Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear light bar was flickering intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure had occurred increasingly, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that microscopic cracks in the light bar had caused water intrusion, causing the rear light bar to fail. The dealer determined that the rear light bar needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the light bar needed to be replaced prior to performing an unknown recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under Ford Campaign Number: 23S30. …
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the rear light bar failed to function as intended. The contact stated the lights were inoperable and there was water inside the rear light bar. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated the rear light bar was replaced under recall. In addition, the contact stated that the rear light bar had failed three times since 2022. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while reversing, the reverse lights failed to function as intended. The contact exited the vehicle, and someone pointed out that the rear passenger's side reverse light failed to activate as designed. The contact stated that the rear light bar had failed to function as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V418000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) two years ago. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V418000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the tailgate light bar had failed to illuminate. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 28,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
I bought my truck less than a year ago. I found out that the recall (23530) repair on my truck had been completed about 2 months prior to me buying it from another dealership. I took it to a local dealership last week (July 3rd) for the diagnostic and the findings were obvious. Water/moisture in the light that shorted out the right side lights and causes the camera to flicker like a strobe light. I paid $200 for the diagnostic fee only for them to repeatedly mention how the truck is out of warranty and the recall part warranty was expired as well. This isn't a warranty/recall issue. This is a faulty parts issue that appears to be rampant amongst several lighting owners. There's no record of the replacement part's manufacturing date, but my tailgate light bar is having the same moisture issues as the original reasons for the recall. …
I own a 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat (VIN [redacted] ). Around June 6, 2025, I brought my truck to Apple Ford Shakopee for a scheduled appointment because I noticed moisture collecting inside the rear light bar. The service representative told me Ford considers that moisture normal, likely from a car wash, and that it would dry out on its own. At that time the truck had fewer than 36,000 miles and was still under the bumper-to-bumper warranty. The moisture never went away, and the light bar is now failing - my backup lights are dimming and flickering. I've since learned there was a recall (23S30) on 2022-2023 F-150 Lightning Lariat and Platinum trucks for micro-cracks in the rear light-bar lens that allow moisture in. My VIN currently shows no open recalls, but this failure appears identical to what the recall described. …
The rear lightbar assembly on our 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat has developed micro-cracks in the outer lens, allowing moisture to accumulate inside. This has caused flickering or inoperative reverse lamps and now appears to be impacting the rear passenger blinker, which functions intermittently. We are concerned that the moisture has begun to corrode the rear wiring harness or electrical system, creating additional safety risks. When we reported the issue, a Kendall Ford representative told us the rear lightbar replacement was "mainly cosmetic," but that assessment contradicts both Ford's recall documentation and our experience. Moisture intrusion has already led to intermittent lighting failures that reduce signaling visibility to other drivers, posing a real risk of collision. …
The light bar on the tailgate that is the brake lights and reverse lights is known to get moisture inside and stop working. It is a known problem with Ford as they recalled them 2 years ago and replaced it under warranty. However the replacement part suffers from the same issue. So, my replacement light bar has stopped working, and even though I have Fords Premium Care extended warranty that includes all LED lighting, they will not cover the repair. This part is a safety item (brake lights and reverse lights) that is known to fail, it should be a safety recall item covered out of warranty anyway, and SURELY covered with an extended warranty (Ford Premium Care with Lighting added) but it apparently is not .... It seems that this safety issue should be covered and replaced Thanks
This is a problem from an old recall. The rear tail gate light was recalled and replace because it was leaking in Jan 2024. The exact same problem has happened again in March 2025. Ford refuses to replace the defective part. After research in forums online I have noticed many other people having the same issue. This is a safety issue as it is part of the exterior lighitng system. It is either completely off or will be flashing making it difficult for other drivers to see me. Another safety issue, it made the backup camera inoperable I did have to have the light replace at considerable cost so it is no longer available. I did ask the dealer to save the light for me and they did not. There was no warning messages on the vehicle computer system
The rear light bar and reversing lamp assembly, which was part of a safety recall, is filled with water and the lights are malfunctioning again. Ford is telling me that the replacement part has a 1 year warranty so that I would have to pay over $1600 for a replacement. This is a widespread issue with many of these trucks. Ford admitted that it was a manufacturing defect with the original part. However, the replacement part has the same issue so it is my belief that Ford has not fulfilled their duty to adequately repair an obvious safety issue and should be held responsible for the replacement of this part at no cost to the vehicle owner.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150 Lightning BEV vehicles previously repaired under recall number 23V418. The rear lightbar may have microcracks in the outer lens that allows moisture to accumulate, which can result in inoperative or flickering reverse lights.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rear lightbar and fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Exterior lighting
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150 BEV vehicles. The rear lightbar may have microcracks in the outer lens that allows moisture to accumulate, which can result in inoperative or flickering reverse lights.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear lightbar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 9, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S30.
Headlight complaints in other F-150 Lightning years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the lights of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, 37% of the model year's 92 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 25V-731 (exterior lighting, Oct 24, 2025); NHTSA recall 23V-418 (exterior lighting, Jun 9, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 28,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
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.