High-Voltage Battery Failure – 2020 Lightning FE4-86 & FT3-43, 2019-2021 FE4-129, & 2019-2022 FT3-86

March 27, 2023 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 23V207000

High-Voltage Battery Failure

Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V207000

Manufacturer Lightning eMotors Inc.

Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Potential Number of Units Affected 148

 

Summary

Lightning eMotors Inc. (Lightning) is recalling certain 2020 FE4-86 and FT3-43, 2019-2021 FE4-129, and 2019-2022 FT3-86 vehicles. The battery packseBay logo may have defective structural welds and experience an internal radiator leak, causing battery failure.

 

Remedy

Lightning will replace the battery packeBay logo, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2023. Owners may contact Lightning customer service at 1-970-744-7241. Lightning’s number for this recall is 2023-001.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

 


Lightning eMotors, Inc. (“LeM”) has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain Model Year 2020 FT3-43 and FE4-86, Model Year 2019-2021 FE4-129, and Model Year 2019 – 2022 FT3-86 vehicles equipped with eMatrix Energy Systems battery packseBay logo. This action involves vehicles in which LeM powertrains were installed from January 1, 2020, through February 2, 2022, and which use eMatrix Energy Systems battery packseBay logo. Our records indicate that your vehicle(s) listed above may be affected.

 

What is the Problem?

Defective structural welds and internal radiator leaks have been found in the eMatrix battery packseBay logo installed in these vehicles. These conditions may result in isolation faults and cell imbalances that may cause a loss of traction drive, which may increase the risk of a crash, or thermal runaway, which may increase the risk of a fire.

 

What Are We Doing About the Problem?

LeM will replace the eMatrix batteries with a non-defective battery, free of charge. If a replacement battery is unavailable, LeM will discuss alternative remedy options with you. Please contact LeM at [email protected] or 970-744-4926 for more information.

 


Chronology :

11/14/2021 – A thermal event occurred in a FT3-86 model equipped with an eMatrix battery

11/15/2021 – An investigation into the cause of the thermal event was initiated with the battery supplier (eMatrix)

4/27/2022 – The battery supplier and experts had their first opportunity to inspect the FT3-86, and the vehicle’s batteries were removed

6/17/2022 – The FT3-86 vehicle was released from the insurance company to Lightning for testing and analysis

6/2022 – Lightning commenced inspections of welds on suspect eMatrix batteries to assist in identifying potential root cause(s) of the thermal event

9/20/2022 – A thermal event was reported on an FE4-129, and a second root cause investigation was initiated

9/26/2022 – Lightning commenced daily monitoring of telematics data for indicators of potential eMatrix battery defects

10/4/2022 – Lightning disassembled two eMatrix battery packseBay logo and found coolant leaking from an internal radiator

12/2022 – The insurer of the FT3-86 vehicle released its report opining that a failed support structure of the battery caused the thermal event

1/6/2023 – Lightning engaged a weld expert who opined that the welding of the support structure of all eMatrix battery models was inadequate for the intended purpose

1/20/2023 – Lightning prepared a root cause analysis report with the radiator and/or the inadequate welds and substructure as likely cause(s) of the thermal events

2/10/2023 – Lightning’s engineering report was presented to the battery supplier for review and discussion (eMatrix did not undertake or assist in the investigation or analysis)

3/17/2023 – Lightning held a follow-up meeting with the supplier to discuss the findings

3/21/2023 – Lightning’s Recall Committee decided to conduct a recall

To date, there have been no accidents or injuries related to this condition.

 


9 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKEMODELYEAR
LIGHTNING EMOTORSFE4-1292019-2021
LIGHTNING EMOTORSFE4-862020
LIGHTNING EMOTORSFT3-432020
LIGHTNING EMOTORSFT3-862019-2022

 


8 Associated Documents

Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-23V207-5169.pdf 646.702KB

 


Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-23V207-2590.PDF 215.08KB

 


Recall 573 Report-Amendment 1 – 04/07/2023

RCLRPT-23V207-6196.PDF 215.994KB

 


Recall 573 Report-Amendment 2 – 04/21/2023

RCLRPT-23V207-8150.PDF 216.032KB

 


ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577) – Redacted

RCONL-23V207-8316.pdf 152.565KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2023-2

RCLQRT-23V207-3060.PDF 211.136KB

 


Recall 573 Report-Amendment 3 – 10/16/2023

RCLRPT-23V207-3127.PDF 216.265KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2023-3

RCLQRT-23V207-4764.PDF 211.372KB

 


Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=23V207&docType=RCL

 


 

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