Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 14% | — |
| 2022 | 2 | 5% | — |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2020 | 6 | 5% | 58,000 miles |
| 2019 | 14 | 5% | 0 miles |
| 2011 | 9 | 4% | 50,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% | 170,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% | 183,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% | 65,000 miles |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% | 65,000 miles |
| 2004 | 5 | 1% | 114,000 miles |
| 2003 | 6 | 2% | 85,000 miles |
| 2002 | 10 | 3% | 36,000 miles |
| 2001 | 7 | 1% | 50,000 miles |
| 2000 | 16 | 2% | 85,000 miles |
| 1999 | 26 | 3% | 75,000 miles |
| 1998 | 35 | 6% | 50,000 miles |
| 1997 | 44 | 11% | 101,000 miles |
| 1996 | 30 | 7% | 133,000 miles |
| 1995 | 40 | 12% | 230,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the driver's side headlight intermittently failed to operate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that a defective wiring harness had caused the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
Rear brake lights did not work, but high mount brake light functioned normally. I found a safety recall for the 2019 Ford Ranger for the same condition (19S43). This safety recall identifies connector C442 as the root cause for the incident. Based on this information, I located the connected. I disconnected the connector, did visual inspection. Visual inspection did not find any bent pins, so I reconnected connector. After inspection and reconnection of connector C442 the brake light now work. A little background on me. I'm a retire Service Engineer from Nissan and I have extensive background in vehicle service issues, recalls and campaigns. Based on my experience, I believe that the incident I confirmed on my vehicle may indicate that the Ford Ranger may continue to have brake light inoperative condition beyond the current Safety Recall window of vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the driver's side rear taillight intermittently failed to illuminate while depressing the brake pedal. The contact also stated that the horn failed to operate as needed. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where he was informed that his vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V839000 (Exterior Lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred him to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.
I took this vehicle in on 5-19-2020 for recall (19543/NSTSA Recall 19V-839). Local dealership removed skid plate, inspection/pass. Over the next 3 yrs. the p/u was taken in because of battery drainage & then battery replacement. May 2024 it was taken in as all the rear lights stopped working (exactly what was stated in the recall letter would happen). Was told at the time that the topper, which a very reputable dealer put on, did the wiring wrong so I was charged over $1300 for repairing the wiring. The topper was put on in 2019, recall was 2020, and nothing was found then. An inspection was done and not replacement of rear lights wiring. I came very close to several rear-end collisions as I hadn't realized no rear lights in May 2024. Now, I'm getting "System Off to save battery. Please turn ignition off or start engine" again on the console. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the brake lights failed to illuminate. As a result, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle behind the contact, causing that vehicle to crash into the rear of the contact's vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that a switch on the brake pedal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure recurred immediately after the vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but the contact was not provided with information on what part was replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
High beam lights failed on, the hi-lo beam switch in turn, hazard, wiper combo switch later overheated, burn up, smoke in cabin causing complete loss of lamps, wipers at night in rain. Clearly a common issue based on web. If you are going to send full load current with no control relays force a higher standard on design margins and and mttf. You have (4) head lamps on a car no reason a design should be allowed to cause all (4) to failure. Force multiple relays, modules, and contacts, wiring circuits and fuses. Also fix the blinding headlight issues. I see almost no difference between lo and hi beams on new cars and see spots for 30 seconds after passing cars on lo. Set standards and force certs on every new head light design. Dot/NHTSA should be liable for any crashes related to being blinded with headlights
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Ranger. While driving 35 MPH, the exterior lights failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the multi-function switch failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V342000 (exterior lighting). The failure mileage was 188,300. The VIN was not available.
Purchased used 2008 Ford Ranger that has issues with multifunction switch malfunctioning on several occasions with the windshield wipers not working or high beams engaging although the turn signals are not affected as of yet. This happens when vehicle is stationary as well as moving . The windshield wipers will just quit working while driving same with high beams. I notified and asked Ford today if this was normal .
Related recalls (3)
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 › Tail lights
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ranger trucks. The inline electrical connector terminals for the rear lights may be misaligned or not properly seated, potentially causing the rear lights to function intermittently or not at all.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inline connector for loose terminals and replace the connectors, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 5, 2020.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Brake lights inoperative
This pe was opened based on technical service bulletin (TSB) #05-6-19 issued by Ford motor company and service bulletin #09-008/5 issued by Mazda motor corporation to address concerns of the center high mounted stop light (chmsl) wiring harness chaffing.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Ranger years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (44), 1995 (40), 1998 (35), 1996 (30) and 1999 (26) model years. Headlight complaints make up 11% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Ford Ranger headlight problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 26V-104 (tail lights, Feb 20, 2026); 19V-839 (tail lights, Nov 21, 2019); 11V-352 (brake lights, Jul 13, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Ranger headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (20 mentions), followed by the turn signal › switch (17).
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.