Exterior Lighting Problems of Ford F-150 - part 1

On my 2021 Ford F-150, the passenger-side led daytime running light (drl) has become noticeably dim compared to the driver’s side. This issue is widely reported by other owners of 2021-23 F-150 trucks. The problem is not electrical. Owners who have disassembled the headlight assemblies have found that the fiber-optic style light tube that distributes the led’s light becomes heat-damaged over time. This burned spot blocks light from passing through the drl, leaving one side of the vehicle significantly dimmer or out. Safety concern: drls are a safety-critical feature designed to increase vehicle visibility during daytime driving. When one drl is dim or inoperative, it reduces the truck’s visibility to oncoming drivers and creates an inconsistent lighting pattern that can cause confusion for other road users. This increases the risk of daytime collisions. This is not a cosmetic issue — it directly affects vehicle safety. The failure is common across this model year, but Ford only sells the drl as part of the entire headlight assembly. The cost of replacement ($800–$1,200 per side) places a heavy burden on owners, especially since the defect appears prematurely and outside warranty coverage. Request: I urge NHTSA to investigate this widespread defect in Ford F-150 headlights. The drl failure clearly reduces vehicle visibility and poses a safety risk, making it a safety-related defect that warrants further action, including the possibility of a recall or extended coverage. [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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Left side day time driving light went out on top half on my 2021 f150 Ford truck. Ford has many complaints of this happening to the day time driving lights from 2021 to 2024. The light is a complete replacement of the entire head light assembly for $ 2000 at the dealer. Day time driving lights are a safety feature of automobiles and should be part of warranties. This is a major problem with the Ford lighting system and it shouldn't cost $2000 to replace a daytime driving light. Being a safety item it should be recalled and Ford should be made to replace these head light assemblies to ensure the safety of all drivers.

The rear light bar in the tailgate that also includes my back up lights is defective. The light bar was defective at delivery of vehicle and this is the second time this light bar has been deemed defective by a Ford dealership service department. The first repair on this defect was covered under a recall. This issue is a safety concern as it causes the rear light bar to flicker on and off and it has disabled the back up lights. There was no warning lights or alerts, I was pulled over by law enforcement and given a verbal warning to resolve the issue. The vehicle is currently at red mccombs Ford in san antonio, TX and Ford is denying any issue with the vehicle.

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The drl has gone out on one of my headlights. The other has started to flicker. This is uncovered by their extended warranty and over $1600 per side to replace. It is becoming common to see many 2021-2023 with led reflector headlamps with burned out drl. It is an unserviceable part as well. Only can replace the entire assembly but no warranty will cover it as lighting is exempt as standard wear items.

Condensation in 2024 Ford lightning tailgate light bar consistent with 2022 and 2023 model recall. For reference - the Ford F-150 lightning recall related to the rear light bar is 23s30, which is also NHTSA recall no. 23v-418.

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The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the blind spot detector alert system stopped functioning on the driver's and passenger’s side. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer who advised that there was water inside the rear driver's side taillight through a hair line fracture and was causing the short circuit of the feature. The contact stated that there were two cracks, and one crack was showing on the surface of the taillight assembly, and the other crack was forming on the inside of the assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

The drl on the passenger side of my truck have already begun to go out, I have noticed a ton of these 14th generation f150's on the road with dead/dying drl and mine began to die after 4 years and 61k miles.

Water formed from condensation caused the lariat light bar to no longer function.

See all problems of the 2022 Ford F-150 🔎.

The leds in the daytime running lights have failed. They are partially burned out. Based on research, I’ve done online this is apparently a common problem.

Rear light bar was replaced under recall 23s30 on April 30, 2024. At the time, light bar had moisture inside and was no longer functioning. Now same issue has presented itself with the new part. Rear lightbar works sporadically or not at all. This means that the red part of the light bar flashes randomly while driving, probably confusing other drivers. This also means the reverse lights do not work. So there is no indication when the vehicle is reversing. I noticed the moisture around the beginning of August 2025 and then noticed flickering lights while in reverse around August 18, 2025. Now, there are no reverse lights at all.

The vertical portion of the drl stopped working. Looking online it looks like the led bulb melts the light housing covering up the led. I see many reports of this problem on forums and some have the vertical and horizontal strips do this so they lose drl on that side of the truck.

Day time running lamp (drl) failure. The driver's side drl is not working anymore on my 2022 Ford f150 XLT with led light package. The vehicle has 37,000 miles on it. The drl is a vertical and horizontal strip of white led's that stay on during the daytime for visibility. I took it to the dealer and they changed the module that runs the light and it would not fix it. They said that the lights are broken in the headlight assembly and it will cost $2,009 to fix the light that is not covered by my extended warranty. Apparently you have to get the "light" package on the extended warranty, when I was told I have a bumper to bumper warranty. How do the led's burn out that fast. Ford built them into the headlight assemble and they cannot be replaced without buying a whole new assembly. I have seen other vehicles like this on the roadway with only one light working. As an accident reconstructionist, I cannot believe Ford would not take the initiative to fix this for safety reasons. I have done research on the topic and several Ford trucks of this year model are experiencing the same issues. I am surprised this has not become a recall issue due to safety issues. Also, I do not have any aftermarket lighting or attachments that would affect the lighting. Some Ford dealerships use that excuse when the light assembly fails. It is stock lighting with stock bumper and grill and has not been in a front end collision.

The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact received notifications of NHTSA campaign numbers: 24v682000 (exterior lighting) and 25v455000 (fuel system, gasoline) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

The passenger side daytime running light vertical led strip in the passenger side headlight assembly has quit working as of 7/11/2025. I noticed that there seemed to be a reduction in the lighting on the passenger side of my vehicle that night. When I checked my vehicle lighting, I noticed that the above mentioned part of the headlight assembly was not working. This seems to be an integral part of the headlight assembly and I cannot find any replaceable bulb or lighting strip. After searching online, this seems to be a common problem with this series of trucks. The only remedy seems to be replacement of the entire headlight assembly vs. Simply replacing a bulb or led strip.

The high beams do not activate under any circumstance. Have taken to dealership twice and they can’t figure it out. Allegedly they have a “hot ticket” with Ford engineering but no call to resolve or bring in for further diagnosis. Dash indicator light shows the high beams are active, and the fog lights turn off as designed when activated, but the lights themselves do not turn on. It was happening intermittently before both stopped working completely.

The passenger side daytime running lamp has burned out in one section. Ford says in order to replace this the whole headlight must be replaced at a cost of $1,400. Daytime running lamps are a requirement for safety and the inability to repair the running lamp without replacing the entire headlight poses a safety risk to both the driver and other vehicles on the road.

I bought my truck less than a year ago. I found out that the recall (23530) repair on my truck had been completed about 2 months prior to me buying it from another dealership. I took it to a local dealership last week (July 3rd) for the diagnostic and the findings were obvious. Water/moisture in the light that shorted out the right side lights and causes the camera to flicker like a strobe light. I paid $200 for the diagnostic fee only for them to repeatedly mention how the truck is out of warranty and the recall part warranty was expired as well. This isn’t a warranty/recall issue. This is a faulty parts issue that appears to be rampant amongst several lighting owners. There’s no record of the replacement part’s manufacturing date, but my tailgate light bar is having the same moisture issues as the original reasons for the recall. When this gets repaired, it will be the 3rd part on this truck in as many years as its existence. Ford corporate has repeatedly dismissed this as “out of warranty” even though the issue is with the same recalled part itself. I’ve called the Ford customer service line for them to lean on the warranty expiration and the recall date. Sorry for the long windedness but I just need the steps to get this fixed. It’s beyond frustrating having to deal with this. Any help would be appreciated. If you need any info just let me know. Thanks in advance ron.

Headlight drl went out causing less visibility: transmission is always losing slamming into gears and searching.

The front daytime running lights are out and not replacable. Ford said they cannot repair the led and need to replace the entire headlight. This is a safety issue for me and my passengers as other cars might not see us especially in certain weather or lighting. Two rivers Ford inspected the vehicle and said they can't fix it. Would cost $4000 for new headlights plus labor. No warning lights. There is no reason any new vehicle withing 3 years should need the entire headlight assembly replaced especially at $4000.

The led driving lights went out in my headlight assembly. I understand this is a relatively common defect for which I believe Ford should issue a recall.

Vertical headlight seems to have burned out on both sides after reading online and couple forms. It seems to be a common issue and Ford should be held accountable.

Daytime running lamp burnt out on passenger side. Coincidentally, right after the vehicle was in for a parking lamp recall. There are 34,900 miles and I’m just shy of a month out of my 3 year warranty. $1700 for a new headlight at owners expense is ridiculous and this is a common issue on these trucks.

The headlight module failed in the middle of driving at night and caused me to pull over and get the vehicle towed. Took to the dealership and apparently it’s been an issue with these trucks and the headlight module fails and then burns out both headlights. There is no recall and is not covered by my factory warranty.

Passenger side drl burn out.

My trucks rear light bar was repaired under the NHTSA recall 23s30. This was done in 2023 but Ford's repair did not fix the issue and the light bar continues to allow moisture in and thus the light does not work. I currently have the truck being diagnosed by hertrich Ford of elkton in elkton maryland and a case number with Ford regarding the issue. The caes number is [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the rear lights on the vehicle were inoperable. The contact stated that the rear lights failed to function properly while attempting to reverse. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear light bar had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Drl is half burnt out. The led is not replacable and drl is a part of a safety item that is required to be road legal. Not only has my 2022 f150 lariat with the quad led headlights have this drl led burnt out, many on the f150 forums and facebook groups for 2021-2023 are having the same exact issue. A safety item like drl should be recalled if it is not repairable.

The rear light bar and reversing lamp assembly, which was part of a safety recall, is filled with water and the lights are malfunctioning again. Ford is telling me that the replacement part has a 1 year warranty so that I would have to pay over $1600 for a replacement. This is a widespread issue with many of these trucks. Ford admitted that it was a manufacturing defect with the original part. However, the replacement part has the same issue so it is my belief that Ford has not fulfilled their duty to adequately repair an obvious safety issue and should be held responsible for the replacement of this part at no cost to the vehicle owner.

Passenger side lighting control module, becomes defective. Most obvious sign is the non operational passenger side running light/light bar. Other observations, may include sporadic flashing on high beam (assuming- as passenger side lighting can be seen flicker/flashing passenger side, while driving. Another issue is an occasional non working passenger side front turn signal.

The rear tail light bar and back up light has moisture in it. It no longer works, the back up light also does not work. This is a known defect and there is a recall for this issue on many Ford lightning pickups. For some reason my truck is not included in the recall. The vehicle is available for inspection. I have no illumination when backing up, I feel this is an unsafe condition. The dealer has confirmed there is moisture in the tail light bar. No other entity has inspected the vehicle. I first noticed the problem when after putting the truck in reverse at night I could not see behind me while backing up.

Part dg9z13a018e (ambient light sensor) fails to properly read daylight during warm months. Inverted value (reading of very dark) persists for at least 10 minutes. Appears to be temperature dependent; meaning, the temperature of the sensor/dash/housing is very hot and skewing the reading. Instrument panel dim. 12" screen dim. Reverse image (parking assist) dim as 12" screen is dim. When occurs, can be disabled by turning auto-headlights to off position. When cycled back to automatic, condition reasserts and dims both the cluster and screen. Issue has been verified at dealership since 2023. Cannot replicate issue when stored indoors, raining, overcast, cold, etc. Requires full sun and warm day. Vehicle cannot be spared for additional diagnostics without rental/loaner provision. Will ask to attempt to replicate during upcoming recall maintenance and other TSB/ssm diagnostics to correct lingering ota update/software issues that cause low state of charge conditions.

Daytime running lights have burned out separately but does not have a bulb replacement solution. The entire headlight has to be replaced causing a safety issue in daytime visibility and price gouging from Ford motor company.

The running lights went out on the front passenger side. These are led lights and should last longer than 60k miles. These can’t be repaired and have to be replaced. I got quoted $1,650 without labor for one.

The vehicle was recalled in October 2023 for water getting into the tailgate lens that could cause the reverse lights to malfunction. The vehicle was brought in for repairs on Jan 24, 2024. I notice that the tailgate lens has water in it now.

Rear driver-side blinker light failed due to microscopic breaks in the light. It eventually allowed moisture to occur in the light causing a failure in the lights. It has been a known issue on the f150 lightning vehicle with the rear lamp bar and based on many other vehicle owner accounts it is also an issue with the rear taillights.