The OEM LED headlights will not adjust, causing excessive glare to on coming drivers. This issue is 300 times worse than the miniscule amount of light that the daytime running lights emit, but somehow the running lights get a recall, but the headlight adjusters do not! I'm completely flabbergasted at such an absurd and unjust oversite to such and important issue, please record this protest in the appropriate file, thanks. I constantly get offended drivers flashing their lights at me.
2018 Ford F-150: headlights failing or too dim
13 of the 2,335 complaints about the 2018 Ford F-150 describe headlights failing or too dim.
- owner complaints
- 13
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- typical mileage
- 1,900
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
Headlights failing or too dim by model year
What owners say
Water intrusion into the Body Control Module (BCM) caused multiple safety-related electrical failures. The horn no longer functions, traction control activates and deactivates while driving, exterior lights remain on after vehicle shutdown, and the battery must be disconnected to turn off headlights. The issue presents a safety concern while operating the vehicle. Ford Motor Company was notified and documented the concern but declined assistance due to no active recall or program.
The day running lights don’t work at all and researching online there are hundreds if not thousands of people with similar issues. F150’s 2015-2020 having the same problem. This is not caused by misuse or neglect but factory defective components. These headlight are almost $1400
The alarm system and hazards will randomly go on and will not turn off until you start vehicle and hit the hazard light button. If you hit the hazard button while the vehicle is off, it does not turn the hazards off. They will often remain flashing even if the horn/alarm system isn't blaring. At times hitting the hazard button has made the horn go off. The truck has started locking itself and keypad will not work to unlock only the key fob. Truck has not been driven at night since this has occurred to notice if its affecting the headlights. We have noticed that it is also affecting the cabin climate controls (air conditioning/heat). The source of the problem appears to be a malfunction with the Body Control Module (BCM). Prior to these issues arising, there were no warning or messages that appeared on the dash. The truck has been driving great. Now the check engine light is on and have to disconnect the battery so that it doesn't go off in the middle of the night again.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights inadvertently flashed on and off. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the BCM and battery junction box were replaced; however, the failure recurred, and the horn inadvertently activated while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the horn was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 62,902.
I was recently driving the vehicle with no issues and all systems running normally. Suddenly, every light in the cabin and every dashboard indicator light started flashing with a chime through the speaker system which normally occurs when the keys are in the ignition. The vehicle was parked and the engine was turned off immediately to avoid any further issues or damage. After turning off the ignition and removing the keys, the vehicle continued to try and power on with the accompanying chime through the speaker system. After exiting the vehicle, it was observed the headlights and taillights were also flashing very rapidly. An attempt was made to restart the vehicle. After inserting the keys, every light in the cabin and every dashboard indicator light started flashing with a chime through the speaker system again, the engine would not turn over or attempt to start. An attempt was made to jump start the vehicle with no change in results, the engine would not attempt to start and all lights remained flashing. The battery was changed with a brand new fully charged battery from the local Ford dealer. Upon installation, every light in the cabin and every dashboard indicator light started flashing with a chime through the speaker system again and the engine would not attempt to start, there was no change in the symptoms. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer since it was completely disabled. Through further internet research, the battery monitoring system can be reset after a battery change by flashing the bright lights 5 times and stepping on the brake pedal 3 times. This procedure was attempted and the system did reset. The vehicle is now operating and functioning normally. This was a complete system failure without warning, the vehicle was disabled. There were zero prior indications on the dashboard of any faults. I was fortunate the vehicle could be moved to a safe location. Had this incident occurred on an interstate my safety would have been at risk.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at night the passenger’s side headlight became inoperable. The contact stated that the failure became more frequent and the driver's side headlight intermittently failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the failure persisted after switching from Auto On to the manual setting. The contact stated that after activating the high-beam headlights, the headlights operated as needed. The failure recurred while using the low-beam headlights. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V097000 (Exterior Lighting). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
Complete failure of the Sync 3 Advanved Program Interface Module (APIM). Recall available up until 2017 model year, 2018 needs to be included. I purchased my vehicle used in August 2019 with 28,000 miles and had problems with the APIM from the start. Dealer refuses to replace. Problems include: -Device will not update firmware over Wi-Fi or USB flash drive. -None of the official Ford Sync mobile apps on iPhone will connect to APIM. -Resuming music from USB flash drive frozen in memory from same song and time every time I start the car even after playing many songs ahead. -Turning off the vehicle loses the current clock time. -Driving durring the day with headlights off, screen randomly goes black into night mode. Dealer quoted me $1008 to replace APIM, not gonna happen. I researched prices online and can purchase this and do it myself for less than $300 but, I shouldn't have to.
The headlights on this vehicle seem to perform marginally at best. Under ideal conditions they seem barely adequate. When it is raining and the road surface darkens or snowing and there is road grime covering them they are dangerous. I have owned over 65 different vehicles and this vehicle is among the worst under less than ideal circumstances.
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 ford f-150. The contact stated that the driver's side headlight was cracked from the inside. As a result, only one headlight was functional. The contact had difficulty driving at night because one light was dimmer than the other. The vehicle was driven to ancira ford (501 10th st, floresville, tx 78114, (830) 216-4040) to be diagnosed, but they did not know how to repair the internal crack. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the failure was a stress mark, and that the contact would have to pay for the repair. The failure mileage was 1,900.
The driver side rear view mirror has a double image. This makes night driving and identifying object in the mirror more difficult. It duplicates headlights which at night creates more light in the drivers face making it more difficult to see the road. The mirror has been this way since it was test driven the drive train issue, at 7,000 miles the truck has developed a whining sound while accelerating the dealer belies this is the pinion bearing.
The headlights, reg beams, not highlights, are really dim at night when driving in extreme rain on the highway. It is hard to see what land you are in and very hard to see in general. It is as if I am driving without lights on. I have had 20 cars including other mfg trucks and never have had this problem. It is a major safety issue when driving in rain on the freeway.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 20V097. When the headlight switch is turned from "Autolamps" to "Headlamps On," the Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) may remain fully bright instead of dimming to parking lamps as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- Daytime Running Lamps that do not dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- ,Dealers will reprogram the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 17, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C28. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on on July 6, 2026.
Recall number 26V373000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from the "Autolamps" switch position to "Headlamps On." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
Recall number 20V097000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2018 Ford F-150 headlights
Is headlights failing or too dim a common problem on the 2018 Ford F-150?
13 of 2,335 owner complaints about the 2018 Ford F-150 (1%) mention headlights failing or too dim. The model year with the most reports is 2021.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2018 Ford F-150?
There are 2 recalls and 0 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2018 Ford F-150
Harsh shifting 243Jerking 208Transmission failure 194Check engine light 164Slipping 146Door locks 136Loss of power 126Hesitation 118Stalling 112Knocking 74Engine failure 65Won't shift 60Start-stop 57Oil consumption 56Backup camera 50Shudder 49Fire or smoke 41Grinding brakes 38Brake failure 27Sudden acceleration 25Adaptive cruise 23Misfire 22Power steering loss 21Overheating 20Screen failure 17Won't start 17Wipers 16Pulling 15Key fob 13No deployment 12Water leak 11Whining noise 10Fuel pump 9ABS 7Fuel smell 6Warning lights 5
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