Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at night the passenger's side headlight became inoperable. The contact stated that the failure became more frequent and the driver's side headlight intermittently failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the failure persisted after switching from Auto On to the manual setting. The contact stated that after activating the high-beam headlights, the headlights operated as needed. The failure recurred while using the low-beam headlights. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V097000 (Exterior Lighting). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V373000 (Exterior Lighting) and Customer Satisfaction Program: 25N17 (Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation); however, the failure occurred after the repairs were performed. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Parking Brake Engaged" message displayed, and the blind spot sensor became inoperable. An unknown warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the TPMS was inoperable. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights inadvertently flashed on and off. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the BCM and battery junction box were replaced; however, the failure recurred, and the horn inadvertently activated while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the horn was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 62,902.
The alarm system and hazards will randomly go on and will not turn off until you start vehicle and hit the hazard light button. If you hit the hazard button while the vehicle is off, it does not turn the hazards off. They will often remain flashing even if the horn/alarm system isn't blaring. At times hitting the hazard button has made the horn go off. The truck has started locking itself and keypad will not work to unlock only the key fob. Truck has not been driven at night since this has occurred to notice if its affecting the headlights. We have noticed that it is also affecting the cabin climate controls (air conditioning/heat). The source of the problem appears to be a malfunction with the Body Control Module (BCM). Prior to these issues arising, there were no warning or messages that appeared on the dash. The truck has been driving great. …
In late 2020 Ford issued recall 20C03 to correct a problem with the Daylight running lights. This entailed the reprogramming of the body control module. In so doing they made an error in the new program and inadvertently activated the parking lamps at all times when using the Daylight running lights. This is in violation of the FMVSS No. 108 (Vehicle Lighting Standards) and California Vehicle Code Section 24800 (Driving with Parking Lights). I filed a complaint with Ford Motor Co. and they have repeatedly refused to correct the issue. Now to avoid the possibility of receiving a traffic violation it is necessary to not use a safety feature and drive without Daylight running lights.
There wasnt an incident yet, but it was made a law that after may 1st, 2018, all new vehicles need rear view visibility systems. Ford made their vehicles have backup cameras, but they are faulty and stop working. Then charge consumers thousands of dollars to fix a safety issue that should be a recall, free of charge. I am filing a complaint om behalf of thousands and thousands of Ford owners. This law went into effect may 1st of 2018, According to USDOT and the National Highway Traffic safety administration. What ford is doing is wrong/unlawful and they should have to follow the law just like everyone else (even being an automobile company).
The OEM LED headlights will not adjust, causing excessive glare to on coming drivers. This issue is 300 times worse than the miniscule amount of light that the daytime running lights emit, but somehow the running lights get a recall, but the headlight adjusters do not! I'm completely flabbergasted at such an absurd and unjust oversite to such and important issue, please record this protest in the appropriate file, thanks. I constantly get offended drivers flashing their lights at me.
All lights in the rear of the truck failed working at once, turn ,brake and back up lights, bulbs are good, fuses are all good, checked all the connects and they are also good, this is the second time this has happened,. The first time it happened after going through the fuses and bulbs and finding nothing they started working again, that was in the beginning of June and now again in July.
The day running lights don't work at all and researching online there are hundreds if not thousands of people with similar issues. F150's 2015-2020 having the same problem. This is not caused by misuse or neglect but factory defective components. These headlight are almost $1400
I took my truck to the Ford dealership I purchased it from because the tail lights stopped working. The service manager informed me that water was in both tail lights and had to be replaced for $3,000. My truck is a 2018, has only 18,000 miles and well taken care of and no accidents. The service claimed the water got in because of damage to the tail light. The marks he pointed out on the tail lights were very light scuff marks and could not allow water to get inside. They would not cover the replacement because of the scuff marks. I went on a Ford forum and found that there had been plenty of other 2018 (and other years) that had water in their tail lights as well. The trucks that were out of warranty just remove the tail light, drained the water, applied silicon around the seems of the tail light and had no issues since then. I've attached pictures. …
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
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.
Remedy: ,Dealers will reprogram the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 17, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from the "Autolamps" switch…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Headlight complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2018 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the lights of the 2018 Ford F-150, 1% of the model year's 2,322 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Ford F-150 headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 26V-373 (headlights, Jun 9, 2026); NHTSA recall 20V-097 (headlights, Feb 21, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2018 Ford F-150 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 25,000 miles, and 60% 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.