Ford Begs: 'Van Lights Glitch? Nah, It's No Big Deal!'
Published Date: 12/16/2025
Notice
Summary
Ford found that some 2020-2025 Ford Transit vans don’t fully meet certain lighting safety rules. They asked the government to decide if this issue is minor and won’t affect safety. People have until January 15, 2026, to share their thoughts, and no money or recalls are expected right now.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Owners of ~14,967 Transit Vans Affected
About 14,967 Ford Transit motor vehicles (model years 2020–2025) manufactured May 1, 2019 through October 10, 2024, with overall width ≥80 inches and HID headlamps have front turn signal lamps with an effective projected luminous lens area (EPLLA) of 6313 sq mm, below the 7500 sq mm minimum in FMVSS No. 108. Ford petitioned NHTSA on November 15, 2024, asking to be excused from the statutory duties to notify owners and to provide a remedy for this noncompliance; if NHTSA grants the petition, Ford would be exempt from those notification and remedy duties for the affected vehicles it no longer controls. NHTSA published receipt of the petition and is accepting comments through January 15, 2026.
Dealers Still Prohibited From Selling Noncompliant Units
The notice states that any NHTSA decision on Ford's petition does not relieve vehicle distributors and dealers of the prohibition on selling, offering for sale, or introducing into interstate commerce the noncompliant Transit vehicles that remain under their control after Ford notified them the noncompliance existed. That prohibition remains in effect even while the petition is pending or if an exemption is later granted.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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