Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
INTERIOR LIGHTING
9924811/29/19996090196Concerns with the interior lamp staying on. *tt03/10/2000

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
INTERIOR LIGHTING
01/12/20021
 Dash was replaced, but it was installed improperly. also, air conditioning system has leak, and will be replaced next spring. *la vehicle has had the following repairs or replacements: wheel bearings, brakes, tie rods, dashboard, intake manifold, passenger rear struts, left front dome lamp switch, left front speakers, and oygen sensor.*mr
09/26/2000
 Vehicle was parked, and one of the doors was opened while talking for approximately 15 minutes. courtesy light fell down due to fixture overheating and burning off the fastener. dealer notified, and informed consumer to bring vehicle in. please feel free to provide further details. *ak
04/28/2000
 While driving on highway travelling 70mph, exited off the freeway and began to brake when engine cut off. also, instrument lights came on, and the steering wheel locked up and was unable to turn. engine turned back on, and was able to regain control of vehicle. *ak
12/20/1999411/01/1999
 While driving; radio & interior lights will shut off when blinker, door & or other electronic component used or for no reason at all. also have had problems w/ alarm system. dealer unable to locate sorce of problem, changed radio twice, alarm & fuse box once.
10/27/199901/01/1999
 I recently rented a 1999 mercury contour and drove it through rural western mass, vermont and new hampshire between dusk and dark, on interstate highways. just after dusk i stopped to refuel the car. at that point the overhead dome light turned on, and would not turn off. i drove to the next rest area and stopped to read the owner's manual. it provided no useful information on turning off the light. however, while i was alone in the rest area reading the manual in a car lit up like a spotlight(and i am female), a strange man approached my car from behind with what i assume were bad intentions. i then drove another 50 miles to a total of 7 gas stations before i found one with an attendant. he also had no idea how to turn off the dome light. i then had to choose between spending the night in a rental car in a parking light near the interstate, or drivng home with a lit dome light and close to zero visibility. as my life insurance is paid up, i chose option (b.) and drove home. it seems to me that nhtsa should require car manufacturers, and especially this car manufacturer, to supply all interior lights with a positive on-off switch. either that, or supply large sledge hammers and a promise of indemnity from car rental agencies. please let me know what you will do about this unsafe design flaw.