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NHTSA campaign 23V678000

2021–2023 Lightning Emotors FT3-120 and 2 other Lightning Emotors models: electrical system recall

Failure to illuminate the indicator warning lights during vehicle startup may not properly notify the driver of system failures, increasing the risk of a crash.

high 239 vehicles affected FMVSS 105

What was reported

Source: manufacturer filing, 49 CFR Part 573
Problem Lightning eMotors Inc. (Lightning eMotors) is recalling certain 2021-2022 FT3-40, 2021-2023 FT3-80, and 2022-2023 FT3-120 vehicles. The instrument cluster may not activate the "Brake," "Park," and "ABS" indicator warning lights during the light function check when the ignition is turned to the "on" (run) position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems." Risk Failure to illuminate the indicator warning lights during vehicle startup may not properly notify the driver of system failures, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 1, 2023. Owners may contact Lightning eMotors customer service at 1-970-744-7241.

Reported to NHTSA Oct 9, 2023 by Lightning eMotors Inc.

Which vehicles are covered

Source: NHTSA campaign 23V678000
Model yearOn WhichTrim
2022 Lightning Emotors FT3-120
2023 Lightning Emotors FT3-120
2021 Lightning Emotors FT3-40
2022 Lightning Emotors FT3-40
2021 Lightning Emotors FT3-80
2022 Lightning Emotors FT3-80
2023 Lightning Emotors FT3-80

None of the vehicles this campaign names has a page on WhichTrim: the catalogue covers the cars, trucks and SUVs the EPA certifies from 2016 on, and these vehicles fall outside it — older model years, or motorhomes, trailers, buses, motorcycles and chassis cabs the EPA does not rate. The campaign record above is complete as filed, and whether one specific vehicle is included is settled by its VIN. Other campaigns on vehicles without a page here →

The federal paperwork

Source: nhtsa.gov

Filed documents

NHTSA has not published the scanned filings for this campaign, or has not published them yet. The campaign record itself is on their site.

Check one specific vehicle

A recall applies to a build range, so year, make and model cannot settle it. NHTSA checks a VIN against the manufacturer's own list and tells you whether the repair is still outstanding on that vehicle.

NHTSA VIN recall lookup →

Campaign 23V678000

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Common questions

Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR Part 573

Does this recall repair cost anything?

No. Federal law requires the manufacturer to remedy a safety defect or a compliance failure at no charge, for vehicles up to 15 years old measured from the date of first sale. A dealer that asks you to pay for a recall repair is in the wrong.

How do I know whether my vehicle is included?

By VIN, not by model year. The manufacturer files a build range with NHTSA and only vehicles inside it are covered, so two identical-looking cars from the same year can differ. NHTSA's own lookup checks a VIN against the manufacturer's list.

What if the repair is not available yet?

It happens, and often. Manufacturers must notify owners when a defect is found even if the parts or the software are not ready, then notify them a second time once the remedy exists. The remedy filed for this campaign is described above.

What did the manufacturer say was wrong?

The problem, risk and fix quoted on this page are the manufacturer's own words as filed with NHTSA under 49 CFR Part 573. WhichTrim does not paraphrase them.

Who started this recall?

NHTSA's record credits the manufacturer. A recall can begin with the manufacturer's own testing, with a defect investigation, or with a compliance test against a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.