FaultScore

Ford Expedition headlight problems

167 of the 11,934 complaints filed about the Ford Expedition are about the lighting — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1998.

167

Complaints

1%

Share of all complaints

1

Crashes

3

Fires

Lights complaints by model year

1997 Expedition 21 12.6%

Median failure at 113,000 miles

1998 Expedition 29 17.4%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

Median failure at 54,500 miles

2000 Expedition 18 10.8%

Median failure at 151,000 miles

Median failure at 101,000 miles

Median failure at 155,000 miles

2003 Expedition 12 7.2%

Median failure at 26,900 miles

Median failure at 109,089 miles

Median failure at 47,500 miles

Median failure at 95,000 miles

Median failure at 9,000 miles

Median failure at 15,000 miles

Median failure at 60,000 miles

Median failure at 2,725 miles

Median failure at 12,000 miles

Median failure at 9,000 miles

2018 Expedition 23 13.8%

Median failure at 9,950 miles

Median failure at 160 miles

Median failure at 30,450 miles

What owners said

2020 Ford Expedition Melbourne, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

There is a very common problem with the passenger side headlight daytime running lights on the 2018-2023 Ford Expedition. The daytime running lights go dim, completely fail, or turn purple, as has happened on my 2020 Ford Expedition Platinum. This has created a safety issue due to the DRLs no longer functioning as intended. There is no fix for the consumer aside from replacing the entire headlight assembly, removing the entire front fascia in the process, at a cost of $1500 or more per light assembly for parts and labor. There are hundreds if not thousands of vehicles reporting the same issue with the daytime running lights.

NHTSA complaint #11745164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Ford Expedition Camden, NC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Daytime Running Light has failed on passenger headlight. This condition makes the vehicle less visible to others. The only remedy for this issue is to replace the entire headlight which approaches $2000 for a single headlight.

NHTSA complaint #11725953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Ford Expedition Greer, SC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Front passenger DRL fail in lower 2/3 of LED strip. Im afraid other cars won't see me as well. No warnings on the inside dash display. A car flagged me down to tell me.

NHTSA complaint #11719657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Ford Expedition Cabot, AR

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Passenger side DRL (daytime running light) has dimmed and turned purple. Upon further research, this is happening to thousands of Ford Expeditions specifically on the passenger side. The only repair is to replace entire housing.

NHTSA complaint #11708963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Ford Expedition Louisville, TN

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

DRL failure is widespread across ford vehicles and should be addressed by the manufacturer.

NHTSA complaint #11707796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Ford Expedition Mobile, AL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The passenger side headlight DRL is fading and does not appear to be as bright and pronounced as the driver side DRL. This vehicle has the LED headlights and fog lights.

NHTSA complaint #11707752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Ford Expedition Tulsa, OK

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Passenger side daytime running lights (DRL) have dimmed, diminishing daytime visibility . LED bulb may be out. Seems to be a common problem per other Expedition owners. There were no warnings or messages stating problem. The only way to fix the problem is by replacing the entire headlamp assembly ($1,200 plus labor).

NHTSA complaint #11695895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Ford Expedition Baton Rouge, LA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

LED daytime running lights have failed and turned blue on one side. This issue appears to affect many vehicles of the same make and model. DRLs are a piece of safety equipment that makes the vehicle more visible to others, and as such, should be in proper working order.

NHTSA complaint #11694574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Ford Expedition Camdenton, MO

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Drl is only half on seems that this is a common problem and a safety problem for it is a lighting issue

NHTSA complaint #11687023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Ford Expedition Richmond, TX

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

LED Daytime Running Light on passenger side headlight is fading and has purple hue at times. This presents poor visibility to other vehicles and can create confusion due to inconsistent appearance for oncoming traffic.

NHTSA complaint #11684484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Ford Expedition Camdenton, MO

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Drl not workingg

NHTSA complaint #11678046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 Ford Expedition La Vernia, TX

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The component that failed is the left front driver side headlight of the vehicle, resulting in low visibility and inability to see or drive the vehicle in it's current condition at night. The only "warning" that could potentially have been a "warning", was the blinker began rapidly blinking the day before the headlight stopped functioning; the blinker no longer worked in the headlight but still worked on the driver mirror and back taillight. By the next day, the driver side headlight no longer functioned. It is my knowledge that Ford has a lifetime guarantee on the headlights for this make, model, and year of vehicle. Due to this not functioning, I would like to get it properly replaced under warranty or guarantee of Ford.

NHTSA complaint #11676322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Ford Expedition Blackstock, SC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The passenger DRL is only lit at at the top strip and not the rest of the strip.

NHTSA complaint #11672819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Ford Expedition Castalia, NC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Just purchased a certified used vehicle. 1) passenger DTRL is half way burnt out. Upon reading tons of forums online, I’m seeing this is a VERY COMMON issue. 2) the back up guide lines on the back up camera does not show. After master reset of the sync system , the lines appeared once. Since then it has not shown ever again.

NHTSA complaint #11672890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 Ford Expedition Metairie, LA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The coating and plastic is failing in the headlights, this can reduce visibility and by extension safety.

NHTSA complaint #11666972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Ford Expedition Houston, TX

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Defective daytime running light, passenger side, that does not fully illuminate. I’ve noticed this on several of the same make, model, and body style (with the same DTRLs).

NHTSA complaint #11659470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Ford Expedition Sarasota, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The passenger side daytime running light has burned out. Daytime running lights are a safety feature for myself and other drivers. The problem happens 100% of the time. The dealership has inspected the issue and suggest replacing the entire headlight assembly. It happened January 2025 and No warning lights came on. It was brought to my attention by another driver in traffic

NHTSA complaint #11652955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Ford Expedition Boca Raton, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The passenger side day time running light led halo is partially not working-Daytime Running Light defective. Several customers affected for the same reason all over internet.

NHTSA complaint #11646966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Ford Expedition Upper Marlboro, MD

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the turn signals, the hazard lights, and the cigarette lighter had become inoperable. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11646759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Ford Expedition at 60,000 miles Buford, GA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the front headlights were very dim while in use. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the projector inside the headlight assemblies were defective, causing the headlights to not illuminate as needed. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA complaint #11643518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Ford Expedition problems