Ford F-150 Lightning Production Halted Due to Battery Issue – Here’s Why

In the past few years, General Motors has faced reality and recalled its popular Chevy Bolt EV due to fire concerns. The production of Ford’s wildly famous and sought-after Ford F-150 Lightning pickup has now been halted due to fire risk in the popular pickup’s huge battery variant.

Due to a potential battery problem, Ford halted production and distribution of the F-150 Lightning; the halt has already been prolonged and could last for a few weeks.

At the start of last week, the strike began. In a statement on Wednesday, Ford said that the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center would stop producing cars until the end of the week.

According to Ford, the first delay occurred after a vehicle failed a post-production quality control test.

Ford said on Wednesday that engineers had found this problem’s underlying cause. The business anticipates drawing to a close its research by the end of the next week and using what it has discovered to improve the truck’s battery manufacturing procedure.

According to company spokesman Emma Bergg in an email statement, this might take a few weeks.

Ford announced that it would keep holding vehicles that have already been produced while it makes engineering and procedure changes.

Ford has only ever recalled the car once since it was introduced less than a year ago, and that recall involved a tire pressure sensor. Ford has not yet published a recall or notice related to this incident.

Ford is increasing the manufacture of the Lightning at the same time as this manufacturing stoppage. By the end of 2023, Ford had stated that it planned to produce 150,000 Lightning variants. Ford said that in 2022, it shipped 13,258 Lightning models.

Read Also: Things You Need To Know About 2023 Toyota Corolla 

Potential Vehicle Problems Caused By Charging

Now, if your car can access a high-speed or high-capacity charging unit, it’s likely that the frayed or contacting internal wires could degrade even more quickly. Because it’s a high-capacity unit, it could cause a flash fire.

Why would batteries burn? The batteries themselves hold the solution. Even though it’s not great if done correctly, the possibility of fire exists with modern batteries’ complex chemistry. 

Under the strain of high-capacity charging, the battery packs can quickly overheat, exploding the battery’s chemicals and case. The car will start to smoke and then burn pretty quickly.

That is what happened to the recalled Chevy Bolts. Ford seems to be implying that it is a problem with how things are being built with its revelation that it is a QC (quality control) issue, even though they aren’t explicitly saying it.

Ford has temporarily stopped all Lightning manufacturing. Since the issue only affects vehicles that are on the assembly lines or have just left the Rouge EV Center assembly site, it is interesting to note that trucks on dealer lots are still eligible for sale, which tends to indicate that it is a relatively recent problem. 

Factory shift cuts

Ford spokesperson Kelli Felker told the Free Press late last week that while some facilities had reduced their shifts, none had stopped producing. However, the Free Press discovered that production had been stopped since last week. Bergg opted not to give a timeframe.

Companies try to avoid creating vehicles that need warranty or recall repairs, which have recently cost Ford’s finances billions of dollars and are extremely expensive for any carmaker.

According to Jim Farley, the CEO of Ford, quality control is a primary priority.

The announcement of the company’s intention to build a new $3.5 billion battery plant in Marshall, Michigan, by Farley and Executive Chair Bill Ford was made just one day before this confirmation of a significant industrial disruption.

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