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 2021 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the LED daytime running lights was flashing quickly before burning out. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH and then stopped at an intersection, another driver informed the contact that the passenger's side headlight was flashing quickly. The contact towed the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the passenger's side headlight assembly was replaced under warranty. The dealer informed the contact that the driver's side headlight might fail as well. The contact stated that the failure also occurred on the driver's side. Upon inspection, the contact became aware of a burning plastic odor coming from the headlights. Upon researching the failure online, the contact learned that the failure resulted from the headlights overheating and melting. …
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact remote started the vehicle from the office and walked up to the vehicle, and became aware that the front driver's side vertical daytime running lights failed to function as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure might be related to the headlight assembly and that the headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense for the replacement of the headlight module because the failure was not covered under recall or warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact was informed by another driver that the front headlights were not functioning as intended. The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked, the contact inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the front headlights were extremely dim. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with headlight assembly failures. The contact was informed that the headlight assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the passenger's side headlight was not working as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger's side headlamp needed to be replaced due a failure of the LED screen. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred approximately one year later. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger's side and driver's side headlamps needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH at night, the low-beam headlights were very dim. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle back to his residence and noticed that both headlights were completely fogged over. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the fogging was normal. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and the contact was informed that the headlamp fogging was normal. The failure mileage was approximately 597.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the GPS was inoperable. Additionally, the interior lights failed to illuminate as needed. The contact stated that the battery had drained on three occasions. The contact replaced the battery. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the backover prevention camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer had not been contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the C-shaped LED light at the outer corners of the driver's side headlight was significantly dimmed, which reduced the road visibility. The contact stated that the failure had progressively worsened. The dealer was notified of the failure and charged a repair fee for the headlight replacement. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 97,500.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the taillight and signal lights were inoperable. There was water in the lower section of the taillight compartment when it rained or while the vehicle was taken to the car wash. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the taillights and signal lights needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vertical daytime running lights on the driver's and passenger's side failed to operate as needed. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the headlight module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense to replace the headlight module because the failure was not covered under recall or warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 49,000.
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.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Tail lights
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles.
Remedy: The integrated trailer 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 25, 2026.
Exterior lighting › Back up lights
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles equipped with the Onboard Scales feature that were repaired incorrectly under recall 24V443. An over-the-air software update to the body control module (BCM) may have disabled both reverse lights.
Remedy: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 27, 2025. 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 2021 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 115 complaints about the lights of the 2021 Ford F-150, 11% of the model year's 1,032 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 Ford F-150 headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 26V-104 (tail lights, Feb 20, 2026); NHTSA recall 25V-348 (back up lights, May 23, 2025). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2021 Ford F-150 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 17% 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.