Daytime Running Light Nightmare
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
From: Pennsylvania
Daytime Running Light Nightmare
I'm new here and I apologize if this topic has been posted before. But I need to vent.
My wife's 2021 F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid just had the driver side DRL go out at 55,000 miles. Took it back to the dealer to find out the cause. They said the whole headlight needs replaced to the tune of $1958.21.
I told the service mgr at the dealer I will simply turn them off in the truck settings, and will not spend that kind of money on DRLs. Their response was if I brought the truck back for inspection (Pennsylvania) they would not pass it. I told them that PA doesn't require DRLs, and that is not the law. The MGR said if the truck is equipped with DRL and they are non functioning properly they won't pass it.
Come on. What kind of nonsense is this? What is Ford doing about this? They can't possibly stick people with this kind of expense for fixing an LED.
I looked and you can find aftermarket OEM style replacements for around $300.
Again, this an led. This part should cost 80 cents.
Any suggestions?
My wife's 2021 F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid just had the driver side DRL go out at 55,000 miles. Took it back to the dealer to find out the cause. They said the whole headlight needs replaced to the tune of $1958.21.
I told the service mgr at the dealer I will simply turn them off in the truck settings, and will not spend that kind of money on DRLs. Their response was if I brought the truck back for inspection (Pennsylvania) they would not pass it. I told them that PA doesn't require DRLs, and that is not the law. The MGR said if the truck is equipped with DRL and they are non functioning properly they won't pass it.
Come on. What kind of nonsense is this? What is Ford doing about this? They can't possibly stick people with this kind of expense for fixing an LED.
I looked and you can find aftermarket OEM style replacements for around $300.
Again, this an led. This part should cost 80 cents.
Any suggestions?
I'm new here and I apologize if this topic has been posted before. But I need to vent.
My wife's 2021 F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid just had the driver side DRL go out at 55,000 miles. Took it back to the dealer to find out the cause. They said the whole headlight needs replaced to the tune of $1958.21.
I told the service mgr at the dealer I will simply turn them off in the truck settings, and will not spend that kind of money on DRLs. Their response was if I brought the truck back for inspection (Pennsylvania) they would not pass it. I told them that PA doesn't require DRLs, and that is not the law. The MGR said if the truck is equipped with DRL and they are non functioning properly they won't pass it.
Come on. What kind of nonsense is this? What is Ford doing about this? They can't possibly stick people with this kind of expense for fixing an LED.
I looked and you can find aftermarket OEM style replacements for around $300.
Again, this an led. This part should cost 80 cents.
Any suggestions?
My wife's 2021 F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid just had the driver side DRL go out at 55,000 miles. Took it back to the dealer to find out the cause. They said the whole headlight needs replaced to the tune of $1958.21.
I told the service mgr at the dealer I will simply turn them off in the truck settings, and will not spend that kind of money on DRLs. Their response was if I brought the truck back for inspection (Pennsylvania) they would not pass it. I told them that PA doesn't require DRLs, and that is not the law. The MGR said if the truck is equipped with DRL and they are non functioning properly they won't pass it.
Come on. What kind of nonsense is this? What is Ford doing about this? They can't possibly stick people with this kind of expense for fixing an LED.
I looked and you can find aftermarket OEM style replacements for around $300.
Again, this an led. This part should cost 80 cents.
Any suggestions?
PA Pub 45 Subchapter E 175.80 (a) (9) Check the lamps and lenses and REJECT IF one or more of the following apply:
(i) An exterior bulb or sealed beam, if originally equipped or installed, fails to light properly, except ornamental lights.
That being said, I frequently see cars with multiple bulbs out because if neither side lights, many people will completely overlook the issue when they have no reference for what is correct.
(i) An exterior bulb or sealed beam, if originally equipped or installed, fails to light properly, except ornamental lights.
That being said, I frequently see cars with multiple bulbs out because if neither side lights, many people will completely overlook the issue when they have no reference for what is correct.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 275
Likes: 160
From: Zanesville Ohio
This makes the 100 extra dollars for "lights package" on Grangers Ford Extended Warranty well worth it huh? Man, 1900 for a light assembly that is only repairable with complete replacement... There is going to be some shocked people!
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 158
Likes: 28
From: Naperville, IL
100% Exactly why I added it on to my plan!
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It's my first day
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,656
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From: Kamloops, BC
How much time did they spend on it to reach their conclusion? 5 minutes? I've seen this issue twice and both times it was a fuse in the Battery Junction Box under the hood, but it's not labeled as a headlight fuse, it's labeled as a BCM Power Bus Bar or something stupid. Try the basics first. You might be able to fix it in your driveway for 80 cents. If it's not those I'd test the headlamp module, LED Ballast and connections points before dropping any cash on a new, used, or aftermarket headlight assembly.
For all we know you might just need a wire brush a bit of dielectric grease.
I've seen Ford Master Certified techs replace a perfectly good windshield washer motor because the fuse was bad LOL. Just sayin.
The wiring diagram for everything in our truck is here:
(this file is too big to open on most smart phones and tablets 600MB PDF)
2021 F150 Workshop Manual
For all we know you might just need a wire brush a bit of dielectric grease.
I've seen Ford Master Certified techs replace a perfectly good windshield washer motor because the fuse was bad LOL. Just sayin.
The wiring diagram for everything in our truck is here:
(this file is too big to open on most smart phones and tablets 600MB PDF)
2021 F150 Workshop Manual
Last edited by Airborne_Ape; Jun 26, 2025 at 08:07 PM.
Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 71
Likes: 45
From: IN
How much time did they spend on it to reach their conclusion? 5 minutes? I've seen this issue twice and both times it was a fuse in the Battery Junction Box under the hood, but it's not labeled as a headlight fuse, it's labeled as a BCM Power Bus Bar or something stupid. Try the basics first. You might be able to fix it in your driveway for 80 cents. If it's not those I'd test the headlamp module, LED Ballast and connections points before dropping any cash on a new, used, or aftermarket headlight assembly.
For all we know you might just need a wire brush a bit of dielectric grease.
I've seen Ford Master Certified techs replace a perfectly good windshield washer motor because the fuse was bad LOL. Just sayin.
The wiring diagram for everything in our truck is here:
(this file is too big to open on most smart phones and tablets 600MB PDF)
2021 F150 Workshop Manual
For all we know you might just need a wire brush a bit of dielectric grease.
I've seen Ford Master Certified techs replace a perfectly good windshield washer motor because the fuse was bad LOL. Just sayin.
The wiring diagram for everything in our truck is here:
(this file is too big to open on most smart phones and tablets 600MB PDF)
2021 F150 Workshop Manual
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 4
I'm new here and I apologize if this topic has been posted before. But I need to vent.
My wife's 2021 F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid just had the driver side DRL go out at 55,000 miles. Took it back to the dealer to find out the cause. They said the whole headlight needs replaced to the tune of $1958.21.
I told the service mgr at the dealer I will simply turn them off in the truck settings, and will not spend that kind of money on DRLs. Their response was if I brought the truck back for inspection (Pennsylvania) they would not pass it. I told them that PA doesn't require DRLs, and that is not the law. The MGR said if the truck is equipped with DRL and they are non functioning properly they won't pass it.
Come on. What kind of nonsense is this? What is Ford doing about this? They can't possibly stick people with this kind of expense for fixing an LED.
I looked and you can find aftermarket OEM style replacements for around $300.
Again, this an led. This part should cost 80 cents.
Any suggestions?
My wife's 2021 F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid just had the driver side DRL go out at 55,000 miles. Took it back to the dealer to find out the cause. They said the whole headlight needs replaced to the tune of $1958.21.
I told the service mgr at the dealer I will simply turn them off in the truck settings, and will not spend that kind of money on DRLs. Their response was if I brought the truck back for inspection (Pennsylvania) they would not pass it. I told them that PA doesn't require DRLs, and that is not the law. The MGR said if the truck is equipped with DRL and they are non functioning properly they won't pass it.
Come on. What kind of nonsense is this? What is Ford doing about this? They can't possibly stick people with this kind of expense for fixing an LED.
I looked and you can find aftermarket OEM style replacements for around $300.
Again, this an led. This part should cost 80 cents.
Any suggestions?
Sections of my DRLs went out on both sides. I took it to the dealership. They kept it a week just to tell me that both headlights had to be replaced. They would cost over $800 a piece and for labor, the total would be over $4500. I ordered the lights myself for less than $600 a piece, hit YouTube, and replaced them myself in less than two hours.
