Second F-150 Lightning recall hits rear light bar after dealer fastener error

Ford Motor Company has issued another recall of the F-150 Lightning after uncovering a defect in the rear light bar. The issue traces back to the 2023 campaign: dealers replaced the taillamps but used the wrong fasteners. Metal clips went in where plastic pins were specified, which led to fresh microcracks forming in the lens.

The error affects 14,834 trucks from the 2022 and 2023 model years built between October 2021 and March 2023. Owner notifications are slated to begin on November 7, 2025, with full repair instructions planned for spring 2026. So far, inspections have identified 47 vehicles with damaged lamps, and there have been no reports of fires or injuries.

The initial defect from supplier SL America could allow moisture to enter and cause the rear lamps to fail. After the first replacements, dealers fitted new panels, but the installation mistake forced Ford to launch a second recall.

Even after a temporary production pause caused by a fire at an aluminum supplier, the F-150 Lightning remains the best-selling electric pickup in the U.S., with more than 10,000 units sold in the third quarter of 2025. The truck’s sales momentum has held up, suggesting buyers still see the core product as compelling.

The quality hiccup arrives just as Ford rolls out the 2026 F-150 Lightning STX. The updated version gets tougher body cladding and a starting price of $63,345, while the nameplate maintains its lead among America’s electric pickups. A second recall over installation hardware is the sort of fix that should be straightforward at the dealer level, though the lengthy timeline to repair guidance is bound to test owner patience.