Half of the people replying just aren't getting the OP's point.
1.) lighting is turned completely off.
2.) vehicle is shut down.
3.) vehicle is turned back on.
4.) ambient lighting is on and at full bright setting.
This is not normal and very annoying, not to mention, distracting.
The only temporary workaround I have found is to change it to the red color (least distracting) setting, at the lowest light output level.
When restarted it will remain on the low setting.
This thing has been to the dealer more times than all of my previous cars, combined! This is the straw that broke the camel's back for me. This the last ford product I ever buy.