Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 4% | — |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2022 | 5 | 2% | — |
| 2021 | 8 | 2% | — |
| 2020 | 56 | 5% | 120,000 miles |
| 2018 | 4 | 1% | 113,000 miles |
| 2017 | 12 | 1% | 45,000 miles |
| 2016 | 6 | 0% | 83,000 miles |
| 2015 | 17 | 1% | 30,000 miles |
| 2014 | 25 | 1% | 3,000 miles |
| 2013 | 25 | 1% | 30,000 miles |
| 2012 | 6 | 1% | 153,000 miles |
| 2011 | 6 | 1% | 69,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% | 70,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% | 169,000 miles |
| 2008 | 15 | 10% | 56,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 2% | 36,000 miles |
| 2006 | 3 | 0% | 31,000 miles |
| 2005 | 5 | 1% | 162,000 miles |
| 2004 | 9 | 1% | 98,000 miles |
| 2003 | 7 | 1% | 94,000 miles |
| 2002 | 25 | 1% | 95,000 miles |
| 2001 | 9 | 2% | 99,000 miles |
| 2000 | 29 | 3% | 64,000 miles |
| 1999 | 49 | 4% | 99,000 miles |
| 1998 | 41 | 2% | 112,000 miles |
| 1997 | 22 | 1% | 144,000 miles |
| 1996 | 19 | 1% | 163,000 miles |
| 1995 | 21 | 2% | 122,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
First, we took this vehicle to a dealer because the rear window buttons were not working. They wouldn't roll down. Second, the dome lamps inside only work part of the time, when we take the vehicle to the dealer or another Ford dealer that we decided to try, they say they can't do anything because they see no issue as the lights are working AT THAT TIME. Third, while connected to a trailer, an error message appears several times stating that the trailer has been disconnected. It just flashes and pings, and then disappears. This is a safety issue, as it has caused me to make sudden stops as I am made to believe that the trailer has became disconnected. …
My vehicle originally showed more than 10 open safety recalls in the FordPass app and at the servicing dealer. I saved screenshots of each recall. After Ford performed a remote over-the-air software update, all but one recall suddenly disappeared from the app even though no physical repairs were done and no documentation was provided. NHTSA still shows Recall 25V543 as incomplete, involving BCM soldering defects that can cause trailer taillamp failure, electrical malfunctions, HVAC issues, mirror/window failures, power outlet issues, and other safety-related electrical problems. The dealer has not scheduled the repair despite parts being listed as available. Ford Motor Company and the dealer have not provided any recall history, OASIS report, repair documentation, or explanation for why multiple recalls disappeared. …
Head lamp warning alerted (refers driver to drivers manual, only to say see a dealer) but no issues, both lamps were working. Took vehicle to Ford service center and they could not find a problem, we figured this could be an electronic issue with the warning, but Head lamp warning became more frequent again no issues. Then while driving in the dark with headlights on the automatic function, head lamps would cycle rapidly between bright and normal when approaching another vehicle...Even turning them to manual it continued to cycle Researched the issue and apparently it's a known issue with Ford. The Automatic headlamp module can get wet and short out... this is a 1200.00 repair... the headlamp is now out, and even if not on the automatic feature it still blinks when approaching oncoming traffic... …
Purge valve has now failed twice since owning the vehicle (1 year and 5 months old). First purge valve went out when the vehicle was only 4 months old (Oct 2022). Second purge valve went out at 1 year old (June/July 2022). The main concern that I am reaching out for- Drivers side headlight - a small bird flew into the headlight and cracked it. Placed a hole in the headlight, causing water to get in and stop working. There is no way that a headlight should crack from a bird flying into it.
LED low beam headlight failures. Our 1st headlight failure occurred in January 2025 at 51,248 miles (Passengers Side), our 2nd failure occurred in December 2025 at 64,356 miles (Drivers Side). My claim is Ford decided to embrace LED technology with out properly performance testing it. LED headlights are new on the explorer platform since 2020, the platinum & ST trims are the only ones that utilizes LED's to my knowledge. The design intent was life of car which clearly is not occurring. Ford should have completed more testing and/or designed a serviceable headlight for all internal components. The cost of these lights is astronomical ($1600 a pop w/o labor or diagnosis fee). As reference we also own a 2006 Audi S4 & a 2012 F150 XLT. The Audi has ~170K miles on it and the F150 has ~130k miles on it. Both have the original headlights and bulbs within them. …
vehicle low beam headlights went out all of the sudden. Would not come back on after car was turned off and restarted. Drove home with high beams on. Next day, just the driver side low beam came back on. Took to dealer, they reprogrammed and headlights worked for three days, then went passenger low beam went out again. Took back to dealer and now they are telling me both headlamp control modules on both sides need replacing. The cost is very expensive and I am doubting this is the problem. This is a safety issue and I am reading blogs and the Platinum version of the Explorer seem to have issues. This could cause an accident and Ford could be liable. This issue needs to be looked at, as this should not be an issue for a car with 50K miles on it.
Smoke started coming from the passenger side visor as I was driving. There was no indication of an issue with warning messages of any kind. Of course I panicked, ran from the car and called the fire department who stated it smelled electrical when they arrived. After a week of being at the dealership, they couldn't find anything; however, 30 seconds after I got into my vehicle, I noticed the cabin lights weren't working. After returning the vehicle within an hour they found that a wire had burned out and shorted out some fuses. 2 weeks later and I still don't have my vehicle. No injuries, just scared beyond belief to have a 2020 ST start smoking!! Even if they state it is fixed, I am still scared to death to drive it after that!! I have had issues with the brakes as well. Those stopped working but apparently that was a recall that was resolved. …
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the front passenger's side headlight intermittently failed to illuminate with the "Check Headlamp System See Owner's Manual" message displayed on the instrument panel. The failure persisted, and the driver's side headlight also failed to illuminate as needed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was given an estimate for the repair. The contact decided to replace both front headlight modules which corrected the failure; however, the warning message remained on the instrument panel. A week later, the driver's side headlight failed to illuminate as needed, after which the passenger's side headlight also failed to operate as designed. The dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Related recalls (3)
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer vehicles. The Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) system software may cause the passenger-side headlight to turn in the wrong direction when driving through curves in the road.
Remedy: The headlight control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 23, 2026.
Exterior lighting › Tail lights
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Aviator vehicles. When towing a trailer, the tail lights on the trailer may fail to illuminate due to an improperly manufactured body control module.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the body control module C on vehicles with less than 9,000 miles. For vehicles over 9,000 miles, dealers will perform a functional check on the body control module C and replace it as necessary.
Exterior lighting
Vehicle description: Mini vans, light pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Off lease canadian vehicles equipped with daytime running lights which meet canadian requirements and not the photometric requirements of FMVSS 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." according to Ford, the vehicles were…
Remedy: Dealers will be advised to deactivate the running light function and to complete any outstanding safety recalls on these vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Explorer years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2020 (56), 1999 (49), 1998 (41), 2000 (29) and 2002 (25) model years. Headlight complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 2020.
Is there a recall for Ford Explorer headlight problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 26V-121 (headlights, Mar 3, 2026); 25V-543 (tail lights, Aug 22, 2025); 00V-168 (exterior lighting, Jun 19, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Explorer headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles; 35% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (45 mentions), followed by the turn signal › switch (44).
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.