2023-2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev Upper Ball Joint Recall (24V949)
Ford Motor Company · 11,922 vehicles · Reported December 19, 2024
Ford Motor Company is recalling 11,922 2023-2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev vehicles. The front upper control arm ball joint nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the front upper control arm to detach from the knuckle assembly. A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle steering and control, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 24V949 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 24V949000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 24S76 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | December 19, 2024 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2023-2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev |
| Units affected | 11,922 |
| Component | Suspension > Front > Control Arm > Upper Ball Joint |
| Safety risk | A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle steering and control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2023-2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev in recall 24V949?
The front upper control arm ball joint nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the front upper control arm to detach from the knuckle assembly.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 F-150 Lightning BEV vehicles. The front upper control arm ball joint nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the front upper control arm to detach from the knuckle assembly.
Is it safe to drive a 2023-2024 F-150 Lightning Bev with recall 24V949?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle steering and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle steering and 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 upper ball joint.
Which vehicles are included in recall 24V949?
Recall 24V949 covers 11,922 vehicles: 2023-2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev.
NHTSA lists 11,922 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-2024 | Ford | F-150 Lightning Bev |
What is the fix for the F-150 Lightning Bev upper ball joint recall?
Yes. Dealers will inspect the upper control arm ball joint nut, and replace the nut and/or knuckle assembly, as necessary, free of charge.
Dealers will inspect the upper control arm ball joint nut, and replace the nut and/or knuckle assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S76.
When was recall 24V949 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 24V949 to NHTSA on December 19, 2024. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as February 10, 2025.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| December 19, 2024 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 24V949000. |
| February 10, 2025 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 21 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 24V949?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 24V949 is open on your F-150 Lightning Bev, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 24V949000 is open on your F-150 Lightning Bev, it will be listed there, along with Ford recall number 24S76. You can also ask any Ford dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should F-150 Lightning Bev owners do about recall 24V949?
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 24V949000 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.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Write down when symptoms involving the upper ball joint happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are F-150 Lightning Bev owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 140 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 4 of them about the suspension, wheels and tires.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the suspension, wheels and tires have been filed since recall 24V949 was reported (3) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 140 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 4 of them involve the suspension, wheels and tires. 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, 3 about the suspension, wheels and tires
- 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev: 30 complaints in total, 1 about the suspension, wheels and tires
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
I made a left-hand turn during a snow storm, and the right rear wheel slid and I made contact with the curb at a relatively low speed. The rear right wheel assembly failed and snapped, leaving the wheel assembly 90 degrees to normal. In other words, the wheel went from vertical to horizontal.
2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev owner, OH, NHTSA complaint 11645109, filed February 26, 2025
On my new Ford F-150 Lightning, five out of the six studs on the right front wheel sheared off, leaving just one lug nut and stud holding the wheel on. I took my truck into the Ford dealership who repaired the vehicle and it was returned to me.
2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11639466, filed January 29, 2025
Ford issued a recall for Ford Lightnings produced from November 2023 to February 2024, for the front ball joint nut falling off. Causing a loss of control, suspension and all steering input, later crashing. New truck with 700 miles.
2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev owner, MD, NHTSA complaint 11633994, filed January 3, 2025
Can recall 24V949 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.
A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
If a suspension or wheel problem on the 2023-2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev returns after the recall work, keep the repair orders. Repeat visits for the same defect are what California's lemon law looks at.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2023-2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Bev has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
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.
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 24V949
Is the 24V949000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed February 10, 2025.
How do I know if my F-150 Lightning Bev is part of recall 24V949000?
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.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
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 24V949000 (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.