Ford Recall 23V-801: Electronic stability control (ESC)

Affected: 2022–2023 Ford F-150 Lightning. Filed with NHTSA on November 28, 2023, covering about 5,118 vehicles.

The problem

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150 Lightning vehicles. The SYNC software may fail to activate the electronic stability control (ESC) system at the beginning of each ignition cycle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

The risk

Failure to reset the ESC to active may result in the driver unknowingly operating the vehicle without electronic stability control, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix

The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C38.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign23V-801 (23V801000)
Manufacturer number23C38
ManufacturerFord Motor Company
ComponentElectronic stability control (ESC)
Report dateNovember 28, 2023
Owners notifiedDecember 21, 2023
Vehicles affected5,118
Initiated byManufacturer

Vehicles covered

Frequently asked questions

Is the recall 23V-801 repair free?

Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

How do I know if my car is included?

Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 5,118 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.