FORD: THERE IS A WATER LEAK IN THE AREA OF THE CENTER HIGH MOUNT STOP LAMP (CHMSL) AND WOULD NEED TO BE ISOLATED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE, IF ANY. MODEL 2011-2013 F-150.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Ford F-150 lighting problems
moderate Owners of the 2011 Ford F-150 have filed 7 NHTSA complaints about the lighting at roughly $250 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See lighting across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
| Model year | lighting complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 F-150 | 3 |
| 2009 F-150 | 9 |
| 2010 F-150 | 24 |
| 2011 F-150 (this page) | 7 |
| 2013 F-150 | 8 |
| 2014 F-150 | 4 |
| 2015 F-150 | 11 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
FORD: DUE TO AN OPEN HEADLIGHT SWITCH, THE HEADLAMPS, PARK LAMPS OR LAMPS ARE INOPERATIVE AND HEADLAMPS WILL REMAIN ON BECAUSE OF AFTERMARKET OR GENUINE FORD ACCESSORIES (GFA), INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. CAUSING POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO SWITCH. 2009-2013 F-150.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD: ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A REAR WHEEL BRAKE FLUID LEAK. 2011 F150.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had lighting trouble with your 2011 Ford F-150?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2011 Ford F-150?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 7 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Based on the 7 complaints filed, lighting issues most often appear around 97,339 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Ford/F-150.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.