Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS - SWITCH
99V103000FORD MOTOR COMPANYfrom 04/20/1995 to 08/24/1998V (Vehicle)60558107/16/1999ODIFORD MOTOR COMPANY05/05/199905/10/1999
Defect SummaryVehicle description: passenger vehicles. the terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector can experience heat damage as a result of overheating.
Consequence SummaryThe damage could result in distortion of the terminal causing an open circuit in the instrument panel illumination, parking lamp, and tail lamp circuits.
Corrective SummaryDealers will install a headlamp switch wiring connector containing bronze terminals and an inspection, and replacement if necessary, of the headlamp switch.
NotesOwner notification began july 16, 1999. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1563602/01/2002630685Concern with headlamps and/or instrument panel lamps dimming slightly at idle. *tt04/19/2002
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS
9913906/28/1999606508Conditions with the brake lamps inadvertently disabling the brake shift interlock. *tt08/26/1999
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS
BC327497020702/07/199751872Replacement headlamp bulbs - several aftermarket companies are offering replacement bulbs with a higher wattage that are not dot approved - sold with disclaimer of for off-road use only - the bulbs draw more current than the oem bulbs a07/17/1997
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS - HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
1477503/01/2001619489Some vehicles equipped with daytime running lamps (drl) may exhibit the high beam indicator in the instrument cluster flashing when the daytime running lamps are on. *tt06/01/2001

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PE98063FORD MOTOR COMPANY12/03/199805/10/1999HEADLIGHT SWITCH99V103000
 Headlight switch and wiring failures leading to visibility loss and one alleged dashboard fire

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
10/24/2001
 When the light switch is turned to park lights, none of the park lights work--front or back, left or right. additionally, the dash lights do not work. when the light switch is turned to head lights, only the headlights and bright lights work--there are not tail lights or dash lights. all other lights work, such as the brake lights and turn signals. this occured during the thanksgiving holiday at night while driving through kansas city. we could not see our speedometer, and cars approaching from the rear could not see us until they approached and their lights shown on our car--very dangerous.*ak
03/23/19990
 While driving tail lights/odometer lights, and parking lights went out. consumer took vehicleto dealer, and they replaced a switch. consumer did not know which switch, on nov 1, 2000 same problem occurred. took vehicle to another dealer, and they replaced headlight switch, and a f5rz14a411 *ba, head lamp switch.*ak
02/28/1999
 All the all the lights are working intermittently. also, when using the a/c unit consumer has to put the a/c on high in order to use the system. *ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS
06/10/2002101/01/2098
 This car is a lemon - it is not safe. *ak
04/13/2002
 Multi-function turn signal switch in the steering column failed and caused brake lights to fail. the part # is: sw-5042.*ak
08/01/1999
 Problems with the engine light coming on and the servicing dept at the ford dealer and other auto servicing center could not figure out why to this day it is on. at one time the entire interior lights and rear brakes lights went out. it currently shut its self off ( stalls) and get hot. the engine sounds revved up and shortly after the ac unit went out.everything has been checked out/ the alternator was replaced the crankshaft was replaced some wiring had to be replaced all the fluids are where they should be and it still stalls and overheats for no reason. both front windows electrical motors have gone out.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS
08/11/20046600012/20/1995
 Car stalls when parallel parking, especially in reverse, or when parking slopes. car stalled when starting up from red light in center city philadelphia intersections. headlamps out of alignment (don't shine down onto road, beams not centered). air bag light on control panels blinks sporadically, frequently; anxiety that air bag will deploy while driving. dealer comment on stalling: probably something stupid and wasn't able to fix problem, mentioned something about a vacuum tube. dealer charged $95 to tell me that the memory in the vehicle didn't give any codes for the stalling or air bag problems, then added that the memory is wiped clean every time the car is turned off. question: if they know that about the car in the first place, why charge the customer for a pointless diagnostic? headlights still out of alignment after having been adjusted by dealer in january 2005. *nm
08/19/20031
 Headlights are inopertive, causing impaired vision. dealer states headlight switch has melted, causing all lights to fail.*ak
06/12/1999106/12/1999
 Headlight lenses are so cloudy that it is extremely difficult to see on low beams.has been evident since i purchased the car in '1999.*ak
600001
 When headlights are on the interior lights will not come on. cause is unknown. *ak
02/01/20002
 The front head lamps to my contour have clouded over (on the inside) and do not allow the lamps to put out much light. this is a pretty bad safety hazard in the evening. it has been getting worse over the past year or two - to where i need to replace them. the dealer noted that this was a common problem caused by a head lamp seal failure, but it was not a warranty or recall issue. cost is $250 for parts plus labor. if this is a known safety issue for ford service staff, why is it ignored by ford? your database shows other complaints of this issue. dt
110/01/1996
 Headlight cover turned yellow in color, causing poor visiblility. *ak
12/27/2000106/01/1998
 Both headlight lenses are dirty due to headlight assembly seal failure. night time illumination unsafe. this complaint is consistent with other nhtsa consumer complaints, odi id 864545, 734106, 531407 and 532479. dealer states the problem is not covered by extended warrenty purchased along with vehicle. *ak
01/01/1999604/01/1997
 Right rear light continued to go out. replace bulb few times. right wheel bearing had to be replaced. major fan belt replaced. alternator replaced. light on radio goes off when head lights turned on. this happened after they fixed my recall for lights. gas cap cover is very hard to open. takes several times to try and open. when air is on smells come through really strong from other cars. owner notification recalls are not taken care of until they actually happen. these are coil can break and car go down blow out tires. also electrical harness can break and wires will connect with other parts of the car and cause a fire. i have sent a letter to the president of ford and explained how i felt this car was unsafe and if anything happened to me or my family they would be held responsible. i never received a response from anyone. they should be made to take back all contours and give us a safer car for us and our families to drive. i am a single parent and cannot afford to finance another car. they need to provide a loan and new car for us. i will be contacting ford again in the near future to see if they will help with taking my car back and giving me another car/loan. as i told them in the letter they just wanted to sell and make money they didn't think of the family and or families that this car as it fell apart would effect. i appreciate that you have this web site that i can voice my concerns,problems with the ford and feel someone may pay attention before someone is hurt in these cars as have been many with the tire situation. i will help you in any way i can to clear up all of these problems. i keep the letter i sent ford in my car in case something happens someone will be able to read it and know i did try to get this problem dissolved before it was to late. thank you so much for your help. debbie jennings hewitt
01/01/2000103/01/1999
 The plastic lens in the headlight assembly degraded to the point that light coming from the headlight was hardly distinguishable from the light coming from the amber parking lights. vehicles behind my car, while driving would cast a shadow in front of my car. i replaced the light bulbs on the front of my car to no avail. the problem remained the same. i just recently purchased new headlight housings and installed them to replace this serious problem. ford used a very inexpensive or untested plastic which failed/degraded quickly.
 Light on the dash and tailight will go out intermittently due to headlight switch. nhtsa recall 99v103000/ manufacturer's recall 99s14 repairs were performed in november 1999 ,but defect has reoccurred. dealer or manufacturer have refused to fix it again.*ak
06/21/2000
 Headlights were fogged up which affected visibility. consumer tried to wipe off the lenses. but they were stained with some type of milky substance. dealer stated that consumer had to replace headlights at her own expense. *ak *ml
 Consumer contacted dealer in reference to recall 99v103/manufacturer's recalls 99m07, 99m03 and 99s14 concerning headlight failure. dealer refused to correct recall problem dealer has been contacted on a number of occasions. *ak
 When the headlights are turned on, the interior dash lights do not come on, making it impossible to see the instrument panel at night. dealer has not seen vehicle. *ak
2009/05/1996
 Head lights very dim.
10/13/1997
 Indadequate headlights.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS - CONCEALMENT DEVICES
107/21/1999
 Problems with 1996 ford contour front brakes, transmission, fuse box, heater blower motor, electrical and steering and suspension. *mr for the second time, the vehicle had problems with the brakes making a loud rubbing sound, the stabilizer bar was replaced and needs to be replaced again. the transmission was leaking, water was inside of the headlight seals, which made the lights very dim, the selector mode switch on the heater motor blower did not work properly, which made the heat not work at a 100%. the upper ball joints, rack and pinion and wheel bearing were all defective. *jb *nm
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS - HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
10/26/1999
 Recall 99v-103 000 /headlight swtch/wiringharness: recall received. vehicle headlight would intermittently go off/on. took vehicle to dealer for recall repairs and problem still remained. could this be a repair failure? can nhtsa provide additional information on thie matter. *ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS - SWITCH
11/16/2009180000
 Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford contour. the contact stated that the plug on the headlight switch overheated and melted the wire in the plug. he had to disconnect the battery every time he got out of the vehicle because it caused a failure within the parking lights. the plug and headlight switch needed to be replaced. he found recall 99v103000 online and was told by both the manufacturer and the dealer that his vehicle was not included. the vehicle had not been repaired to-date. the current mileage was approximately 183,000. the failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
01/21/20039200007/13/2002
 The headlight switch malfunctioned and caused the tail lights and instrument panel light to go out without warning. the vehicle was recall once for this problem and repaired but the problem has reocurred. manufacturer stated since the recall was repaired once, they will not repair it again free of charge. *ph *nlm
12/15/2002110000101/09/2000
 Headlight switch terminals and wiring harness termninals experienced heat damage. the instrument panel, tail lights and parking lights failed. robin ford dealer, 100 n. mcdade bvd, glenolden, pa indicated that there is a recall for this problem on the 96 ford contour but my vin does not apply to the recall. my vin is 1falp6532tk192972.
1
 Consumer received a recall notice and made an appointment with the dealer to have repairs, the dealer stated that the vehicle was not in their computer to have this work done, consumer has paid for the repairs. (99v10300) *yh
104/10/1996
 Consumer stated that instrument panels were inoperative, consumer's received safety recall 99s14 regarding instrument light failure, consumer took vehicle and recall notice to dealership, dealership was reluctant to honor recall, after speaking with management,dealership finally honored recall, when consumer returned home with vehicle, they noticed a leak which resulted in recall repair. *tt
10/23/20011
 Consumer states received recall 99v103000 notification. dealership repaired other recalls, but informed consumer parts were not available to repair headlight switch recall, and he should return in 7 days. when consumer returned to dealership he was informed that vehicle had already been serviced for this recall, and any work would be performed at consumer's expense. please provide any additional information / documentation.*ak
104/10/1996
 Consumer stated that instrument panels were inoperative, consumer's received safety recall 99s14 regarding instrument light failure, consumer took vehicle and recall notice to dealership, dealership was reluctant to honor recall, after speaking with management,dealership finally honored recall, when consumer returned home with vehicle, they noticed a leak which resulted in recall repair. *tt
 Recall 99v103000. remedy did not correct problem. while vehicle was being driven instrument panel and tail lights completely went out. please give any further details. *ak
01/12/20011
 Panel lights and tail lights failed, part (f5rz-14a411-ba) was replaced in 8/99 according to recall (99v-103), part failed 1 year and 5 months later, owner would like to be reimibursed for repairs on 1/12/01. cj
09/01/20001
 Vehicle has been at the dealership for a nine week period waiting for the recall component part to arrive (99v-103). *mjs
11/13/2000
 Received recall notice 99v103000; took vehicle to dealer last year. mechanic barely looked at switch & declared okay. now having problems as recall indicated. took vehicle back. informed by mechanic switch just suppose to be inspected & not replaced. recall notice indicated to replace switch & then inspect it later. *ak
03/23/19990
 While driving tail lights/odometer lights, and parking lights went out. consumer took vehicleto dealer, and they replaced a switch. consumer did not know which switch, on nov 1, 2000 same problem occurred. took vehicle to another dealer, and they replaced headlight switch, and a f5rz14a411 *ba, head lamp switch.*ak
05/03/1999204/21/1998
 The terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connectors failed prior to recall notice 99v-103 causing the vehicle to shut down. nlm
01/11/1999
 Consumer has defective parts , such as. headlight switch is ticking noise inside of the vehicle, and all dashboard lights are out. *ak
05/02/19961
 Prior to recall electrical connector at head light switch failed (99v-103). yh
1
 Consumer recall workk on 99v-103 head light switch performed, however after repair temprature gauge failed and head lights not aligned properly consumer not satisfied with repair. yh
12/23/1998105/01/1996
 The first noticable symptom was that my dashboard lights went out. i then learned that, although my headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and ememgency flashers still functioned, my running lights were also out. upon taking the car into the dealership, i was informed that my headlight switch had shorted and caused damage to the interior wiring harness. to add further insult to injury, i had to purchase an entire wiring harness regardless of whether or not i wished to have the damage harness repaired or replaced because the needed parts could not be obtained separately. this has all been reported to ford motor company and they are looking into the matter. i have only reported my case to the nhtsa after finding a listing in your online investigations database for action number pe98063 and thought that my story may pertain to this investigation. thank you for your consideration.
 Recall # 99v103000 lighting: switch:button:ring:head lights; owner received recall notice in july, 1999. owner has brought vehicle to dealership twice for recall. once in july, and again on december 4th. dealer does not have parts to correct recall. told consumer to come back in 6 weeks. *ak
1
 Recall component failed prior to recall notice (99v-103), consumer is having trouble with refunding. mjs
1
 Recall repair (99v-103) completed, however harness connector assembly replaced and not the switch, panel lights feel hot to the touch and illumination is dim after repair work completed. mjs
04/02/19991
 Recall repair on the head light switch (99v-103) completed, however after repair the instrument panel lights do not always illuminate and are not as bright and after extended use of the headlights the resistor switch for panel lights is hot to the tough (required additional repairs). mjs
1
 Wiring harness connector failed prior to recall notice causing instrument panel lights and tail lights not to illuminate(99v-103). nlm
 Recall # 99v103000 ford/headlight swtich/wiring harness; owner received recall notice in july 1999. owner has contact dealer numerous times. dealer does not have parts to correct recall. *ak
 Recall # 99v103000 ford/headlight switch/wiring harness; even though recall work was performed on august 24, 1999, the same problems still exists with the vehicle as stated in the recall. dealer is refusing to correct. *ak
08/12/1999
 Rec'd recall 99v103000 & contacted dealer. took vehicle in for headlight connector & it was replaced. when starting vehicle, it was very sluggish. problem was not present before connector replaced. owner not satisfied with repairs. *ak
07/26/199904/01/1996
 Notified by dealer of recall #99v103000. took to dealer for repairs. supposedly took 10 minutes of repair. the panel lights still not on. afterwards, received notice #99v103000 from dealer. went to different dealer who refused repairs due to other dealership having already done repairs. *ak *ml
08/06/1999
 Received a manufacturer's recall notice #99s-14 ford/headlight switch /wiring harness; took vehicle to dealer shop for repairs; later on noticed instrument panel lights failed to operate. notified dealer, and informed consumerthat it would c additional $48.00 to get the lights back on. can nhtsa provide further detail on this matter. *ak
07/20/1999
 Received manufacturer's recall 99s-14; ford/head light switch/wiring harness. took vehicle in for repairs,three days later vehicle would not start; contacted dealer and informed of problem. dealer informed consumer not to bring vehicle in because consumer refused to pay $48.00 for fuses for clock and radio. seeking help from nhtsa in this matter. *ak
05/27/1999210/01/1996
 Whenever headlight switch is turned on all other lights remain off. this condition has occurred on two other occasions that consumer paid for repairs. manufacturer informed consumer that vehicle was not under any recall, any repairs made would be at consumer's expense. *ak
 Tail lamps and the instrument lights malfunctioned. there is a recall on the same failure. however, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin although it includes the same recall description, involving the headlight switch. . recall 93v103000 *ak
04/22/1999103/01/1997
 Headlight switch and mount failed/burned up/lights won't turn off/on, needed replacing, dashboard components always run hot; fuel door lever inside car doesn't work reliably & door sticks; egr hose failed, took ford 1.5 weeks to get one in, no guidelines re: this hose ever needing replaced, & it costs $93??!?!
04/01/1998
 In june 1998 replaced brake pads, and had rotors turned because they were warped. had to replace brake pads again, including rotors in february 1999. two months later rotors again warped. in july 1998 had to replace alternator. in april 1999 dash lights and tail lights quit working - had headlight switch replaced.
05/01/1996
 An electrical short under the dash caused headlights to become inoperable, also resulting in damages to the electrical wiring harness. cause unknown. *ak
12/21/19981
 Consumer experiencing loss of instrument and tail lights at the same time. dealer notified and repaired malfunction at the cost to consumer, replaced headlamp switch and connector. *ak
10/01/19981
 Faulty headlight switch caused dash and tail lights not to work.
10/24/19981
 Had headlights on & noticed smoke coming from dashboard. the headlight switch caught fire. electrical system had shorted out. took to dealer & called manufacturer informed owner's fault for electrical short & fire. will not repair defect. *ak
09/30/199808/01/1997
 Headlight switch circuit is severely overheating, causing the switch harness to burn and the switch to fail. also, while driving at night the tail lights/dash lights failed.
09/21/1998
 Headlights and dashlights did not work when switch was turned on. dealer contacted, and stated the headlight switch was burnt out, wires and the connector were all burnt out also, vehcile should not be driven due to a fire hazard.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TAIL LIGHTS
02/15/2005105900106/01/1998
 I own a 1996 ford contour (vin 1falp6539tk158348) that the instrument panel lights and tail lights went out on. there was a recall on this item (recall 99s14) back in 1999. upon bringing the car into an brookdale ford (brooklyn center, mn), they told me that they would fix the problem free of charge because it did not apply to my vehicle. i then called ford motor company customer relationship center. they told me that the problem was already fixed on my car (even though i never brought the car in for this service). they refused to help. even if the recall was fixed on my car, the fact that the same two parts of my car (instrument panel and tail lights) failed, tells me that the recall repair was not done correctly.*ak
1
 Consumer stated that tail lights were inoperative, consumer's received safety recall 99s14 regarding tail light failure, consumer took vehicle and recall notice to dealership, dealership was reluctant to honor recall, after speaking with management,dealership finally honored recall, when consumer returned home with vehicle, they noticed a leak which resulted in recall repair. *tt
10/24/2001
 When the light switch is turned to park lights, none of the park lights work--front or back, left or right. additionally, the dash lights do not work. when the light switch is turned to head lights, only the headlights and bright lights work--there are not tail lights or dash lights. all other lights work, such as the brake lights and turn signals. this occured during the thanksgiving holiday at night while driving through kansas city. we could not see our speedometer, and cars approaching from the rear could not see us until they approached and their lights shown on our car--very dangerous.*ak
02/18/2001108/01/2000
 The right and left tail lights and instrument panel lights failed. the terminals on the headlight switch show signs of heat damage. this is the same symtoms as nhtsa campaign id # 99v103000 (mfg campaign # 99s14) appicable to certain 1995-1998 ford contour vehicles. this recall does not apply to my ford contour (vin # 1falp6532tk192972) according to two ford dealers. the symtoms of this recall exactly describe the current symtoms of my ford contour and it is questionable as to why this recall is not currently applicable to my vin #.
03/23/19990
 While driving tail lights/odometer lights, and parking lights went out. consumer took vehicleto dealer, and they replaced a switch. consumer did not know which switch, on nov 1, 2000 same problem occurred. took vehicle to another dealer, and they replaced headlight switch, and a f5rz14a411 *ba, head lamp switch.*ak
04/01/1998
 In june 1998 replaced brake pads, and had rotors turned because they were warped. had to replace brake pads again, including rotors in february 1999. two months later rotors again warped. in july 1998 had to replace alternator. in april 1999 dash lights and tail lights quit working - had headlight switch replaced.
12/15/199810/01/1997
 The worst problem was the wheel falling off while in operation, with no warning. the axil, rotor, and balljoint was replaced. the heating and cooling is all messed up. the fan will only blow on low, it is niether hot nor cold. the tail lights and panel lights do not work. it's not a fuse
09/30/199808/01/1997
 Headlight switch circuit is severely overheating, causing the switch harness to burn and the switch to fail. also, while driving at night the tail lights/dash lights failed.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TAIL LIGHTS - SWITCH
02/15/2005105900106/01/1998
 I own a 1996 ford contour (vin 1falp6539tk158348) that the instrument panel lights and tail lights went out on. there was a recall on this item (recall 99s14) back in 1999. upon bringing the car into an brookdale ford (brooklyn center, mn), they told me that they would fix the problem free of charge because it did not apply to my vehicle. i then called ford motor company customer relationship center. they told me that the problem was already fixed on my car (even though i never brought the car in for this service). they refused to help. even if the recall was fixed on my car, the fact that the same two parts of my car (instrument panel and tail lights) failed, tells me that the recall repair was not done correctly.*ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL - FLASHER UNIT
01/06/200208/01/2097
 The turn signals do not flash and the stearing wheel column smokes when the flasher is in place. mr
105/27/1996
 Turn signal burned out.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL - SWITCH
04/13/2002
 Multi-function turn signal switch in the steering column failed and caused brake lights to fail. the part # is: sw-5042.*ak