2023 Lucid Air Electrical Problems

My car’s backup camera and main infotainment computer lag badly. It is available for inspection. When I start the car, I have to wait 20–30 seconds for the system to boot before it even lets me shift into reverse. Once in reverse, the backup camera stutters and lags significantly instead of showing smooth, real-time video. This creates a severe blind spot for crossing pedestrians and cars when backing out, violating FMVSS 111 rear visibility standards. The issue consistently repeats on cold starts and is well-documented on early Air models. Lucid has inspected and serviced the car via routine service and OTA updates. No warning lamps appear. I am on the latest software (v2.11), but updates haven't fixed it. Lucid has publicly acknowledged early cars have hardware limits and publicly offered a $950 chip/computer upgrade. A properly functioning backup camera is a core federal safety requirement, and owners should not have to pay $950 out of pocket to fix factory hardware that can't handle basic camera latency.

NHTSA ID

11766817

Incident

Sep 24, 2026

The vehicle manufacturer (Lucid USA, Inc.) is refusing to perform federally mandated safety recall remedies under 49 U.S.C. § 30120 for open safety recalls SR-24-04-0 (NHTSA 24V-495) and SR-26-06-0 (NHTSA 26V540). Vehicle VIN [XXX] holds an official State of Arizona Restored Title. The vehicle is currently immobilized due to a physical Webasto High-Voltage Coolant Heater (HVCH) failure resulting in an Auxiliary Power Supply (APS) fault, falling under Campaign 24V-495. Furthermore, Lucid is withholding the software deployment for Campaign 26V540 (eFuse fire risk, software build 2.10.0+), which carries an explicit NHTSA advisory to park outside away from structures. Lucid refuses to execute these zero-cost safety fixes or allow diagnostic access unless I pay an out-of-pocket $40,000+ proprietary recertification inspection fee. I offered in writing to pay 100% out-of-pocket for towing and a replacement Telematics Control Unit (TCU) to restore network communication, but Lucid has refused to provide a remedy path. Federal law contains no salvage-title exemption allowing OEMs to withhold safety recall remedies or tie them to compulsory paid services. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11764694

Incident

Aug 28, 2026

While travelling to California on a personal trip my vehicle displayed a "Battery System Fault" warning message on the driver's display and advised me to stop the vehicle in a safe location within 120 seconds. After pulling off the highway onto the shoulder of an exit ramp and stopping the vehicle it would not longer shift into drive and displayed a "Vehicle Not Driveable" warning message. -I was told by the manufacturer that the AC compressor had failed, causing damage to other components and leading to a loss of high voltage isolation. -The vehicle gave my 120 seconds to reach a safe location before the vehicle lost drive power. I was travelling on a very busy highway and could have been stranded in heavy traffic, posing a danger to myself and other motorists. Before the failure I was also experiencing very weak cooling performance from the air conditioning related to the AC compressor failing. Outside temperatures were around 95-100 degrees Fahrenheit, and temperatures in the cabin began to each uncomfortable levels. The lack of cooling could pose health risks to susceptible individuals. -The vehicle was inspected and repaired by the manufacturer, who confirmed the failure. -The failed and/or damaged components were inspected and repaired by the manufacturer. -The first symptoms I encountered involved abnormally slow DC fast charging and odd noises coming from the AC system. About 45-60 minutes before the failure I also had very little to no cooling from the air conditioning. Once the failure occurred the vehicle displayed the "Battery System Fault" warning message and instructed me to pull of the road ASAP.

NHTSA ID

11761751

Incident

May 29, 2025

The vehicle became completely inoperable suddenly while driving on the road due to a "drive unit failure." Fortunately, I was still at an intersection when this occurred. I don't what would have happened if I was in motion, especially at higher speed on a highway. The car was towed to the nearest Lucid service center, but it remains there over 6 weeks later as they are not able to fix the problem.

NHTSA ID

11662966

Incident

Apr 5, 2025

On Saturday [XXX], in Chino Hills, CA (ZIP Code 91709), my 2023 Lucid Air Touring experienced a sudden unintended acceleration event. Shortly after releasing the accelerator pedal to obtain a parking pass, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated at a high speed, resulting in a collision with the pavement and a post on the premises. This incident bears similarities to the all-weather mat recall; however, Lucid has confirmed that my vehicle's mats are not listed under the recall. The failure appears to be related to the Lucid electric propulsion system, which is available for inspection upon request. As a result of the crash, I sustained minor injuries. A police report has been filed with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department by Deputy M. Scott (Report #[XXX], Chino Hills Station, Chino Hills, CA 91709). Lucid is currently conducting an investigation and has issued Incident Report #[XXX]. Additionally, State Farm Auto Insurance (California) has assigned an appraiser to assess the body damage. There was no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the issue appearing except for one short incident of sudden unintended acceleration experienced by my husband which has been reported to Lucid. Please let me know if further information or inspection arrangements are needed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11662938

Incident

May 17, 2025

The contact owns a 2023 Lucid Air. The contact stated that he had purchased and picked up the vehicle from the Service Center. The contact stated that the vehicle had a 425-mile range, and the mile range at pick-up was 408. The contact stated that while driving 64 MPH, the heater became inoperable. Additionally, the vehicle started to lose charging range. The message "Battery Critically Low Vehicle May Shut Down Unexpectedly - Charge Immediately" was displayed. The contact stated that he drove to a charging station. The contact stated that he was able to charge the vehicle after several attempts. Additionally, the charging port failed to close and was stuck after charging the vehicle. The Service Center was notified of the failure and picked up the vehicle. The Service Center later informed the contact that the heater had drained the battery, and no other issue was found. The contact stated that he noticed through the App connected to the vehicle that the Service Center had not test-driven the vehicle. The service center declined to trade the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 316.

NHTSA ID

11560244

Incident

Dec 5, 2023

Mileage

316 mi

I was maneuvering the car in my driveway and it seemed to accelerate suddenly. I drove off my driveway and impacted bushes and a low stone wall. I do not think I pushed the accelerator.

NHTSA ID

11551345

Incident

Sep 29, 2023

I was driving on I80 west in San Francisco with about 75 mph. Suddenly shows turtle mode and dropped the speed to 52 mph. I was on the second lane and a lot of vehicles are behind us with same speed. I towed to the service center.

NHTSA ID

11542552

Incident

Sep 4, 2023

driver headlight intermittently failing, restarting, and failing again. driver door now not locking correctly and electronic sealing incorrect. intermittent failure of sound throughout car including all warning sounds and turn signals. multiple contact to manufacture without any return of contact from anyone who can actually assist and extreme delays to reach customer service on the order of hours to even have someone answer the phone

NHTSA ID

11514884

Incident

Mar 21, 2023

Driving on a road trip from Norfolk to Louisville from military duty and the car lost power suddenly on the highway at night. Very scary. Had been averaging about 72 mph. Absolutely no reason for it. 36 degrees outside in the middle of rural KY. Awful experience. Likely gonna need to get towed.

NHTSA ID

11512484

Incident

Mar 17, 2023