Ford F-150 exterior lighting problems, 2016–2026
261 of the 10,822 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford F-150 2016–2026 name the exterior lights (NHTSA’s “Exterior Lighting” heading — as ODI groups the complaints it receives). The loudest years: 2021 (113), 2022 (65), 2024 (53). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 manufacturer bulletin, 9 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Ford F-150 exterior lighting problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the exterior lights | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2025 | 6 | 5% | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2024 in depth | 53 | 24% | — | 1 recall | the record → |
| 2023 | 24 | 5% | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2022 in depth | 65 | 8% | — | 6 recalls | the record → |
| 2021 in depth | 113 | 9% | 55k | 2 recalls | the record → |
| 2020 | 0 | — | — | 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2019 | 0 | — | — | 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2018 | 0 | — | — | 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2017 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2016 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the exterior lights. Nothing here is a rate.
When the exterior lighting complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2021: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2023: 15 · 2024: 36 · 2025: 82 · 2026: 125
Across the model years, half of the 50 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the exterior lighting problem between 18,000 and 62,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the exterior lights, from the model years with the most to say. 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.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the driver's side headlight was flickering while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, where the failure could not be replicated. The contact stated that the failure persisted.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased brand new and shipped to him. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the local dealer for servicing, he was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V686000 (Exterior Lighting).
MinneapolisMN55428United States1/1/2026"Digital light (led) and sound are unhealthy. I have been reffering to it as fake light and sound for years now. Get ahold of robert f kennedy and have him include this in his MAHA research"
What is on file about the exterior lights, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 26V373000 MinorJun 9, 2026 · 91,198 vehicles
- 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."
- 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."
- 25V517000 MinorAug 8, 2025 · 1,278 vehicles
- 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."
- 25V515000 MinorAug 8, 2025 · 2,361 vehicles
- 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."
- 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.
- 24V682000 MinorSep 13, 2024 · 16,543 vehicles
- 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."
- 23V802000 MinorNov 28, 2023 · 18,527 vehicles
- 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."
- 22V686000 MinorSep 14, 2022 · 86,050 vehicles
- 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."
The 8 newest of 9; each model year’s page lists its own.
1 manufacturer bulletin filed under this heading, any model year
- Sep 23, 2026
- Some 2021-2024 Mustang Mach-E, 2025-2026 Navigator and 2024 F-150 vehicles may exhibit inoperative welcome/approach detection lights. This may be due to the body control module (BCM) software. To correct the condition, download and run the "BCM - Programmable Module Installation (PMI)" application using the latest software level of the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) scan tool. If the cond
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Ford F-150
Source: the same files- transmission and drivetrain problems
- electrical problems
- fuel system problems
- engine problems
- visibility and wiper problems
- brake problems
- backup camera and parking sensor problems
- body and structure problems
Every system, every model year: Ford F-150 problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Ford F-150 years have the most exterior lighting complaints?
2021, 113; 2022, 65; 2024, 53. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2024 (24%).
Is there a recall for the exterior lights on the Ford F-150?
Yes — 9 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 26V373000 (2020), 26V104000 (2026), 25V517000 (2022), 25V515000 (2022). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do exterior lighting problems show up on the Ford F-150?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 48,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 18,000 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.