Why so many buyback lemons?

[chris1066]

Every time I find a lightning I like it turns out to be a buyback.

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[bc1]

Is it a lemon buy back or a return off of a lease? Big Difference. Apparently there are lots of good deals out there from the end of lease deals that are worth pursuing now that you don't get the tax credit. A lease return is like any other used vehicle or gas engine leased vehicle where you want to check with the prior owner to see how he drove it and see if was a used by a company with multiple drivers including the dealership itself.

On the other hand, I almost bot, and should have but wasn't ready yet, a returned vehicle with under 1000 miles that a regular ICE customer decided to try electric but the land he owned in Oklahoma was too far out of range so he went back to gas (ICE). The millionaire paid for his trial and the dealer wasn't losing anything but I wasn't ready to pull the trigger and this was a fully decked out Platinum for 50 grand if I buy that day. After going home, running the numbers, and calling back 3 days later, it was gone.

 

[El Duderino]

The reason is nuanced...

Different states have different regulations and time periods for buying back vehicles.

Broadly speaking, the Lightning is a new model and parts availability to repair failures in the field can take a long time. So a lot of trucks have qualified just based on time elapsed before repair.

After Ford buys back a truck, the failed part is replaced. And then the vehicle can be resold. There might not be anything else wrong with that truck and you may have years of ownership without any issues. Just because one part failed and the first owner sold it back because it qualified because of part shortages and taking too long to be repaired, doesn't mean the truck is a lemon, ie - prone to failure quickly again.

But there's probably some really good deals on BuyBacks and I wouldn't be afraid to buy one and drive it. But your mileage may vary.

 

[RickLightning]

Every time I find a lightning I like it turns out to be a buyback.

1) Clueless people bought them and then complained of "issues".
2) There were issues and Ford took longer than 30 days to resolve (state-dependent).
3) Inventory is running out, so all that is left are the dregs.

 

[Cbowe]

My original 22 was a buy back it had so many electrical gremlins, I hope nobody ever end up with it unless they did a ground up rewire of it. But I have seen others where it was clear the owner just didn’t do any research in to EVs or cold weather range so see if you can get the details and entire work order history.

 

[El Duderino]

Fair counterpoint Chris

 

[hturnerfamily]

in recent years, I bought no less than TWO 2017 and 2019 CHEVY BOLT 'GM Buybacks' due to their replacement of battery packs, for my two youngest sons... someone else's loss was our gain as not only have both racked up many thousands of miles since then, with not a single issue, but GM also extended the FULL WARRANTY from the time of the replacement miles... so, in essence, each son received a fully warrantied 'used' vehicle from the time of purchase, just like a new one.

I would not hesitate to purchase a used 'buy back' Ford LIGHTNING, if it otherwise fits my needs and my budget - the warranty is still the warranty.

and believing, or stating, or questioning, that there are 'so many' buy backs does not come with any data or statistics to back up any 'negative' outcry, as it sounds like you are making. Every vehicle ever built has returns, for many reasons. Sometimes someone might let the smallest infraction cause them to want to return something, that, otherwise, has no real issues, long term, just to get out of a purchase they now regret.
I would suspect, although I too have no data to support it, that many returns are more about those who initially jumped into a "tax credit" EV, to then find that their lifestyle, driving style, living environment, or otherwise beliefs did not support enjoying it, or, maybe better stated, did not realize how to own an EV - it is certainly a 'change' of lifestyle for some, and they may just not be well situated to yet embrace it.

 

[Cbowe]

in recent years, I bought no less than TWO 2017 and 2019 CHEVY BOLT 'GM Buybacks' due to their replacement of battery packs, for my two youngest sons... someone else's loss was our gain as not only have both racked up many thousands of miles since then, with not a single issue, but GM also extended the FULL WARRANTY from the time of the replacement miles... so, in essence, each son received a fully warrantied 'used' vehicle from the time of purchase, just like a new one.

I would not hesitate to purchase a used 'buy back' Ford LIGHTNING, if it otherwise fits my needs and my budget - the warranty is still the warranty.

Didn’t some of those Bolts get battery upgrades as well?

 

[MountainAlive]

My original 22 was a buy back it had so many electrical gremlins, I hope nobody ever end up with it unless they did a ground up rewire of it. But I have seen others where it was clear the owner just didn’t do any research in to EVs or cold weather range so see if you can get the details and entire work order history.

True. Don’t get this guys first Lightning lol.

 

[Cbowe]

5 out of 10 … can not recommend

So far so good with the 2nd one though

 

[Gerbman6952]

Following a buyback of my Ford F-150 Lightning, I transitioned to a 2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali Max Range. The Ford had persistent issues with the BlueCruise system—specifically aggressive, phantom braking when passing semi-trucks—and after multiple failed repair attempts, including a month-long shop stay, I moved forward with the buyback. The Sierra's extended range is a significant upgrade, allowing me to tow my camper to our site without the need for multiple charging stops.

 

[JMD359]

I’m gunna say because there aren’t enough techs well trained on these trucks there aren’t many of them and most dealers never committed to the ev to start with. So I’m going to say, it’s the lack of proper training and lack of qualified techs due to low pay and low warrenty hours paid for repairs . Good techs are leaving dealerships once they get established it doesn’t pay to stay there they have to move on if they want to make money.

 

[srvethelord]

My 22 is a lemon buyback. I have had it over 2 years and LOVE it. The supposed problem was with Bluecruise. I don't use Bluecruise and wonder if the previous owner had buyer's remorse for payong almost $100K for a truck. Like others have written above. His loss was my gain. I've had zero issues with the truck.

 

[CoolViper777]

3 days to research? C'mon, I would've called the next morning saying I want it! Just giving you a hard time!

Is it a lemon buy back or a return off of a lease? Big Difference. Apparently there are lots of good deals out there from the end of lease deals that are worth pursuing now that you don't get the tax credit. A lease return is like any other used vehicle or gas engine leased vehicle where you want to check with the prior owner to see how he drove it and see if was a used by a company with multiple drivers including the dealership itself.

On the other hand, I almost bot, and should have but wasn't ready yet, a returned vehicle with under 1000 miles that a regular ICE customer decided to try electric but the land he owned in Oklahoma was too far out of range so he went back to gas (ICE). The millionaire paid for his trial and the dealer wasn't losing anything but I wasn't ready to pull the trigger and this was a fully decked out Platinum for 50 grand if I buy that day. After going home, running the numbers, and calling back 3 days later, it was gone.

 

[luebri]

1) Clueless people bought them and then complained of "issues".
2) There were issues and Ford took longer than 30 days to resolve (state-dependent).
3) Inventory is running out, so all that is left are the dregs.

My first truck fits item #2. (rear light bar) Last I saw it in Ford Pass it it got sent to a dealer in Minnesota after sitting for months in my dealers lot in Appleton, WI.

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