Latest Ford F-150 issue solved and customers to receive up to $2500 in compensation

After a near two-month delivery pause, Ford Australia is finally rolling out a fix for the 2024 Ford F-150’s most recent homologation compliance breach, with 992 customer vehicles and dealer stock now being fitted with the correct components.

The Blue Oval previously described the parts in question as “certain lighting features” but we now understand them to be the F-150’s zone lighting system – which is being disabled in return for compensation – and various other lighting functions that are either being recalibrated or replaced.

It’s been a turbulent ride for the factory-backed Ford F-150 pick-up conversion program, with two official sales pauses and three product safety recalls in less than eight months – something Ford Australia is acutely aware of and trying to smooth over with affected customers, who will now also receive five years of free servicing for their troubles.

“Ford Australia is engaging with F-150 owners to rectify non-compliances with Australian regulatory requirements, with rectification work being done on certain features, primarily related to lighting,” a spokesperson told carsales.

“Ford Australia is also completing rectification work on all F-150s that are yet to be sold or delivered to customers.

“We thank customers for their patience and we will be offering compensation to impacted customers, which varies depending on the rectification required on their vehicle.

“The offer of compensation is in addition to providing a complimentary five-year/75,000km (whichever comes first) service program to all F-150 customers whose vehicle had either been delivered or contracted by 6 May.

“Customers who have taken delivery will receive recall letters in the coming weeks asking them to return their vehicles for the required repair works.”

The customer compensation amount varies according to which F-150 variant was purchased and how much equipment it’s fitted with, which dictates how much rectification work needs doing – $1000 for the XLT SWB, $1350 for the XLT LWB, $2150 for the Lariat SWB and $2500 for the Lariat LWB.

It’s understood that full refunds are also being handed out if requested, but the conditions of this arrangement are being kept under wraps.

Despite all the hiccups though, Ford Australia is standing by RMA Automotive as its preferred right-hand drive remanufacturing partner for the F-150 – whose RAM, Chevrolet Silverado and, soon, Toyota Tundra rivals are all converted by Walkinshaw Automotive.

“RMA Automotive continue to be a valued service provider. Our combined focus has been on identifying and fixing the compliance matters, so customers can enjoy their F-150,” the spokesperson said.

With 828 F-150s sold so far in 2024 (to May 31), the F-150 accounts for 19.9 per cent of Australia’s $100,000-plus pick-up market segment, which continues to be led by the RAM 1500 with 1369 sales (32.9%), followed by the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with 944 sales (22.7%).

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au