Ford F150 Tail Light Wiring Diagram (2008 to 2021)

I hope this has never happened to you but have you ever been driving along minding your own business obeying the laws of the road and you get pulled over? You have no idea why when you were within the speed limit and driving perfectly. Then comes those seven terrible words from the officer “Did you know your tail light is out?”

Well you didn’t but you do now. There are things you can tell straight away if they are wrong like brakes and your front lights. Trouble is you can’t see the back of your car while you are driving. This is why you should perform regular rear light checks and know how to change or fix them if you need to.

In this post we will be looking to understand the tail light wiring diagrams from the most recent three generations of Ford F150 trucks. This spans the years 2008 – 2021 and can help you effect repairs to a damaged tail light and avoid a costly ticket.

What are the Laws on Tail Lights?

There are many laws regarding tail lights depending on which state you happen to be in. There are a number of arbitrary rules but the main one is that they need to be working. Broken tail lights can be especially hazardous after dark and if they are not lit up you could easily be rear ended by a driver who literally could not see you.

Often you might get a warning if your tail lights out with an issuance of a ticket. This ticket can sometimes be lifted if you go to court with proof that the problem no longer exists. Ignoring the issue may lead to you being pulled over another time and being dealt with more severely.

The authorities take this pretty seriously as it can be a life and death situation. Depending on the state there are laws regarding bulb color, glass tint and the use of reflectors to name but a few. Often when we get an oil change they will perform a brake light check for you and inform you if your tail lights are out. The rest of the time it will either be your due diligence or the police officer's sharp eye that catches the issue.

Tail Light Wiring Color Coding for Ford F150 (2008 – 2014)

We’ll start with the models that are furthest back and as a result are a little less complex. The Ford F150 trucks between 2008 -2014 are likely the easiest when it comes to having to repair.

Tail Light Wiring Color Coding for Ford F150 (2015 – 2021)

After 2014 the wiring in the taillight area for Ford F150 trucks became a little more complicated and are dependent on the type of lighting used. There are two different bulb types which may be used: LED and Halogen. We will look at both in this section so be ready.

You will notice there are additional wires involved in post 2014 Ford F150 tailing wiring. In the next table take note of the differences for halogen bulbs over LED.

As you will note there are some slight color changes to the drive turn, driving running light and passenger turn wires when it comes to halogen bulb over LED.

Dealing With Tail Light Repairs

Now we have an idea of how the wiring works in the tail light of Ford F150. We should now take a look at some basic repairs you and perform for yourself. This could save you a trip to a mechanic and a good deal of money.

Replacing a Light Bulb

A great skill to have when it comes to truck maintenance is the ability to change a light bulb and good news no need to get the stepstool out for this.

You will need:

• 5/16” socket & socket wrench although a normal 5/16” wrench will work if needs be
• Paper towels for moisture and grime
• New bulb

Step-by-Step Process

1. Open the back end of the truck and locate the two bolts holding the tail light in place. Use the socket wrench to loosen these bolts and put them to the side safely so as not to lose them
2. Once the bolts are removed you can remove the tail light assembly from the housing. At the back you will find two clips that hold it in place, releasing these will allow it to pull free easily
3. Next remove the connector that holds the wiring to the housing. This is done by gently pressing into the clip and pulling the connector out
4. Now locate the defective bulb and gently unscrew it from its connector by turning it counter clockwise. If the bulb glass is broken you may need pliers to grip the bulb safely to turn
5. With the old bulb removed make use of your paper towel to remove any moisture and grime before fitting the new bulb. Be careful not to break any of the other functioning bulbs in the housing
6. Once cleaned insert the new bulb into the connector and turn it to lock in place. This should be clockwise but an arrow will be evident to confirm which direction is locked.
7. Now reassemble and replace the housing in the reverse manner in which you took it apart. Be careful not to force the clips at the back of the housing as we do not want to break them
8. Ensure that the bolts holding the casing in place are tight so there will be no movement or risk of the housing falling out.

What if It’s a Wiring Issue?

Wiring is a little more complex than changing a bulb so if you have an issue with the wires and you can identify what that is you should make the judgement call as to whether you attempt the repair. This is not something to take lightly as a mistake can leave you without rear lights and this can be very dangerous.

If you are confident to tackle this on your own you might find guidance in the form of YouTube videos. However if you have any doubts this may be best left to a professional.

Conclusion

Rear driving lights are a legal requirement for driving on public roads as they can literally make the difference between life and death. This is why you should keep them maintained and in good working order.

Hopefully now you have some idea of how the wiring system for these lights is laid out and this may help you effect repairs by yourself. Always remember however that if you are unsure how to do this yourself you are better off spending a little money to get it done correctly by a professional.

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