Poor low beam road lighting performance on the Maverick

[gp1200x]

I have a 2023 Lariat and have the first addition Mabett side marker orange leds (which really light up the road sides) and the diodes dynamics fog light which wired to always be on when the main headlights are on ...high or low beam...along with an off button. I also rewired the front turns so they are always on with the white led and flash orange when turning. Last thing added was the full led strip at the grill top. This all makes the truck look sharp and easily distinguishable by everyone I know.

One thing I noticed however that is not resolvable is the poor lighting that these headlights produce on the actual road surface. They light up the road signs and cars ahead but provide very little bright light on the road surface the first 75 or so feet in front of the vehicle which has the stock suspension. When I turn off the fog lights (which are amazing and provide light to the front and sides of the road!) I am shocked at how little the headlights actually light up the road. As I see other cars pass by their light output is measurably more than what I get out of this Maverick. I am sure the 24MY has the same issue but did they redesign the 25MY headlights? Not sure there is any solution for the model years up to 2024 at least. If you have any ideas let me know but I suspect the headlights are a completely sealed assembly.

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[Mudduck]

Probably a stupid question, but have you adjusted them down a little? Mine were lighting up everything but the road. adjusted down a little bit and they're pretty good now.

 

[RR - All the way]

It may be your adjustment. All have LED, but the 2025 Lariat is a projector system and the XL and XLT models are reflectors. Near as I can tell from reading about each, the reflectors put out a more diffuse side-to-side light pattern while the projector can be more focused and pinpointed and hence better for distance.

I know the 22 models ALL had projection systems. I believe this is true of the 23 and 24 MY's also. The projection systems cost Ford more; they went the cheaper route on the 25's with the XL and XLT.

I have some eye problems. I do know that the lights on my 22 Lariat were much better than those on my 25 XLT. I am not sure I would have traded for a 25 XLT, if I had known the light systems were different!! Just me and my eyes!!

I am not an expert on this so if I have misstated these specs, feel free to correct me.

 

[Tiger Dude]

I would guess you did something to them with all your other work

 

[Carlitos_92]

Check page 320 in your owner’s manual.

 

[Cherokee]

My low and high beams are excellent on my 2024 Lariat.
They need nothing. I don’t even need fog lights.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

It may be your adjustment. All have LED, but the 2025 Lariat is a projector system and the XL and XLT models are reflectors. Near as I can tell from reading about each, the reflectors put out a more diffuse side-to-side light pattern while the projector can be more focused and pinpointed and hence better for distance.

I know the 22 models ALL had projection systems. I believe this is true of the 23 and 24 MY's also. The projection systems cost Ford more; they went the cheaper route on the 25's with the XL and XLT.

I have some eye problems. I do know that the lights on my 22 Lariat were much better than those on my 25 XLT. I am not sure I would have traded for a 25 XLT, if I had known the light systems were different!! Just me and my eyes!!

I am not an expert on this so if I have misstated these specs, feel free to correct me.

My eye issues were fixed with cataract surgery hopefully yours are a simple fix like that. Amazing how much brighter things are now for me. Medicare if you are old enough and they are advanced enough and you answer the "difficulty seeing questions" properly. I can see things like wires on electric poles over a mile away again.

 

[CNJFF]

It may be your adjustment. All have LED, but the 2025 Lariat is a projector system and the XL and XLT models are reflectors. Near as I can tell from reading about each, the reflectors put out a more diffuse side-to-side light pattern while the projector can be more focused and pinpointed and hence better for distance.

I know the 22 models ALL had projection systems. I believe this is true of the 23 and 24 MY's also. The projection systems cost Ford more; they went the cheaper route on the 25's with the XL and XLT.

I have some eye problems. I do know that the lights on my 22 Lariat were much better than those on my 25 XLT. I am not sure I would have traded for a 25 XLT, if I had known the light systems were different!! Just me and my eyes!!

I am not an expert on this so if I have misstated these specs, feel free to correct me.

All '22-'24 models have the same 3-section reflectors. Outer and middle are both low beam which may be why they looked better than the '25 with a single light on each side.



Like the OP, I wasn't impressed with the light output. Alignment looked good against a wall. The fog lights definitely helped. I keep them on.

 

[todd92]

No issues with the low beams in my Lariat.

 

[1929]

Great lights on 2023 XLT. Applause to Ford, I would not change a thing, including the auto high beam.

 

[icegradner]

I know the 22 models ALL had projection systems. I believe this is true of the 23 and 24 MY's also. The projection systems cost Ford more; they went the cheaper route on the 25's with the XL and XLT.

22-24 all have the same headlights. Not sure why you think they have projectors, best as I can tell it’s a reflector design. Projectors always have that round internal design like the 25s that have projectors, none of the 22-24s have that.

IMO the 22-24 have a very poor design, with a lot of glare for oncoming traffic. I always know when I’m facing an oncoming Maverick because the lights a blinding And aimed way too high.

 

[RR - All the way]

Well it appears that I should have looked at the owner's manuals......... Duh? Per several sources that I googled, the projector vs reflector situation was as I posted. Sorry about that. After going back and looking, it turns out that the info I was reading was from after-market advertisers. I may look at my 25 adjustment because I am certain my 22 reached out further.

Really like the convenience of the auto dim. However, there are quite a few times when I want the brights, after the vehicle dimmed for signs, bridge railings, and streetlights/merchant lights. Stay Safe!

Thanks to all who corrected my error. As I recall, this is my first screw-up since 1989!

EDIT: Below URL from Ford shows changes on the 2025. Check out the changes on the headlights for Lariat, Lobo, and Tremor according to this from Ford. See exterior section.

2025 Ford Maverick Order Guide

 

[dalola]

Just depends what you are used to. Maverick HL's are just average, compared to modern LED HL's across the makes/models. I find the high beams more lacking than the low beams. But they are certainly adequate, and reasonable for the price of the vehicle, IMO.

 

[Silly Willy]

My eye issues were fixed with cataract surgery hopefully yours are a simple fix like that. Amazing how much brighter things are now for me. Medicare if you are old enough and they are advanced enough and you answer the "difficulty seeing questions" properly. I can see things like wires on electric poles over a mile away again.

Me to, got rid of the cataracts and my glasses.

 

[deanobc]

I have a 2023 Lariat and have the first addition Mabett side marker orange leds (which really light up the road sides) and the diodes dynamics fog light which wired to always be on when the main headlights are on ...high or low beam...along with an off button. I also rewired the front turns so they are always on with the white led and flash orange when turning. Last thing added was the full led strip at the grill top. This all makes the truck look sharp and easily distinguishable by everyone I know.

One thing I noticed however that is not resolvable is the poor lighting that these headlights produce on the actual road surface. They light up the road signs and cars ahead but provide very little bright light on the road surface the first 75 or so feet in front of the vehicle which has the stock suspension. When I turn off the fog lights (which are amazing and provide light to the front and sides of the road!) I am shocked at how little the headlights actually light up the road. As I see other cars pass by their light output is measurably more than what I get out of this Maverick. I am sure the 24MY has the same issue but did they redesign the 25MY headlights? Not sure there is any solution for the model years up to 2024 at least. If you have any ideas let me know but I suspect the headlights are a completely sealed assembly.

No issues with headlight coverage and/or brightness on my 25 Lariat, with no aftermarket lighting whatsoever. Perhaps title of post should have added '23 Maverick, not just Maverick in general.

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