Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 11% | 0 miles |
| 2025 | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2024 | 3 | 8% | — |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% | 26,000 miles |
| 2021 | 5 | 3% | 17,000 miles |
| 2020 | 5 | 2% | — |
| 2019 | 4 | 0% | 98,000 miles |
| 2018 | 4 | 1% | — |
| 2017 | 6 | 1% | 28,000 miles |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% | 82,000 miles |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2013 | 1 | 5% | 5,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2009 | 1 | 4% | 1,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% | 95,000 miles |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% | 109,000 miles |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% | 26,000 miles |
| 2002 | 4 | 2% | 103,000 miles |
| 2000 | 1 | 0% | 74,000 miles |
| 1999 | 3 | 1% | 43,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Headlights on new Platinum 2024 F250--when driving at night there are several issues. On low beam there is a black line that shows up across the upper view. On high beam the black line is even more prominent and shapes start showing up in the lights. Squares first then as you drive and turn they change to V, M and X shapes. (see pictures). The truck has 560 miles on it and it has been to the Ford dealership twice. They are saying that there is nothing wrong with the lights, and these lights are the new projector lights from Ford. They even pulled another Platinum 2024 F250 next to mine to compare the lights and they are the same (see pictures) I am not getting anywhere with Ford, our local dealership is trying, but Ford is not helping them. I even made a call to customer service on 8/22/24. They told me that I need to go to another dealership and get a second opinion. …
Headlights on new Platinum 2024 F250--when driving at night there are several issues. On low beam there is a black line that shows up across the upper view. On high beam the black line is even more prominent and shapes start showing up in the lights. Squares first then as you drive and turn they change to V, M and X shapes. (see pictures). The truck has 560 miles on it and it has been to the Ford dealership twice. They are saying that there is nothing wrong with the lights, and these lights are the new projector lights from Ford. They even pulled another Platinum 2024 F250 next to mine to compare the lights and they are the same (see pictures) I am not getting anywhere with Ford, our local dealership is trying, but Ford is not helping them. I even made a call to customer service on 8/22/24. They told me that I need to go to another dealership and get a second opinion. …
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, the headlights failed to illuminate as intended. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the headlights might have been damaged due to heat exposure or chemicals. In addition, upon inspection, the contact noticed an abnormal fuel consumption. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.
All of my rear lights stopped working with no warning. My blind spot monitoring and cross traffic detection also stopped working. This is a serious issue as the light go out intermittenly without warning. Especially dangerous at night. Dealership thinks it might be a faulty harness. Dealership thought they fixed it by cleaning contacts but the very next day they went out again while driving in a snow storm. Luckily no one was behind me because they would not have been able to see me.
Component: Battery Junction box then affecting other parts. water intrusion into battery junction box affecting and shorting out other components. Items shorted out due to water in battery junction box include: Battery Junction Box itself, Left rear Blind Spot Monitor, Left rear Brake Light, Drivers seat control (shorted all seat heated components, All lumbar and massaging components fully inflated and would not deflate) , Windshield wiper motor shorted and stopped working, Rain sensor stopped working. Both Tow Mirrors would Randomly deploy to the furthest out position. Main Safety Concerns were Windshield Wiper Motor Stopped Working and Seat Randomly adjusting, Inflating, Deflating. Vehicle is currently at for dealership ( Sam Packs 5 star Ford Lewisville TX) who has diagnosed the issues. The only warning lamp was for the Driver Side BLIS when the incident would occur.
The headlights have failed multiple times causing bulbs to stop working or "blow". Changed headlight bulbs approximately 4 times in the 18 months. Safety became an issue due to decreased lighting while driving. Also becomes a safety risk due to not being able to have the vehicle properly inspected by the state of WV. The problem has been discussed with the local ford dealer multiple times with no further progress other than discussions. No warning lamps or other problems prior.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-250. The contact stated that the passenger's side headlight bulb was blown, and the battery was not operating as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the headlight bulb was replaced; however, the bulb failed to illuminate. The vehicle was returned to the dealer two more times and the headlight bulb was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to another certified mechanic and the headlight bulbs were replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle intermittently failed to start. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted and advised the contact to replace the battery and filters. The contact replaced the battery and filters; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that there were metal shavings inside the fuel. …
The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving over a pothole, the vehicle started shaking, and the steering wheel was uncontrollable. The contact stated that after it rained, the driver's side and passenger's side doors were filled with water. Additionally, the interior lights failed to turn on as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
Related recalls (4)
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2027 Expedition, 2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, and F-550 SD vehicles. The headlight assemblies may contain a contaminated LED chip, which can result in a loss of daytime running lights, parking lights, high beams or low beams.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the headlight assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 26, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
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 › Headlights
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2019 F-250, F-350 and F-450 Super Duty trucks. The Daytime Running Lights (DRL) may not dim when the headlight switch is moved into the "On" position.
Remedy: Ford has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module (BCM) software, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights
Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 ranger trucks built from January 25, 2011, through April 25, 2011 at the twin cities assembly plant, and service parts distributed to dealers for certain 2004 through 2011 model year ranger trucks, 2002 through 2005 model year excursion vehicles, and 2002 through 2007 model year f-250,…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the switches free of charge. The safety recall began on August 15, 2011. Owners May contact Ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford F-250 SD years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2017 (6), 2020 (5) and 2021 (5) model years. Headlight complaints make up 1% of all complaints for the 2017.
Is there a recall for Ford F-250 SD headlight problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 26V-606 (headlights, Sep 22, 2026); 26V-104 (tail lights, Feb 20, 2026); 19V-808 (headlights, Nov 12, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford F-250 SD headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles; 57% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (4 mentions), followed by the brake lights (3).
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.