We chose the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning because we believe in the future of electric vehicles—and we believe in supporting American-made innovation. We were proud to make this investment and excited to be early adopters of a product that represents the next chapter for a brand we’ve long trusted. Since purchasing the truck, we’ve become informal ambassadors. Strangers have stopped us in parking lots to ask questions. Neighbors have asked to sit inside. Friends have asked for test drive impressions. We’ve enthusiastically recommended the Lightning to others because we believed in its promise.
But the experience we’ve had with the vehicle and with one of your dealerships—Wade Ford in Smyrna, Georgia—has shaken that belief. And that’s why I’m reaching out now, in hopes that Ford corporate can step in and deliver the level of service and accountability we expected when we chose your brand.
We first brought the vehicle in on May 27for two major concerns:
Despite being in service for more than a month, we didn’t get the vehicle back until June 30, and most importantly—the sensor issue was not fixed. In fact, the very next day, the false sensor alerts occurred again. My husband contacted our service advisor, who said he would escalate to Ford corporate, but after several days with no update, my husband followed up twice, and we still have no explanation or resolution.
Communication during the service period was frustratingly reactive. My husband had to reach out repeatedly—sometimes going days without any word—and even visited the dealership in person several times just to get an update. No one could clearly explain what the issue was or what was being done. He first spoke with Ruben, who was not helpful, and later Earl, who was slightly more responsive but is no longer with the dealership.
But most concerning is the safety risk this issue presents. On multiple occasions, the false alerts have caused the vehicle to suddenly brake on its own—in our driveway, and in empty parking lots—with our 7- and 5-year-old children in the car. These incidents have been jarring and frightening. While the false alarms are frustrating, our greater concern is whether the system might fail to alert or respond when there actually is an object nearby. It’s hard to drive confidently when you don’t trust the vehicle’s core safety systems.
To make matters worse, this issue began just a couple of months after purchase and has been ongoing and consistent. We’ve also seen other owners reporting similar problems in online forums, suggesting that this may be a known issue. In some of those cases, Ford representatives have offered direct support or follow-up—so we are hopeful that someone will do the same here by helping us uncover the root cause or connect with a technical team that can properly resolve it.
We believe in this vehicle. We want to continue to speak positively about our experience. But right now, we’re left with a serious safety concern, no answers, and no support. The dealership has not delivered the standard of service we expected, and we’re now relying on Ford corporate to take this matter seriously.
![Image]()
But the experience we’ve had with the vehicle and with one of your dealerships—Wade Ford in Smyrna, Georgia—has shaken that belief. And that’s why I’m reaching out now, in hopes that Ford corporate can step in and deliver the level of service and accountability we expected when we chose your brand.
We first brought the vehicle in on May 27for two major concerns:
- A non-functioning frunk and tailgate, and
- A malfunctioning parking sensor that regularly activates even when no objects are nearby.
Despite being in service for more than a month, we didn’t get the vehicle back until June 30, and most importantly—the sensor issue was not fixed. In fact, the very next day, the false sensor alerts occurred again. My husband contacted our service advisor, who said he would escalate to Ford corporate, but after several days with no update, my husband followed up twice, and we still have no explanation or resolution.
Communication during the service period was frustratingly reactive. My husband had to reach out repeatedly—sometimes going days without any word—and even visited the dealership in person several times just to get an update. No one could clearly explain what the issue was or what was being done. He first spoke with Ruben, who was not helpful, and later Earl, who was slightly more responsive but is no longer with the dealership.
But most concerning is the safety risk this issue presents. On multiple occasions, the false alerts have caused the vehicle to suddenly brake on its own—in our driveway, and in empty parking lots—with our 7- and 5-year-old children in the car. These incidents have been jarring and frightening. While the false alarms are frustrating, our greater concern is whether the system might fail to alert or respond when there actually is an object nearby. It’s hard to drive confidently when you don’t trust the vehicle’s core safety systems.
To make matters worse, this issue began just a couple of months after purchase and has been ongoing and consistent. We’ve also seen other owners reporting similar problems in online forums, suggesting that this may be a known issue. In some of those cases, Ford representatives have offered direct support or follow-up—so we are hopeful that someone will do the same here by helping us uncover the root cause or connect with a technical team that can properly resolve it.
We believe in this vehicle. We want to continue to speak positively about our experience. But right now, we’re left with a serious safety concern, no answers, and no support. The dealership has not delivered the standard of service we expected, and we’re now relying on Ford corporate to take this matter seriously.
