Ford Recalls Over 18,000 F-150 Trucks
Ford Motor Company has issued a recall for certain 2022 F-150 pickup trucks due to a potential safety issue with the parking lights, according to a recent announcement from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). More than 18,000 trucks are included in the recall.
The defect could cause the parking lights to flicker when activating the headlights. While not a direct safety risk itself, flickering lights could momentarily distract other drivers and increase the chances of an accident.
Software Update to Correct Parking Light Issue
According to the NHTSA, Ford will be issuing a software update to correct the parking light defect. The update will reprogram the LED driver module that controls the lighting system.
Ford will notify owners of affected vehicles by mail starting January 14, 2023. Owners can then schedule service appointments with Ford dealers to have the software update performed free of charge.
In some cases, trucks that had previous incomplete recalls or unaddressed recalls related to the headlights may require additional remedies beyond just the software update.
Which Ford F-150 Trucks Are Being Recalled?
The recall covers certain 2022 Ford F-150 vehicles in the U.S. and federalized territories, including:
- F-150 trucks built at the Dearborn Truck Plant in Michigan between March 11, 2022 and July 22, 2022
- F-150 trucks built at the Kansas City Assembly Plant in Missouri between March 15, 2022 and July 23, 2022
So far, over 18,000 trucks are included in the recall. The NHTSA recall number is 23C36.
What Should Affected F-150 Owners Do?
Owners of 2022 Ford F-150 trucks included in the recall will receive notification letters from Ford starting on January 14, 2023.
To schedule service and get the software update performed free of charge, owners can contact their preferred Ford dealership. They can also contact Ford customer service directly at 1-866-436-7332 and reference recall number 23C36.
Getting the software update as soon as possible once notified is recommended, as the flickering parking light defect poses a potential distraction and safety issue while driving in low light conditions.
Until repairs can be made, owners should take extra care when activating the headlights, as the sudden flickering effect could momentarily distract themselves or other drivers. Using parking lights only instead of headlights is an alternative.
Ongoing Ford Recall Issues in 2022 Models
This Ford F-150 truck recall over flickering parking lights is not the first lighting-related issue in new 2022 models.
Earlier in 2022, Ford recalled over 30,000 SUVs and trucks with high series LED headlights. This previous recall included certain 2022 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, F-150, Maverick, and other vehicles.
The root cause was wiring harnesses for the LED lights that were not properly secured and could loosen over time. This would lead to loss of headlight function and increased crash risks from low visibility.
For some 2022 F-150 vehicles that had incomplete service or no service performed yet on the previous headlight recall, additional remedies will be needed on top of the new parking light software update.
So F-150 truck owners should ensure that all open recalls on their vehicle have been addressed and previous lighting repairs were completed. Checking with their dealer during service appointments can confirm recall status.
Conclusion: Ford Takes Action to Correct Safety Defects
By issuing recalls and providing free repairs for issues like the F-150 flickering parking light defect, Ford aims to proactively address potential safety risks with their vehicles. Recalls allow the company to update vehicle software, replace components, or make repairs before small issues lead to bigger problems on the road.
The parking light software update for over 18,000 new 2022 F-150 trucks is scheduled to begin in January 2023. Ford F-150 owners affected by recall 23C36 will receive more details on scheduling service by mail soon. Addressing the recall promptly will get their trucks working safely again.
