Sponsored

Powertrain Malfunction / Reduced Power caused by air dams

First Name
Matthew
Joined
Oct 3, 2025
Threads
1
Messages
5
Reaction score
9
Location
Toronto, Canada
Vehicles
2025 F-150 Lightning Pro SSV
Occupation
Sr. Software Engineer
I got my 2025 Lightning Pro at the end of Nov 2025.

Overall I love my new truck, but I have now received 3 service soon warnings.
Once on Dec 29th 2025, then on Jan 5th 2026 and now on Feb 22nd 2026.

Ford F-150 Lightning Powertrain Malfunction / Reduced Power caused by air dams Screenshot_20260222-141424


Each time that I got this error, I plugged in my ODB2 reader and saw that there were error codes related to the active air dams, A/C sensors, etc...

Ford F-150 Lightning Powertrain Malfunction / Reduced Power caused by air dams BlueDriverScreenshot


Back in early January I brought my truck into the dealership and they said that the issue was that the air dams were frozen.
According to them, this then caused the other error codes; they said there was nothing wrong.

Is this normal or are they trying to brush off an actual issue?
So far I haven't had any issues with performance or charging, but I just want to be sure I didn't get a lemon.
I feel like a truck should be able to handle cold weather better than I've experienced so far.
Don't get me wrong, it handles really well in the snow and ice, but if the air dams which are at the front of the vehicle can't handle cold temperatures, that's kind of crazy.

I am not able to park my truck in our garage as it's just too long, but I do have it pulled right up to the garage door so there is never a lot of snow that would blow into the air dams.
Sponsored

 

TaxmanHog

Moderator
Moderator
First Name
Noel
Joined
Jan 19, 2022
Threads
220
Messages
16,112
Reaction score
18,110
Location
SE. Mass.
Vehicles
2022 Lightning Lariat-ER & 2024 HD Road Glide CVO-ST
Occupation
Retired
Slush & ice from daily driving may have accumulated, preventing its movement.

If you have access to a heated car wash to melt off the interfering ice, it might resolve the problem.
 
OP
OP
First Name
Matthew
Joined
Oct 3, 2025
Threads
1
Messages
5
Reaction score
9
Location
Toronto, Canada
Vehicles
2025 F-150 Lightning Pro SSV
Occupation
Sr. Software Engineer
Slush & ice from daily driving may have accumulated, preventing its movement.

If you have access to a heated car wash to melt off the interfering ice, it might resolve the problem.
Thank you for the advice, I'll try that tomorrow morning.
The first time it happened, it went away on it's own after a few days.

I checked and the air dams looked clear from the front, but I guess it could be in some crevasses.

It seems odd to me that an issue of ice build up on the air dams would affect such a range of systems.
 

TaxmanHog

Moderator
Moderator
First Name
Noel
Joined
Jan 19, 2022
Threads
220
Messages
16,112
Reaction score
18,110
Location
SE. Mass.
Vehicles
2022 Lightning Lariat-ER & 2024 HD Road Glide CVO-ST
Occupation
Retired
Thank you for the advice, I'll try that tomorrow morning.
The first time it happened, it went away on it's own after a few days.

I checked and the air dams looked clear from the front, but I guess it could be in some crevasses.

It seems odd to me that an issue of ice build up on the air dams would affect such a range of systems.
Agree, I'd think they would suspend this feature during freezing conditions, the amount of inefficiency our trucks experience in brutal winter isn't going to moderated by the improved aerodynamics with it deployed at speed.
 
OP
OP
First Name
Matthew
Joined
Oct 3, 2025
Threads
1
Messages
5
Reaction score
9
Location
Toronto, Canada
Vehicles
2025 F-150 Lightning Pro SSV
Occupation
Sr. Software Engineer
Agree, I'd think they would suspend this feature during freezing conditions, the amount of inefficiency our trucks experience in brutal winter isn't going to moderated by the improved aerodynamics with it deployed at speed.
I have to say that as long as I keep my truck plugged in when at home, and set departure times, it feels great driving it in the winter.
 

Sponsored

DavidS

Active member
First Name
DAVID
Joined
Dec 27, 2025
Threads
0
Messages
44
Reaction score
46
Location
Green Bay, WI
Vehicles
F150 Lightning Lariat
I think that the Lightning has a few issues in prolonged cold weather with snow and ice similar to when traffic lights went LED. Without the engine heat, some of the Ford toolbox of parts don’t always function as expected and there’s room for improvement.
One more thing, sub about 25F I find that the ultrasonic sensors frequently fault until thawed after a car wash.
 
 







Top