NHTSA Campaign 04V106000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Issued by FORD MOTOR COMPANY · Reported Mar 2, 2004 · 938,789 vehicles affected

What's wrong

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS MALFUNCTIONING COULD RENDER THE STOP LAMPS INOPERABLE OR CAUSE THEM TO STAY ON ALL THE TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE CONFUSION TO A FOLLOWING DRIVER, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Consequence

IN ADDITION, IF THE SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING FAIL IN THE OPEN POSITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ACTUATE AND THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF "PARK" IF THEY FAIL IN THE CLOSED POSITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL REMAIN ON, WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW THE SPEED CONTROL TO BE ACTIVATED. THIS COULD ALSO CAUSE THE BATTERY TO DISCHARGE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED STOP LAMP SWITCH AND WIRE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON APRIL 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
FORD TAURUS 2000 938,789
FORD TAURUS 2001 938,789
FORD TAURUS 2002 938,789
FORD TAURUS 2003 938,789
MERCURY SABLE 2000 938,789
MERCURY SABLE 2001 938,789
MERCURY SABLE 2002 938,789
MERCURY SABLE 2003 938,789

Source: NHTSA Campaign 04V106000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.