Buyer Research

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $45,000–$65,000. There is 1 high-severity known issue you need to know before handing over a check.

Kestrel Take

The electric F-150 — the Lightning offers strong power, a huge frunk, home-backup capability, and normal F-150 practicality, making it the most mainstream electric truck. Real-world range drops significantly when towing (physics, not a defect). Being a first-model-year EV, verify software updates and any early-build issues. A well-kept Lightning with a healthy battery and warranty is a compelling electric truck; verify battery health, charging, and set realistic towing-range expectations.

What we checked

Partly reconciled against public records, 2026-09-11

NHTSA holds 3,452 owner complaints for the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, and no recall campaigns.

A big number here usually means a lot of these were sold, not that it is a bad vehicle — popular models collect more complaints for the same rate of trouble. So the total on its own says little. What is worth reading is the shape of it. The largest single group is the transmission and drivetrain at 27%. That is notable without being overwhelming — worth checking, not worth panicking about.

Not written up yet: the fuel system (465 complaints). That group is in the public record and is not covered by the issues below. Treat it as something to ask about, not as absent.

Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.

Known Issues for the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.

Battery health / range (towing drop)Medium

Check battery health and range; note that towing cuts range dramatically. Verify remaining battery warranty (8yr/100k).

Repair cost (estimate): $0 under warranty / very expensive out

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under electrics and electronics (784).

First-model-year / softwareMedium

Early Lightnings had software updates and some early-build issues; verify updates and recalls were done.

Repair cost (estimate): $0-$1,000

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under electrics and electronics (784).

Charging hardware / home setupLow

Verify the onboard charger, any home charging equipment, and DC fast-charging function.

Repair cost (estimate): $100-$1,500

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under equipment and accessories (286).

Tire wear (heavy truck)Low

A very heavy truck; tires wear and cost more.

Repair cost (estimate): $800-$1,500

Source: not yet checked against public records.

Loss of motive power from a battery junction box fault (recall)High — wallet impact

A small number of Lightnings built between late 2022 and mid-2023 left the factory with a missing nut on a battery bus-bar connection, which can arc and cause a sudden, complete loss of forward and reverse power along with a dash warning, and raises fire risk. Ford's recall 24S11 covers the affected build window. Check the VIN for this recall specifically before buying.

Repair cost: $0 with the recall — verify it was performed

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the transmission and drivetrain (944).

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗Battery/range concerns
✗Outstanding recalls/software
✗Charging faults
✗Salvage title

Good Signs

✓Healthy battery, updates/recalls done
✓Remaining battery warranty
✓Charging equipment working

Found a specific Ford F-150 Lightning?

This page covers what goes wrong on the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.

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Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for this year. It stops short of the verdict, because that needs the photos.

Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.