fail to activate the electronic stability control (ESC) system at the beginning of each ignition cycle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems." Failure to reset the ESC to active may result in the driver unknowingly operating the vehicle without electronic stability control, increasing the risk of a crash. The fix is an over-the-air software update.
Recall 23V801 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 23V801000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 23C38 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | November 28, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2022-2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev |
| Units affected | 5,118 |
| Component | Electronic Stability Control (Esc) |
| Safety risk | Failure to reset the ESC to active may result in the driver unknowingly operating the vehicle without electronic stability control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Over-the-air software update |
What is wrong with the 2022-2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev in recall 23V801?
The SYNC software may fail to activate the electronic stability control (ESC) system at the beginning of each ignition cycle.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150 Lightning vehicles. The SYNC software may fail to activate the electronic stability control (ESC) system at the beginning of each ignition cycle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Is it safe to drive a 2022-2023 F-150 Lightning Bev with recall 23V801?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Failure to reset the ESC to active may result in the driver unknowingly operating the vehicle without electronic stability control, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Failure to reset the ESC to active may result in the driver unknowingly operating the vehicle without electronic stability control, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the electronic stability control.
Which vehicles are included in recall 23V801?
Recall 23V801 covers 5,118 vehicles: 2022-2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev.
NHTSA lists 5,118 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | Ford | F-150 Lightning Bev |
What is the fix for the F-150 Lightning Bev stability control recall?
Yes. The fix is an over-the-air software update.
The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C38.
When was recall 23V801 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 23V801 to NHTSA on November 28, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as December 21, 2023.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| November 28, 2023 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 23V801000. |
| December 21, 2023 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 34 months ago. If your F-150 Lightning Bev was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my F-150 Lightning Bev is part of recall 23V801?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V801 is open on your F-150 Lightning Bev, it will be listed there.
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 23V801000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.
What should F-150 Lightning Bev owners do about recall 23V801?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 23V801000 applies to your F-150 Lightning Bev.
- Call a Ford dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any electronic stability control symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are F-150 Lightning Bev owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 201 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 24 of them about the driver assistance.
Since recall 23V801 was reported on November 28, 2023, owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA about the driver assistance on these vehicles. 3 of them (17%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the driver assistance and were received on or after November 28, 2023, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related driver assistance issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 201 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 24 of them involve the driver assistance. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev: 110 complaints in total, 17 about the driver assistance
- 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev: 91 complaints in total, 7 about the driver assistance
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
Rear tailgate lights red and white fill up with water and stop working.
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11509782, filed March 1, 2023
On May 25, 2023 I was stopped at a red light with one car in front of me. My foot was not on brake because i use the one peddle feature. All of the sudden, my car accelerated and ran into the car in front of me.
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11524748, filed May 31, 2023
Unintended acceleration / rolling may occur when vehicle is remote started through Fordpass mobile application. The 1 pedal-drive vehicle setting is NOT preserved when using remote start. Vehicle may roll down hill upon entry.
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11534061, filed July 24, 2023
Can recall 23V801 make my F-150 Lightning Bev a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 23V801000 does not automatically make your F-150 Lightning Bev a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
Driver assistance systems such as automatic emergency braking, lane keeping and adaptive cruise rely on software and sensors. Phantom braking or a system that shuts off can be dangerous, and these complaints often return after an update.
This recall is handled by an over-the-air software update, so many owners never visit a dealer. If the problem returns after the update, take the 2022-2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev to the dealer and make sure the visit is written up on a repair order. An update that does not work is still a failed repair.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A software update can count as a repair attempt, especially if you complained about the problem or the update keeps being repeated. I've seen dealers do the same software update five or six times with no fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your F-150 Lightning Bev been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Ford F-150 Lightning Bev recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 23V801
Did the recall 23V801 fix work?
Since recall 23V801 was reported on November 28, 2023, owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA about the driver assistance on these vehicles. 3 of them (17%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed December 21, 2023.
Is the 23V801000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my F-150 Lightning Bev is part of recall 23V801000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 23V801000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Ford. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.