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Campaign 24V949 Posted December 19, 2024 11,922 units

2023-2024 Ford F-150 Lightning BEV Recall 24V949: Ball Joint

Recall 24V949 affects 11,922 2023-2024 Ford F-150 Lightning BEV trucks for a loose control arm nut. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.

Ford is recalling 11,922 2023-2024 F-150 Lightning BEV vehicles because the front upper control arm ball joint nut was not tightened properly. A detached control arm can cause loss of steering and control and increase crash risk; Ford dealers will inspect and repair the front upper control arm connection free of charge.

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What's wrong?

The front upper control arm on the 2023-2024 Ford F-150 Lightning BEV helps hold the front wheel assembly in position as the suspension moves. Its ball joint connects that control arm to the steering knuckle, the part that carries the wheel hub. A nut clamps the ball joint into the knuckle so the joint stays seated while the truck steers, turns, and rides over bumps.

On affected trucks, that ball joint nut was not tightened to the required torque, the tightening force, during assembly. Ford traced the problem to alignment between the nutrunner tool and the nut, which kept the tool from seating squarely on the fastener. If the nut loosens or is missing, the upper control arm can separate from the knuckle assembly.

Before separation, the driver can feel vibration while driving. A loose or missing nut can also cause a clunk or rattle as the suspension compresses and rebounds over bumps.

Who's affected?

The same upper control arm ball joint nut is listed for both model years.

2023 Ford F-150 Lightning BEV upper control arm
2024 Ford F-150 Lightning BEV upper control arm
Units affected11,922
Field incidentsNHTSA has logged 3 field incidents to date.

The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.

What's the safety risk?

A detached control arm can cause loss of steering and vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Vibration, clunking, or rattling during suspension movement is a warning sign that the ball joint nut needs prompt inspection. Drive cautiously and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2023-2024 Ford F-150 Lightning BEV is included in this recall.
  2. Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free upper control arm ball joint nut inspection and repair that keeps the control arm attached to the knuckle assembly.
  3. Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 24V949 and Ford recall 24S76 when you call.
  4. Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance and avoid hard steering inputs.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the upper control arm ball joint nut. If the nut or knuckle assembly is affected, the technician replaces the nut, the knuckle assembly, or both. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. Ford has a reimbursement plan for owners who paid for this repair before the recall notice. If you already paid out of pocket for a related upper control arm, ball joint nut, or knuckle assembly repair, bring documentation to the Ford service desk or contact Ford customer service to ask about reimbursement under that plan.

ReimbursementReimbursement available

Timeline

December 19, 2024 NHTSA published the recall
January 6, 2025 Dealer notification began
January 6, 2025 Dealer notification ended
February 3, 2025 VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
February 3, 2025 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)
February 10, 2025 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 24V949?

Recall 24V949 covers 11,922 2023-2024 Ford F-150 Lightning BEV trucks with a front upper control arm ball joint nut that was not tightened properly. The control arm can detach from the knuckle assembly, causing loss of steering and control. Ford dealers will inspect and repair it for free.

What should I do if my 2023-2024 Ford F-150 Lightning BEV is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 24V949. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the inspection. The dealer will inspect the upper control arm ball joint nut and replace the nut or knuckle assembly if needed. The repair is free.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Ford says dealers will inspect the upper control arm ball joint nut and replace the nut or knuckle assembly if needed, free of charge. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to complete the recall repair at no cost at any franchised Ford dealer.

Is it safe to drive my Ford F-150 Lightning BEV?

Ford has not issued a do-not-drive instruction for this recall. The safety risk is still serious because a detached control arm can cause loss of steering and control, increasing crash risk. Confirm your VIN, then schedule the free dealer inspection and repair.

When were owners notified about recall 24V949?

Ford mailed owner notification letters on February 10, 2025. If you bought the truck used or did not receive a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific F-150 Lightning BEV is included, then reference recall 24V949 when you call a Ford dealer.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/24V949000
Ford customer service1-866-436-7332
NHTSA recall #24V949
NHTSA recall # (full)24V949000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →