2010 Ford F-150: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Oct 11, 2023 · Lights · OR

An aftermarket LED headlight kit was purchased from a large retailer of these products (Americantrucks.com). After receiving the kit and installing, condensation appeared inside the passenger side headlight. I contacted customer support to let them know of the defect. They told me that the part was not defective and I could take the headlight apart and wipe the inside out if I wanted to. I am concerned that the headlamp will fail in use from corrosion on electrical components exposed to the condensation. These headlights are supposed to be completely sealed.

Filed Aug 21, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 130,000 miles · NC

I was driving my truck when all of a sudden all of my dash lights went on and my headlights and taillights shut off while I was driving in the dark! It was very dangerous as I was on the highway and my truck started jumping and shifting weird. The traction was messing up. After taking it to the shop they told me it was the computer. I was in a very dangerous situation because of a common fault in this year model. I will be taking to a lawyer monday. Please get back to me as soon as possible.

Filed Dec 23, 2019 · Electrical · 180,000 miles · FL

Dash lights go out without doing anything, also all gauges on dash go to 0 (like when the truck is shut off) and the A/C compressor and blinkers stops working, the fan continues working. The engine,breaks, headlights continue to work. Sometimes if you hit the dash with your fist everything will return to working condition. Good luck figuring this out because ford dealership can't.

Filed Jul 12, 2012 · Lights · 44,800 miles · TX

: my 2010 f-150 xlt has spider web cracks on the headlamp housing both sides. I have kept my vehicle in a garage every night. I have a friend who has a 2009 f-150 that has 65,000 miles and his have no cracks. I called maxwell ford in austin who is where I purchased two vehicles there in january 2012 and was told its plastic and they could not do anything about it. These cracks did not develop from rocks or other things striking the headlamps. It looks to me that it is some type of defect and I have taken photographs of them for you to see. I want them replaced. I have an extended warranty from the dealership on my vehicle. The spider web cracks can be a safety issue in the headlamp performance. [xxx] my name is [xxx] and I am from the ford customer relationship center (crc). I received your email regarding your 2010 ford f-150 xlt. I am sorry to hear that the headlamp housing of your vehicle has spider web cracks. I understand that you are seeking this to be replaced. For now, I recommend that your vehicle be inspected by a ford dealership to determine the cause of any symptoms your vehicle may be experiencing. They have factory trained technicians, the most current engineering service information, and the specialized equipment to resolve your vehicle concerns.please note that the vehicle needs to be diagnosed first before any decision regarding financial assistance can be made. You may check out www.owner.ford.com to locate a dealership near you. This was done at bird kultgen ford, in waco, texas. Photos were taken and sent to ford rep. They said they do not warranty plastic parts. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 11, 2011 · Electrical, Lights · 5,700 miles · WY

During day time driving in rain or overcast the dashboard lights will not come on making it impossible to determine speed you are going. Switching from automatic to manual control of headlights has no effect on dash lights. They stay off! I believe this affects all current ford vehicles.

Filed Aug 31, 2011 · Electrical, Lights · 5 miles · MN

Dash instrument lighting does not illuminate when manually turning on the headlamps. The cluster lamps are apparently controlled automatically by a sensor located on the dash, however it is very difficult to see the dash meters when it is dark enough to turn on the headlamps, but not light enough for the sensor to engage. You can be driving in a rainstorm and headlamps are needed, but the instrument cluster lamps will not turn on and it is very difficult to see the any of the readings on the gauges. Apparently this is a well known problem, but ford will not do anything about it. Just the way it the vehicle is designed. This is hazardous condition that needs to be fixed.

Filed Feb 9, 2011 · Electrical, Lights · 200 miles · WA

2010 ford f150...dashboard lights will not illuminate when in very low light conditions or very bright light conditions if equipped with 'auto lamp'...it will only illuminate in pitch black environments. Instrument panel is recessed 8 inches into dash and you cannot see the speedometer or other gauges as you drive.....this is extremely hazardous as knowledge of your speed is mandatory for safe vehicle operation in any light environment. Ford has advised me 'it is operating as designed'. This is unacceptable as the inability to quickly and accurately read your speed is paramount to driving any vehicle. The engineering shortcoming must be remedied. Google '2010 ford f150 dashboard light problems' and you get 7 pages of concerns....... The only way to make the lights work normally during any daylight condition is to cover the dashboard sensor with a rag. The owners manual section on instrument cluster lights, headlamp switches and even auro lamp and dimmer all state the instrument cluster will illuminate any time any exterior lamp is lit....this is not true. Please look into this matter as it appears to be a serious safety concern,,,

Filed Feb 4, 2011 · Electrical, Lights · 100 miles · GA

2010 ford f150...dashboard lights will not illuminate when in very low light conditions or very bright light conditions if equipped with 'auto lamp'...it will only illuminate in pitch black environments. Instrument panel is recessed 8 inches into dash and you cannot see the speedometer or other gauges as you drive.....this is extremely hazardous as knowledge of your speed is mandatory for safe vehicle operation in any light environment. Ford has advised me 'it is operating as designed'. This is unacceptable as the inability to quickly and accurately read your speed is paramount to driving any vehicle. The engineering shortcoming must be remedied. Google '2010 ford f150 dashboard light problems' and you get 7 pages of concerns....... The only way to make the lights work normally during any daylight condition is to cover the dashboard sensor with a rag. The owners manual section on instrument cluster lights, headlamp switches and even auro lamp and dimmer all state the instrument cluster will illuminate any time any exterior lamp is lit....this is not true. Please look into this matter as it appears to be a serious safety concern. Updated ivoq 02/18/11

Filed Jun 7, 2010 · Electrical · 2,000 miles · IL

2010 ford f150 xlt pickup with automatic illumination/activation instrument cluster illumination lights on 3 occasions to date have failed to illuminate under low /no light outside conditions. The instrument cluster was not readable! No illumination lights. The vehicle also has a manual headlamp selection (3 positions) and even if the headlamp selector switch is turned to manual "on", the instrument cluster did not illuminate!.....this is a safety hazard! The next day everything worked fine except that the instrument cluster did not illuminate until it completely dark outside. Safety hazard!....I cant read the instrument cluster under low light condition! I believe that the sensor that reads outside light conditions needs to be re-calibrated to a lower sensitivity, and that the vehicle should be reprogrammed so that when the driver manually selects for all lights to be activated that the instrument cluster should then go on!

Filed Feb 11, 2010 · Lights · MN

The blue headlights are problem for oncoming vehicles and should be outlawed as well as the little lights that are mounted below the headlights that come on when the headlights are on dim,on the SUV's they are the worst,the one's that are on the ford pickups and some of the chevy. Pickups are as big as the headlight and are in some cases brighter then the dim headlights and they blind oncoming vehicles and they too should be outlawed.

Filed Feb 11, 2010 · Lights · MN

Hid lights - they just blind a person either head on or if someone is following you. It is crazy you want to grab a welding helmet to see. Sure they allow the owner with hid lights to see farther but at whose expense? I can't see around anything with that coming at me. Also, this almost applies to those suvs and trucks that have to have 4 headlights as big as pie pans facing you down. Two halogen headlights are enough for any vehicle. How about some common sense in lighting?