Ford F-150 Headlight Recall: 91K Trucks, DRL Issue & VIN Check

Ford has recalled more than 91,000 F-150 trucks because of a lighting issue tied to a previous repair. The latest Ford F-150 headlight recall affects certain 2018–2020 F-150 models. On these trucks, the daytime running lights may stay too bright instead of dimming when the headlights are turned on.

Because Ford F-150 recalls can cover many systems, from exterior lighting to software and powertrain-related concerns, owners should confirm the exact campaign before replacing parts. For this article, the focus is the headlight-related Ford F-150 safety recall, especially the 2018–2020 DRL issue and the 2022 parking lamp flicker issue.

Is There a Ford F-150 Headlight Recall

The main Ford F-150 headlight-related recall is really a DRL brightness issue. The truck’s daytime running lights may stay too bright when the low beam headlights are turned on. This can create glare for other drivers. It can also cause the vehicle to fail federal lighting rules. This is why the repair is handled by Ford. It is not a normal bulb replacement job.

For owners comparing this issue with other Ford F-150 recalls, the key is to treat it as a Ford F-150 safety recall first and confirm the exact campaign by VIN. If your VIN shows no open recall and the issue is only dim or aging halogen headlights, a properly fitted SEALIGHT LED headlight bulb upgrade can be considered separately.

Latest recall at a glance

The official NHTSA recall number 26V373 report lists about 91,198 affected vehicles, Ford recall number 26C28, and a Body Control Module software update as the remedy.

This article focuses on the headlight-related recalls that matter most to F-150 owners. It is not a full Ford F-150 recall list. For non-recall lighting upgrades, owners can also review Ford F-150 LED bulbs after confirming recall status. For broader Ford F-150 recalls by year, use an official Ford recall check or NHTSA VIN lookup before scheduling service.

Which F-150 owners should pay attention?

The number of recalls for Ford F-150 2014–2020 models can vary by model year, trim, build date, and equipment. That is why a general recall list can only give background. Your VIN confirms whether your own truck has an open recall. You should check your VIN if you own a:

2018 Ford F-150

Some 2018 F-150 trucks may be included in the DRL recall.

2019 Ford F-150

Certain 2019 F-150 trucks may also be affected.

2020 Ford F-150

Some 2020 F-150 trucks fall within the affected production range.

2022 Ford F-150

The 2022 model year has separate lighting recalls for parking lamps that may flicker when headlights or automatic headlamp modes are active.

Model year alone is not enough. Always check by VIN.

What the Main F-150 Headlight-Related Recalls Mean

The phrase Ford F-150 headlight recall can point to more than one lighting issue. The two most important ones are the 2018–2020 DRL recall and the 2022 parking lamp flicker recall. They both involve exterior lighting. But they are not the same problem.

2018–2020 Ford F-150 DRL recall

What happens?

On affected 2018–2020 F-150 trucks, the daytime running lights may not dim correctly.

The issue can happen when the DRLs are on and the driver turns the lighting switch from Autolamp to Headlamp On / Low Beam. Instead of dimming to parking lamp intensity, the DRLs may stay fully bright.

A driver may describe this as DRLs that stay bright, headlights that look too intense, or an F-150 DRL recall. Owners of 2018, 2019, and 2020 F-150 trucks may see this issue described as a headlight recall, a DRL recall, or daytime running lights that stay too bright.

Why it matters

Daytime running lights are designed to help other drivers see your vehicle during the day. But they are not supposed to stay at the wrong brightness level when other lighting modes are active.

If the DRLs remain too bright, they may create glare. That can reduce visibility for other drivers and increase crash risk. The issue is linked to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108, which covers lamps, reflective devices, and related lighting equipment.

What recall numbers should owners know?

The key numbers are:

The 2026 recall exists because some vehicles may have been marked as repaired under the older recall, even though the correct software remedy may not have been installed.

How will Ford fix it?

Ford dealers will update the Body Control Module software. This is a dealer-level software repair. The repair is free for affected vehicles.

This is important: replacing headlight bulbs will not fix this recall. The issue is not the bulb. It is how the vehicle controls the DRL function.

2022 Ford F-150 parking lamp flicker recall

Why owners may call it a headlight recall

The 2022 Ford F-150 lighting issue is different. It mainly involves parking lamps that may flicker. Many owners still call it a headlight recall because the flicker can happen when headlights or LED headlamp modes are active.

That makes the search intent very close to 2022 Ford F-150 headlight recall or F-150 headlights flickering recall.

What happens?

On certain 2022 F-150 trucks, the parking lamps may flicker when affected LED headlamp modes are engaged.

This may happen when the driver uses:

Position Lamp On mode

The parking lamps may flicker when this lighting mode is selected.

Headlamp On mode

The flicker may appear when the headlights are manually turned on.

Automatic Headlamp Night Mode

The flicker may happen when the automatic headlamp system activates at night.

Which trucks are affected?

Ford’s 23C36 recall page lists certain 2022 Ford F-150 trucks built from March 11, 2022 to July 23, 2022 and equipped with high series headlamps. Later return recalls also involved some 2022 F-150 trucks that were repaired incorrectly under earlier campaigns.

What recall numbers may appear?

Owners may see several related numbers:

The NHTSA 25V515 recall lists parking lights that may flicker when the headlights are activated. They also state that affected vehicles may fail to comply with FMVSS 108.

How will Ford fix it?

The repair depends on the VIN and campaign. Ford may update the LED Driver Module or Headlamp Control Module software. Some return recalls may require LED control module replacement. As with the 2018–2020 DRL recall, this is not a normal headlight bulb replacement.

Other F-150 lighting recalls to know

Some owners may also see F-150 Lightning rear lightbar recalls in search results. These are not front headlight recalls. But they are related to exterior lighting.

Certain 2022–2023 F-150 Lightning Platinum and LARIAT trucks were recalled for rear lightbar problems. Moisture may enter through microscopic cracks. This can cause the reverse lights to flicker or stop working.

If you own an F-150 Lightning and your reverse lights flicker or fail, check your VIN for rear lightbar recall information. For most readers searching Ford F-150 headlight recall, the main focus should still be the 2018–2020 DRL issue and the 2022 parking lamp flicker issue.

How to Check If Your F-150 Is Affected

A Ford F-150 recall is VIN-specific. Two trucks from the same model year may not have the same recall status. That is why a Ford recall check by VIN is more reliable than a general Ford F-150 recall list. Do not rely on year, trim, or symptoms alone. Use your VIN.

Step 1: Find your VIN

Your VIN is a 17-character code. You can usually find it in three places.

Driver-side windshield

Look through the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side.

Driver-side door jamb

Open the driver’s door and check the label on the doorframe.

Registration or insurance card

Your VIN should also appear on your registration, insurance card, title, or service paperwork.

Step 2: Use Ford or NHTSA recall lookup

Enter your VIN on Ford’s official recall page or the NHTSA recall lookup tool. This is the safest way to confirm open Ford F-150 safety recall information for your exact truck, including DRL, headlight-related, parking lamp, and other lighting recalls. NHTSA VIN lookup covers incomplete safety recalls and recent major automaker recalls.

If the recall was just announced, VIN data may not appear right away. For the 2026 DRL recall, VINs were planned to become searchable on July 6, 2026.

Step 3: Save the recall number

If your truck has an open recall, write down the number before calling the dealer.

For 2018–2020 F-150 DRL issues

Look for:

• 26V373
• 26C28
• 20V097
• 20C03

For 2022 F-150 parking lamp flicker issues

Look for:

• 22V686
• 22C22
• 23V802
• 23C36
• 25V515
• 25C38
• 25V517
• 25C37

Step 4: Contact a Ford dealer

Call a Ford dealer and tell them your VIN shows an open lighting recall. Ask what repair is needed. Then schedule the service. Recall repairs are normally free at authorized Ford or Lincoln dealers.

Note: Engine or trim updates do not confirm recall status. For example, 2026 Ford F-150 engine changes are separate from this headlight-related recall. For this issue, VIN status, model year, build date, and lighting symptoms matter more.

What if your VIN shows no open recall?

A broad Ford F-150 recall list may still show past campaigns for the same model year. But that does not mean your truck has an active repair. If your VIN shows no open recall, the lighting problem may need normal diagnosis instead.

At that point, check the bulbs, lenses, connectors, and beam aim first. If the factory halogen bulbs are simply weak or aging, SEALIGHT LED headlights can be considered as a visibility upgrade, not as a recall repair.

Once an open recall is ruled out, the next step is to decide whether the problem needs dealer service or normal headlight maintenance.

Ford Recall Repair or Headlight Bulb Replacement

A recall repair and a headlight bulb replacement are not the same thing. A recall repair fixes a safety or compliance issue identified by Ford and NHTSA. A bulb replacement fixes a lighting wear or failure issue, such as a burned-out or dim bulb.

When you should go to Ford first

1. Your VIN shows an open recall

   If the VIN lookup shows an open recall, schedule dealer service first.

2. Your DRLs stay too bright

   If your 2018–2020 F-150 daytime running lights do not dim when the headlights are on, check for the DRL recall.

3. Your parking lamps flicker with headlights on

   If your 2022 F-150 parking lamps flicker when the headlights or automatic headlamp mode is active, check for a parking lamp recall.

4. You received a recall letter

   Follow the instructions in the letter. Bring your VIN and recall number to the dealer.

5. A previous recall was marked complete but the problem remains

   Ask the dealer to verify the software level and recall repair status.

When it may be a normal headlight issue

Not every F-150 lighting problem is a recall.

1. One headlight is out

   This is often caused by a burned-out bulb, fuse issue, connector problem, or wiring fault.

2. Both headlights look dim

   Older halogen bulbs can lose brightness over time. Cloudy lenses can also reduce light output. If there is no open recall and the lighting system is otherwise working normally, replacing weak factory bulbs with properly fitted SEALIGHT headlight bulbs can help improve night visibility.

3. The light color looks yellow

   Aging halogen headlights often look warmer and weaker than newer lighting.

4. Night visibility feels poor

   If the headlights work but the road still looks dark, check bulb age, lens clarity, beam aim, and bulb fitment.

5. Flicker started after a bulb change

   This is usually not a Ford recall. It may be caused by poor installation, incorrect fitment, wiring issues, or compatibility problems.

Recall issue vs. normal headlight issue

Final Takeaway

The latest Ford F-150 headlight recall is mainly a DRL or lighting-control issue, not a simple bulb problem. Check your VIN first. If there is an open recall, let a Ford dealer handle the free repair.

If your VIN shows no recall, then check for normal headlight issues like dim bulbs, yellow light, bad connectors, or poor beam aim. For non-recall visibility problems, a properly fitted SEALIGHT LED headlight bulb upgrade can be a practical option.