‘13 F-150 Platinum HID replacement/starter issue

Asked by Melissa Apr 25, 2018 at 01:34 PM about the 2013 Ford F-150 Platinum SuperCrew LB

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I was shocked how much a replacement HID headlamp
bulb cost ($149). I managed to replace the bulb myself
however still no working light. Took it Ford dealer & was
told the ballast was bad which in turn blew a fuse. Both
replaced for over $500! Next day I drove the truck twice,
wouldn’t turn over or even click on the 3rd start.
Completely lost all power!
The manual states to replace a bulb, you have to take it to
the dealer for a HID bulb & “starter capsule assembly”
replacement. First of all, what is a starter capsule
assembly? Second, why in the world would Ford EVER
make changing a headlamp bulb so expensive &
complicated? Finally, anyone had a similar experience?

1 Answer

73,310

Well, to answer the question "why" I'll supply information obtained from a relative who retired from a new car dealership with over 40 years. His statement is a new car dealership is simply a repair shop which sells new cars. From the business end, the repair facility should generate sales three times the amount of cars sales on a monthly basis. Ever notice how new car dealerships have twenty or more repair bays with otherwise tiny showrooms. Also, the more complicated simple repairs are the more money generated by the dealership. Even minor repairs require many items be removed from the engine bay to access the defective part. As an example, if the actuator motor goes out inside the dash for the blend door, many times the entire dash needs to be removed to access it. That alone is about a 600 buck repair job to replace a small electrical motor costing about 50 bucks. And since Ford/Motorcraft makes complicated headlight parts, who smiles when the retail price of the part is 150 bucks, as you indicated.

1 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    OJ
    Reputation
    41,830
  • #2
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    15,990
  • #3
    Rowefast
    Reputation
    15,470
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
201 Great Deals out of 8,235 listings starting at $6,995
Used GMC Sierra 1500
141 Great Deals out of 8,345 listings starting at $5,975
Used RAM 1500
485 Great Deals out of 20,439 listings starting at $3,995
Used Toyota Tundra
29 Great Deals out of 988 listings starting at $10,698
Used Ford F-250 Super Duty
29 Great Deals out of 782 listings starting at $4,290
Used Toyota Tacoma
30 Great Deals out of 723 listings starting at $9,975
Used Ford Mustang
51 Great Deals out of 1,662 listings starting at $5,977
Used Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
29 Great Deals out of 1,717 listings starting at $8,999
Used Toyota 4Runner
27 Great Deals out of 530 listings starting at $7,990
Used Jeep Wrangler
125 Great Deals out of 5,974 listings starting at $8,990
Used Chevrolet Colorado
37 Great Deals out of 1,211 listings starting at $4,995
Used Ford Explorer
71 Great Deals out of 2,016 listings starting at $3,333

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.