Reasons not to buy a Lightning?

[s10mods]

Only thing that would keep me from buying is if the truck did not have 9.6kW PPOB. That is a deal breaker for me so that's what I got.

Can you tell me the type of 240V outlet. I am searching for a Lariat trim with the 131 battery, the 9.6 power with max tow and I am striking out, most either dont have the 9.6 or the max tow. I was thinking of settling for one with the 2.4 power, but would rather not.

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[RLXXI]

Can you tell me the type of 240V outlet. I am searching for a Lariat trim with the 131 battery, the 9.6 power with max tow and I am striking out, most either dont have the 9.6 or the max tow. I was thinking of settling for one with the 2.4 power, but would rather not.

Standard twist lock 30A receptacle. Very much like what you see on most portable generators.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Can you tell me the type of 240V outlet. I am searching for a Lariat trim with the 131 battery, the 9.6 power with max tow and I am striking out, most either dont have the 9.6 or the max tow. I was thinking of settling for one with the 2.4 power, but would rather not.

It's going to be a rare find, when the 25's were being spec'd for production, most dealers and the factory tried to avoid this combination to keep the factory MSRP under the EV credit 80K threshold, at least in the Lariat trim.

 

[s10mods]

It's going to be a rare find, when the 25's were being spec'd for production, most dealers and the factory tried to avoid this combination to keep the factory MSRP under the EV credit 80K threshold, at least in the Lariat trim.

After a week of searching a local dealer found one, but it is white. I really didn't want white, but I also didn't want to give up any of the other options lol.

 

[3rdgenfan]

It's going to be a rare find, when the 25's were being spec'd for production, most dealers and the factory tried to avoid this combination to keep the factory MSRP under the EV credit 80K threshold, at least in the Lariat trim.

Around June there was also an X Plan incentive of $20k which made the Platinum (which come with Max Tow/9.6kW) about $250-$500 cheaper than the Lariat models with the same options.

I had a couple deals worked out but balked when I saw the tax/tags amount and sort of regret it, because I can't find any new left over Avalanche cars anywhere.

 

[s10mods]

Well after a few weeks of hem and haw, and talking to every dealer within 100 miles that had stock to find the best deal, I settled for a Star White Platinum at a cheaper OTD price than the Lariat I was looking at. Not sure if the dealer was truthful, but they said their net profit after the deal they gave me was $2.80. I didn't want white, but it started to grow on me after looking at a few of them, and after being a Ford hater for 40 years of my life I now own two of them in my mid 40's lol.

 

[TaxmanHog]

I didn't want white, but it started to grow on me after looking at a few of them, and after being a Ford hater for 40 years of my life I now own two of them in my mid 40's lol.

Welcome to the Ford family!!!!

 

[chl]

Other than my own financial ignorance, are there any reasons I should not buy a Lightning now that they are discontinued? I was a die hard GM guy in the past, but lost confidence in GM or gm now. I test drove a Tesla model 3 and new I wanted an EV so I bought a Mach E mostly due to the service locations being closer than Tesla, and I liked that the battery was serviceable, and I think they look much better. I immediately had software issues with the Mach E that took some time to work out, and a leaking CV axle seal. I still love the car and wanted to wait till it was paid off to buy a Lightning, but the whole discontinued thing happened. If the new EREV models loose the frunk that would be terrible. I have test driven one and really want to pull the trigger. Any issues that I need to be aware of?

Mostly minor annoyances from the software, and as many will tell you the 12v battery and it's battery manglement system.

My solution and other owners is a battery maintainer with an AGM mode like the NOCO GENIUS1 for example.

When the 12v gets weak or fails, all hell breaks loose with error messages and so forth.

You might want to get an extended warranty if available because there have been some cases where things happened after the 3yr/36K mi bumper to bumper was up that cost a bunch in labor to diagnose - e.g., a wire bundle behind the glove box that got nicked by a metal flange and was intermittent causing all sorts of error messages.

The forum is a good place to get help if anything pops up.

I am happy with mine a 2023 Pro bought in Jan 2024, nice to drive, great in the snow, a bit bigger than I needed, won't fit in my small garage and let me open a door.

And if you get one with the Pro Power On Board 9.6kW, you can use the bed 240v outlet to power your house through a $400 GENERAC transfer switch (the 6853) for example in an outage!

EDIT: Guess I was late to the thread, congrats!

 

[Pod]

@Ford Motor Company

Brian,

Any news of incentives for us early adopters? Those Lightnings just sitting on lots could really move for those of us who would upgrade. Ford said they would stand by us. Anything exciting in PCO for us?

 

[chl]

Personally if I were to buy one today and I didn't need 240v out, I'd buy a Rivian. Since I do need 240v, I would look at GM or Tesla today. I know the Cybertruck is an easy vehicle to make fun of, but Tesla does such a great job I think I'd end up getting one of those and wrap it in black.

https://www.aol.com/articles/video-shows-cybertruck-nearly-drive-015652445.html

 

[FloridaMan655321]

https://www.aol.com/articles/video-shows-cybertruck-nearly-drive-015652445.html

Still doesn’t change my statement

 

[chl]

Still doesn’t change my statement

From posts on other sites from some Tesla owners, they are not without their problems. Yes they do some things better.



The Cybertruck had quite a few recalls (Maybe not as many as the Lightnings?) and complaints...I didn't keep a list, but a search reports this:

Key Cybertruck Recall List (2024–2025):

• Exterior Trim Detachment (March 2025): Over 46,000 units are recalled because the, "cant rail" (stainless steel trim above the windows) can detach, posing a safety risk. This is the largest recall to date.
• Drive Inverter Failure (March 2026 update)
  :
  A recall for early models (Nov 2023–July 2024) with certain inverters that may cause immediate loss of torque/propulsion.
• • Accelerator Pedal Pad (April 2024): The accelerator pedal pad can dislodge and become trapped by the interior trim, causing unintended acceleration.
  • Windshield Wiper Motor (June 2024): The front wiper motor controller may fail due to electrical overstress.
  • Rearview Camera Display (Early 2024): A software issue caused the rear-view image to delay or not display.
  • Front Light Brightness (Oct 2025): A software issue made front parking lights too bright, failing to comply with safety standards.
  • Sail Applique Separation (June 2024): Improperly bonded adhesive on the exterior "sail" trim could lead to it loosening.

No vehicle is perfect...but the Cybertruck is rather ugly in my opinion.
I see a lot more Lightnings around here than Cybertrucks.

PS: here another source for the list (but it's a year old I think)

https://mashable.com/article/every-cybertruck-recall-full-list

 

[FloridaMan655321]

From posts on other sites from some Tesla owners, they are not without their problems. Yes they do some things better.



The Cybertruck had quite a few recalls (Maybe not as many as the Lightnings?) and complaints...I didn't keep a list, but a search reports this:

Key Cybertruck Recall List (2024–2025):

• Exterior Trim Detachment (March 2025): Over 46,000 units are recalled because the, "cant rail" (stainless steel trim above the windows) can detach, posing a safety risk. This is the largest recall to date.
• Drive Inverter Failure (March 2026 update)
  :
  A recall for early models (Nov 2023–July 2024) with certain inverters that may cause immediate loss of torque/propulsion.
• • Accelerator Pedal Pad (April 2024): The accelerator pedal pad can dislodge and become trapped by the interior trim, causing unintended acceleration.
  • Windshield Wiper Motor (June 2024): The front wiper motor controller may fail due to electrical overstress.
  • Rearview Camera Display (Early 2024): A software issue caused the rear-view image to delay or not display.
  • Front Light Brightness (Oct 2025): A software issue made front parking lights too bright, failing to comply with safety standards.
  • Sail Applique Separation (June 2024): Improperly bonded adhesive on the exterior "sail" trim could lead to it loosening.

No vehicle is perfect...but the Cybertruck is rather ugly in my opinion.
I see a lot more Lightnings around here than Cybertrucks.

PS: here another source for the list (but it's a year old I think)

https://mashable.com/article/every-cybertruck-recall-full-list

Yup, almost every brand new manufactured vehicle will have issues, even Toyota. Ford took a truck they should have had perfect and still couldn’t make a tail light. Statement still stands, especially now that GM and Tesla have a few years with their new trucks.

 

[chl]

Yup, almost every brand new manufactured vehicle will have issues, even Toyota. Ford took a truck they should have had perfect and still couldn’t make a tail light. Statement still stands, especially now that GM and Tesla have a few years with their new trucks.

I get it.

I had zero troubles with my 2012 Nissan Leaf bought in Dec 2011, only 2 recalls and they were:

1) add more shielding to the undercarriage to protect the battery and

2) change the charging software so an electrical storm outage during a charging session with a GE Watt Station would not disable the charger - yes I had a Watt Station at the time.

People living in AZ had some issue with premature battery failures due to heat, but I live in a moderate temp zone, so not an issue.

So far I haven't had any serious issues with my 2023 Pro Lightning, but still early - just annoyances like the bluetooth music streaming issues.

Driving around a 6000lb computer with wheels does give me pause sometimes.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

@Ford Motor Company

Brian,

Any news of incentives for us early adopters? Those Lightnings just sitting on lots could really move for those of us who would upgrade. Ford said they would stand by us. Anything exciting in PCO for us?

First off, thank you for your patience. I know I promised to get some answers for you all, and I appreciate you giving me the time to track down the facts. Here is what I was able to confirm.

If you are currently leasing a Lightning, you have a few paths forward. Customers with a new Ford vehicle order placed prior to their lease termination date are eligible to extend their lease. For these customers with an order, Ford will extend the lease until the ordered vehicle is delivered to the dealer/customer.

We also have a series of unique programs for F-150 Lightning customers to lease another F-150 Lightning while supplies last, or shift into another Ford vehicle. Your local Ford dealer will have more information on current offers.

Let me know if you have other specific questions and I will do my best to hunt down the answers.

Still here and still listening, Brian (not AI) from Ford

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