023 Lightning (Build 08/23) – No Heat / No Defrost Heat – Dealer says “failed heater assembly” (any insight?)

[ZSC100]

The Ford Lords deny, deny, deny. If a hose blows out that connects a drive motor, your fault. If the low voltage connector to the battery has corrosion, keeps the truck from driving, your fault. If the A/C compressor goes out and the truck can't cool the battery and limits driving power to 25% and you happen to live in Houston where it's over 100deg, sorry, your fault.

Basically the only thing Ford will fix/replace under the EV Powertrain warranty with no questions asked is the drive units and battery. Literally anything else that keeps the truck from driving takes careful and precises argument and fighting to get them to cover it, even though it can negatively affect the 3 items mentioned above. It's just the capitalistic nature of a large corporation. If they deny, deny, deny, statistically a HUGE % of people will just give up. But if you are persistent and seek advice from others in the community you can usually get them to do what's right, unfortunately they usually provide a solution that won't set a precedent for others to take advantage. It's terrible in the eyes of the small % of people who have issues, but in reality it's just capitalism moving toward a maximum profit like its programmed to do.

An example is that, one way they will rectify stuff like this (which would've been the next step for the OP) Is to request an ESP after the 2nd dealer refused warranty claim (if that would've transpired). But you see, when covered by an ESP that doesn't set a precedent that it will be covered for anyone else. Most people don't even know about the free ESP and/or what qualifies an EV owner for it. I was told 15days, but I've heard of others saying they were told 30days, maybe there is no magic #'s it's just based on how much you bitch and/or how your state's lemon laws are written. Oklahoma is 30days, if your vehicle is in service for 30days you are eligible for a buy back, no questions asked per law, but you think ford will just hand you MSRP cash on day 31,, LOL. No, it's just like this, you have to fight it for weeks,,, months,, with time and energy that most are not willing to spend.

Thankfully, the Ford Lightning is an EXTREMELY well built truck and even though there are thousands with issues, that's still a very small % of the 100k+ built.

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[TaxmanHog]

With the vagueness of what is & isn't covered ...... having an extended b2b warranty is in my humble opinion a very comforting safety blanket, YMMV.

 

[Maquis]

Basically the only thing Ford will fix/replace under the EV Powertrain warranty with no questions asked is the drive units and battery.

That‘s not accurate. Here is the from the warranty booklet:

My charge port and associated wiring on my Mach-E was replaced under the EV component warranty. I didn’t even have to ask. When I picked the car up, the service writer told me it was covered. The car was past the 3/36 warranty.

 

[ZSC100]

That‘s not accurate. Here is the from the warranty booklet:

My charge port and associated wiring on my Mach-E was replaced under the EV component warranty. I didn’t even have to ask. When I picked the car up, the service writer told me it was covered. The car was past the 3/36 warranty.

Thanks for posting this, but I have heard of both the DC/DC and SOBDMA both being paid for by customers under 100kmi,, I DO think it has a LOT to do with the dealer. I'm sad that this dealer wasn't interested in helping the OP. If he'd have just had some more time I think he could've got this 100% covered.

 

[Maquis]

Thanks for posting this, but I have heard of both the DC/DC and SOBDMA both being paid for by customers under 100kmi,, I DO think it has a LOT to do with the dealer. I'm sad that this dealer wasn't interested in helping the OP. If he'd have just had some more time I think he could've got this 100% covered.

I agree 100% about the inconsistency in dealer competence. Fortunately, I have a good one.

 

[ZSC100]

I agree 100% about the inconsistency in dealer competence. Fortunately, I have a good one.

Yea, me too, I had a Lightning Loaner no questions asked for 3 weeks, then on my 2nd module failure I had a MachE b/c Lightning was already loaned. Then when my front lightbar was flickering (like you see in videos, but in real life), my service advisor told me about the free ESP trick. This was like at 50kmi and I'm not sure what he did behind the scenes to help me get it, but it took about 3 weeks for it to become active, then he called me and scheduled the headlight module replacement. This isn't the dealer I bought the truck from either, I really don't get this crap of dealers getting pissy about you not buying the vehicle from them. They make the same warranty money either way and get the same loaner reimbursment from FMC.

 

[Joe Dablock]

This probably too late to help you , but here is a photo of my invoice with the heater assembly replacement. Mine was at 36,800 miles and missed recall by one month. Ford showed some mercy and covered 70 percent ($1,740).

 

[Joe Dablock]

Also, your truck should be covered under recall. See attachment:

 

[MountainAlive]

This probably too late to help you , but here is a photo of my invoice with the heater assembly replacement. Mine was at 36,800 miles and missed recall by one month. Ford showed some mercy and covered 70 percent ($1,740).

So it looks like they do indeed do a coolant flush when they replace the heater according to the 2 gallons line item.

 

[bc1]

It says it found a stored code. Wonder what the date was for the code? Might have been while under warranty.

 

[NH mike]

Hey everyone — looking for some insight from the community while I wait on the dealer to finish things up.


I have a 2023 F-150 Lightning with about 48k miles. Recently the truck completely lost cabin heat — and defrost is also blowing cold, so it’s not just “weak heat.”


I checked coolant and noticed it was slightly low, topped it off to the max line, but it didn’t change anything.


The truck is currently at the dealership. At first the service advisor texted something about an “aux heat pump” (which confused me because I didn’t think my build had a heat pump). Now they’re saying it’s a failed “heater assembly” and they’re currently checking part availability.


I’ve seen a few posts online where people mention heater failures around certain build dates, but when I check my VIN I’m not seeing any recalls.


A few questions for anyone who has dealt with this:

1. When Ford says “heater assembly,” what part is that usually referring to on the Lightning? (PTC heater / HV coolant heater / valve / pump / heater core, etc.?)
2. Has anyone had this repaired around my mileage, and was it covered under warranty?
3. Any known TSBs or common failure points that match “no heat + cold defrost”?

I’ll update once I get the actual part number and codes from the dealer.


Thanks in advance.

I think that part was recalled up to build date 08/23.

I had the same problem. My truck’s build date is 09/23. When my truck had 36.8k on it I lost heat. After negotiating with Ford, they covered 70 percent, but I still had to pay $900ish.

So, check to see if you are in recall group and appeal to Ford.

Second this, just went thru this. Caused my lightning to show HV system fault and bricked the truck when I parked it at home. Caused an isolation fault at dealer 3 weeks before they narrowed down to heater. Tech was working with ford engineers to locate and fix. dealer quoted 3k for repair. applied on my behalf for "relief" from ford. They covered 2k of it.

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