Ford F-150 Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 607 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the Ford F-150 across 31 model years. The 2021 model year has the most (114). The words owners use most often: “daytime running” (11% of reports).
- 607exterior lighting complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 8mention a crash
- 4mention an injury
- 14related recalls
- $2,050typical repair cost reported by owners
- 48%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Daytime running: mentioned in 69 of 607 complaints (11%)
- Turn signal: mentioned in 40 of 607 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical exterior lighting repair on the Ford F-150 at $2,050, and half of them between $1,300 and $2,500.
Based on 30 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2005–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 220 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 607 complaints, 8 mention a crash, 13 a fire, 4 an injury.
Ford F-150 exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 F-150 | 6 | 6% | — |
| 2024 F-150 | 50 | 26% | 25,000 |
| 2023 F-150 | 23 | 6% | 55,000 |
| 2022 F-150 | 65 | 11% | 40,000 |
| 2021 F-150 | 114 | 11% | 55,000 |
| 2020 F-150 | 5 | 1% | 100 |
| 2019 F-150 | 11 | 1% | 22,000 |
| 2018 F-150 | 23 | 1% | 21,450 |
| 2017 F-150 | 5 | 0% | 87,043 |
| 2016 F-150 | 16 | 1% | 8,000 |
| 2015 F-150 | 17 | 1% | 31,000 |
| 2014 F-150 | 8 | 1% | 12,550 |
| 2013 F-150 | 17 | 1% | 38,000 |
| 2012 F-150 | 9 | 1% | 53,212 |
| 2011 F-150 | 30 | 1% | 75,000 |
| 2010 F-150 | 28 | 3% | 44,900 |
| 2009 F-150 | 12 | 4% | 39,000 |
| 2008 F-150 | 5 | 1% | 123,175 |
| 2007 F-150 | 4 | 1% | 47,500 |
| 2006 F-150 | 11 | 2% | 50,000 |
| 2005 F-150 | 5 | 0% | 126,000 |
| 2004 F-150 | 17 | 1% | 14,000 |
| 2003 F-150 | 6 | 1% | 61,500 |
| 2002 F-150 | 10 | 1% | 55,753 |
| 2001 F-150 | 11 | 1% | 66,500 |
| 2000 F-150 | 22 | 2% | 35,140 |
| 1999 F-150 | 16 | 2% | 105,000 |
| 1998 F-150 | 13 | 1% | 110,000 |
| 1997 F-150 | 34 | 1% | 118,000 |
| 1996 F-150 | 5 | 2% | 104,521 |
| 1995 F-150 | 9 | 1% | 187,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (14)
Exterior lighting:headlights
Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 20V097. When the headlight switch is turned from "Autolamps" to "Headlamps On," the Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) may remain fully bright instead of dimming to parking lamps as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Daytime Running Lamps that do not dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: ,Dealers will reprogram the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 17, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C28. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.
Exterior lighting:tail lights; electrical system: integrated trailer brake control
Model years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driverâs ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 17, 2026.
Exterior lighting:lighting control module
Model years: 2022
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 F-150 vehicles that were repaired incorrectly under recall 22V686. The parking lights may flicker when the headlights are activated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Flickering parking lights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the light emitting diode control module and update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 12, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C37.
Exterior lighting:lighting control module
Model years: 2022
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 F-150 vehicles that were repaired incorrectly under recalls 22V686 and 23V802. The parking lights may flicker when the headlights are activated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Flickering parking lights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the light emitting diode control module and update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 20, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C38.
Exterior lighting:back up lights
Model years: 2021
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles equipped with the Onboard Scales feature that were repaired incorrectly under recall 24V443. An over-the-air software update to the body control module (BCM) may have disabled both reverse lights.
Risk: Inoperative reverse lights may fail to alert others that the vehicle is reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S57.
Exterior lighting:lighting control module
Model years: 2022
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 F-150 vehicles. The parking lights may flicker when the headlights are activated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Flickering parking lights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the LED Driver module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 10, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C30. These vehicles were previously recalled for this same issue under 22V-686 and will need to have the new remedy performed.
Electrical system:body control module:software; exterior lighting:back up lights
Model years: 2021
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles equipped with the Onboard Scales feature. An over-the-air software update to the body control module (BCM) may have disabled both reverse lights.
Risk: Disabled reverse lights cannot alert others that the vehicle is reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are were mailed June 26, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S38.
Exterior lighting:lighting control module
Model years: 2022
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 F-150 vehicles. The parking lights may flicker when the headlights are activated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Flickering parking lights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the LED driver module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 19, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C36. Vehicles with high series headlamps previously recalled under recall number 22V-686 that received an incomplete remedy, or have not yet been repaired, will need to have the new remedy completed.
Exterior lighting:lighting control module
Model years: 2022
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Bronco Sport and 2022 F-150 vehicles. The parking lights may flicker when the headlights are activated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Flickering parking lights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the LED Driver module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22C22.
Exterior lighting:headlights
Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from the "Autolamps" switch position to "Headlamps On." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment."
Risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch; service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Model years: 2014
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 F-150 vehicles manufactured March 1, 2014, to March 13, 2014. The affected vehicles may have a brake pedal position switch that is improperly adjusted. As a result, the brake lights may illuminate with a delay or not at all. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: If the brake lights fail to illuminate, or illuminate after a delay, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford has notified owners, and dealers will adjust the brake pedal position switch, free of charge. The recall began on November 24, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14C09. Note: Until the vehicle has been remedied, owners are advised not to use their cruise control system.
Exterior lighting:back up lights; power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Model years: 2011, 2012
Problem: Ford is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 ford f-150, 2012 expedition and lincoln navigator, and 2012-2013 mustang vehicles, for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard nos. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect" and 108 âlamps, reflective devices and associated equipment.â these vehicles may have a transmission range sensor (trs) that was calibrated out of specification for reverse gear.
Risk: If this condition exists, the transmission may not go into reverse or when the driver pushes the shift lever in the reverse ârâ position and the vehicleâs transmission does go in reverse, the ârâ may not illuminate on the dashboard of the f-150, expedition, or navigator models and/or the backup lamp on the rear of the f-150, expedition, navigator, or mustang vehicles may not illuminate. These conditions increase the risk of a crash or a pedestrian being struck due to the vehicleâs not signaling it is in reverse.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the trs as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on june 11, 2012. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Model years: 2009
Problem: Ford is recalling 8,735 my 2009 f-150 trucks for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the brake stop lamp switch may be improperly adjusted. This may result in a delay in brake stop lamp illumination when the brake pedal is depressed. In situations of very mild brake application, the brake stop lamps may not illuminate.
Risk: Delay or loss of brake stop lamp function may increase the risk of an accident.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and have the brake stop lamp switch removed and reinstalled which will provide proper adjustment. The remedy will be performed free of charge. The recall began on may 13, 2009. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332 or through the internet at www.ownerconnection.com.
Exterior lighting
Model years: 1997, 1998
Problem: Vehicle description: mini vans, light pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Off lease canadian vehicles equipped with daytime running lights which meet canadian requirements and not the photometric requirements of fmvss 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." according to ford, the vehicles were imported into the u.s. Erroneously.
Risk: The light given off from the daytime running lights is brighter than allowed by u.s. Standards.
Fix: Dealers will be advised to deactivate the running light function and to complete any outstanding safety recalls on these vehicles.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
My daytime running light has burned out. I also see a lot of other f150 around town with the same exact problem. I also donât want to get stopped from the police for having a bulb burned out. I have researched this problem and you canât fix it unless you buy a whole brand new headlight assembly…
My truck is shifting erratically going from 5/6th gear down to 1st/2nd. It looses power. My battery light comes on, the wrench comes on, check engine light comes on but no codes come up. I have already put in a new transmission at my cost.
I have noticed that my turn signal lights work sometimes, and sometimes they give me the rapid-fire warning light indicating that one of them is out (front or back). The outage may or may not last the entire duration of when the turn signal is deployed - sometimes it fixes itself, and other times…
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the LED daytime running lights was flashing quickly before burning out. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH and then stopped at an intersection, another driver informed the contact that the passenger's side headlight was flashing…
The rear brake light led failed and ford refused to cover under their 4/48000 bumper to bumper warranty, there is no damage to the light assembly and the failure is going to cost $1700 to correct. For a light bulb(led so no bulb) issue, this is fraud from ford not honoring coverages and for not…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford F-150s have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 607 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the Ford F-150. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford F-150 exterior lighting?
Yes: 14 safety recalls list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix exterior lighting problems on the Ford F-150?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,050 (half paid between $1,300 and $2,500), from 30 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the Ford F-150?
The most frequent phrase is “daytime running”, in 69 of 607 complaints, followed by “turn signal” (40).
Other Ford F-150 problems
- Power Train problems (8,971)
- Engine problems (4,524)
- Electrical System problems (3,642)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (2,690)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (2,502)
- Steering problems (2,253)
- Service Brakes problems (2,080)
- Visibility problems (2,074)
See all Ford F-150 problems.