Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2022 | 5 | 2% | 2,000 miles |
| 2021 | 5 | 1% | 19,000 miles |
| 2020 | 7 | 0% | 0 miles |
| 2019 | 13 | 2% | 8,000 miles |
| 2018 | 11 | 1% | 50,000 miles |
| 2017 | 40 | 1% | 62,000 miles |
| 2016 | 6 | 1% | 55,000 miles |
| 2015 | 13 | 1% | 32,000 miles |
| 2014 | 15 | 1% | 9,000 miles |
| 2013 | 15 | 1% | 72,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 0% | — |
| 2011 | 3 | 0% | 65,000 miles |
| 2010 | 6 | 0% | 92,000 miles |
| 2009 | 5 | 0% | 105,000 miles |
| 2008 | 6 | 0% | 61,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% | 42,000 miles |
| 2006 | 3 | 1% | 44,000 miles |
| 2005 | 8 | 1% | 82,000 miles |
| 2004 | 2 | 0% | 12,000 miles |
| 2003 | 1 | 0% | 170,000 miles |
| 2002 | 12 | 1% | 125,000 miles |
| 2001 | 9 | 1% | 200,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the headlight assembly had begun to delaminate which reduced the effectiveness of the headlights illumination. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they confirmed that the failure with the headlight assembly and order the replacement headlights. The contact had the driver's side headlight replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 1,500.
My 22 Ford Escape has 620000 miles on it most of them highway miles. The issue I'm having began approx. 5000 miles ago. While in motion my dash lights, radio, and entertainment screen will go completely black for long periods of time and the chime will begin randomly ringing. A message sometimes appears on screen that says system off to continue please start engine but the engine is running the whole time. Sometime the message will appear on my dash saying front camera not available. I've taken it to a Ford Service station and they advised me my PCM software needed updating but the problem still existed and is existing even after the update. I still have a recall active on my vehicle as well regarding the fuel injector issue.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while reversing, there was an abnormal screeching sound coming from the brakes. The contact stated that whenever it rained, there was water accumulating in the taillights. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the calipers and pads needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact was informed that the lights needed to be replaced. The brake pads were replaced, but the failure recurred. The dealer informed the contact that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case and extended the warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the vehicle turned off, the exterior and interior lights failed to turn off as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
My passenger headlight assembly seal has failed. Since the seal failed, the light has water buildup that caused the entire assembly to short out and stop working. There are not cracked in the headlight at all. My car only has 46,407 miles on it. My car has been to the service department at Town N Country Ford in [redacted]. Since we purchased the extended warranty, Town N Country submitted my claim to the warranty department, but they are refusing to pay because, they say it's a moisture problem. The moisture in the headlight is only there because the seal failed. Ford knows this is a problem, but yet they refuse to pay of the headlight replacement or make a recall for this problem. This is a major flaw and needs to be corrected by Ford, the consumer should not have to bear the brunt of this burden when it is clearly a defect with the headlight assembly itself. …
I have things wrong with my vehicle that are not currently included in recalls for my specific VIN but they are for the same model year. Yesterday, I paid $6000 to fix a stuck wastegate on the turbo and something to do with the ABS. I was informed that there is a $700 problem with a vacuum pump. I have also paid for 2 costly repairs, one that wouldn't let the car start after refueling and something else that triggered a check engine light. How do you get a recall extended to include other VINs? I work as a contractor at Ford, what an embarrassment to have one of our vehicles with so many issues. Please help. I'm a young widow with limited income, commuting 2 hours a day. I cannot be without my car and I can't afford to pay for repairs while also financing.
he freeway I notified future ford of concord and I was told I would receive a call back but as I recall I didn't receive a call back. The car started acting as if nothing was wrong about a week or so later then two days ago December 13,2025 first my head lights went out and a message saying there's a bulb outage or electrical issue appeared and also the hill assist unavailable warning light appeared , following the 911 calling assistance is unavailable as well, and I also noticed my radio is no longer producing sound so I believe the engine ( block , head gasket etc) component also electrical system, sync 3 system has also failed or malfunctioned. …
The contact's brother owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH at night, the headlights became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the headlight module failed to operate as needed and the contact was forced to drive to the residence without headlights. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer on three separate occasions to be repaired. On the first visit, the dealer replaced the battery and the headlight bulbs. The second visit, the dealer replaced the BCM (Body Control Module) and two other light bulbs that were not initially replaced. On the third visit, the headlight switch was replaced. Despite each repair, the headlight failure persisted. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Escape years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2017 (40), 2013 (15), 2014 (15), 2015 (13) and 2019 (13) model years. Headlight complaints make up 1% of all complaints for the 2017.
Is there a recall for Ford Escape headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for any Ford Escape model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Ford Escape headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles; 48% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (21 mentions), followed by the tail lights (6).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.