2021 FORD F-150 Exterior Lighting Problems
76 NHTSA complaints on file
All Exterior Lighting Complaints — Page 2
The day time running light on the driver side is out and is a known problem for the 2021+ F-150’s with LED headlights that I have seen. It would be in everyones best interest if we could have this recalled and have Ford fix this issue that is not covered by warranty and without having to scavenge $2100 to replace one side of a headlight which is a safety feature for the truck.
There has been an issue with front LED lights where they go out. It’s an electrical issue where my truck had both replaced and still in warranty this caused almost hit accidents a night. Many vehicles warned me by flashing the high beams. Also another issue is the transmission where it creates a huge jerk on the transmission causing a change in shift. Almost had an accident caused by it. No police involved and no accidents.
DRL lights are dead after three years of ownership. Dealer wants $1600 per light assembly to repair them. Cannot afford to repair them. makes the truck less visible day and night.
Running light led strip in both headlights has gone out before 40k miles. Numerous issues with these all over the road having the same problem. Causes an issue with visibility and is unsafe. Manufacturer wants 1700 per headlight to fix.
Led DRL burned out both driver and passenger side. Extremely common issue in this generation of F150/similar year model. $1200 per head light assembly replacement to fix the issue.
Both daytime running lights, which also serve as part of the headlights have burnt out. First the drivers side vertical strip of the LED light went out, then the passenger side same vertical strip only. Recently, the horizontal top strip of the headlight went out too. Just happened around 30,000 miles, little past 3 years since I bought my truck
The LED daytime running lights in both of my headlights are going out. The vertical portion is out on each the driver's side, and passenger side headlights. This started on the passenger side headlight about 6 months ago and has progressed to both lights. The diminishes the visibility of my vehicle to other vehicles. Puts all at risk. The headlights are still attached to my truck and available for inspection. I have not taken my truck in for inspection as I am beyond the factory warranty. I have conducted research into the problem and learned there are hundreds, if not thousands of owners with the same issue. There were no warnings of the light failure.
XLT model with quad LED headlight. The Daytime Running Lamp failed 3000 miles past factory 36k mile warranty. Very common failure, Ford won’t acknowledge. Safety issue for other drivers in daytime as well as distracting to other drivers looking to see why the lights are not symmetrical. I have polled 14 people randomly and 13-14 said that it would distract them, while others have acknowledged they have seen several others like it. Trying to get a recall on this as the lights are 1200$ to replace each and they fail on both sides. The issue is quality control. I have torn down one light and examined the issue. I can provide evidence to support.
Day time running lights burned out at 32,000 miles. The trucks Visibility during daylight has significantly been altered due to the DRLs malfunctioning so soon in a new vehicle. No warning or alerts.
Headlight /DRL out - no alerts or messages
Daytime running lights burn out with no remedy with the exception of replacing entire headlight assembly. Safety is impacted as DRL's are needed in places that my work is conducted.
The DRL on the 2021 F150 Quad Beam headlights burn out continuously. Ford needs to step up and fix this issue. This issue is a safety matter.
Headlight Daytime running lights burn out.
The daytime running lights started to begin to fail around August of 2023. As of today(10/3/2024) the passenger side has completely failed around the headlight assembly and the driver side has only failed along the vertical strip of the headlight assembly.
Passenger Daytime Running Light went out on me. Happened to other 2021-2024 Ford F150’s too. Hazardous to others due to confusion of lighting. No warnings at all.
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 safety issue. I did not see, feel, or hear anything, and only noticed it was gone when I arrived home that night. It was replaced through a body shop. In August while driving on the highway again in similar conditions I saw something red in my rear view mirror that seemed to come flying from the bed of my truck. I saw it fly away and bounce down the highway, luckily not hitting a vehicle behind me, but it did create an obstruction in the road....
DRL on headlamp vertical line shutoff on passenger side headlight assembly.
The driver side led DRL of the headlight is burnt out.
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.
Headlight DRL went out. Common problem with these trucks. Causes a safety concern with visibility.
It started with the loss of Sirius, then intermittently maps, and now the radio is gone and my display on my dash goes black and restarts. I will be driving down the road (interstate) and all of my dash disappears. No speedometer at all. The APIM is out and Ford has no APIM's available. I took it to local Ford and they confirmed the APIM was out. It controls the whole truck and weird things have happened. Locks, seating changing, steering wheel changes. There is a case opened with Ford but apparently no timeline on fix.
When a trailer is connected the right side trailer brake light fails to operate; the lights on the truck work properly. When the trailer has been recently disconnected warnings on the dash appear saying "Blind spot and cross traffic alert deactivated trailer attached". I also get trailer left and right turn lamps fault check lamps warnings and the turn signal indicators flash at double speed. These things always clear up after a couple of days until a trailer has been connected and disconnected again. I have two different trailers and they both do the same thing. Just for the record, the right turn signal and hazard flashers on the trailer work correctly. My dealer has observed everything that I stated above but claims he is unable to get parts to fix it. The cross traffic alert malfunction and the non operative trailer brake light would appear to be safety issues....
Right DRL LED strip broken and will not illuminate. Outside of the 3 year/36K mile warranty and Ford will not repair despite numerous owners reporting the same issue and the 2022 models having a recall for them. The same should be extended to 2021 owners.
Driver side DRL are not working
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the parking lights started to flicker. The contact stated that the driver’s side taillights had ceased to function. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V686000 (Exterior Lighting). The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
The Pro Trailer Assist program won't load or work along with constant electrical lamp fault messages when trailering my boat. This is a safety concern because you can't tell if the trailer lights are really working or not while driving. I also experience the turn signals blinking really fast like a bulb is out - when none are actually out. The local dealer's electrical technician has reproduced and confirmed my issues. The manufacturer is aware of my problem and is currently offering to put me in a 2022 truck that will be built in February. The Pro Trailer Assist program never would load or work from day one. The electrical lamp fault messages started as soon as I trailered my boat. All the lamp fault messages and fast blinking turn signals only happen while trailering my boat. The local dealer had my new truck forty days and replaced the APIM...
Other 2021 FORD F-150 Problem Areas
Power Train
221 complaints
Electrical System
97 complaints
Unknown Or Other
85 complaints
Engine
65 complaints
Visibility
65 complaints
Visibilitywiper
53 complaints
Service Brakes
46 complaints
Steering
32 complaints
Wheels
27 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
23 complaints
Back Over Prevention
21 complaints
Fuel System Gasoline
20 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
18 complaints
Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings
16 complaints
Structurebody
16 complaints
Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking
15 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling
14 complaints
Suspension
13 complaints
Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Control
12 complaints
Parking Brake
12 complaints
Structure
11 complaints
Back Over Prevention Sensing System Camera
10 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulic
8 complaints
Electrical System Integrated Trailer Brake Control
6 complaints
Equipmentappliancetvradiospeakers
6 complaints
Lane Departure Blind Spot Detection
6 complaints
Visibilitywindshield
6 complaints
Air Bags
4 complaints
Back Over Prevention Rearview System Braking
4 complaints
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
4 complaints
Exterior Lightingheadlights
4 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
4 complaints
Seat Belts
4 complaints
Back Over Prevention Warnings
3 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
3 complaints
Lane Departure Assist
3 complaints
Power Trainaxle Hubs
3 complaints
Electrical Systeminstrument Panelspeedometerodometer
2 complaints
Equipmentelectricalnavigational Systemglobal Positioning System
2 complaints
Exterior Lightingheadlightsdaytime Running Lightsbulbs
2 complaints
Lane Departure Warning
2 complaints
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslock
2 complaints
Latcheslockslinkagestailgatelatch
2 complaints
Power Trainaxle Assemblyaxle Shaft
2 complaints
Power Traindrivelinedriveshaft
2 complaints
Chest Clip Buckle Harness
1 complaint
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
1 complaint
Electrical Systemadasdriver Monitoringcamerasensor
1 complaint
Electrical Systembody Control Modulebcm
1 complaint
Electrical Systemwiring
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingengineoillubricationpipes Hoses And Fittings
1 complaint
Equipmentelectricalinfotainment
1 complaint
Equipmentrecreational Vehicletrailer
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingtail Lights
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingturn Signal
1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance
1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance Dynamic Brake Supportbrake Assist
1 complaint
Interior Lighting
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkages
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkageshoodlatch
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkagestailgatelatch Plate
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionfluidlubricantfilterscreen
1 complaint
Power Traintransfer Case 4 Wheel Drive
1 complaint
Service Brakes Airantilockabs Warning Light
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfluid
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentshoses Linespiping And Fittings
1 complaint
Structurebodydoor
1 complaint
Structurebodyhoodhinge And Attachments
1 complaint
Structureinterior Panelsdashboard
1 complaint
Tires
1 complaint
Tirestreadbelt
1 complaint
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
1 complaint
Visibilityglass Siderear
1 complaint
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesexterior
1 complaint
Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly
1 complaint
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher
1 complaint
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwashermotor
1 complaint