2021 Ford F-150 exterior lighting problems
113 of the 1,277 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford F-150 name the exterior lights (NHTSA’s “Exterior Lighting” heading — as ODI groups the complaints it receives). Filed under the same heading: 2 recalls. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the exterior lights
Source: NHTSA complaint database0 of the 113 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2021: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 6 · 2024: 23 · 2025: 43 · 2026: 39
Half of the 12 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the exterior lighting problem between 49,000 and 62,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
1,277 complaints in all about the 2021 Ford F-150, 39 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Exterior Lighting” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ford F-150 exterior lighting problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the exterior lights. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
In June of this year while traveling on the highway at speeds between 65-70 mph my drivers side tail light flew out of my vehicle. There was enough force to rip the wiring right out and send the entire light flying which could have caused risk to any vehicle behind me, it also left me to drive without a tail light/blinker which is a…
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the passenger’s side headlight was not working as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger’s side headlamp needed to be replaced due a failure of the LED screen.
Tail lamp assembly both sides, allowing moisture within the lighting assembly potentially resulting in short circuit or fire if water comes in contact with electrical connections
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the taillight and signal lights were inoperable. There was water in the lower section of the taillight compartment when it rained or while the vehicle was taken to the car wash.
Headlight DRL went out. Common problem with these trucks. Causes a safety concern with visibility
What is on file about the exterior lights
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 26V104000 HighFeb 20, 2026 · 4,381,878 vehicles
- 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."
- 25V348000 MinorMay 23, 2025 · 10 vehicles
- 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.
Other systems with a record on the 2021 Ford F-150
Source: the same files- transmission and drivetrain problems 441 complaints
- electrical problems 176 complaints
- visibility and wiper problems 149 complaints
- engine problems 130 complaints
- fuel system problems 106 complaints
- brake problems 77 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre exterior lighting problems common on the 2021 Ford F-150?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 113 owner complaints naming the exterior lights on this model year (9% of everything owners filed about it), and 2 recalls are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the exterior lights on the 2021 Ford F-150?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading: 26V104000, 25V348000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do exterior lighting problems show up on the 2021 Ford F-150?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 55,000 miles; half of them between 49,000 and 62,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Exterior Lighting" heading cover?
The area of the vehicle ODI files the complaint under. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.