Should I buy a 2021 Ford F-150 with documented lighting problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented lighting issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2021 Ford F-150 lighting problems

moderate 78 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250

Complaints

Recalls

Crashes

Avg fix

$250

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 25V348000 23/05/2025

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles equipped with the Onboard Scales feature that were repaired incorrectly under recall 24V443

Inoperative reverse lights may fail to alert others that the vehicle is reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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. Ford's number for this recall is 25S57.

What owners are reporting 4 most recent

lighting · filed 12/31/2025

There is a known problem with the DRLs burning out, which poses a safety issue. Many people have had this problem causing an expensive repair out of warranty. The entire headlamp assembly has to be replaced.

lighting · filed 12/29/2023

It started with the loss of Sirius, then intermittently maps, and now the radio is gone and my display on my dash goes black and restarts. I will be driving down the road (interstate) and all of my dash disappears. No speedometer at all. The APIM is out and Ford has no APIM's available. I took it to local Ford and they confirmed the APIM was out. It controls the whole truck and weird things have h…

lighting · filed 12/27/2024

There has been an issue with front LED lights where they go out. It’s an electrical issue where my truck had both replaced and still in warranty this caused almost hit accidents a night. Many vehicles warned me by flashing the high beams. Also another issue is the transmission where it creates a huge jerk on the transmission causing a change in shift. Almost had an accident caused by it. No police…

lighting · filed 12/24/2025

Day running lights vertical ones seem to be going out on the F150 and recently mine too.

Common questions

How serious is the lighting problem on the 2021 Ford F-150?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 78 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?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

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?

Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover lighting issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.