Ford Ranger Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 153 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the Ford Ranger across 20 model years. The 1996 model year has the most (17). The words owners use most often: “turn signal” (22% of reports).
- 153exterior lighting complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 5mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 28%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.
- Turn signal: mentioned in 33 of 153 complaints (22%)
- Multi function: mentioned in 9 of 153 complaints (6%)
- Windshield wipers: mentioned in 9 of 153 complaints (6%)
- High beam: mentioned in 8 of 153 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 62 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 153 complaints, 5 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 1 an injury.
Ford Ranger exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Ranger | 1 | 14% | — |
| 2022 Ranger | 2 | 5% | — |
| 2021 Ranger | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2020 Ranger | 6 | 5% | 29,012 |
| 2019 Ranger | 14 | 5% | 150 |
| 2011 Ranger | 9 | 4% | 42,500 |
| 2010 Ranger | 2 | 1% | 141,500 |
| 2008 Ranger | 3 | 1% | 182,500 |
| 2007 Ranger | 1 | 0% | 65,000 |
| 2005 Ranger | 2 | 1% | 36,600 |
| 2004 Ranger | 5 | 1% | 114,000 |
| 2003 Ranger | 6 | 2% | 85,000 |
| 2002 Ranger | 7 | 2% | 38,625 |
| 2001 Ranger | 5 | 1% | 50,000 |
| 2000 Ranger | 14 | 2% | 81,300 |
| 1999 Ranger | 13 | 2% | 78,000 |
| 1998 Ranger | 16 | 3% | 45,000 |
| 1997 Ranger | 14 | 3% | 70,000 |
| 1996 Ranger | 17 | 4% | 104,000 |
| 1995 Ranger | 15 | 5% | 184,513 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Exterior lighting:tail lights; electrical system: integrated trailer brake control
Model years: 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:tail lights
Model years: 2019
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ranger trucks. The inline electrical connector terminals for the rear lights may be misaligned or not properly seated, potentially causing the rear lights to function intermittently or not at all.
Risk: Intermittent or inoperative tail lamps can result in loss of stop, turn, rear position, and reverse lamp functions, which reduces the vehicle's visibility and may not fully alert other drivers that the vehicle is braking, turning, or reversing, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inline connector for loose terminals and replace the connectors, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 5, 2020. A renotification was sent on July 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S43.
Exterior lighting:brake lights; exterior lighting:tail lights
Model years: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Problem: Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 ranger trucks built from january 25, 2011, through april 25, 2011 at the twin cities assembly plant, and service parts distributed to dealers for certain 2004 through 2011 model year ranger trucks, 2002 through 2005 model year excursion vehicles, and 2002 through 2007 model year f-250, f-350, f-450, and f-550 trucks for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the multi-function switch was shipped with a subcomponent (slider) that may experience deformation. A multi-function switch with a deformed slider may malfunction causing the turn signal, tail lights, hazard warning signal flashers and/or brake lights not to activate.
Risk: Non-functioning lights could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the switches free of charge. The safety recall began on august 15, 2011. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
When setting up my vehicle for neutral towing behind my motorhome and having parts installed for the proper operation of my turn signal and brake lights when vehicle is flat towed it was found that for it to happen were the brake lights do not override the turn signal when both activated at the…
My complaint isn't about my vehicle. My complaint pertains to pickup truck and SUV lighting. The lighting on these vehicles have become so bright that they blind oncoming drivers. In addition, I was recently blinded by the lights on a lifted pickup truck, that was following behind me. The lights on…
After hookup of any type of trailer to electrical on vehicle, left turn signal fails to operate on vehicle or trailer, and warning message is displayed on panel. After disconnection of trailer operation of all turn signals in vehicle resume as designed.
My tail lights just stopped working. I didn't know that they were out until someone behind me told me that they were out. I didn't have any collision, nothing like that. I called the Ford Dealership and they told me to bring it in so that they can see what the problem is. They have been having…
Rear brake lights did not work, but high mount brake light functioned normally. I found a safety recall for the 2019 Ford Ranger for the same condition (19S43). This safety recall identifies connector C442 as the root cause for the incident. Based on this information, I located the connected. I…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Rangers have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 153 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the Ford Ranger. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Ranger exterior lighting?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the Ford Ranger?
The most frequent phrase is “turn signal”, in 33 of 153 complaints, followed by “multi function” (9).
Other Ford Ranger problems
- Air Bags problems (1,882)
- Power Train problems (745)
- Tires problems (701)
- Structure problems (668)
- Suspension problems (523)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (486)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (483)
- Electrical System problems (434)
See all Ford Ranger problems.