2021 Ford F-150 Back Up Lights Recall (25V348)

Recall 25V348 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021 Ford F-150 in recall 25V348?

An over-the-air software update to the body control module (BCM) may have disabled both reverse lights.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles equipped with the Onboard Scales feature that were repaired incorrectly under recall 24V443. An over-the-air software update to the body control module (BCM) may have disabled both reverse lights.

Is it safe to drive a 2021 F-150 with recall 25V348?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Inoperative reverse lights may fail to alert others that the vehicle is reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.

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

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your F-150 shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the back up lights, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 25V348?

Recall 25V348 covers 10 vehicles: 2021 Ford F-150.

NHTSA lists 10 vehicles in this campaign, built July 29, 2021 to November 16, 2021. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the F-150 back up lights recall?

Yes. Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge.

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.

When was recall 25V348 announced?

Ford Motor Company reported recall 25V348 to NHTSA on May 23, 2025.

This recall was filed 16 months ago, and vehicles were built over a span of 110 days. If your F-150 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my F-150 is part of recall 25V348?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 25V348 is open on your F-150, it will be listed there.

The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021 F-150 vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.

What should F-150 owners do about recall 25V348?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 25V348000 applies to your F-150.
2. Call a Ford dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
3. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Write down when symptoms involving the back up lights happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.

What are F-150 owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 1,015 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 171 of them about the lighting and visibility.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 1,015 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 171 of them involve the lighting and visibility. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2021 Ford F-150: 1,015 complaints in total, 171 about the lighting and visibility

A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):

Passenger side headlights assembly has a daytime running light that stopped working properly. There is no longer a fully functioning running light that decreases visibility to other vehicles. The manufacturer will not replace and the it cannot be repaired without a full headlight assembly replacement that is not affordable.

2021 Ford F-150 owner, GA, NHTSA complaint 11636663, filed January 17, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the C-shaped LED light at the outer corners of the driver's side headlight was significantly dimmed, which reduced the road visibility. The contact stated that the failure had progressively worsened.

2021 Ford F-150 owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11641349, filed February 7, 2025

Part DG9Z13A018E (Ambient Light Sensor) fails to properly read Daylight during warm months. Inverted value (reading of VERY DARK) persists for at least 10 minutes. Appears to be temperature dependent; meaning, the temperature of the sensor/dash/housing is very hot and skewing the reading. Instrument panel dim. 12" screen dim.

2021 Ford F-150 owner, CT, NHTSA complaint 11658989, filed May 5, 2025

Can recall 25V348 make my F-150 a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

Recall 25V348000 does not automatically make your F-150 a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?

A headlight, wiper or visibility defect on the 2021 Ford F-150 can make night or rain driving unsafe, and repeat repairs for the same problem count toward a lemon law claim.

This campaign follows an earlier recall for the same issue. A second recall can mean the first remedy failed, and repeated repair attempts on the same defect are the core of most lemon law claims.

Earlier campaigns on these vehicles involving the same component: 24V443000.

Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 25V348