Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TAIL LIGHTS
96V253003FORD MOTOR COMPANYfrom 04/15/1994 to 09/15/1996V (Vehicle)7294011/04/1998ODIFORD MOTOR COMPANY08/17/199808/31/1998
Defect SummaryThe rear lamp socket may not illuminate because the metal can in the lamp socket moves or separates from the plastic socket housing.
Consequence SummaryThis can result in malfunction of the stop or rear running lamps. center high mount stop lamp function is unaffected. rear lamp malfunction can result in following drivers not being alerted to the subject vehicle's presence or intended actions, particularly in the case in which both lamps have malfunctioned.
Corrective SummaryDealers will install a revised rear lamp socket and wiring assemblies.
NotesOwner notification began november 4, 1998. 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 (-1888-327-4236).

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
98201510/12/1998603700Some vehicles may exhibit a malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on and diagnostic trouble code ( dtc ) 32. *yc03/02/1999
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS
9913906/28/1999606508Conditions with the brake lamps inadvertently disabling the brake shift interlock. *tt08/26/1999

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
10/30/20091
 Headlights are severely clouded/weathered. this greatly reduces the available light when driving at night. definitely a safety issue. have not attempted any repairs yet. *tr
03/10/2000503/10/2000
 There was a real strong smell of fumes inside the vehicle and the smell would get worse if the heater was turned on, vehicle was taken into dealer and they replaced hoses, but the problem still occurs. *ak consumer stated that all the lights would remain on, dealer corrected the light problem, also gas fumes would come through the vents, dealer replaced a gas pipe and that did not correct the problem, again took the vehicle back they claimed the gas tank was leaking and they said it was taken out and repaired, the next morning, there was a puddle of gas under the vehicle, the vehicle was towed back to the dealer, consumer believes the dealer did more damage to the gas tank, or it was never replaced, consumer is not comfortable with this vehicle and never will be therefore she wants chevrolet to reimburse here the full amount for the vehicle, all costs for all repairs and all medical bills for the past six months she was complaining of headaches, nausea, and vomiting from the gas smell. *yd
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BACK UP LIGHTS
 When the brakes are applied , if the headlights are on, vehicle will lose the brake and taillights. a recall has been issued on the vehicle, however this vehicle was not included. the dealer has inspected the vehicle and the manufacturer has been notified. *ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS
07/18/200790000301/07/2000
 Ford told me the vin didn't show up on their recall records. as a result, the car was either repaired already or wasn't subject to the recall. according to nhtsa recall 96v253003 recall the car should be included in the recall since it experienced the same problem as mentioned in the recall. this problem has never been repaired by a dealer. i had no idea why it didn't come up on my vin . but the customer representative kept saying it was not in their records. *ak
02/21/199895000102/08/1995
 The rear lamp stops working looks like the metal in the lamp socket deteched from the plastic socket. the light bulb keeps falling out. contacted the dealer and ford and they were not able to resolve the issue. *ak
11/01/19994
 Brake lights for vehicle have failed approximately four times, dealership has examined vehicle four times and replaced fuse each time, this remedy has not corrected the problem.*ak *slc
10/17/2000207/01/1994
 There are no rear brake lights on vehicle. consumer has contacted dealer and dealer stated there was a recall for brake lights. *ak consumer was informed that the vin was not included in the recall. windshield sometimes quit working, turning the switch off and on will get them to work again. heat takes about an hour before it gets warm. *jb
09/20/2000205/01/1994
 Recall 96 v 253 00e/rear lamp socket: replaced rear lamp bulbs 2-3 times a month. dealer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was not covered under recall due to vin.*ak due to safety issue with non functioning brake light, consumer paid to replace defective rear lamp socket assembly.*jb
04/02/20000
 Left rear brake light does not work, took to mechanic, and he said that it was not a problem with light bulb, but itwas the sockett, consumer has the same problem as recall 96v253 003, but his car was not included.*ak
05/01/19991006/01/1994
 Brakelights work intermittently right/ left sometimes both. if headlamps are on and apply brakes....lose all rear tail/brake lamps except for overhead 3d brake lamp mounted on top of minivan rear door
09/30/1998
 Dealer informed consumer that mfr. recall notice did not concern his vehicle after appointment was given and the part was ordered a week before initial appointment was made. a second notice was received on 09 nov 98. mfr. # 96s-61 and nhtsa # 96v-253 003. *ak
04/01/1997
 Right rear stop light socket malfunctioned. claims original equipment failure. *ak
06/01/19941
 Brake light bulb blew out. *ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS
01/01/20011
 Headlight covers are fogging up, visibility at night is greatly reduced.*ak *jb
08/01/2000308/01/1994
 Rear lamp socket does not illuminate because metal can in lamp socket moves or separates from the plastic socket housing. mfr states that this vehicle is not part of nhtsa campaign id 96v253003. nhtsa campaign states that this campaign includes vehicles mfg starting in apr 1994. actual vehilcle mfr date was apr 6, 1994. dealer confirmed that actual failure mode matched recall description; repair has been performed at owner expense. this vehicle should be included in recall based on failure mode and mfr date.
06/06/1998201/01/1995
 The headlight lense covers are yellow causing the lamps to be yellow with min. brightness. the dealer acknowledge the problem as being common. he sold one of his mercurys because the lamp covers yellowed. he knew of someone crashing because of the dim lights. cost to replace the headlamp covers is $698.00 because the front bumper must be removed. my turning lamp on the front blinker is brighter than the headlamps. go to a large parking lot at a local mall and look at the villagers and quest that are 3-4 years old and you can see the yellow lamps. thank you for looking into this and shedding some light on getting it fixed.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS - HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
03/10/2000503/10/2000
 There was a real strong smell of fumes inside the vehicle and the smell would get worse if the heater was turned on, vehicle was taken into dealer and they replaced hoses, but the problem still occurs. *ak consumer stated that all the lights would remain on, dealer corrected the light problem, also gas fumes would come through the vents, dealer replaced a gas pipe and that did not correct the problem, again took the vehicle back they claimed the gas tank was leaking and they said it was taken out and repaired, the next morning, there was a puddle of gas under the vehicle, the vehicle was towed back to the dealer, consumer believes the dealer did more damage to the gas tank, or it was never replaced, consumer is not comfortable with this vehicle and never will be therefore she wants chevrolet to reimburse here the full amount for the vehicle, all costs for all repairs and all medical bills for the past six months she was complaining of headaches, nausea, and vomiting from the gas smell. *yd
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TAIL LIGHTS
07/18/200790000301/07/2000
 Ford told me the vin didn't show up on their recall records. as a result, the car was either repaired already or wasn't subject to the recall. according to nhtsa recall 96v253003 recall the car should be included in the recall since it experienced the same problem as mentioned in the recall. this problem has never been repaired by a dealer. i had no idea why it didn't come up on my vin . but the customer representative kept saying it was not in their records. *ak
06/18/20041370001
 While braking rear tail lights failed to work. recall 96v253000. this vehicle was not covered under the recall due to vin. *ak
 Consumer called complaining about having problems with rear headlamp socket on the tail light. manufacturer was contacted, and stated that consumers vehicle vin was not included on the recall, but consumer was having the same problem as the recall indicated.*ak
09/15/1998101/01/1994
 2 front engine manifold bolts sheared off, causing exhaust leak into vehicle and possible head warping problems in the future.the rear tail lights have blown bulbs on an average of 4 a year ,once resulting in a rear end collision. my ignition switch is so screwed up, it is impossible to remove the key safely so i am forced to leave it in at all times.my wiper/turnsignal switch has been a joke from day 1, the techs couldn't figure it out until the warrantee was over and tried to charge me for it. *ak
09/20/2000205/01/1994
 Recall 96 v 253 00e/rear lamp socket: replaced rear lamp bulbs 2-3 times a month. dealer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was not covered under recall due to vin.*ak due to safety issue with non functioning brake light, consumer paid to replace defective rear lamp socket assembly.*jb
05/31/19983
 Ongoing problem with tail lights not iluminating properly, been to an independent repair shop on three occasions, and problem still occurring. dealer/manufacturer were not notified at this time. feel free to provide any further details on this matter. *ak
 Rear lamp socket was on recall, the part was replaced and repaired, but with the same defective part. however, problem has occurred again. ford knew of problem, but would not take responsibility. *ak
06/01/199410002/01/1994
 There is a current recall campaign #96v253003 date: 08/17/98 for this vehicle, which describes the problem exactly, but ford says my specific vehicle is not covered.
11/04/1996
 Consumer states when driving the and applying the brakes they make alot of noise. also, tranmission is going out. consumer had to keep putting bulbs in the tail lights, and the dealer can't found the problem. *ak
05/20/1994
 The rear brake/tail light socket is poorly designed. the light was not receiving the power signal from the brake. the metal socket is pressure fit in the plastic retaining ring. even when pushe dtogether, the fixture falls apart, causing the light to lose contact with braking action. *ak
08/22/19942
 Right rear amber light failed due to socket on bulb wiring harness broken.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TAIL LIGHTS - SWITCH
09/15/2002
 Consumer noticed the rear tail and brake lights are not working properly. dealer has been notified. please provide fiurther information. mr
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL
07/18/200790000301/07/2000
 Ford told me the vin didn't show up on their recall records. as a result, the car was either repaired already or wasn't subject to the recall. according to nhtsa recall 96v253003 recall the car should be included in the recall since it experienced the same problem as mentioned in the recall. this problem has never been repaired by a dealer. i had no idea why it didn't come up on my vin . but the customer representative kept saying it was not in their records. *ak
02/01/19942
 Left rear turn signal light failed twice. *ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL - SWITCH
09/15/1998101/01/1994
 2 front engine manifold bolts sheared off, causing exhaust leak into vehicle and possible head warping problems in the future.the rear tail lights have blown bulbs on an average of 4 a year ,once resulting in a rear end collision. my ignition switch is so screwed up, it is impossible to remove the key safely so i am forced to leave it in at all times.my wiper/turnsignal switch has been a joke from day 1, the techs couldn't figure it out until the warrantee was over and tried to charge me for it. *ak
08/30/19991
 The multi-function switch failed causing the wiper to only operate on high. nlm